With the All-Star Game just a few short weeks away and voting wrapping up in about 10 days, let the roster controversy begin! While I don't think either manager in this year's event is going to go the Omar Infante route, there are bound to be a few screw ups. With injuries aplenty among superstars, and a number of early stat leaders not even listed on the ballot, expect to see a few eyebrow raisers. That said, I've dedicated yesterday and today to my NL & AL All Star picks (respectively) and we'll revisit things in a few weeks to see how I made out...
Catcher - Alex Avila (DET), Russell Martin (NYY)
One position into the selection and I'm already annoyed by how the voters are voting. Martin lit the world on fire in April, but is a replacement level player since then. Avila is more than a half a million votes behind, but he's the best catcher in the AL right now not named V-Mart.
First Base - Adrian Gonzalez (BOS), Miguel Cabrera (DET), Paul Konerko (CHI)
Always a tough decision, but AGon is the best at the position right now and both Konerko and Cabrera get the edge over Mark Teixeira right now, though he's next in line should just about any offensive player fall.
Second Base - Robinson Cano (NYY), Howie Kendrick (LAA)
Cano is the best of the bunch, but I think Kendrick will get a spot in the mix because of his hot start and solid OBP. Dustin Pedroia has made a case for himself lately, but with Michael Young being a deserving All-Star and having some skills at 2B, I think he steals the show from either Pedroia or Ian Kinsler.
Shortstop - Asdrubal Cabrera (CLE), Jhonny Peralta (DET), Derek Jeter (NYY)
It's an absolute travesty that Jeter will make this team seeing how he's about the 10th best shortstop in his own league right now, but he's the leading vote getter. JJ Hardy deserves consideration though injuries have held him back a bit. Elvis Andrus is also an option for his speed and run scoring abilities.
Third Base - Adrian Beltre (TEX), Alex Rodriguez (NYY), Kevin Youkilis (BOS)
The three best will make the show here, though the order is a toss up. Voting will probably remain close until the last week. Evan Longoria has played himself out of contention for this year.
Utility/DH - Michael Young (TEX), David Ortiz (BOS), Victor Martinez (DET)
Young does it all (and quite frankly his owner/team owe him one), and the other two are just mashing the ball right now. Slide Teixeira in here if you don't like Young or Vmart. Not really any other options unless you want to throw Ben Zobrist into the mix for his flexibility.
Outfield - Jose Bautista (TOR), Curtis Granderson (NYY), Carlos Quentin (CHI), Jacoby Ellsbury (BOS), Matt Joyce (TB), Adam Jones (BAL), Alex Gordon (KC)
I chose seven here, but I can't be too sure of any of them. The first two are a lock, but there are 5 or 6 names in a close race for the last two spots. Josh Hamilton doesn't have enough games under his belt, and Brennan Boesch just misses the cut because Baltimore & KC needed a representative.
Starting Pitcher - Jered Weaver (LAA), Josh Beckett (BOS), Alexi Ogando (TEX), Justin Verlander (DET), Michael Pineda (SEA), Gio Gonzalez (OAK), Scott Baker (MIN)
A few fresh faces, but these guys have had the best starts to the season. Notable omissions will be CC Sabathia and Felix Hernandez who are both pitching well, but just not good enough to crack the list with no one else on Minnesota worthy of an All-Star bid.
Relief Pitcher - Mariano Rivera (NYY), Kyle Farnsworth (TB), Jordan Walden (LAA), Jose Valverde (DET)
Rivera is still the best in the game, Farnsworth is making hitters look foolish and Valverde & Walden are getting the job done with little fanfare, but plenty of strikeouts. Easy Choices.
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