[cliffyb]

Great topic. FWIW:

Betts is a lock. Currently at 72 WAR but more importantly, to the naked eye, a great player who is a winner. 3x WS, 6x GG, one MVP and three times finished second in the voting, a total team player who willingly plays (and excels at) multiple positions (take that Mr. Devers).

Freeman a lock. Lot of bold ink, winner, MVP, clutch player

Yadier Molina a lock. 2x WS, 10x AS, 9x GG (inc. 4 Platinum), 2100+ hits and .277 career batting avg., both very good for a career catcher.

Arenado a lock. His offensive numbers are good enough (346 HR) and he has 10 GG, including 6 Platinum.

deGrom is a fave of my family but he could be an interesting case. If he can accumulate more wins (at least 100 career) and top-5 CY voting with low ERA, etc. then I think he’ll get in as he is, when healthy, dominant. If he were to retire today then perhaps he’s a no. Unfortunately, pitchers are what they are today so the standards are different. I’m still trying to figure out why pitchers suffer so many more major injuries now when they seemingly throw fewer pitches and are babied so much more than generations ago. Let’s make that a topic for a different day!