Nick Markakis or Ryan Howard?

artistlost

If you had to start a team with one which one would you take?





mathew

BobaFett72

Honestly, I'd take Markakis, he has way more upside and is a solid hitter. He might not hit 40 dingers, but he is 4 years younger with greater potential. Howard has maxed out.

billwaltonsbeard

Pete Laco*k...any time, any place

CDsNuts

Nick's best years are way ahead of him, and he's already a team leader this early in his career. I'd take Howard this year but Markakis for the future.

lsutigers1973

I would take Markakis because he is a Scorpio, as I am. If we are referring to right this minute, that $9,545,000 sarlary difference would make me lean towards Markakis too.

Pete14Rose

I'd take Markakis.

joestalin

Wouldn't you pick the guy with more homers, more rbi's, more walks and a much better slugging %?

Kevin

Goot

<< <i>Wouldn't you pick the guy with more homers, more rbi's, more walks and a much better slugging %?

Kevin >>




Can you read?!! Markakis has a higher slugging % with more walks, less strikeouts, and doesn't have guys like Utley or Rollins in the lineup with him.

Markakis gets my vote.... and I'm glad you agree.

joestalin

<< <i>

<< <i>Wouldn't you pick the guy with more homers, more rbi's, more walks and a much better slugging %?

Kevin >>




Can you read?!! Markakis has a higher slugging % with more walks, less strikeouts, and doesn't have guys like Utley or Rollins in the lineup with him.

Markakis gets my vote.... and I'm glad you agree. >>



I'm talking lifetime, not just one season. Can Nick even hit 20 homers a season? Weak

Kevin

Goot

<< <i>

I'm talking lifetime, not just one season. Can Nick even hit 20 homers a season? Weak

Kevin >>



Considering it's his 3rd year in the league, I wouldn't put too much weight on Markakis' "lifetime" stats.

Being a constant homer.......weak.

lsutigers1973

<< <i>I'm talking lifetime, not just one season. Can Nick even hit 20 homers a season? >>



Yes, last year and probably this year.

joestalin

3rd year in the league...Howard had already won an MVP and lead the league in homers by his third year!

JS

TheVon

<< <i>I'm talking lifetime, not just one season. Can Nick even hit 20 homers a season? Weak

Kevin >>



I agree. Howard's numbers are way higher. I mean, even in his wildest dreams could Markakis even hope to strike out 199 times in one season? I think not.

CDsNuts

I can't even believe this is a debate. Every GM in the league would take Markakis for the future.

mosaic

I'll take Markakis -- he's more likely to get on base and stir things up. Howard hits twice as many homers, but the RBI spread between the two is smaller than it ought to be the last couple seasons. Markakis is doing his thing with people on base. Howard, not so much. Not that 33 homers by August is a bad thing.

If you look at their fielding stats, Howard makes a lot of errors at 1B. That's not a good thing. That, on top of everything else, is why I'd grab Markakis. Just a more versatile all-around package. Aaannnnd, his salary would be a lot easier to manage *grin*

VitoCo1972

I think the point is being missed here. The real thing is Nick is 4 years younger. I'll take Markakis' next 12 years (he'll be 36 then) over Howard's (he'll be 40 then). When questioning who would you start a team with, age is usually the most appropriate question. It's why people right now say that you would start any team with Hanley Ramirez. He's the best young player in the game. Let me ask you this Joe, would you rather have Evan Longoria or David Wright? It HAS to be Longiria because of age.

joestalin

Howard strikes fear in the hearts of pitchers, Nick is a fine young player, when your pitchers are second guessing themselves bad
things happen. Howard is going to be in his prime the next 5 years, if you would be willing to skip out on that, then go with
the lesser player who might have more years ahead of him. Id take the game changer everytime. Phils aren't paying Howard
to get on base, they are paying him to knock in runs and that is what he has done and will continue to do. Can you even call
Nick a home run hitter? Howard...fastest to 100 homers...Id take that everytime!

Kevin

mickeymantle24

Markakis!

bigfische

I would take the sports talk forum.

artistlost

<< <i>I would take the sports talk forum. >>



I should have mentioned in the original post that I am asking as I am deciding on if I should buy a Howard or a Markakis RC to fill my 2003 hole in my collection.

mathew

70chip

Markakis, better all around player and more untapped upside. Plus, he is just a really nice guy.

BobaFett72

are all the Phillies fans blinded by Howards girth into thinking he Babe Ruth? This year he is more like Dave Kingman....

wake up and smell the belly fat.

billwaltonsbeard

what cards are this thread referring to??

rugbymarine

Gotta go with Markakis. While Howard is a masher, Markakis is the better fielder. Markakis is younger. Markakis is a much more disciplined hitter. If you're talking about building a team around someone (which is what the Orioles are doing with Markakis), then you're talking about the next 5-10 years. I'll gladly take Markakiss next 10 years over Howard's. Ryan Howard is Adam Dunn with a better surrounding cast, that's all.

And since the original question was directed towards cards, I think Howard's will carry more value because the Phillies are a big market, big spending team that competes just about every year. Hence, Mantle cards are worth more than Mays cards.

Why not get both ??

Ian

BobaFett72

bill, arent there some packs that need to be searched somewhere?

artistlost

<< <i>what cards are this thread referring to?? >>



2003 Ryan Howard Bowman's Best Auto and 2003 Nick Markakis Bowman Chrome Draft Auto RC

artistlost

<< <i>Why not get both ??

Ian >>



I would love to get both but I am limiting myself to one key RC a year from 1957 to present. Need to spread the $$$ around.

lawnmowerman

I'd take the white dude.

Yankeeefan

I'd take Markakis also. He can run the bases, field his position and has some power. He hits for average and has one of the best arms in the majors. Howard is clearly a one dimensional player that will probably become a defensive liability in the next yr or 2.

Have you ever watched Howard try to run down a pop foul? He's liable to wipe out the ball boy, Utley and a few cameramen one of these days... it's scary to watch.

BobaFett72

ttt

for the delusional Phillies fan who just stumbled home from work (the local bar)

lsutigers1973

Howard should probably go ahead and change his first name to Dan so his initials will be DH.

shagrotn77

When I first saw the question I was like, how can you ask that??? LOL. But then I thought about it (without checking any stats), and I think I'd take Markakis. While Howard seems to be taking steps backward, Markakis is doing the opposite. And he doesn't look like a fool against a lot of lefties. AND he doesn't walk out of the batter's box and admire his homers. That drives me nuts! (That goes for you too Griffey!)

joestalin

are you all really trying to compare playing right field to playing first base? Please, we all know the worst guys on defense play the outfield!

Kevin

lawnmowerman

hot dogs

artistlost

<< <i>hot dogs >>

Is what I'll be having for lunch....ya baby!

lawnmowerman

<< <i>

<< <i>hot dogs >>

Is what I'll be having for lunch....ya baby! >>



Yeah man. Quarter pounder at 7/11....yum!

Yankeeefan

<< <i>are you all really trying to compare playing right field to playing first base? Please, we all know the worst guys on defense play the outfield!

Kevin >>



Yea, you're probably right. I guess that's why Mickey Mantle moved from the outfield to 1st base... to solidify the infield. I guess you'd have no problem with Ryan Howard playing centerfield then, right

rugbymarine

<< <i>are you all really trying to compare playing right field to playing first base? Please, we all know the worst guys on defense play the outfield! >>



Somebody forgot to tell that to Torii Hunter.

And considering Markakis was a pitcher until 5 years ago, his learning curve has been incredibly short. Howard actually has fairly 'soft' hands considering how big and burly he is . When I mentioned their fielding, I was refering to their ability compared to other players at their position. Markakis is EASILY one of the best 3 right fielders in the majors right now. Ichiro is still the best, in my opinion. Ichiro is the only thing keeping Markakis from winning gold glove after gold glove. Howard is an average first baseman at best. Right now, he's tied with Mike Jacobs for the worst fielding % (.987) of all qualified major league first baseman. Makakis has committed only 4 errors in the last 2 seasons (.993 FLD %) while playing more innings in right field than anyone in the majors, to go along with 25 assists. That's top shelf outfield play. Toss in the fact the he's only 24, hits lefties (.333/.409/.556 vs LHP in 2008), hits for average, steals bases, and hits some home runs (probably will never touch 40, but I could see him hitting 30).

When GMs talk about 5-tool players, they're talking about Markakis.

p.s. did I mention I'm an Oriole fan.

baseballfan

i would take nick the stick, he can steal a base for you has a great arm, hits for avg. may not have the power but i think he will eventually hit 30+ and younger

but i'm an orioles fan

artistlost

Thanks for all the feedback guys. I finally decided on Markakis and ended up buying his rookie yesterday to add to my collection.

S0 2003 is filled to add to my Soriano from 99, Arod from 94, Prince from 02 and Jay Bruce from 05. onto the next year...and i'll add some scans once the cards start to arrive

thanks again

mathew

Leiascards

Markakis no question. He is a 5 category offensive player. He can hit for decent power and average. The big difference for me is the Stolen Bases.