Which MLB player would you start a franchise with for the next 5 years?

Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge have been at the top of the sport for several years now, and they're arguably better than ever at the plate in 2024. Both, in fact, are making serious runs at a triple crown (as is Marcell Ozuna). 

But how much longer will Ohtani and Judge, despite being on the wrong side of 30, remain this productive?

The Guardians and Brewers are perhaps the two most surprising teams in MLB, and they will battle this weekend (Saturday on FOX at 7:15 p.m. ET). The Dodgers and Cardinals will also square off (Saturday on FOX at 7:15 p.m. ET) in what is a critical series for both teams. 

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With the Dodgers' division lead shrinking seemingly by the day and the Phillies still scuffling, it's time to examine some of the other contenders in the National League.

Accordingly, FOX Sports MLB experts Deesha Thosar and Rowan Kavner tackle these topics and more in this week's roundtable.

1. What player would you select to build a franchise around for the next five years?

Kavner: It's tempting to go with a younger player just entering his prime, like a Juan Soto or a Bobby Witt Jr., but I think it has to be Shohei Ohtani given the upside and possibilities. At 30 years old, coming off major elbow surgery, he's hitting the ball harder than ever before. He could win an MVP trophy as only a DH this year, and, oh, that's right, he might also be one of the better pitchers in baseball over the next few years if he can come back healthy.

Thosar: Aaron Judge. After watching him almost single-handedly lead the Yankees into the playoffs in years when he was fully healthy, it's hard not to pick the American League's current MVP front-runner as the answer here. This