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.
