MLB

The Athlete’s Hub MLB All-Time League.

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Legendary Mets’ Starter Tom Seaver (Credit: NYDailyNews)

The latest of my many projects, I have been selected to put together the extremely difficult task of an All-Time Major League Baseball League. All 30 current MLB teams and 6-Expansion Cities of my choosing. For this project, I held myself to a couple rules, just to make the unrealistic a bit more realistic….

  • Each team gets 25-man roster (5 starting pitchers), a manager and September Call-Ups (40-Man Roster). 
  • Each player can only be used once. For example, if Dave Winfield is on the Padres then the Hall of Fame Outfielder cannot be on the Yankees. I attempted to make each team as best as possible while having the legitimate best of the best. 
  • With the exception of the six selected expansion teams, the players on each team must’ve played on that team. 
  • Every player in MLB History is eligible. 
  • The teams are separated by division, and then expansion teams. 
  • This piece will later be followed up by Part II: Standings, where after I give my outlook, Athlete’s Hub will sim multiple seasons and through trades and free agency, team’s will definitely get shaken up a bit more. Any team you currently disagree with email me, for the sake of time I won’t go into explaining every single choice. 
  • Any relocated team (Expos/Nationals, Philly A’s/Oakland A’s) can use their entire franchise history.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

AL East
The Boston Red Sox, Fenway Park

Jim Rice and Ted Williams, MLB Hall of Famers (courtesy of the Boston Red Sox)

SP

  1. Cy Young
  2. Jon Lester
  3. Pedro Martinez
  4. Tim Wakefield
  5. Rick Porcello

OF Carl Yastrzymski
2B Dustin Pedroia
OF Jim Rice
DH David Ortiz
1B Mo Vaughn
C Jason Varitek
3B Johnny Pesky
SS Nomar GarciaParra
OF Ted Williams
RELIEF
Jonathon Papelbon (Closer)
Ernie Shore
Mike Timlin
Scott Atchison
Byung-Hyun Kim
Bench: Johnny Damon, Xander Bogaerts, Mike Greenwell, Dwight Evans, Mookie Betts, Mike Napoli
September Call-Ups: Jackie Bradley Jr., Brock Holt, Jacoby Ellsbury, Butch Hobson, Del Pratt, Dom DiMaggio, Tom Poquette, Luis Rivera, Ryan Hanigan, Clay Buccholz, Rick Ferrell, Mike Boddicker Travis Shaw, Trot Nixon, Lou Merloni
Manager: Eddie Kasko

Team Outlook: A near perfect team, you have some of the most beloved figures in baseball history (Ortiz, Yaz) and five tool players (Pedroia). Some nice contact hitters (Williams) and multiple Hall of Famers. Then you look at the pitching side of things: Cy Young has more wins than any other pitchers in history, and Rick Porcello is the reigning AL Cy Young winner (for Boston). Lester led them to the World Series in 2007 and 2013, while Wakefield has a nasty knuckle.

The New York Yankees, Yankee Stadium

Lou Gehrig’s legendary speech. Courtesy of the New York Yankees

SP

  1. Whitey Ford
  2. Andy Pettitte
  3. Ron Guidry
  4. Jack Chesbro
  5. Lefty Gomez

SS Derek Jeter
C Yogi Berra
DH Alex Rodriguez
OF Babe Ruth
OF Joe DiMaggio
OF Mickey Mantle
2B Robinson Cano
3B Wade Boggs
1B Lou Gehrig
RELIEF
Mariano Rivera (Closer)
Andrew Miller
Dellin Betances
Goose Gossage
Johnny Murphy
Bench: Thurmon Munson, Jorge Posada, Brett Gardner, Phil Rizzuto, Roger Maris, Bill Dickey
September Call-Ups: DiDi Gregorious, Bob Meusel, Herb Pencock, Red Ruffing, Greg Bird, Earle Combs, Joe Gordon, Jim Leyritz, Masahiro Tanaka, Scott Brosius, Jason Giambi, Aaron Hicks,  Bobby Murcur, Henry Cotto, Hideki Matsui
Manager: Joe Torre

Team Out-Look: Here we have it..the dreaded, deadly, hated Bronx Bombers. One of the most exciting rosters you’ll come across, you have a lead-off hitter, one of the greatest contact hitters ever, in Wade Boggs batting eighth with a normal cleanup hitter batting 9th in Lou Gehrig. Top to bottom straight up deadly. Three Hall of Fame outfielders, a Hall of 3B, catcher and 1B. A SS and DH who are likely future Hall of Famers and one of the best 2B in the game today. The bullpen has 2 Hall of Famers, 2 of the best relievers currently in baseball and the All-Time Saves Leader. The rotation has Hall of Fame aces Jack Chesbro, Lefty Gomez and Whitey Ford. It also has Andy Pettitte, the leader of the late-’90s, early-’00s Yankee dynasty. Hall of Fame skipper Joe Torre was the mastermind behind the dynasty.

The Tampa Bay Rays, Tropicana Field

The two greatest Rays ever: Evan Longoria and James Shields (Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE)

SP

  1. James Shields
  2. David Price
  3. Matt Garza
  4. Alex Cobb
  5. Scott Kazmir

OF Carl Crawford
OF Kevin Kiermaier
3B Evan Longoria
1B Carlos Pena
DH Corey Dickerson
SS Ben Zobrist
OF BJ Upton
2B Logan Forsythe
C Dioner Navarro
RELIEF
Alex Colome (Closer)
Grant Balfour
Brad Boxberger
Rafael Soriano
JP Howell
Bench: Paul Sorrento, Brandon Guyer, Akinori Iwamura, Jonny Gomes, Brad Miller, Jose Canseco
September Callups: Nick Franklin, Richie Shaffer, Jaff Decker, Erasmo Ramirez, Jason Bartlett, Steven Souza Jr., Kelly Shoppach, Dan Johnson, Tony Saunders, Jason Hammel, Xavier Cedeno, Jake Odorizzi, Jeff Niemann, Jacob Faria, Willy Adames
Manager: Joe Maddon

Team Out-Look: The ALs youngest franchise comes in with some of MLBs most prominent current players, such as Boston Ace David Price, Cubs super-utility man Ben Zobrist, and Dodger Second Baseman Logan Forsythe. 2016 All-Star, closer Alex Colome is the head of a lights out bullpen, alongside current Blue Jay set-up man JP Howell. Brad Boxberger led the league in saves in 2015, with Soriano and Balfour being lights out in stints as Tampa Closers. The bullpen is a strength, and with guys like Brandon Guyer coming off of the bench gives you speed and on base percentage. Miller gives you power. Defense is key, as Kiermaier, Longoria, Pena and Crawford have all won gold gloves during their Tampa tenure(s). All 5 starters were deadly in Tampa, with more starting pitching depth coming up in September. Odorizzi was their best pitcher in 2016 and Hammel has always been a solid #3.

The Toronto Blue Jays, The SkyDome

Jays Hall of Fame 2B Roberto Alomar (Sportsnet.ca)

SP

  1. Roy Halladay
  2. David Wells
  3. Marcus Stroman
  4. Dave Stieb
  5. Jimmy Key

3B Josh Donaldson
2B Roberto Alomar
DH Edwin Encarnacion
OF Jose Bautista
OF George Bell
OF Kevin Pillar
SS Tony Fernandez
1B Carlos Delgado
C Russell Martin
RELIEF
Brett Cecil
Mike Timlin
Tom Henke (Closer)
Billy Koch
Paul Quantrill
Bench: Joe Carter, Ed Sprague, Otis Nixon, Josh Phelps, Vernon Wells, Eddie Zosky
September Call-Up’s: Devon Travis, J.A. Happ, Roberto Osuna, Kelly Gruber, Willie Upshaw, Alex Gonzalez, Ben Revere, Eric Hinske, Greg Myers, Domaso Garcia, Lyle Overbay, Ryan Goins, Dave Collins, Maicer Izturis, Michael Saunders
Manager: Cito Gaston

Team Out-Look: Probably the least impressive team thus far, it’s still impressive. The 2015 AL MVP alongside a Hall of Fame 2B, Hall of Very Good slugger at first base and a defensive genius at short, create a very unique infield with Kevin Pillar’s spectacular glove in center. Bats and Bell aren’t very good defensively, but make up for that offensively. You have a future Hall of Fame ace in Halladay and the ace of the future in Stroman.

The Baltimore Orioles, Camden Yards

Cal Ripken Jr. and Eddie Murray. (Courtesy of the Baltimore Orioles)

SP

  1. Jim Palmer
  2. Mike Flanagan
  3. Dave McNally
  4. Mike Mussina
  5. Sidney Ponson

1B Eddie Murray
3B Brooks Robinson
SS Cal Ripken
OF Frank Robinson
OF Nick Markakis
2B Marty McManus
C Mickey Tettleton
DH Aubrey Huff
OF Brady Anderson
RELIEF
Gregg Olson (Closer)
Armando Benitez
Randy Myers
George Sherrill
Jim Johnson
Bench: Matt Wieters, Rafael Palmiero, Ken Gerhart, Manny Machado, Chris Davis, Rene Gonzalez
September Call-Ups: Hugh Jennings, George Sisler, Boog Powell, Melvin Mora, Tony Batista, BJ Shurhoff, Red Kress, Baby Doll Jacobson, Steve Pearce, Al Bumbry, Bobby Grich, Jim Gentile, Vern Stephens, Adam Jones, Jonathon Schoop, Mike Cuellar
Manager: Buck Showalter

Team Out-Look: A very strong, under-the-radar pitching staff. Jim Palmer, the Hall of Fame hurler is obviously the clear-cut ace of the rotation and the staple, however, McNally won 20-games 4 straight seasons for Baltimore and had a stellar 3.24 career ERA, though lacked the Hall of Fame support. Mussina, who’s slowly gaining his rightful entry into Cooperstown, is the #4 starter, and had 270 career wins while being an excellent fielder (7 Gold Gloves) averaging 7.1 K’s Per-9-Innings Pitched. Sidney Ponson and Mike Flanagan (1979 Cy Young) just make the staff even deadlier. You have multiple Hall of Famers in the lineup, with legendary shortstop Cal Ripken Jr., who many consider the greatest to ever play the game, and 1B switch hitter Eddie Murray. Hall of Fame 3B Brooks Robinson and the stellar glove of current Atlanta Brave Nick Markakis.

AL Central
The Detroit Tigers, Tiger Stadium

Tigers’ Ace Justin Verlander (credit: MLB.com)

SP

  1. Justin Verlander
  2. Mickey Lolich
  3. Jack Morris
  4. Hal Newhouser
  5. George Mullin

OF Ty Cobb
OF Al Kaline
1B Hank Greenberg
OF Magglio Ordonez
DH DMitri Young
2B Charlie Gehringer
SS Alan Trammell
3B Dean Palmer
C Mickey Cochrane
RELIEF
Willie Hernandez (Closer)
Ariliuo Lopez
Bobby Seay
Todd Jones
John Hiller
Bench: Lou Whitaker, Victor Martinez, Willie Horton, Cecil Fielder, John Flaherty, Jim Morrison
September Call-Ups: JD Martinez, Norm Cash, Nate Snell, Ron LeFlore, Ray Boone, Champ Summers, Randall Simon, Gee Walker, Marv Owen, George Kell, Matt Nokes, Al Wingo, Harvey Kuenn
Manager: Sparky Anderson

Team Out-Look: Probably the most overall complete team in the Central division, Detroit should have 4 Hall of Fame starters, with only Newhouser inducted. Verlander obviously won’t be eligible until 5 years post retirement and Jack Morris had more wins in the 1980s than any other pitcher. Lolich, a workhouse, averaged 178 Ks a year, as well as averaging 229 innings a year while maintaining a 3.44 career ERA. Verlander’s case explains itself. Willie Hernandez at closer, who had one of the greatest years in relieving history in 1984 when he won the MVP and The Cy Young. Hall of Famer Hank Greenberg can flat out rake while Cobb and Kaline can flat out hit.The 1-2-3 hole is consisted ofHall of Famers, whilst the middle of the lineup is filled with straight power.

The Kansas City Royals, Kaufman Stadium

George Brett (BaseballHall.org)

SP

  1. Bret Saberhagen
  2. Mark Gubicza
  3. Zack Greinke
  4. David Cone
  5. Yordano Ventura

DH Hal McRae
OF Bo Jackson
3B George Brett
1B Eric Hosmer
OF Alex Gordon
OF Willie Wilson
2B Jose Offerman
SS Mike Aviles
C Salvador Perez
RELIEF
Dan Quisenberry (Closer)
Wade Davis
Joakim Soria
Jeff Montgomery
Danny Duffy
Bench: Mike Moustakas, Lorenzo Cain, Danny Tartabull, Darrel Porter, Chad Krueter, Kevin Seitzer
September Call-Ups: Dennis Leonard, Greg Holland, Brandon Finegan, Terry Shumpert, Lonnie Smith, Jose Santiago, Cheslor Cuthbert, Wilson Betemit, Fred Patek, John Mayberry, Kevin Appler, Curtis Wilkerson, Bob Melvin, Rico Rossey, Kevin McReynolds
Manager: Ned Yost

Team Out-Look: With their skipper leading them to back to back AL Crowns in ’14 and ’15, he now has an even more deadly roster. The athletic genius of Bo Jackson mixed in a lineup with the defensive gem, Salvador Perez, the 2016 All-Star 1B Eric Hosmer and Hall of Fame 3B George Brett; all around a near untouchable lineup from top to bottom. They have Lorenzo coming off of the bench. As for the rotation, you have the late-Ace, fiery young right-hander Yordano Ventura fifth in the rotation, with legendary Royal Bret Saberhagen and future Hall of Fame hurler Zack Greinke leading the way.

The Cleveland Indians, Progressive Field

Omar Vizquel, 1997 World Series. (inquistr)

SP

  1. Bob Feller
  2. Luis Tiant
  3. Cliff Lee
  4. Gaylord Perry
  5. Addie Joss

OF Kenny Lofton
SS Omar Vizquel
3B Jim Thome
C Sandy Alomar Jr
DH Larry Doby
OF Michael Brantley
OF Tris Speaker
2B Nap Lajoie
1B Hal Trosky Sr
RELIEF
Cody Allen (Closer)
Mike Jackson
Jose Mesa
Gary Bell
Don Mossi
Bench: Lonnie Chisenhall, Travis Hafner, Grady Sizemore, Albert Belle, Jason Kipness, Francisco Lindor
September Call-Ups: Brook Jacoby, Joe Sewall, Al Rosen, Andre Thornton, Toby Harrah, Jeff Heath, Joe Vosmik, Yan Gomes, Larry Gardner, Carlos Baerga, Johnny Hadopp, Ken Kellner, George Burns, Richie Sexson
Manager: Terry Francona

Team Out-Look: I honestly feel like I’m beating a dead horse here: all of these teams have been very similar thus far. A Cooperstown-Bound Skipper, a lights out closer who just took his team to the World Series, and Omar’s Hall of Fame worthy defense. Multiple Hall of Famer’s in the rotation. Same story, different roster.

The Chicago White Sox, Comiskey Park

Carlton Fisk (Chicago Tribune)

SP

  1. Wilbur Wood
  2. LaMar Hoyt
  3. Chris Sale
  4. Mark Buerhle
  5. Hoyt Wilhelm

OF Joe Jackson
OF Minnie Minoso
1B Frank Thomas
DH Harold Baines
C Carlton Fisk
2B Nellie Foxx
OF Aaron Rowand
SS Juan Uribe
3B Robin Ventura
RELIEF
Bobby Thigpen (Closer)
Addison Reed
Bobby Jenks
Keith Foulke
Bob Howry
Bench: Gordon Beckham, Carlos Lee, Alexei Ramirez, Scott Fletcher, Todd Frazier, Daryl Boston
September Call-Ups: Esteban Beltre, Jose Quintana, Carlos Lee, Luke Appling, Carl Reynolds, Jorge Ota, Don Buford, Pete Ward, Joe Crede, George Davis, Carlos Quentin, Al Smith, Eddie Robinson, Sherm Lollar, Zeke Bonura
Manager: Ozzie Guillen

Team Out-Look: While this isn’t a bad team, it’s not as good as one may have expected. It’s below par with all of the other teams thus far. It’s solid, but not overly great past the Hall of Fame catcher and 1B.

The Minnesota Twins, Metropolitan Stadium

Kirby Puckett. (Getty)

SP

  1. Bert Blyeleven
  2. Brad Rakde
  3. Jim Kaat
  4. Johan Santana
  5. Walter Johnson

1B Rod Carew
C Joe Mauer
OF Kirby Puckett
3B Harmon Killebrew
2B Brian Dozier
OF Michael Cuddyer
OF Tony Oliva
DH AJ Pierzynski
SS Roy Smalley
RELIEF
Joe Nathan (Closer)
Rich Aguilaira
Jeff Reardon
Glen Perkins
Eddie Guardado
Bench: Chuck Knoblauch, Junior Ortiz, Kent Hrbek, Eduardo Nunez, Justin Morneau, Torrii Hunter
September Call-Ups: Max Kepler, Miguel Sano, Trevor Plouffe, Greg Gagne, Shane Mack, Alexi Cassila, Al Newman, Mike Trombley, Earl Battey, Zoilio Versalles, Marty Cordova, Todd Walker, Willie Banks, Oswaldo Arcia, Dave LaRoche
Manager: Tom Kelly

Team Out-Look: Probably the best catching combination of all-time, platooning Mauer and Pierzynski between catcher and Designated Hitter, which just bolsters the lineup. You have Hall of Famers in Carew, Puckett and Killebrew, with a would-be-if-not-for-injuries Tony Oliva. When Walter Johnson is your fifth starter? Nasty rotation.

AL West
The Houston Astros, Astrodome

Jeff Bagwell (BaseballHall.Org)

SP

  1. Roger Clemens
  2. Mike Scott
  3. Roy Oswalt
  4. JR. Richard
  5. Dallas Keuchel

2B Jose Altuve
C Craig Biggio
1B Jeff Bagwell
OF Lance Berkman
DH George Springer
SS Carlos Correa
OF Cesar Cedeno
OF Moises Alou
3B Ken Caminiti
RELIEF
Billy Wagner (Closer)
Brad Lidge
Scott Feldman
Doug Jones

Joe Sambito
Bench: Brad Ausmus, Jeff Kent, Colby Rasmus, Glenn Wilson, Tony Eusebio, Andujar Cedeno
September Call-Ups: Alex Bregman, Octavio Dotel, Bud Norris, Franklin Stubbs, Jason Castro, Doug Rader, Lee May, Bob Watson, Jason Lane, Dickie Thon, Ty Wigginton, Jose Cruz, Gerald Young, Terry Puhl, Alan Ashby
Manager:  Bill Virdon

Team Out-Look: Outside of the “Killer B’s” and Jose Altuve, it’s not the most stacked lineup, but it for certain is one of the more fun lineups and teams in general. Mixed with young and old, the pitching staff has won a total of 9 Cy Young Awards, the most recent of which coming in 2015 from Dallas Keuchel. Should be a fun team to watch in the exciting AL West.

The Seattle Mariners, Safeco Field 

Edgar hits his legendary double (MLB.com)

SP

  1. Randy Johnson
  2. Jamie Moyer
  3. Felix Hernandez
  4. Erik Hanson
  5. Hisashi Iwakuma

OF Ichiro Suzuki
SS Carlos Guillen
DH Edgar Martinez
OF Ken Griffey Jr.
OF Jay Buhner
1B Alvin Davis
C Dan Wilson
2B Joey Cora
3B Jim Presley
RELIEF
Bill Caudill
JJ Putz
Carson Smith
Steve Cishek
Bobby Ayala (Closer)
Bench: Nelson Cruz, Spike Owen, Kyle Seager, Seth Smith, Ketel Marte, Mike Kingery
September Call-Ups: David Aardsma, Harold Reynolds, John Moses, Pat Lennon, Scott Bradley, Cesar Jiminez, Dave Valle, Alex Diaz, Danny Farquhar, Jeff Fassero, Russ Davis, Roenis Elias, Charlie Furbish, Nathan Karns, Jesus Montero
Manager: Lou Piniella

Team Out-Look: Probably the best all-around outfielder you will come across (though a big case can be made for the aforementioned DiMaggio/Ruth/Mantle), Buhner, Suzuki and The Kid are 3 of the best all around outfielders of all-time. All 3 bring something different to the table defensively and Buhner has one of the greatest arms that I’ve ever seen (and it was even mentioned by Jerry Stiller in Seinfeld). All 3 are fantastic offensively, as Griffey bombed more than 600 Major League homeruns and Suzuki has more professional hits than any other hitter in history. As for the rotation, you have a Hall-of-Fame firearm, a crafty lefty, and, well….The King.

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Angel Stadium

Best in the World. (MLB.com)

SP

  1. Bartolo Colon
  2. Jered Weaver
  3. Frank Tanana
  4. Chuck Finley
  5. Jim Abbott

OF Garrett Anderson
DH Brian Downing
OF Mike Trout
OF Tim Salmon
C Bengie Molina
1B Kendrys Morales
2B Adam Kennedy
SS Jim Fregosi
3B Troy Glaus
RELIEF
Huston Street
Troy Percival
Don Aase
Francisco Rodriguez (Closer)
Cam Bedrosian
Bench: Erick Aybar, Don Baylor, Bobby Abreu, Ruppert Jones, Andrelton Simmons, Devon White
September Call-Ups: Yunel Escobar, Kole Kalhoun, Willie Frasier, JT Snow, Goeff Zahn, Tyler Skaggs, Mark Ryal, Gregorio Petit, Jerry Remy, Luis Poloina, Gary DiSarnia, Earl Averill, Carney Lansford,  Bob Oliver, Alex Johnson
Manager: Mike Scioscia

Team Out-Look: Yet another super-exciting and enticing roster, you have the last two MLB 5-Tool Players: Mike Trout and per MLB.Com’s video, Bartolo Colon.The slugging pitcher is unfortunately in the AL where there’s a DH, however, fortunately for LAA, won the Cy Young with them in 2005. Mike Trout, the 2014 and 2016 MVP, is the first player in baseball history to finish top 2 in MVP voting for each of his first five Major League seasons, and at age 25 has surpassed a plethora of Hall of Famers in career WAR (Wins-Above-Replacement). You also have LA’s first superstar, the late-Jim Fregosi and Bengie Molina behind the plate, with a cannon of an arm. In 2008 with the Angels, closer Francisco Rodriguez set the single season save record and is currently fourth on the all-time list.

The Texas Rangers, Globe Life Park at Arlington

The Rangers iconic 3B. (FanRagsSports)

SP

  1. Nolan Ryan
  2. Fergie Jenkins
  3. C.J. Wilson
  4. Kevin Brown
  5. Kenny Rogers

SS Michael Young
2B Julio Franco
OF Frank Howard
3B Adrian Beltre
1B Mark Teixiera
C Ivan Rodriguez
OF Juan Gonzalez
OF Josh Hamilton
DH Milton Bradley
RELIEF
Neftali Feliz
Jim Kern
Josh Rupe (Closer)
Alexi Oganda
Derek Holland
Bench: Adrian Gonzalez, Fred Manrique, Jurickson Profar, Lenny Randle, Rusty Greer, Jim Sundberg
September Call-Ups: Pete Incavliga, Lee Stevens, Monty Farris, Ariel Jurado, Milton Bradley, Gabe Kapler,  Kelvin Estler, Bump Wills, Dave Nelson, Hank Blalock, Mickey Rivers, Pete O’Brien, Gary Matthews, Elvis Andrus
Manager: Bobby Valentine

 Team Out-Look: A very, very solid line-up and rotation, but questionable bullpen. The bench has multiple Hall of Very Good Players (and Lenny Randle), while the line-up itself has Hall of Famer Pudge Rodriguez, Hall of Fame lock Adrian Beltre (goes for hit 3,000 and homerun 500 this season), while gathered around possible Hall of Famers in Teixera and Michael Young. Nolan Ryan, considered by many the pitching GOAT, is world reknown as the greatest Ranger of all-time and also has Fergie Jenkins, another Hall of Famer in the rotation. With 2 very solid starters, they also have the young CJ Wilson.

The Oakland Athletics, O.co Coliseum

Mark McGwire (USAToday)

SP

  1. Catfish Hunter
  2. Lefty Grove
  3. Eddie Plank
  4. Dave Stewart
  5. Vida Blue

OF Rickey Henderson
2B Eddie Collins
1B Mark McGwire
OF Reggie Jackson
DH Billy Butler
SS Miguel Tejada
OF Coco Crisp
3B Sal Bando
C Terry Steinbach
RELIEF
Rollie Fingers (Closer)
Dennis Eckersley
Eddie Rommel
Chief Bender
George Earnshaw
Bench: Josh Reddick, Marcus Semien, Joaquin Andujar, Sam Fuld , Ben Grieve, Sam Chapman
September Call-Ups: RJ Alvarez,Sonny Gray, Sean Doolittle, Steve McCatty, Steve Karsay, Bill Mooneyham, Joe Klink, Gene Nelson, Brent Gates, Matt Keough, Todd Van Popppel, Jeff Jones, Dwayne Murphy
Manager: Tony La Russa

Team Out-Look: A Hall of Fame skipper, 4 hall of Famer starting pitchers (and one who threw a no-no), 2 Hall of Fame closers and outfielders, as well as a first basemen who once held the single-season homerun record, Oakland’s team is so stacked that it makes A’s fans depressed by looking at their current roster. This is a team that could rival any team you put in front of them.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

NL East
The Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Fulton-County Stadium

3oo-Game Winner, Tom Glavine. (ESPN)

SP

  1. Tom Glavine
  2. Phil Niekro
  3. Warren Spahn
  4. Tim Hudson
  5. Julio Teheran

SS Chipper Jones
OF Andruw Jones
OF Hank Aaron
OF David Justice
C Dale Murphy
3B Eddie Matthews
2B Davey Johnson
1B Freddie Freeman
RELIEF
John Smoltz (Closer)
Jason Grilli
Alejandro Pena
Mark Wohlers
Craig Kimbrel
Bench: Bob Horner, Jermaine Dye, Oddible McDowell, Terry Pendleton, Jeff Franceour, Brian McCann (interleague catcher, Murphy plays OF interleague, Justice DH), Rafael Furcal
September Call-Ups: Ender Inciarte, Vinny Castilla, Kevin Millwood, Steve Avery, Shelby Miller, Hector Olivera, Deion Sanders, Tommy Hanson, Felipe Alou, Javy Lopez, Christian Bethancourt, Tyler Flowers, Sid Bream, Ron Gant, Johnny Sain
Manager: Bobby Cox

Team Out-Look: Any team with Freddie Freeman (.302 AVG, 34 Homeruns, 30-Game-Hit-Steak in 2016) hitting 9th is a scary team, because that means you have very nice depth in the line-up. Andruw hit over 300 homeruns during his career, Mathews hit over 500 homeruns in his career, Aaron hit over 700 in his career. Through those 3 players alone you have more than 1,500 homeruns. Tom Glavine, Warren Spahn and Phil Niekro are all 3 Hall of Fame starting pitchers, who combined 986 career wins. Tim Hudson won over 200 games and 26-year-old stud, Julio Teheran, is a 2-time All-Star with a 3.39 ERA in 6 big league seasons. A Hall of Fame closer in the pen, as well as one of the best current relievers and the ace in the hole for the ’90s Braves, the bullpen is also full of filth.

The Philadelphia Phillies, Connie Mack Stadium

Michael Jack Schmidt (ESPN)

SP

  1. Cole Hammels
  2. Steve Carlton
  3. Marty Bystrom
  4. Jim Bunning
  5. Charlie Ferguson

2B Chase Utley
OF Hunter Pence
3B Mike Schmidt
1B Ryan Howard
OF Pat Burrell
SS Granny Hammer
OF Lenny Dykstra
RELIEF
Tug McGraw (Closer)
Dick Selma
Ricky Bottalico
Roger McDowell
Gene Garber
Bench: Maikel Franco, Odubel Herrera, Von Hayes, Dickie Thon, Garry Maddox (plays outfield in Interleague, Burrell DH), Luis Aguayo, Randy Ready
September Call-Ups: Ken Giles, Aaron Nola, Andres Blanco, Wendell Magee, Denton Keys, Rick Schu, Don Hurst, Ozzie Virgil, Elmer Fick, Dave Cash, Rick Wise, Raul Ibanez, Shane Victorino, Milt Thompson, Placido Polanco
Manager: Charlie Manuel

Team Out-Look: Very above average team, but I feel like it isn’t on par with the rest thus far. Maybe that’s just me, however, they are what a World Series team could look like on the right year.

The Miami Marlins

Miguel Cabrera (heavy.com)

SP

  1. Jose Fernandez
  2. Josh Johnson
  3. Kevin Brown
  4. Dontrelle Willis
  5. Andrew Cashner

SS Hanley Ramirez
2B Dee Gordon
3B Miguel Cabrera
OF Giancarlo Stanton
OF Gary Sheffield
1B Derrick Lee
OF Jeff Conine
C Charles Johnson
RELIEF
Bryan Harvey
Armando Benitez
Craig Breslow (Closer)
Burke Badenhop
AJ Ramos
Bench: Derek Dietrech, Christian Yelich, Adieny Hechaverria, JT Realmuto, Martin Prado (Interleague 3B, moves Hanley to SS and Cabrera to 1B, Derrick Lee DHs), Dan Uggla, Cameron Maybin
September Call-Ups: Logan Morrison, Jeremy Hermida, Justin Bour, Marcell Ozuna, Garrett Jones, Donovan Solano, Carter Capps. Heath Bell, Brian Ellington, Darrell Whitmore, Dave Magadan, Adam Conley, Luis Castillo, Juan Pierre, Mike Lowell
Manager: Jim Leyland

Team Out-Look: Mixed with young studs (Ramos, Realmuto) and superstars (Sheffield, Stanton, Cabrera), Florida looks set with what would easily be the greatest team in franchise history, whether they’d finish first or dead last. This team is filled with players that either got dealt or traded, and Giancarlo Stanton. They have what could be all the correct pieces and incorrect pieces and hope that everything can come full circle.

The New York Mets, Shea Stadium

Mookie Wilson (Newsday)

SP

  1. Tom Seaver
  2. Al Leiter
  3. Noah Syndergaard
  4. R.A. Dickey  
  5. Dwight Gooden

OF Darryl Strawberry
SS Jose Reyes
3B David Wright
C Mike Piazza
1B Keith Hernandez
OF Carlos Beltran
2B Gregg Jeffries
OF Mookie Wilson
RELIEF
Jesse Orosco
Randy Myers
Jeurys Familia
Rick White
John Franco (Closer)
Bench: Yoenis Cespedes (Interleague DH), Art Shamske, Mickey Sasser, Rene Rivera, Michael Conforto, Wally Blackman, Travis D’Arnaud
September Call-Ups: Dave Magadan, Steven Matz, Jacob deGrom, Juan Lagares, Doug Sisk, Aaron Heilman, Howard Johnson, Terry Bross, Mike Nickeas, Jeff Innis, Armando Benitez, Chris Young, Matt Harvey, Roger Cedeno, Tommy Agee
Manager: Terry Collins

Team Out-Look: A team with multiple 5-Tool-Players (Beltran, Cespedes), the heart and soul of the entire franchise (Wright) and the greatest starter to ever play (Seaver), Franco is the real wildcard as he ranks 5th in all-time saves, and Myers ranks top 10 as well. Familia is currently a near lights out closer too, giving them a nasty pen. Though the Braves are great, the Mets are just as good, and one of the main reasons the Phillies wouldn’t be as good as on paper.

The Washington Nationals (and Expos), Nationals Park

Nationals’ 1B Ryan Zimmerman (CBSSports)

SP

  1. Stephen Strasburg
  2. Javier Vazquez
  3. Steve Rogers
  4. Livian Hernandez
  5. Max Scherzer

OF Tim Raines
2B DeLino DeShields
3B Ryan Zimmerman
OF Vladimir Guerrero
1B Andres Gallaragga
C Gary Carter
SS Orlando Cabrera
OF Bryce Harper
RELIEF
Gio Gonzalez
John Wetteland (Closer)
Ugueth Urbina
Chad Cordero
Yusmiero Petit
Bench: Wilson Ramos, Tim Wallach, Wil Cordero, Anthony Rendon, Jayson Werth (Interleague DH), Nelson Santovania, Marquis Grissom
September Call-Ups: Jim Northrup, Tanner Roark, AJ Cole, Mike Lansing, Kevin Gross, Barry Jones, Tim Burke, Howard Farmer, Charlie Lea, Trea Turner, Tony Scott, Carlos Perez, Wayne Krenchicki, Mel Rojas
Manager: Dusty Baker

Team Out-Look: A very good team that’s filled with mostly current players (Zimmerman, Strasburg, Scherzer, Gonzalez, Harper, Werth and Rendon) mixed with Hall of Famers (Carter, Raines). They have a really young team, but a really good team. I just don’t feel it’d be enough to compete with the New York or Atlanta juggernauts, but they could easily surprise me.

NL Central
The Chicago Cubs, Wrigley Field

Greg Maddux (Getty Images)

SP

  1. Greg Maddux
  2. Jake Arrieta
  3. Grover Alexander
  4. Rick Sutcliffe
  5. Mordecai Brown

2B Ryne Sandberg
1B Cap Anson
OF Billy Williams
OF Andre Dawson
SS Ernie Banks
OF Sammy Sosa
C Rick Wilkins
3B Ron Santo
RELIEF
Bruce Sutter (Closer)
Heathcliffe Slocumb
Lee Smith
Pedro Strop
Trevor Cahill
Bench: Anthony Rizzo (Interleague 1B, Anson DH), Kris Bryant, Dexter Fowler, David Ross, Ryan Theriot, Rolando Roomes, Kyle Schwarber
September Call-Ups: Brant Brown, Alfonso Soriano, Jorge Soler, Joe Girardi, Damon Berryhill, Felix Pie, Manny Trillo, Aramis Ramirez, Leon Durham, Kerry Wood, Paul Kilgus, Randy Wells, Billy Herman, Bill Buckner, Andy Pafko
Manager: Frank Chance

Team Out-Look: A scary rotation, a scarier lineup and an even scarier bullpen core, the Cubs are set to contend, and won’t have to wait 108 seasons to win it all. While we’re in what is considered the Golden Age for the Cubs, you add in Hall of Famers who have previously played for them…Greg Maddux, Ernie Banks, Billy Williams, Andre Dawson, Bruce Sutter, Mordecai Brown, Ron Santo and Ryne Sandberg. This is as near perfect as a team can get.

The Milwaukee Brewers, Milwaukee County Stadium

Robin Yount and Paul Molitor (courtesy of the Brewers)

SP

  1. Teddy Higuera
  2. Pete Vukovich
  3. Ben Sheets
  4. Mike Caldwell
  5. Junior Guerra

3B Paul Molitor
SS Robin Yount
OF Ryan Braun
1B Prince Fielder
C Johnathon Lucroy
OF Sixto Lezcano
2B Don Money
OF Jeromy Burnitz
RELIEF
John Axford
Cal Eldred
Chris Bosio
Jeremy Jeffries
Dan Plesac (Closer)
Bench: Tommy Harper, Dave Parker, Jean Segura, Alcides Escobar, Bill Schroeder, JJ Hardy, Rickie Weeks Jr. (Interleague DH)
September Call-Ups: Greg Brock, Jonathon Broxton, Chase Anderson, Jim Gatner, Keith Ginter, Todd Dunn, Corey Hart, Ted Simmons, Bill Hall, Pat Listach, Rob Deer, Jose Valentin, Larry Hisle, Carlos Lee, Jonathon Villar
Manager: Buck Rodgers

Team Out-Look: While the Brewers definitely lack pitching, they more than make up for it in the very, very strong lineup that’s headlined by Yount, Molitor, Fielder and Braun. Plesac was an above average closer and the rest of the pen is pretty solid. If they can get it some slugfests, they have the superstar position players to contend.

The Pittsburgh Pirates, PNC Park

Barry Bonds and Willie Stargell (courtesy of the Pittsburgh Pirates)

SP

  1. Doug Drabek
  2. Jesse Tannehill
  3. Francisco Liriano
  4. Steve Blass
  5. Vern Law

OF Roberto Clemente
3B Bill Madlock
1B Willie Stargell
OF Barry Bonds
OF Ralph Kiner
SS Honus Wagner
C Manny Sanguillen
2B Bill Mazeroski
RELIEF
Roy Face
Deacon Phillippe
Ray Kremer
Vic Willis
Rip Sewall (Closer)
Bench: Andrew McCutchen (Interleague DH), Bobby Bonilla, Starling Marte, Orlando Merced, Johnny Ray, Billy Hatcher, Andy Van Slyke
September Call-Ups: Matt Capps, Tony Watson, Jack Wilson, AJ Burnett, Ted Power, Gary Redus, Adam LaRoche, Glenn Wright, KiKi Cuyler, Tony Womack, Nate McClouth, Matty Alou, Jung Ho Kang, Al Todd, Phil Garner
Manager: Chuck Tanner

Team Out-Look: Much like the Brewers, the lack of pitching is more than made up for by the lineup. The All-Time homerun leader, then multiple Hall of Famers (Mazeroski, Stargell, Kiner, Wagner, Clemente). You have Van Slyke, Bonilla, Merced and McCutchen off of the bench. The bullpen raises a lot of questions.

The Cincinnati Reds, The Great American Ballpark

Barry Larkin. (BaseballHall.org)
SP
  1. Mario Soto
  2. Johnny Cueto
  3. Bucky Walters
  4. Jim Maloney
  5. Homer Bailey

3B Pete Rose
2B Joe Morgan
1B Joey Votto
C Johnny Bench
OF Eric Davis
OF George Foster
OF Wally Post
SS Barry Larkin
RELIEF
Aroldis Chapman (Closer)
Ted Abernathy
Tony Cingrani
Clay Carroll
Rob Dibble
Bench: Jay Bruce, Adam Duvall, Dave Concepcion, Tony Perez (interleague 3B, Rose DHs), Smoky Burgess, Sean Casey, Dave Martinez
September Call-Ups: Tucker Barnhart, Paul O’Neil, Aaron Boone, Bill Doran, Dave Van Gorder, Tom Browning, Chad Rogers, Yorman Rodriguez, Johnny Ruffin, DeWayne Henry, Felipe Lopez, Adam Dunn, Sam Crawford, Chris Sabo, Billy Hamilton
Manager: Bryan Price

Team Out-Look: Another great lineup, and outside of Cueto, another fail in the starting rotation. Chapman’s a lights out closer and they have a really good bullpen, so it could easily be a case of the 2015 Royals.

The St. Louis Cardinals, Busch Stadium

Albert Pujols, 2003 Homerun Derby (ESPN)

SP

  1. Bob Gibson
  2. Adam Wainright
  3. Chris Carpenter
  4. Dizzy Dean
  5. John Tudor

OF Lou Brock
SS Ozzie Smith
1B Albert Pujols
OF Jim Edmonds
OF Stan Musial
2B Red Schoendist
C Yadier Molina
3B Ken Boyer
RELIEF
Lindy McDaniel
Jason Isringhausen
Sueng Hwan Oh (Closer)
Todd Worrell
Trevor Rosenthol
Bench: Tommy Pham, Stephen Piscotty (Interleague DH), Jon Jay, Vince Coleman, Jose Oquendo, Tommy Herr, Tony Pena
September Call-Ups: Ryan Ludwick, Frankie Frisch, Brian Jordan, Ted Simmons, Joe Medwick, Bobby Wallace, Dick Groat, Ripper Collins, Fernando Tatis, Ken Boyer, Enos Slaughter, Joe Cunningham, Jason Marquis, George Hendrick, Les Bell
Manager: Mike Matheny

Team Out-Look: I’d argue this as the best overall team in the National League, to be completely honest. You have multiple players with cases of the greatest to ever play (Musial, Pujols, Brock, Schoendist), the best catcher in this generation, the best young closer today and an ace staff. This is scary stuff.

NL West
Los Angeles Dodgers

Clayton Kershaw. (SportingNews)

SP

  1. Fernando Valenzuela
  2. Sandy Koufax
  3. Clayton Kershaw
  4. Don Drysdale
  5. Don Sutton

OF Pedro Guerrero
2B Jackie Robinson
OF Matt Kemp
C Roy Campanella
1B Steve Garvey
SS Maury Wells
OF Tommy Davis
OF Duke Snider
RELIEF
Phil Regan
Eric Gagne
Kenley Jansen (Closer)
Larry Sherry
Joe Blanton
Bench: James Loney, Yasiel Puig (Interleague DH), Corey Seager, Pee Wee Reece, Gil Hodges, Willie Keeler, Steve Sax
September Call-Ups: Julio Urias, Andre Either, Paul Lo Duca, Hack Wilson, Scott Van Slyke, Zack Wheat, Shawn Green, Ron Cey, Jimmy Wynn, Glenn Wright, Jimmy Sheckerd, Dixie Walker, Kenta Maeda, Orel Hershiser, Reggie Smith
Manager: Tommy Lasorda

Team Out-Look: Another phenomenal team, you have 4 Hall of Fame starters and Fernando Valenzuela. The 1-2-3 punch has a combined 6 No-Hitters (1 for Valenzuela and Kershaw, 4 for Koufax) and the lineup is deep with power.

The Colorado Rockies, Coors Field

Todd Helton. (SportingNews)
SP
  1. Aaron Cook
  2. Jorge De Le Rosa
  3. Ubaldo Jimenez
  4. Marvin Freeman
  5. Jon Gray

OF Carlos Gonzalez
OF Matt Holliday
3B Nolan Arenado
1B Todd Helton
OF Larry Walker
SS Troy Tulowitzki
C Jeff Reed
2B Clint Barmes
RELIEF
Jake McGee (Closer)
Brian Fuentes
Gabe White
Manny Corpas
Christian Bergman
Bench: Dante Bichette, Trevor Story (Interleague DH), DJ LeMeahieu, Brad Hawpe, Walt Wiess, Eric Young Sr. , Brent Mayne
September Call-Ups: Royce Clayton, Garrett Atkins, Mike Hampton, Willy Tavares, Bret Mayne, Joe Payton, Jeff Cirillo, Charlie Hayes, Preston Wilson, Kazou Matsui, Jamey Carroll, Jeff Francis, Freddie Benavides, Chad Bettis, Jairo Diaz
Manager: Jim Tracy

Team Out-Look: Yet another example of “fantastic line-up, not-so-fantastic pitching staff”. But how can you get a decent staff in the Denver Altitude? From the best current 3B in baseball to one of the greatest 1B to ever play, the team from top to bottom is fantastic in the line-up with a near perfect combination of contact and power.

The Arizona Diamondbacks, Chase Field

Luis Gonzalez gets his World Series winning hit in 2001. (ESPN)

SP

  1. Curt Schilling
  2. Dan Haren
  3. Ian Kennedy
  4. Brandon Webb
  5. Robbie Ray

OF Justin Upton
SS Stephen Drew
OF Luis Gonzalez
1B Paul Goldschmidt
3B Mark Williams
OF Chris Young
2B Jay Bell
C Johnny Estrada
RELIEF
Jose Valverde
Brad Ziegler (Closer)
Daniel Hudson
Miguel Batista
Bobby Witt
Bench: Miguel Montero, Troy Glaus, Orlando Hudson, Steve Finley, Junior Spivey, Mark Grace (Interleague DH), Chad Tracy
September Call-Ups: Brian Anderson, Eric Byrnes, Damien Miller, Alex Cintron, Reggie Sanders, Rob Ryan, Juan Sosa, Craig Counsell, Russ Springer, Erik Sabel, Brandon Drury, Chris Hermann, Patrick Corbin, Chris Ownings, Phil Gosselin
Manager: Bob Brenly

Team Out-Look: When you have Mark Grace on the bench, it’s a phenomenal line-up, but much like Colorado, the confines of Chase are extremely difficult to pitch in. Outside of Schilling, it’s a pretty hard place to pitch in. The West is definitely a hitters’ division.

The San Francisco Giants, Candlestick Park

Willie Mays’ legendary catch. (TheHuffingtonPost)

SP

  1. Madison Bumgarner
  2. Christy Matthewson
  3. Tim Lincecum
  4. Carl Hubbell
  5. Juan Marichal

1B Willie McCovey
OF Chili Davis
OF Mel Ott
OF Willie Mays
C Buster Posey
3B Roger Hornsby (moves to 3B)
2B Robby Thompson
SS Alvin Dark
RELIEF
Rob Nenn
Rod Beck
Ryan Vogelson (Closer)
Dan Otero
Steve Edelfsen
Bench: Brandon Belt (Interleague DH), Rich Aurilla, Johnny Mize, Bobby Bonds, Pablo Sandoval, Ellis Burks, Matt Duffy
September Call-Ups: Matt Moore, Norichika Aoki, Angel Pagan, Santiago Castilla, Donnel Nixon, Jason Schmidt, Armando Rios, Sid Gordon, Monte Irvin, Ray Durham, Dick Dietz, Bill Terry, Ed Bailey, Willard Marshall, Joe Panik
Manager: Bruce Bochy

Team Out-Look: Controlled by one of the best catchers’ I’ve ever seen (who’s still only 30), the pitching staff has 3 Hall of Fame starters, another starter with 2 Cy Youngs and Madison Bumgarner, who is one of the most dominant postseason pitchers of all-time. With a really good lineup, if the bullpen can stay solid they should be in great shape.

The San Diego Padres, Petco Park

Tony Gwynn. (FoxSports)

SP

  1. Jake Peavy
  2. Randy Jones
  3. Mat Latos
  4. Dave Roberts
  5. Tyson Ross

OF Tony Gwynn
C Benito Santiago
OF Dave Winfield
1B Fred McGriff
SS Gary Templeton
3B Luis Salazar
OF Carmello Martinez
2B Mark Lorretta
RELIEF
Trevor Hoffman (Closer)
Mark Davis
Fernando Rodney
Luke Gregerson
Edward Mujica
Bench: Wil Myers (Interleague 1B, McGriff DHs), Khalil Greene, John Kruk, Phil Plantier, Ramon Hernandez, Terry Kennedy, Alexi Amarista
September Call-Ups: Nate Colbert, Colin Rea, Derek Norris, Rene Rivera, Xavier Nady, Chris Welsh, Cedric Hunter, Woody Williams, Gene Tenace, Cito Gaston, Derek Bell, Josh Barfield, Gene Richards, Quilvio Veras, Mark Lorretta
Manager: Dick Williams

Team Out-Look: They have a nice, solid lineup. Two Hall of Famer’s, a should be Hall of Famer and Benito Santiago. An underrated pen, but I can’t look past the shaky staff, just like most of the other teams in the division. With that, we have finished the current divisions. Now, let’s look at which cities I’d like to see as expansion teams (that make sense) and which division they’d be in.

Expansion Teams

Richmond, AL East 

CC Sabathia. (The NYTimes)

SP

  1. Doyle Alexander
  2. CC Sabathia
  3. Miguel Asencio
  4. Ian Snell
  5. Jeff Robinson

C Ernie Lombardi
OF Willie McGee
3B George Kell
1B George Grantham
SS Bobby Bragan
OF Estel Crabtree
DH Joe Stripp
2B Felix Millan
OF Rufino Linares
RELIEF
John Montefusco
Rick Camp (Closer)
Jack Quinn
Cy Moore
Boom-Boom Beck
Bench: Bennie Warren, Stan Benjamin, Wilson Valdez, Dave Duncan, Jason Thompson, Larry Bowa, Marlon Anderson
September Call-Ups: Josh Tomlin, Lucius Fox, Zack Burdi, Eddie Cicotte, Larry Gardner, Jeff Suppan, Kazuhiro Sasaki, Denny Stark, Carlos Coporan, Todd Coffey, John Halama, Bill Bray, Chris Booker, Brooks Conrad, Ed Olwine
Manager: Bob Shawkey

Team Out-Look: The expansion section might be less than stellar teams, it might not. This was just to make it more intriguing and compelling (to me, anyway). You’ll see some prospects that you need to keep an eye on (I.E. Tampa’s Lucius Fox), but they have an ace in Sabathia.

Mexico, AL Central

White Sox Slugging 1B, Jose Abreu. (USAToday)

SP

  1. Steve Stone
  2. Chris Archer
  3. Robin Roberts
  4. Trevor Bauer
  5. Blake Snell

OF Sam Rice
DH Richie Ashburn
OF Rico Carty
1B Jose Abreu
OF Bubba Trammel
C James McCann
SS Orlando Arcia
2B Bobby Richardson
3B Doug Radar
RELIEF
Jim Bouton (Closer)
Alberto Arias
Jaun Marillo
Josh Fogg
Charley Stanceu
Bench: Tim Laker, Aaron LeDesma, Kevin Stocker, Kerry Robinson, Quinton McCracken, Gift Ngoepe
September Call-Up’s: Jose Roman, Butch Benton, Rance Mullinkis, Wayne Nordhagen, Yank Robinson, Ken Peters, Chris Seddon, Jorge Sosa, Jim Gilliam, Chance Sanford, Juan Castro, Brent Cookson, Ryan Merritt, Kyle Parker
Manager: Kevin Cash

Team Out-Look: Though they have a Hall of Fame lead-off hitter, multiple aces and a slugging 1st basemen, I can’t see the team being even remotely competitive. However, they’re easily one of the better expansions. Pitching COULD end up keeping them in it, with ace Chris Archer, former Cy Young Steve Stone and Hall of Famer Robin Roberts, alongside some very young, quality pitchers such as current TB starter Blake Snell.

Las Vegas, AL West

Satchel Paige. (Courtest of GreatBlackHeroes.com)

SP

  1. Satchel Paige
  2. Charles Radbourn
  3. Fred Talbot
  4. Steve Trout
  5. Edwin Jackson

DH Dan Brouthers
1B Joe Pepitone
C Stephen Vogt
2B Juan Samuel
OF Aaron Judge
OF Josh Willingham
SS Mark Belanger
3B Clete Boyer
OF Mickey Brantley
Relief
Sparky Lyle (Closer)
Jason Isringhausen
Dick Radatz
BJ Ryan
Jeff Shaw
Bench: Mario Mendoza, Fred Merkle, Marv Thornberry, Danny Ainge, Ozzie Conseco, Curt Blefary
September Call-ups: Smead Jolley, Butch Hobson, Johnnie LeMaster, Tsuyoshi Shinjo, Razor Shines, Larry Littleton, Mike Potter, Dave Rowe, Steve Bilko, Vin Mazzarro, Hugh MhCaly, Tommy Dowd. Bill Bergen, Abraham Lincoln, Crazy Shmit
Manager: Casey Stengal

Team Out-look: Still not a great team per say, but I still think they could be pretty nice, and end up contending. With Satchel Paige as ace and a Hall-of-Fame manager who is able to make something out of nothing, they could be surprisingly good.

Charlotte, NL East

All-Star Shortstop Toby Harrah. (CBSLocal.com)

SP

  1. Rube Wadell
  2. Joe McGinnity
  3. Eppa Rixey
  4. Johnny Allen
  5. Brian Holman

OF Charlie Blackmon
2B Bid McPhee
SS Toby Harrah
3B Eric Chavez
1B Roger Connor
OF Jackie Jensen
C Brent Mayne
OF Darnell Coles
RELIEF
Al Hrboski (Closer)
John Hiller
Kent TuKelve
Carlos Marmol
Bench: Bruce Fields, Ron Kline, Mark Grant, Robert Fick (Interleague DH), Freddy Guzman, Kila Ka’ahuie, Samuel Byrd
September Call-Ups: Fleetwood Walker, Hunter Renfroe, Buddy Rosar, Paul Maholm, Lastings Milledge, Alex Presley, Bobby Parnell, Robert Stephenson, Moonlight Graham, Dixie Levorett, Gene Brabender, Dooley Womack, Fred Stanley, Mike Ferraro, Steve Whitaker, Jarvis Brown
Manager: Whitey Herzog

Team Out-Look: Most likely the best overall expansion team that you’ll find on this list (6 teams), they have a rotation that’d likely be underrated and more than solid with Toby Harrah as a superstar shortstop. The 4-time All-Star bombed 195 bombs in the Bigs with over 300 doubles. Charlie Blackmon is currently one of the game’s best leadoff guys and McPhee’s in the Hall. It’s filled with solid major leaguers.

Portland, NL West

Tino Martinez. (TampaBay.com)

SP

  1. Mike Fiers
  2. Eddie Lopat
  3. Kent Holtman
  4. Juan Guzman
  5. Larry Dierker

OF Max Carey
2B Bobby Doerr
1B Tino Martinez
OF Goose Goslin
SS Rick Burleson
OF Jake Marisnick
3B Travis Fryman
C Doug Camilli
RELIEF
Pete Richert
Colin McHugh
Dave Righetti (Closer)
Matt Morris
Dave Meads
Bench: Alex Rios, Richie Sexson, Donavon Solano, Cedric Hunter, Tracy Woodson, Matt Stairs (Interleague DH)
September Call-Ups: Shea Hildenbrand, James Mouton, Leon Roberts, Jorge Soler, Rick Jones, Dick Pole, Bob Stinson, Bill Plummer, Juan Bernhart, John Hale, Leroy Stanton, Dan Meyer, Jose Baez, Tom Brown, Andrew Kittredge
Manager: Don Mattingly

Team Out-Look: Rivaling the previous team for best expansion, the relief is solid and the lineup is actually quite nice with the greatest pinch hitter ever coming off of the bench. Mattingly has fantastic managing skills.

New Orleans, NL Central

John Olerud. (Boston Glove)

SP

  1. Michael Fulmer
  2. Zack Wheeler
  3. Jose DeLeon
  4. Doc Ellis
  5. Michael Kopech

1B John Olerud
SS George Davis
OF Chris Carter
OF Ian Desmond
2B Mark Bellhorn
OF Matt Joyce
C Luke Maile
3B Rafael Devers
RELIEF
Brandon Maurer (Closer)
Scott Sanderson
Tyler Thornburg
Don DeMola
Steve Hathaway
Erik Goeddell
Bench: Michael Barrett, Ted Kluszewski Dansby Swanson, Dolph Camilli, Johnny Dickshot
September Call-Ups: JP Arencibia, Alex Verdugo, Anthony Alford, Nick Gordon, Shannon Stewart, Rob Sperring, Ken Forsch, Deivi Cruz, Paul Bako, Raul Casanova, Andy Tomberlin, Jimmy Gobble, Cody McKay, JP Crawford
Manager: Brian Snitker

Team Out-Look: This one has a lot of prospects or young talent, but is mixed in with crafty vets such as superstar player John Olerud. A young rotation, Wheeler was really good for New York in 2014, Fulmer just won ROTY and Dock Ellis threw a no-hitter while high on LSD (which is easily my favorite sentence in this piece), so they have a solid team. Time will tell how Snitker does as Atlanta’s managers in the years’ to come.

That was the last of our teams. 36 teams total, 40-men rosters, 1440 players throughout the entire history of Major League Baseball, with I’m sure plenty of free agents that I may have forgotten about. Here it is, after months of research…an All-Time Major League Baseball League.

Jameus Mooney-Writer and Editor at The Athlete’s Hub
Twitter: @TheJameus 
Email: Jameusmooney@gmail.com

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