George Bush Voted for Chase Utley, I Voted for...

The President was asked if he could pick one player to build a team around, who would it be? And, W. said, "Chase Utley."

After having a while to think about whom I'd build my team around, I came to some conclusions. First, he has to have a reliable bat/arm. Second, he must not be on the DL, ever. Third, he must not be a locker-room cancer. We've all seen the "bad" interviews where teammates interrupted or refused to talk. Not to mention the dugout fights. My guy has to be an all-around mensch, and he must be young, but proven.

My Top Five

With my No. 1 pick, I would choose Jose Reyes.

Let's face it, next to pitchers, the most important player to have is a shortstop. He's a proven star and a proven leader. Over the last two-and-a-half seasons, he has averaged 13 homers, 57 RBI, and 56 stolen bases, all with a .285 batting average. Most importantly, at shortstop, he's averaged only 13 errors in the same time frame. He can hit, and he can field. 

If Reyes was unavailable, my next pick would be his teammate David Wright. In the last two-and-a-half seasons, he has averaged 23 home runs, 94 RBI, 16 steals, and has a batting average of .310. He also won a Golden Glove last year, to the chagrin of Chipper Jones. Wright has averaged a little under 17 errors per season. He's another proven hitter and proven leader.

If Reyes and Wright were gone, my pick would be Chase Utley. I think the President isn't the brightest bulb in the room; however, he does know baseball (except who not to trade).

Chase Utley's play on the field has been amazing for the Phillies. Even after missing 30 games last year, he still has a two-and-a-half-year average of .314, 153 hits, a little over 25 home runs, and a little more than 89 RBI.

During his play at second base, and sporadically at first, he has averaged a little more than 11 errors. Clearly, Utley's consistency and the start to his season this year make my case.

If they were unavailable, my choice would go to Hanley Ramirez of the Marlins. Hanley has averaged 21 home runs, an anemic 58 RBI, 40 stolen bases, a batting average of .308, and 162 hits.

The Marlins' shortstop is their future. He has an annual average of 25 errors. A statistic that he is well on pace to reach (he's currently at 12).

The conclusion to my top five is a player whose name you don't typically hear, Grady Sizemore. Over the last two seasons, he's played in every game, and in the last two-and-a-half-seasons has averaged 148 hits, 23 homers, and has averaged 24 steals. For me, the most important statistic is his six errors in center field. He comes to work everyday, plays hard, and is consistent.

If you think that players like Bonds, Pujols, A-Rod, Ryan Howard, and Cabrera are missing from the list, hear me out.

Bonds was a cancer in the locker room and on the field. It says something when the player who has hit the most home runs in league history cannot find a job.

Alex Rodriguez is by far in the top-ten players annually. My only problem with A-rod is his contract. Which, is also the problem I have with my favorite player, Miguel Cabrera. They make entirely too much money. Plus, Miguel's fielding problems should discount his contract.

The league's best player is Albert Pujols, and he comes with a "modest" contract. But, I wouldn't build a team around him, even though he's only 28. My concern is that once his contract runs out, he'd pursue free agency and get A-Rod money.

My problems with Ryan Howard is that he averaged 190 strikeouts over the last two seasons, and he is on pace for a 200-strikeout season.