It’s not exactly Less Filling vs. Tastes Great, but it’s a predictable baseball debate this time of year: performance vs. popularity.
The all-star teams will be announced today at noon on TBS. The Rockies’ Aaron Cook is a lock, with Matt Holliday putting together a strong resume that will likely get him chosen by his peers. Only Taylor Buchholz and Garrett Atkins have arguments, but won’t make it.
In the interest of space and, well, interest, I am not going to name 50 players for both the National League and American League teams. When choosing my club, there is clarity in brevity. Here are the eight starters, with advance apologies to Cook. Tim Lincecum is my starting pitcher because he’s doing things in this game not seen since Mark “The Bird” Fidrych.
Catcher: Russell Martin, Dodgers Martin plays with the energy of a ferret on a double espresso. He has modest power and brings solid defense, and can fill in at third base to keep his bat in the lineup. He gets a slight nod over Minnesota’s Joe Mauer and San Francisco’s Bengie Molina.
First base: Lance Berkman, Astros Albert Pujols has so many all-star jerseys, he wears them to mow the lawn. But this season Berkman — a.k.a. “The Puma” — has been better. Berkman is a threat for a Triple Crown, putting together a season like Todd Helton did in 2000. In any other year, the Padres’ Adrian Gonzalez would have been the choice.
Second base: Chase Utley, Phillies The power in his compact swing is ridiculous. A 40-home run, 120-RBI season is within reach. Florida’s Dan Uggla and Detroit’s Placido Polanco, one of baseball’s most underrated players, are both worthy.
Shortstop: Hanley Ramirez, Marlins In sampling more than 20 players, scouts and talent evaluators, Ramirez was the overwhelming choice of who they’d like to build a team around. He can run, hit for average and muscle. If he continues to improve his defense, he has no peer.
Third base: Chipper Jones, Braves “Are you going to go my way?” Not this year, A-Rod. Chipper’s the choice as he tries to become the first player to hit .400 since Ted Williams did it in 1941.
Right field: Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners He’s not a man, he’s the “Matrix.” His body contorts in ways that don’t seem human. He provides the lineup with versatility — he can also play center field, if necessary — and speed (33 stolen bases).
Center field: Josh Hamilton, Rangers Hamilton has gone from addict to afterschool special. He’s Larry Walker in his prime. Hamilton leads the league in RBIs and has a rifle for an arm in the outfield.
Left field: Carlos Quentin, White Sox Normally this spot is reserved for Holliday, but Quentin’s candidacy can’t be ignored. His 19 home runs and 61 RBIs have kept the White Sox offense afloat.
C.C. derby.
Indians general manager Mark Shapiro conceded what was obvious after the Rockies swept Cleveland last month: They are sellers. The C.C. Sabathia derby is accelerating, with the Brewers and Dodgers making aggressive plays for the left-hander. The Brewers and Cubs were considered favorites for weeks, but Milwaukee has more position player prospects to offer, including Double-A slugger Matt LaPorta.
Problem for L.A. is it needs offense (see shortstop help) more than an ace.
In my discussions with Sabathia and teammates, I came away with the distinct impression that the 6-foot-7, 310-pound giant would like to play in the National League. And preferably on the West Coast, closer to his Bay Area roots. Sabathia slugged a 440-foot home run during interleague play at Dodger Stadium and told me that he “loves to hit.” That blast came with no warm-up swings — Sabathia was late to the box while looking for a helmet.
Footnotes.
Angels owner Arte Moreno confirmed what many believed: He doesn’t want to give up a pitcher for a slugger like Holliday or Jason Bay. Losing Kelvim Escobar to a season-ending injury undermines their leverage and leaves them in no hurry to deal Joe Saunders, Ervin Santana or Jered Weaver. . . . Brian Fuentes continues to get buzz in trade circles, along with Houston’s Doug Brocail and Cleveland’s Rafael Betancourt. It’s early to handicap chances, but the Cardinals, Rays, Marlins, Mets, Red Sox and Yankees are all in contention. St. Louis has been mentioned as a suitor for Holliday, but Fuentes is much more of a realistic target. The Rockies want one good young player/pitcher in return. . . . That the Giants are contending in the NL West is remarkable considering they have baseball’s worst home record and Barry Zito has lost 12 of 17 starts. Not surprisingly, GM Brian Sabean has been criticized for the Zito signing, the left-hander lurking as baseball’s biggest bust ever. Know this: Former president Peter McGowan wanted Zito much more than Sabean, something new leadership understands.
THREE UP
1. Rays: “Sweep Caroline” after mowing down Red Sox at the Trop.
2. White Sox: Legion of Broom. Lead baseball with eight sweeps.
3. Twins: During 15-3 stretch, rotation had 15 quality starts.
THREE DOWN
1. Padres: Maddux left hole in Coors Field door after poor outing.
2. Braves: Frenchy Francoeur shipped to Double-A to find swing.
3. Rockies: Open for business regarding trades after winless trip.
Eye on
3B Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays
Background: Longoria is a Dirtbag, mined from the same Long Beach State soil as Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki. The Rockies were positioned to draft Longoria with the second overall pick in 2006, but switched gears the night before, zeroing in on pitcher Greg Reynolds.
What’s up: Longoria, as Tulowitzki predicted in spring training, is the leading candidate for American League Rookie of the Year honors. He entered the weekend hitting .275 with 15 home runs and 50 RBIs, 19 of which have either tied the game or put the Rays ahead. He’s become a weekly Web Gems fixture on “Baseball Tonight,” throwing a ball while on his backside last week that even caught Tulowitzki’s eye. “A great play,” Tulo said. There was grousing in Rays’ camp when Longoria was sent down in spring training, viewed as a cost-cutting measure to slow down the kid’s clock for reaching salary arbitration. But Tampa erased those concerns by signing Longoria to a six-year, $17.5 million deal with club options after just six days in the big leagues.
What’s next: He should be an all-star. And in time, and he might make us all forget Eva Longoria.
Renck’s take: Longoria, 22, is this year’s Tulowitzki. He has helped changed the Rays’ culture. “I love him. This kid is the real deal,” Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley said. “He reminds me of Alex Rodriguez.” At the end of the day, Longoria is a winner. His life revolves around baseball and making his team better. So it’s no surprise that since the third baseman arrived the Rays are 47-27. When looking for reasons to believe in the Rays, start with the pitching and end with Evan Almighty.
At issue
When do you place a falling star in a minor-league galaxy?
What: Two prominent big leaguers, Philadelphia opening day starter Brett Myers and Braves Gold Glover Jeff Francoeur, were shipped to the minor leagues for major repair work.
When: The eye-widening moves occurred last week, with Myers heading to the Triple-A Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs and Francoeur optioned to Double-A Mississippi. They were shocked, angry and disappointed, underscoring the dangers of this move. Myers is the first opening day starter to be sent down since Montreal’s Floyd Youmans in 1989. It provides compelling evidence of just how convenient Jeff Francis’ shoulder tightness was for the Rockies. It kept them from dealing with the awkward question of what do with him had he continued to slump. Myers accepted the assignment because the Phillies are winning, and, at some point, they are going to need him. Francoeur wasn’t as agreeable. He’s more Iron Man than Iron Pig, missing only two starts during the past three seasons. It won’t be easy correcting major swing problems in the minors, where he’s a reluctant tourist and will make it a good day for every pitcher who strikes him out.
Renck’s take: Regardless of what the talent evaluators of the two teams say, these decisions come with huge risks. What if they also fail in the minors, further shredding their confidence? That’s unlikely for Myers. He should be fine without the neon glare. He’s overhauling his delivery and a major-league mound is no place to be with your head under the hood. The question is whether he will ever buy into starting, given his Nickelback thirst to be a “Rockstar” closer. Francoeur suggested his demotion will impact his future relationship with the Braves. He wasn’t happy last winter when the Braves didn’t make a serious long-term contract offer. Both have to remember that they control attitude and effort. It makes no sense to pout. Show the club how ridiculous this move was through improved performance.
