Is top talent a necessity in baseball?

[DennisRodman]

Top pitching is a must, but positions players are fairly negligible. As long as a team has above average to top pitching and one bona fide hitter (i.e. Pujols, Votto, Cabrera, Hamilton) it seems that's all that matters. The manager I'd say seems more crucial than loading your roster with stars.

Yankees, Phillies, Red Sox. The advantage that is seems it does give is the ability to have a chance each year, as opposed to teams who will have down years without that top talent. But it certainly doesn't guarantee success and championships like top talent does in the NBA and NFL IMO.

What say you?

 

[recently]

The Reds have a lot of really good talent around Votto - Bruce was a first round pick, BP is one of the best at his position, Frazier was drafted like 35th overall, Stubbs might have the most natural talent on the team, etc, etc...

I think it's important, but I agree not as much as NFL/NBA/NASCAR/BOWLING

 

[DennisRodman]

I'm certainly not saying you can run a lineup out like the Indians do everyday and expect a playoff team. But the Reds' lineup looks nothing like the top 5 payrolls in baseball. The same goes for Baltimore, ChiSox, Washington, San Fran, etc. All division leaders or co-leaders with 25 or so games to play.

 

[recently]

This is true.

 

[DennisRodman]

After looking though, I guess there are only 5 or 6 teams with pretty ridiculous payrolls.

 

[Nelson Van Alden]

You need a solid staff 1-3, with at least 1 Ace. You probably need 2 legitimate power hitters (30+ homers) and a lead off guy with a high on base %. Following that, solid relief pitching is the most critical. The other 5 position players could probably be some type of grab bag of free agents and platoon players.

 

[DennisRodman]

PBoy where ya been bro? Sticking to the friendly confines of the Elder board for football season?

 

[Casual Observer]

I agree completely DR

 

[Crusaders]

If you lack great pitching you really have no chance.

 

[DennisRodman]

If you lack great pitching you really have no chance.

Correct. But if you have it, the talent level on the rest of your roster is not all that important IMO.

 

[eastside_purple]

Yes, top talent is necessary to win in any sport.

 

[recently]

Correct. But if you have it, the talent level on the rest of your roster is not all that important IMO.

You have to be able to score runs.

 

[DennisRodman]

More than the other team.

 

[IMHO]

You need a solid staff 1-3, with at least 1 Ace. You probably need 2 legitimate power hitters (30+ homers) and a lead off guy with a high on base %. Following that, solid relief pitching is the most critical. The other 5 position players could probably be some type of grab bag of free agents and platoon players.

I agree on the pitching but the Reds are proving the bolded part of your statement wrong. Their lead off hitters OBP sucks this year and they have one of the top records in baseball. ALong with pitching - you absolutely must have good defense or your pitching isn't as good.

 

[ridgerams2010]

Pitching wins championships in baseball. Just look at the Giants.