With all due respect to Ivan Rodriguez and Vladimir Guerrero, statistically speaking, Manny Ramirez is the top dog of the new possibilities for the 2017 Class. We will also say that he was the most entertaining. We are all aware of the eccentric “Manny being Manny moments, but ahead of all that was a man who was an incredible hitter who had a career slash line of .312/.411/.585/.996 that included one Batting Title, three On Base Percentage Titles, three Slugging Titles, and three OPS Titles. Most importantly, Ramirez maintained his offensive production in the postseason and was the Most Valuable Player for the Boston Red Sox in their 2004 World Series win. Arguably, Manny Ramirez is one of the most prolific offensive superstars to never win an MVP award or even make a runner-up finish, though he was in the top 10 in voting eight times, and he has more than enough stats to be a Hall of Fame entry.

Still, we all know what the elephant in the room is here, don’t we? “Manny being Manny” meant Manny injecting himself with Performance Enhancing Drugs, and unlike many suspected PED users, Ramirez WAS caught and served a suspension for it. If alleged PED use keeps superstars out, confirmed PED use will probably keep him out, regardless of what the stats say.  As he recently concluded his ten years on the writer’s ballot, we know the answer. 

Derrek Lee is an underrated offensive player who has a phenomenal offensive year in 2005 but is not remembered for much else.

Lee was briefly a San Diego Padre before he was traded to the Florida Marlins in 1998.  With Florida, the First Baseman had four 20 Home Run years, peaking with a 31-HR season in 2003, which coincided with him leading the Marlins to a World Series Title.  As most of you know, Lee (along with everyone else who was talented) was packaged away in a disgusting cost-cutting move, and Lee wound up with the Chicago Cubs.

It was with Chicago where Lee had his best years, specifically in 2005, where he led the National League in Hits (199), Doubles (50), Batting Average (.335), Slugging (.662), and OPS (1.080).  Lee was an All-Star, Gold Glove winner, and Silver Slugger and third in MVP voting.  He could not build on that as injuries held him to 50 Games in 2006, but he was an All-Star and Gold Glove winner in 2007, and was ninth in MVP voting in 2009.  With the Cubs, Lee had five 20-plus Home Run years, with three exceeding 30. 

Lee finished his career with Atlanta, Baltimore, and Pittsburgh, retiring in 2011 with 1,951 Hits, 331 Home Runs, 1,078 RBIs, and a .495 Slugging Percentage.