Top 10 MLB Players to Build a Team with 2010

Near the end of the 2007 MLB season, I put out a list of the top 10 MLB position players to build a franchise around. In the two seasons that have followed, much has changed in the world of baseball. Some of those players have continued their dramatic rise to the top of the game, while others have fallen off or simply gotten older. Meanwhile, a fresh crop of young major leaguers has begun their own ascent.

Potential is absolutely considered, but more important is a proven ability to be an upper-echelon professional baseball player. Defense is considered in addition to offensive ability, and speed is considered as is power and average. Age is also a factor, which is why despite his ability and postseason success in 2009, Alex Rodriguez is not on the list. Also taken into some account is the position played. With all of that in mind, here are the top 10 MLB players to build your team around for the 2010 season.

Missed the Cut: Ryan Braun, Andre Ethier, Curtis Granderson, Matt Kemp, Ian Kinsler, Russell Martin (previous ranking: 6), Kendry Morales, Alex Rodriguez (previous ranking: 3), Jimmy Rollins (previous ranking: 10), Grady Sizemore (previous ranking: 8), Chase Utley (previous ranking: 7), Ryan Zimmerman

Interesting Notes: No outfielders made the top 10 MLB players to build a franchise around 2010 list... nobody on the list is more than 29 years old... there are 5 players each from the NL and AL... the NL and AL East combine to offer 7 of the 10 players

Top 10 MLB Players to Build a Team with 2010

10. Miguel Cabrera: Age 26; First Baseman; Detroit Tigers; Previous Ranking 5

He has six full major league seasons under his belt by age 26 and he's played 157 or more games in all of them. He finished 2009 with a .324 average, 34 homeruns and 103 RBIs., which are fairly consistent with his numbers for each and every year. Of course, he's been shuffled around in the field because he's a somewhat middling defensive player but his offensive skills are far too potent to keep him off the list.

9. Dustin Pedroia: Age 26; Second Baseman; Boston Red Sox; Previous Ranking: N/A

Pedroia already has an MVP award and a World Series ring to his credit. He fell off his pace a bit in 2009, hitting .296 with 15 homeruns and 20 stolen bases. However, his age gives him the edge over Chase Utley, and his defense and batting average give him the edge over Ian Kinsler.

8. Jose Reyes: Age 26; Shortstop; New York Mets; Previous Ranking: 2

Reyes would be higher on this list but after missing basically an entire season there has to be concerns about his health. Particularly because the hamstring is so valuable to a speedster like Reyes, who hit 19 triples and stolen 82 stolen bases in 2008.

7. Ryan Howard: Age 29; First Baseman; Philadelphia Phillies; Previous Ranking: N/A

Just another 45 homeruns and 141 RBIs for Ryan Howard in 2009. Howard's batting average has never again approached the .313 he hit in 2006, when he pelted 58 homeruns. Finishing the year with a .279 average, he hit .251 the year before and .268 the year before that. Howard is also a mediocre fielder at first base, all of which lower his still enormous value.

6. Evan Longoria: Age 24; Third Baseman; Tampa Bay Rays; Previous Ranking: N/A

Longoria is solid all the way around and it was more than a bit impressive how he was able to instantly excel at the major league level. This was only his first full season, and he managed to hit 33 homeruns while driving 113 RBIs. For a guy who is only 24 years old, he has already shown that he can be a team leader. Expect his batting average to continue to climb and his already high value to rise as well.

5. David Wright: Age 26; Third Baseman; New York Mets; Previous Ranking: N/A

David Wright's power dropped off dramatically in 2009, some of which can be explained by the move to Citi Field, and some of which can be explained by his mental and physical switches in preparation for that move. Still, he's never hit below .300 for a full season and he's a threat on the bases as well, grabbing 27 SBs this year. He's also a two-time Gold Glover.

4. Mark Teixeira: Age 29; First Baseman; New York Yankees; Previous Ranking: N/A

Teixeira's Gold Glove quality fielding and batting average puts him ahead of the RBI machine that is Ryan Howard. Not to mention his switch hitting and his ability to make other batters in the lineup batter. The Yankees definitely got their money's worth from this investment.

3. Hanley Ramirez: Age 25; Shortstop; Florida Marlins; Previous Ranking: 1

Hanley Ramirez has transformed himself from a base runner and triple threat with great power to a slugging shortstop that can still turn on the jets. Personally, I think he's more valuable as a 20 homerun and 50 stolen base guy than a 30 homerun and 25 stolen base guy, however he has switched his game around a bit.

2. Joe Mauer: Age 26; Catcher; Minnesota Twins; Previous Ranking: 9

A premium has to be placed on catchers, and Mauer is as good as they come. He calls a great game and he's excellent defensively. He's also coming off a year in which he batted .365 and hit 28 home runs despite missing about 25 games.

1. Albert Pujols:Age 29; First Baseman; St. Louis Cardinals; Previous Ranking: 4

What more can anybody say about Albert Pujols? Nine years in the major leagues, never a batting average below .314, never fewer than 32 home runs, and never fewer than 103 RBIs. He's the definition of consistency, and there isn't a hitter in the game that is as feared as he is today. He's also a quality defensive first baseman, and a stoic team leader.

All stats from MLB.com