RealGM Analysis
By Darryl Reina
Now that the World Series home field advantage has been decided, by yet another win for the American League, baseball's best players return to the diamond this weekend. Will any of our Top 25 players be dealt by the July 31st trade deadline? Take a look at this weeks RealGM.com's Top 10 Player Rankings, with Red Sox slugger David Ortiz our new #1 ranked player.
This Week (Last Week)
1.(6.) David Ortiz: One of baseball's most feared sluggers with an MLB leading 31 HR's for the AL-East leading Red Sox. Is the media ready to give the MVP to a DH? At least we know that he 'could' play the field, following his impressive glove work in the All-Star Game.
2.(3.) David Wright: The young Mets' All-Star was second in this year's home run derby. 3.(1.) Joe Mauer: The Twins' All-Star catcher has a simple approach to hitting. If you have a chance, take a look the next time he visits your home ballpark. 4.(7.) Albert Pujols: The St. Louis star is back and hitting walk-off HR's for the first place Cardinals. 5.(4.) Derek Jeter: I think Jeter is ready for the Yankee's stretch-run. Though it looks like Derek and the Yankees will have to win the Division to play in October.
6.(2.) Ichiro Suzuki: The Seattle All-Star is a hitting machine. Can he help get the Mariners back into the AL-West race? 7.(5.) Miguel Cabrera: The young NL All-Star will be coveted by several teams before the trading deadline. How many prospects does a team have to give up for the most proven young slugger this side of Pujols? 8.(9.) Roy Halliday: With those outstanding numbers, Halliday is a leading AL Cy Young candidate. 9.(8.) Jose Contreras: The White Sox will need Jose to catch the Tigers this season. 10.(10.) Lance Berkman: The Astros need more offensive help to support Berkman's productive numbers. 11.(11.) Johan Santana 12.(12.) Alfonso Soriano 13.(22.) Michael Young (All-Star MVP!) 14.(17.) Miquel Tejada 15.(18.) Vladamir Guerrero 16.(19.) Brandon Webb 17.(20.) Jonathan Papelbon 18.(23.) Paul Konerko 19.(24.) Manny Ramirez 20.(HM) Francisco Liriano 21.(HM) Chris Carpenter 22.(HM) Carlos Beltran 23.(HM) Alex Rodriquez 24.(HM) Mariano Rivera 25.(HM) Nomar Garciaparra Honorable Mention: Justin Morneau, Scott Rolen, Vernon Wells, Tom Glavine, Alex Rios, Curt Schilling, Mike Mussina, Dan Uggla, Jermaine Dye, Jorge Posada, Freddy Sanchez, Magglio Ordonez, Jim Thome, Brian McCann, Brad Penny, Jason Bay, Shea Hillenbrand, Jose Reyes, Mark Teixeira, Travis Hafner, Andruw Jones, Casey Blake, Grady Sizemore, Chipper Jones, David Eckstein, Edgar Renteria, A.J. Pierznyski, Bronson Arroyo, Houston Street, Carl Crawford, Chase Utley, Johnny Damon, Trot Nixon, Robinson Cano, Derek Lee, Carlos Lee, Kenny Rogers, Barry Zito, Tom Gordon, Jason Isringhausen, Bobby Abreu, Jeremy Boderman, Scott Kasmir, Jose Lopez, B.J. Ryan, Ivan Rodriquez, Jason Schmidt, Ryan Howard, Matt Holiday, and Shawn Green.
2.(3.) David Wright: The young Mets' All-Star was second in this year's home run derby. 3.(1.) Joe Mauer: The Twins' All-Star catcher has a simple approach to hitting. If you have a chance, take a look the next time he visits your home ballpark. 4.(7.) Albert Pujols: The St. Louis star is back and hitting walk-off HR's for the first place Cardinals. 5.(4.) Derek Jeter: I think Jeter is ready for the Yankee's stretch-run. Though it looks like Derek and the Yankees will have to win the Division to play in October.
6.(2.) Ichiro Suzuki: The Seattle All-Star is a hitting machine. Can he help get the Mariners back into the AL-West race? 7.(5.) Miguel Cabrera: The young NL All-Star will be coveted by several teams before the trading deadline. How many prospects does a team have to give up for the most proven young slugger this side of Pujols? 8.(9.) Roy Halliday: With those outstanding numbers, Halliday is a leading AL Cy Young candidate. 9.(8.) Jose Contreras: The White Sox will need Jose to catch the Tigers this season. 10.(10.) Lance Berkman: The Astros need more offensive help to support Berkman's productive numbers. 11.(11.) Johan Santana 12.(12.) Alfonso Soriano 13.(22.) Michael Young (All-Star MVP!) 14.(17.) Miquel Tejada 15.(18.) Vladamir Guerrero 16.(19.) Brandon Webb 17.(20.) Jonathan Papelbon 18.(23.) Paul Konerko 19.(24.) Manny Ramirez 20.(HM) Francisco Liriano 21.(HM) Chris Carpenter 22.(HM) Carlos Beltran 23.(HM) Alex Rodriquez 24.(HM) Mariano Rivera 25.(HM) Nomar Garciaparra Honorable Mention: Justin Morneau, Scott Rolen, Vernon Wells, Tom Glavine, Alex Rios, Curt Schilling, Mike Mussina, Dan Uggla, Jermaine Dye, Jorge Posada, Freddy Sanchez, Magglio Ordonez, Jim Thome, Brian McCann, Brad Penny, Jason Bay, Shea Hillenbrand, Jose Reyes, Mark Teixeira, Travis Hafner, Andruw Jones, Casey Blake, Grady Sizemore, Chipper Jones, David Eckstein, Edgar Renteria, A.J. Pierznyski, Bronson Arroyo, Houston Street, Carl Crawford, Chase Utley, Johnny Damon, Trot Nixon, Robinson Cano, Derek Lee, Carlos Lee, Kenny Rogers, Barry Zito, Tom Gordon, Jason Isringhausen, Bobby Abreu, Jeremy Boderman, Scott Kasmir, Jose Lopez, B.J. Ryan, Ivan Rodriquez, Jason Schmidt, Ryan Howard, Matt Holiday, and Shawn Green.
