I'm not trying to jinx anything, but watching the games over the weekend I got to thinking.

We're so damn good right now, the only thing that I can see screwing this ride up is an injury.

Who is the one guy that we cannot afford to lose?

I'd say either Maggs or K-Rog, maybe even Grandy. Actually, Grandy might be at the top of the list. So I'll pick him.

And even though I'm the guy that started the thread, I'm torn between 4 guys and I just can't submit that vote yet.

It's a great sign that this is a difficult question. There are a ton of contending teams out there that have one guy that they depend on heavily, which is a precarious position to be sure.

I voted "somebody else" because for some insane reason I don't see Kenny Rogers as an option.
While I think this team is pretty solid and deep, I think losing a 2nd starting arm right now would really suck, and steady Kenny would likely be the worst one to lose. In reality though, losing any of them would be bad. I'm not sure if they would put Ledezma in the starting rotation again or what they would do, but rushing Maroth back would be bad for sure. You have to let that stuff heal.

Fuck, Rogers was there I swear.

Fucking gremlins.

I added him and moved your vote, Jeth.

I gotta go Granderson because he just fills so many crucial roles. He's a lefty bat, he's our leadoff hitter and he plays great D in center.

I'll echo the sentiment though that this is such a well rounded team, we could probably get away with losing alot of guys for a little while. We don't depend too heavily on any one guy.

I agree that Granderson is very important (seems to be involved in every single rally victory, and there's a ton of them) but aside from Rogers the next guy I think would really hurt to lose is Pudge. Don't get me wrong, Vance Wilson has been amazing when he's played (at least, amazing when compared to my expectations), but I'm not sure I would be very comfortable knowing that Wilson had to start every game behind the plate - without exception - for an extended period of time (let's say if Pudge went on the 30+ day DL).

I agree that Granderson is very important (seems to be involved in every single rally victory, and there's a ton of them) but aside from Rogers the next guy I think would really hurt to lose is Pudge. Don't get me wrong, Vance Wilson has been amazing when he's played (at least, amazing when compared to my expectations), but I'm not sure I would be very comfortable knowing that Wilson had to start every game behind the plate - without exception - for an extended period of time (let's say if Pudge went on the 30+ day DL).

I disagree.

While losing Pudge would hurt, I would say that losing Granderson would hurt more.

I am fairly confident in Wilson being able to handle the C spot should Pudge be injured but if Granderson were to be injured, we are screwed. We would have to replace him with Nook Logan and I am not too thrilled about that option.

I mentioned that I was debating between 4 guys, and the 4 are Granderson, Rogers, Magglio and I guy that I don't even think has been mentioned yet in Bonderman.

Still can't decide but I'm leaning towards Granderson due to the fact that he's an everyday player, a stud CF and our leadoff hitter.

I'm going to think on it some more tonight.

I gotta agree with H1Man on the Pudge thing. Pudge is still getting by on his reputation too much. He's better than he was last year, but it's pretty clear that he's not a star anymore. Sure, he's hitting around .300, but he never walks, hacks away alot, and doesn't really hit for too much power either. He's a very good player, but not irreplaceable.

One thing, though, if Grandy went down, I'd imagine he'd mainly be replaced by Monroe in center. Logan would probably be called up but I bet Monroe would get the bulk of the time in center with Thames and some lefty bat we'd likely acquire in right.

Magglio Ordonez and Kenny Rogers

Ordonez is the best hitter, run producer, and (arguably) slugger on this team. He's delivered for us in crucial situations. Rogers is just a winning machine that has shared his brilliance with the rest of this team.

Granderson and Zumaya also get consideration from me.

Pudge is still getting by on his reputation too much. He's better than he was last year, but it's pretty clear that he's not a star anymore. Sure, he's hitting around .300, but he never walks, hacks away alot, and doesn't really hit for too much power either.

Gotta love Pudge making me eat my words like that tonight. We'll see if he can keep it up, though. If he can, this team is just that much sicker.

I went with Rodney because he's the most important reliever IMO and the best starter/hitters were already chosen.

I had to roll with Pudge.

His leadership and his experience is going to be big during this playoff run.

It's fucking baseball. One guy can't make a difference.

Go watch NCAA


Granderson. By far.

Go watch NCAA


Granderson. By far.
NCAA Baseball?


Fuck no.