What sort of parts would make for the best Major League Baseball franchise? Here are the best individual pieces, from lineup to rotation to ballpark experience, that would make for the perfect franchise.
By Bryan Pol
How could a ball club collectively hitting .238 somehow be in first place in their division? Look no further than that team’s extraordinary starting rotation, responsible for a resurgence worthy of national headlines, even drawing praise from a Hall of Fame pitcher like John Smoltz.
The franchise in question? The New York Mets, whose staff has managed a 3.22 ERA, third best in the National League. Despite not being complete–Zach Wheeler is out for the season recuperating from Tommy John surgery, while Steven Matz is presently on the disabled list with a strained lat muscle–the Mets’ rotation has drawn the envy of the remaining 29 teams in the majors.
In constructing a perfect organization, a front office would undoubtedly rely on the Mets’ rotation as its cornerstone. Even so, what other pieces would a phantom front office utilize in order to forge its own rendition of a consummate franchise?
Former Yankee manager Joe Torre always harped on the desire to work with a stocked stable of arms, and always felt “you can never have enough pitching.” While this facet of a ball club is crucial to winning in Major League Baseball, it is clearly not the only thing needed to fathom October glory.
In building a hypothetical organization, we will consider, in addition to a starting rotation, a dynamic lineup, a bullpen, a manager, a front office, a farm system, and a unique ballpark experience. We will scan each of these franchise-building aspects according to various teams in the majors who are currently the best at what they do and offer.
Here is Elite Sports NY’s examination of the consummate ball club.
