Who has the most complete team heading into the MLB playoffs?
DESIGNATED HITTER
American League
Boston Red Sox: Hanley Ramirez +4
Cleveland Indians: Edwin Encarnacion +5
Houston Astros: Carlos Beltran +2
New York Yankees: Chase Headley +3
Minnesota Twins: Rob Grossman +1
BREAKDOWN: After losing to the Cleveland Indians in the playoffs last season, slugging DH Edwin Encarnacion pulled a “Kevin Durant” and took his talents to the team that just beat him. Like Durant, Encarnacion has made an already great team, EVEN better. Encarnacion, one of the biggest deep ball threats in the game over the last five years, has continued to play the part with the Tribe. Encarnacion gets +5 for another phenomenal hitting season, dropping 38 home runs and 107 RBIs. Hanley Ramirez used to be one of the best players in all of baseball, back when he was with Miami. However, his role has changed immensely since joining the Red Sox. Hanley is still an important player for his squad but his numbers could be a little better. Ramirez receives +4 for still having a solid season, with 23 home runs and 62 RBIs. Chase Headley started off really hot, then got really cold, then ended really hot. It’s been and up and down season for Headley but the dude can still ball. He has a great team-first mentality and will play whatever position is asked of him and will have professional at bats wherever he lands in the lineup. Headley gets +3 but it’s still unsure whether or not, they’ll use him or Matt Holliday more. Either way, Headley or Holliday are both solid veterans that still have a little juice in the tank and both land in third place. Beltran, another potential future HOF, has had a down season in 2017. After looking like a vintage Beltran last season with the Yankees, New York traded him to Houston but Beltran looks like he’s almost at the end (14 HR/51 RBI and .231 BA). Nevertheless, his veteran presence and postseason advice will be invaluable for a young Astros team, which gains him +2. Rob Grossman has the least amount of home runs and RBI’s (9 HR/45 RBI) out of any DH and obviously power is a key role for a designated hitter, earning Grossman +1.
