It’s halfway through the season (roughly) and it’s really been an awesome season. A few of my favorite highlights (or lowlights, depending on your perspective):
· Luis Castillo dropping a pop up to lose a game.
· Jonathan Sanchez’s no-hitter.
· Manny’s drug suspension.
· Jacoby Ellsbury stealing home against the Yankees.
I know the All-Star game has passed, but I wanted to take a crack at drafting my own rosters. My rules are very different – I’m looking for the best player at each position, who I would take to fill out a roster to win 80 games the rest of year. That means no Washington Nationals. I’m picking starters only, with a few honorable mentions.
All-NL Team
I’ve watched more NL games this year than any year in my lifetime – so I feel more qualified to make these suggestions.
· C – Brian McCann, Braves. Next to Pujols, this is the easiest choice in the NL. I’d bring a long a Molina brother for defensive purposes (likely Yady).
· 1B – Pujols, Cardinals.
· 2B – Chase Utley, Phillies. Also, not close. I’d bring along Orlando Hudson for defense and comedy.
· 3B – David Wright, Mets. This one was tough. Pablo ‘Kung-Fu Panda’ Sandoval has had a tremendous season, but Wright’s a better fielder and has a better track record. Even with Wright’s lack of power this season, he’s the best in a very good class (which includes Ryan Zimmerman and Chipper Jones).
· SS – Hanley Ramirez, Marlins. Again, easy. Miguel Tejada is the closest, and his range at SS would only be acceptable in a 40+ softball league. Ramirez’s only flaw is he doesn’t walk much, but when you hit .346 and slug .562, that is easily forgiven.
· LF – Manny Ramirez, Dodgers. I hate to do this, but if I wanted to win the maximum games, Manny would be the choice. I’d bring along Ryan Braun incase Manny dips into the woman’s supplements again.
· CF – Carlos Beltran, Mets. More difficult than it looks because Matt Kemp is doing a tremendous job in LA, but Beltran’s the guy.
· RF – Justin Upton, D-Backs. Very close, almost chose Brad Hawpe. You could make an argument for others as well. I’d bring along Jayson Werth just so he could try and steal home.
· SP – Tim Lincecum, Giants; Dan Haren, D-Backs; Johan Santana, Mets; Yovani Gallardo, Brewers; Matt Cain, Giants. You don’t see the usual suspects here (Peavy, Webb, Zambrano), and that’s because they’re either injured or they suck (I’m looking at you, Carlos).
· RP – Trevor Hoffman, Brewers; Rafael Soriano, Braves; Ryan Franklin, Cardinals; Francisco Rodriguez, Mets; Jeremy Affledt, Giants; Francisco Cordero, Reds.
All-AL Team
· C – Joe Mauer, Twins. I recently heard the TBS announcers during a Braves game comment that McCann may actually be better than Mauer. Not on this planet man. Mauer is McCann’s superior on every level – and that’s absolutely no insult to McCann.
· 1B – Kevin Youkilis, Red Sox. I know, I’m a homer. But Youk offers similar power to Justin Morneau with better OB-skills, and good defense.
· 2B – Ben Zobrist, Rays. This guy has been unreal so far. Is he the real deal? Who knows, but I’d want him. I’d bring along Pedroia for defense and unintentional comedic value.
· 3B – Evan Longoria, Rays. Not a tough one for me, despite a good year from Michael Young. Longoria is the best in baseball fielding his position, and he’s a power bat. I’d probably bring along Scott Rolen so we could have an intensity contest between him, Youk and Pedroia.
· SS – Derek Jeter, Yankees. I know, take away my Red Sox Nation card. But the Captain has been much improved on defense this year, and his hitting is as solid as ever. Still, I hate doing this.
· LF – Carl Crawford, Rays. I picked him over Bay because his defense is better and he steals bases. I don’t think you could go wrong with either pick.
· CF – Torii Hunter, Angels. Easy call. Good defense, power bat.
· RF – Ichiro, Mariners. Also pretty easy. Defense, speed, on-base skills. Only lacking power, but my lineup has plenty of that.
· DH – Justin Morneau, Twins. I know he’s not a DH, but I would take the best hitter I hadn’t selected. I’d also bring along Jermaine Dye for his power from the right side.
· SP – Zack Grienke, Royals; Felix Hernandez, Mariners; Cliff Lee, Indians; Roy Halladay, Blue Jays; Jered Weaver, Angels.
· RP – Mariano Rivera, Yankees; Jonathan Papelbon, Red Sox; David Aardsma, Mariners; Joe Nathan, Twins; George Sherrill, Orioles.
A couple of other baseball thoughts:
· Please change the format in the future and don’t have pitchers hit in an All-Star game. Who wants to see some guy flailing like the unathletic guy in your company softball league? Not me.
· It’s clear to me that performance-enhancing drugs are a media-driven phenomenon. Fans don’t care that much, as witnessed by Manny’s triumphant return. Yes, the opposition boos him, but be honest, wouldn’t you cheer him on your own team, just like the Dodger faithful? I thought so.
· The Indians stink. In my preseason predictions, I had them winning their division. But the pitching has been awful (outside of Cliff Lee) and the hitting hasn’t been a ton better. Good luck next year, Cleveland fans. At least you have LeBron (and now Shaq).
