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 pick?
The Brewers finally put an end to the Chicago, St. Louis and Houston exclusive dominance of the NL Central in 2008 season, largely thanks to Ryan Braun's bat. Jay Bruce will be a big factor if the Reds can return to the playoffs for the first time since the 90's over the next few years.
Jay Bruce, RF, Cincinnati Reds
Other players considered from the Reds: Joey Votto, Edinson Volquez
Why he's a franchise player: Bruce played 108 games as a rookie in 2008, hitting for an OPS of .767 and 21 homers. He had seven homers in August and September, as he made adjustments facing big league pitchers for the first time.
He came into the 2008 season as one of the best two or three prospects in the game and the still almost 22-year-old looks like he won't disappoint as long as he can raise his OBP and be more productive against lefties.
Ryan Braun, LF, Milwaukee Brewers
Other players considered from the Brewers: Prince Fielder
Why he's a franchise player: In just two big league seasons, Braun has a ROY and a third place showing in the MVP race while posting a career OPS of .938. He slugged an almost mythical .534 as a rookie and followed it up with a still excellent and more realistic long term .553. Braun has the sixth best slugging percentage at the end of his first two seasons.
He had a ton of big hits as the Brewers made their first postseason since before Braun was even born.
After making 26 errors in just 112 games at third base in 2007, Braun successfully made the transition to left field where he didn't make a single error all season.
Braun is 29 home runs away from joining Albert Pujols, Ralph Kiner, Eddie Mathews, Mark Teixeira and Joe DiMaggio to hit at least 100 homers during a player's first three seasons in the bigs.
