East Side: The Best Team Comprised of Only Eastern Divisions Members

D.A.

Senior Analyst Written on August 29, 2009

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NEW YORK - JUNE 17: Ryan Zimmerman #11 of the Washington Nationals bats against the New York Yankees on June 17, 2009 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

Here's part one of a three-part series. I am attempting to create the best possible team from each set of divisions-the East, Central, and West.

This list includes the best player at each position from the Yankees, Phillies, Red Sox, Braves, Rays, Marlins, Blue Jays, Mets, Orioles, and Nationals.

A couple of notes:

1. This is based solely on this year's performances by the players.

2. There is one "bench," or backup, player for each position.

3. I didn't include a DH.

Catcher: Brian McCann (Atlanta Braves)

ATLANTA - AUGUST 23: Brian McCann #16 of the Atlanta Braves hits a two-run single in the bottom of the eighth inning against the Florida Marlins on August 23, 2009 at Turner Field in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

McCann missed time due to an eye injury, and he's still putting up ridiculous numbers:.287 avg, 17 HR, 72 RBI, .861 OPS

Bench: Victor Martinez (Boston Red Sox) doesn't get the starting nod because of his god-awful defense.

First Base: Mark Teixeira (New York Yankees)

NEW YORK - AUGUST 27: Mark Teixeira #25 of The New York Yankees in action against The Texas Rangers during their game on August 27th, 2009 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx Borough of New York. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Teixeira is putting up MVP-worthy numbers, and his defense is superior to most: .286 avg, 31 HR, 97 RBI, .929 OPS

Bench: Adam Dunn (Washington Nationals) doesn't get the starting nod due to his defense. If he were in the AL, he'd be MVP.

Apologies to: Kevin Youkilis and Ryan Howard

Second Base: Chase Utley (Philadelphia Phillies)

PHOENIX - JULY 28: Chase Utley#26 of the Philadelphia Phillies bats against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the major league baseball game at Chase Field on July 28, 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Phillies defeated the Diamondbacks 4-3. (Photo by Christia

Chase Utley is by far the best second baseman in baseball, and he plays great defense: .301 avg, 27 HR, 82 RBI, .963 OPS

Bench: Aaron Hill (Toronto Blue Jays) has been the best second baseman in the AL this year.

Apologies to: Ben Zobrist, Robinson Cano

Shortstop: Hanley Ramirez (Florida Marlins)

ATLANTA - AUGUST 22: Shortstop Hanley Ramirez #2 of the Florida Marlins throws to first base against the Atlanta Braves on August 22, 2009 at Turner Field in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

I've said it over and over, and I'll say it again. Hanley Ramirez is the most talented player in baseball: .366 avg, 19 HR, 85 RBI, 1.000 OPS

Bench: Jason Bartlett (Tampa Bay Rays) has been the best shortstop in the American League this year.

Apologies to: Derek Jeter, Yunel Escobar

Third Base: Ryan Zimmerman (Washington Nationals)

DENVER - JULY 08: Ryan Zimmerman #11 of the Washington Nationals takes an at bat against the Colorado Rockies during MLB action at Coors Field on July 8, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. The Rockies defeated the Nationals 10-4. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty I

In my opinion, Zimmerman is more talented than Evan Longoria, and the numbers don't lie: .302 avg, 27 HR, 88 RBI, .911 OPS

Bench: Evan Longoria (Tampa Bay Rays) is having a good year, even though he's slowed down some.

Apologies to: David Wright*, Mike Lowell

Left Field: Adam Lind (Toronto Blue Jays)

OAKLAND, CA - MAY 10: Adam Lind #26 of the Toronto Blue Jays bats against the Oakland Athletics during a Major League Baseball game on May 10, 2009 at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Having a power hitter than can also bat .300 is a great weapon: .299 avg, 25 HR, 80 RBI, .897 OPS

Bench: Carl Crawford (Tampa Bay Rays) gets the edge over Jason Bay because of speed, defense, and consistency.

Apologies to: Jason Bay, Raul Ibanez

Center Field: Shane Victorino (Philadelphia Phillies)

SAN FRANCISCO - AUGUST 02: Shane Victorino #8 of the Philadelphia Phillies bats against the San Francisco Giants during a Major League Baseball game at AT&T Park on August 2, 2009 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Victorino can run, hit, and play defense. What else do you want? The center-fielder crop in the East divisions is pretty weak, too.

This season's numbers: .308 avg, 9 HR, 55 RBI,.847 OPS

Bench: Adam Jones (Baltimore Orioles) is having an All-Star year.

Apologies to: Nyjer Morgan*

Right Field: Nick Markakis (Baltimore Orioles)

NEW YORK - JULY 20: Nick Markakis #21 of the Baltimore Orioles bats against the New York Yankees on July 20, 2009 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Markakis continues to be the most underrated player in baseball: .305 avg, 16 HR, 88 RBI, .838 OPS

Bench: Jayson Werth (Philadelphia Phillies) was an All-Star and can hit for power, field, and run.

Rotation: Roy Halladay, Josh Johnson, Javier Vazquez, Johan Santana, Jair Jurrjens

ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 6: Roy Halladay #32 of the Toronto Blue Jays throws a pitch against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium May 6, 2009 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Injury has hampered Halladay's effectiveness of late, but he's still one of the best pitchers in the game. Halladay's the ace: 13-7, 3.03 ERA, 159 Ks, 1.14 WHIP

Rotation

Javier Vazquez (Atlanta Braves): 11-9, 3.02 ERA, 192 Ks, 1.05 WHIP

Josh Johnson (Florida Marlins): 13-3, 3.04 ERA, 149 Ks, 1.11 WHIP

Johan Santana* (New York Mets): 13-9, 3.13 ERA, 146 Ks, 1.21 WHIP

Jair Jurrjens (Atlanta Braves): 10-8, 2.91 ERA, 120 Ks, 1.26 WHIP

Apologies to: CC Sabathia, Jon Lester

Closer: Mariano Rivera (New York Yankees)

NEW YORK - JULY 19: Mariano Rivera #42 of the New York Yankees pitches against the Detroit Tigers on July 19, 2009 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Yankees defeated the Tigers 2-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

The greatest closer of all time is still the best in the game today: 36 saves, 1.83 ERA, 60 Ks, 0.91 WHIP

Bench: Jonathan Papelbon (Boston Red Sox) is having yet another All-Star year.

Lineup

Here's how I would line the order:

1. Victorino-CF
2. Ramirez-SS
3. Utley-2B
4. Teixeira-1B
5. Markakis-RF
6. Zimmerman-3B
7. Lind-LF
8. McCann-C
9. Halladay-SP

Begin Slideshow

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written on August 29, 2009 Opinion

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