Over the next few weeks RealGMBaseball will be holding our 2014 Major League Baseball ‘Be The GM’ Contest to determine which player would be the best selection to build a franchise around.

The contest, which is being brought to you by the Original Retro Brand, is described and previewed here: RealGM’s 2014 ‘Be The GM’ Contest. You’ll want to check out the link for rules on how to enter to win a $50 Retro Brand gift card and to see the full contest schedule.

Brett Lawrie of the Toronto Blue Jays and Chris Sale of the Chicago White Sox are featured in Friday’s matchup. Voting will extend through the end of the first round.

Lawrie, 24, was embraced by fans north of the border immediately upon his arrival on Dec. 6, 2010 in the Shaun Marcum trade (Milwaukee Brewers). He was selected 16th overall in 2008, the highest a Canadian position player has ever been drafted. His talent, coupled with homegrown roots, caused many to label him a savior.

The infielder has amassed 1,276 plate appearances since his debut in 2011. Lawrie is hitting .265/.323/.425 with 37 home runs and 140 RBIs over parts of four seasons. As he works on his offense, Lawrie has already cemented himself as a strong defender. He has yet to commit an error this season and ranked first in Total Zone Runs at third back in 2012. He has contributed 10.4 WAR in 306 games, a very respectable total.

Sale, 25, might be the best young pitcher most casual fans have missed out on. An All-Star the last two seasons, the left-hander finished sixth and fifth in the American League Cy Young voting in 2012 and 2013, respectively. In five seasons, Sale has not finished with an ERA above 3.07. As a reliever in 2010, his first campaign, he averaged 12.3 strikeouts per nine innings.

His strikeout rate has diminished since becoming a member of the starting rotation, but he has still been extremely effective. Sale pitched 214.1 innings last season, totaling 226 strikeouts and four complete games. He allowed 23 home runs, but ranked third in the AL in WHIP (1.073). Only Hisashi Iwakuma ranked higher among pitchers in AL WAR last year.

Vote In This Matchup: Lawrie or Sale?

Previous Matchups:

May 7: Tanaka or Longoria?

May 5: Machado or Bogaerts?

Next Matchup: May 12 – Jason Kipnis, Indians vs. Miguel Cabrera, Tigers

Don’t forget to Tweet your pick along with #BeTheGM to be entered to win a $50 Retro Brand gift card.