FanPost

Prince vs Howard

Great chat wrap on ESPN with Jayson Stark, with an interesting question... which player would you choose to build your team around... Prince Fielder or Ryan Howard?

I think the weight issues was focused on too much, although it is important for a long term issue, I like the point on offensive lineman playing a much more brutal sport last well into their 30's.

After this year, the picture will be a lot clearer... If Prince hits another 45 and keeps his strikeouts lower than Howard, I would take Prince without question. Being younger and being able to get doubles and putting yourself in scoring position is a huge asset to the team, while Howard's strikeouts can kill innings.

Stark in the end goes with Howard... who would you go with?

One point you would probably have to consider, but was not brought up... the type of flexibility on the team's payroll are you working with... The Brewers don't have unlimited amounts of money, spent $72.7mln in '07 compared to $101mln for the Phillies... and Howard's in going through arbitration right now, and are discussing anywhere from $7-10 million this year, and it will quickly go up after that... Prince we still have under contract for sometime. Either team you are dealing with, you will spend less money on Prince in the next 3 years, and leave more money for other studs.

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