A lot has happened in Major League Baseball since the last Hanging Curve, including an injury to a future Hall of Famer (Mariano Rivera), the benching of another (Albert Pujols) and a career-week for a slugger (Josh Hamilton) on a path that could lead to Cooperstown.
If the Jays front office thinks they can form a starting rotation worthy of contending in the East in the next couple seasons, there is no reason to believe that they will not make a run at Prince Fielder.
Ryan Braun and Troy Tulowitzki talked to RealGM about LeBron James and starting their own big three.
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Over the next few weeks as the NCAA Tournament and Spring Training dominate the month of March, we have combined the two for our own March Madness, which will determine who the readers of RealGM will select in the second edition of our 'Be The GM' series.
Though there are many different potential answers, the question is simple; If you were to start a MLB franchise from scratch and had the option to pick any player in the world, who would you pi
The Rangers and Mariners have been on the outside looking in at the Angels and A's over the past few seasons. Seattle is in complete rebuild mode, but the Rangers have a ton of talent in their system with Josh Hamilton being the center of the franchise.
Josh Hamilton, OF, Texas Rangers
Other players considered from the Rangers: Ian Kinsler, Chris Davis, Neftali Feliz, Justin Smoak
Why he's a franchise player: Hamilton had a truly special 2008 in a feel-good comeback story for the 1999 first overall pick.
After a brief 'I could still deliver on my promise' season in Cincinnati in 2007 in which he hit for an OPS of .922 with 19 homers in just 298 at bats, he was dealt to Texas for Edinson Volquez. This was a rare trade that worked out well for both clubs in 2008, with both being named to the All-Star game.
Hamilton played a full season and hit 32 home runs while driving in 130. He hit .304/.371/.530 and established himself as one of the purest power hitters in the game.
As is always the case with players from Texas and Colorado, examining the home/away splits is imperative and his .779 road OPS compared to 1.019 takes a little wind out of his sails. But he at least did improve substantially against lefties, raising his 2007 OPS of .588 to .801.
Though he adequately patrolled center field, he is a classic corner outfielder and should fare better defensively and also at the plate while carrying a lighter load with his glove.
Felix Hernandez, RHP, Seattle Mariners
Other players considered from the Mariners: Jeff Clement, Wladimir Balentien
Why he's a franchise player: Seattle really doesn't have much else right now beyond King Felix, but it's tough to go wrong with an almost 23-year-old who has 104 career starts and a 3.80 ERA. Doc Gooden is the only pitcher since the 70's besides Hernandez to have over 100 starts at 22.
Hernandez burst onto the scene as a 19-year-old in 2005 and had a 2.67 ERA and 77 strikeouts in 84.3 innings over 12 end of season starts.
With through the roof expectations in 2006, Hernandez had a 4.52 ERA in 191 innings. The increase in WHIP from 2005 (0.996) to 2006 (1.335) was large. That WHIP has continued to be in the 1.300's in 2007 and 2008, but he has simply learned how to pitch out of trouble with increasing efficiency.
Milage is possibly the biggest concern on Hernandez because he has the stuff to be an ace for many more years.
