Construct your optimal 25-man roster using any player on any team in MLB.  I didn't take anything into consideration with regards to availability, cost, sign-ability or attitude.  I simply assembled the best group of players that I felt gave me the best team in 2008.  Sometimes I chose a younger player if all else was fairly equal.

I still list the costs - basically for fun.  I was actually surprised by a few choices.  Looking at the numbers of some of the players that fly under the ESPN radar was stunning.   Anyway, give it a shot.

Here are the criterion I used:

Any player that played in the majors last year is eligible.

To choose the position for a player that plays multiple positions the player had to play the majority of their games at that position to be considered for that position.  So, just because A-Rod used to play SS, he can only be considered for 3B in this exercise.

Lastly, pitchers have to be used as they were on their team.  So, the 6th best starter can't be your set-up man.

For me, youth has value.  So, sometimes I went with the young guy - all other things being fairly equal.

Enjoy:

Here is my team...


Position Players

Catcher - Russell Martin (Dodgers) $387,000 in 2007

First Base - Albert Pujols (Cardinals) $13 Million in 2007

Second Base - Chase Utley (Phillies) $4.75 Million in 2007

Third Base - Alex Rodriguez (Yanks) $25 Million in 2007

Short Stop - Hanley Ramirez (Marlins) $402,000 in 2007

Left Field - Matt Holiday (Rockies) $4.4 Million in 2007

Center Field - Curtis Granderson (Tigers) $410,000 in 2007

Right Field - Vladimir Guerrero (Angels) $14.5 Million in 2007

DH - David Ortiz (Red Sox) $13.3 Million in 2007

Starting Pitching

SP #1 - Jake Peavy (Padres) $4.75 Million in 2007

SP #2 - Johan Santana (Twins) $13 Million in 2007

SP #3- Erik Bedard (Orioles) $3.4 Million in 2007

Sp #4 - Brandon Webb (D-Backs) $4.5 Million in 2007

Sp #5 - Chris Young (Padres) $600,000 in 2007

Relief Pitching

RP #1 - J.J. Putz (Mariners) $2.7 Million in 2007

RP #2 - Takashi Saito (Dodgers) $1 Million in 2007

RP #3- Jonathan Papelbon (Red Sox) $425,000 in 2007

RP #4 - Rafael Soriano (Braves) $1.2 Million in 2007

RP #5 - Joba Chamberlain (Yankees) $350,000 in 2007

RP #6 - Rafael Betancourt (Indians) $840,000 in 2007(br>

Bench Players

Catcher - Jorge Posada (Yankees) $12 Million in 2007

Middle Infield - Dustin Pedroia (Red Sox) $380,000 in 2007

Corner Infield - Miguel Cabrera (Marlins) $7.2 Million in 2007

Outfield #1 - Ichiro! Suzuki (Mariners) $12.2 Million in 2007

Outfield #2 - B.J. Upton (Rays) $387,000 in 2007

TOTAL COST
$141,000,000

Less than the Yankees payroll by about $48 million.