Imagine that every player in MLB will become unrestricted free agents right now.  If you were to choose one pitcher of whom you'd want as our ace, who would you want?  You can choose the one you think has the nastiest "stuff," the wickedest high-heater, etc...

Mark Prior. I also would love a healthy Pedro Martinez.

 

If JR was the owner and he couldn't pay those two the money, Carlos Zambrono ranks pretty high up there with me.

Barry Zito, no doubt.

Come on, no one has picked Roy Halladay. He is boring as hell but can be more dominant than any pitcher out there.

I would go first with Zito. Second Prior. Third Pedro.

Mulder or Hudson. Zito's shown signs of weakness this season like no other. I realize he's younger, but Hudson and Mulder have been more consistent.

Pedro or Prior

 

I really like Joel Pinero. Not in the terms of this conversation but I think he may become something.

AL: Hudson 2.48 era, 129 K, 9.40 MOB, 196.1 ip, 120 power rating.

NL: Schmidt 2.49 era 157K, 9.15 MOB, 155 ip, 154.1 power rating.

AL:  Hudson  2.48 era, 129 K, 9.40 MOB, 196.1 ip, 120 power rating.

NL:  Schmidt 2.49 era 157K, 9.15 MOB,  155 ip, 154.1 power rating.

Dude...wins are the only stat that means anything in the end.

If your ace can be a closer, I'd take Gagne. He is so damn valuable to that team. If the Sox were 42 of 42 in save situations this year, we'd be well up in the division.

AL:  Hudson  2.48 era, 129 K, 9.40 MOB, 196.1 ip, 120 power rating.

NL:  Schmidt 2.49 era 157K, 9.15 MOB,  155 ip, 154.1 power rating.

Schmidts been great this year but unlike Hudson, hes not particularly young and he doesnt have a history of being such a great pitcher...

If your ace can be a closer, I'd take Gagne.  He is so damn valuable to that team.  If the Sox were 42 of 42 in save situations this year, we'd be well up in the division.

Sure it has nothing to do with him being Canadian

I like these guys: Prior, Mulder, Harden, Willis, Javier Vazquez and Brandon Webb.

I like these guys: Prior, Mulder, Harden, Willis, Javier Vazquez and Brandon Webb.

Brandon Webb is wicked. Damn I love watching him throw that sinker. The bottom completely drops out.

Another vote for Mark Mulder. There are two things I like about him. He leads the league with 9 complete games. That helps the bullpen rest up and proves how often he can be dominant. He works fast so his defense is always ready to go.

Wow. Not one person picked the nastiest starter in the majors this season. What's his name? Estaban something or other.

If I was putting together a team from scratch, I'd take Prior. No doubt in my mind. The closers are great to have, but I think you can create closers, use them up, and send them on their way a lot easier than you can develope a great starter.