JojoTheWhale
CORN BOY
- May 22, 2008
- 33,778
- 105,353
I was just using Kershaw as am example of perennial Cy Young contender. Halladay, Sherzer, Verlander, whomever. Nola is none of them. He's had one Cy Young caliber season. He very well may have more in the future, but you are absolutely nuts if you would rather have a CHANCE at an ace pitcher than the best position player possibly of his generation who has already established himself as such.
Interesting list. Verlander didn't have his first elite season until 26. Halladay at 25. Scherzer at 29. Nola's breakout came at 25. Don't get me wrong, his 2018 wasn't Verlander's 2009 but context is needed.
You're not accounting for team control, effect on payroll, etc. I get that you don't like to discuss those things, but they matter. Would I ultimately include him if everything else made sense? Yes, but it's a real decision with positives and negatives.