When we talk greatness there are so many factors we take into consideration. One of those factors is championships won, we use championships to split the hairs. It isn't something I love to use but I've done it, I use it for my Tom Brady is better than Peyton Manning argument. Michael Jordan is often credited with his 6 championships, it's usually the first thing said, no mention of MVPs or scoring titles, it's boom 6 titles do better than that LeBron. I do think there is one sport where championships don't tell the entire story, it's baseball. The World Series is probably the hardest championship to win. The MLB playoffs are the hardest to qualify for in all of pro sports, only one third of teams get in and that used to be even lower, less than 30 years ago it was 4 teams total. Half the NBA and NHL qualify and with the NFL expanding playoffs nearly half of those teams get in. The World Series takes a lot of factors, one person can't carry you through a postseason, you need at least 2 pitchers to carry you through 3 series. With it being so difficult there are many players without a ring and lots of the greatest players don't have rings. Barry Bonds, Tony Gwynn, Ken Griffey Jr., Ernie Banks, Ryne Sandberg, Don Mattingly, Ty Cobb, and Ted Williams all great players with no rings. Much like I did way back in 2011 with then NFL players, I'm going to build a MLB team with current players who don't have rings.
Starting Pitcher Clayton Kershaw: That gave me great joy to write. Kershaw is either #1 or #2 career wise of current pitchers. His career stats stack up with the greats of the past. 3 Cy Young's plus a MVP. The fact Kershaw doesn't have a ring while the Dodgers have won their division 7 years in a row is crazy, hell even the Braves snuck one out. Kershaw himself can shoulder some of the blame but his postseason record is a little better than what people say, he did well in 17 and 18 getting the Dodgers to the World Series before losing to the Astros and Red Sox.
Catcher J.T. Realmuto: This is a tough spot, you have young guys like Gary Sanchez and Will Smith, plus some old guys like Jonathan Lucroy who are worthy. I think Realmuto gets the nod because he's the best all around catcher in the game right now. He's only 29 so he still have time to get his, and Philly is a good spot to try to get it. In his 6 years of service he's got 2 All Star games 2 Silver Sluggers while racking up nearly 20 carrer bWAR, which for a catcher is pretty impressive.
First Base Paul Goldschmidt: With a hat tip to Freddie Freeman and Joey Votto, I'll give the nod to Goldy. He hasn't won the MVP yet but Goldy did get 2nd twice and has a 3rd place finish as well. 243 homers and 127 stolen bases from a first baseman is outstanding and Goldy can be a real difference maker when he's healthy.
Second Base Ozzie Albies: This one was pretty tough to find, the best 2 2B of that last 15 years each have rings so I'm digging a little deep here. Albies is still young but he's burst onto the scene and has a bright future, he'll probably get his ring eventually, but Atlanta doesn't exactly always win when they should.
Third Base Nolan Arenado: One of the deeper positions but Arenado is the best of the group. He's been the best player on the hot corner for his entire career. 6 years in the big leagues and he's got 227 home runs while batting nearly .300. He's amassed 37.5 bWAR while playing gold glove 3B. If I could pick any player for the Giants to sign and have him play for my team, it's Arenado.
Shortstop Francisco Lindor: Still think if they hadn't made up that rain delay Lindor would have his ring. Franky wasn't the most hyped prospect when he came up but he's been the best shortstop in the league from when he came up in 2015. Lindor has a ways to go in his career but unless he leaves Cleveland I don't see him winning a World Series.
Left Field Ryan Braun: This isn't even close, nobody who plays left field has had the career Braun has had. He's almost to 350 homers and 46.8 bWAR while playing a decent left field. Of course he has a MVP and if it weren't for that damn PED suspension he would be on his way to Cooperstown.
Center Field Mike Trout: This is only answer, there is nobody else. This entire list is just an excuse for me to talk about how good Mike Trout is again. There is nobody better in the game today than Trout, he's the best centerfielder since Griffey and when he's done he'll be in the conversation of the top 10 players of all time. He's in the 200/200 club and amassed 72.8 bWAR and hasn't even played 10 seasons yet. Trout has been on the Angels and even though they've spent money to get the team better they have not gotten anyone to pitch or anyone still in their prime to help him. They've wasted so much money on old players while not building a farm system they have ruined the prime of Trout's career. This isn't his fault, he needs better management.
Right Field Bryce Harper: Another great position with Judge, Yelich, Stanton, and Acuna all being worthy. I have to talk about Harper though because he left the Nationals and they won, the ultimate Ewing Theory, which I've petitioned to be changed to the Harper Theory. Bryce is a great player and he's great for baseball with all the things he does. He very well might get a rin in Philly but as of now he doesn't have one.
If we put this team together I think a ring would be in our sights, of course we would need some more pitchers but we could find some. Jacob deGrom and Blake Snell would be nice 2's to Kershaw. Just remember it isn't always the players fault they don't have a ring, sometimes their manager gives the game ball to the starting pitcher before the game is over and pisses off the baseball gods.
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