2008 American League All-Star Roster: Flubs and Snubs

What about Mussina?

The 11 wins are nice, the 3.64 ERA is okay. I just don't see whose place he would take, especially considering every team needs at least one representative.

Pretty good write up.......but B.J. Upton plays center field, not second base.......I think Evan Longoria should be there and Matt Garza over Scott Kazmir would have been better

Yeah, good catch. I didn't realize BJ Upton hadn't played any second base this year. Still, I think he warrants some All-Star consideration in the outfield.

I agree about Evan Longoria. Garza v. Kazmir is a bit sticky, though. I wouldn't say Garza's first half has been All-Star caliber, while Kazmir has been excellent. However, Kazmir's sample size this year has been a lot smaller, obviously. If you're letting Kazmir in, why not someone like John Lackey?

well, I see all the raysgames cuz I'm in their market and I have to say Garza has pitched better overall throughout the season so far....Kazmir will make you worry everytime he pitches....I really think Garza and Shields are better, but thats my opinion

Evan Longoria=Pure Entertainment...................guy makes a boring sport exciting

Longoria is a beast

as a philly fan i must throw cole hamels and pat burrell in there

Yeah, we're going to get to our dissection of the NL All-Star team tomorrow. I haven't looked at the NL Roster with a close eye yet, but my first impression is that both those guys - if not Hamels, then at least Burrell - should have made it.

A lifelong Yankee fan, I agree with your assessment of Derek Jeter this year. Re: Varitek, I agree with you, but apparently he was voted in by the players. Go figure.
The main problem with fan voting is obvious : the system favors players from big market teams like the Yankees and Red Sox. If they're going to have fan voting, it should be restricted to knowlegeable fans like you, me, and others who contribute to this site !

About Varitek - even if it was the players' vote, and they didn't vote for AJ because they don't like him personally, why not Pudge? He's putting up better numbers than Varitek, and he's a future Hall of Famer (Varitek might get there, too, but again, not because of his overall offensive production). ESPN's Keith Law brings up a good point about Varitek - its not like this should have been an obligatory vote by the players. Varitek hasn't been in an All-Star game since 2005 - so why now, when he's arguably the worst All-Star ever?

As far as restricting fan voting - I'm all for it. At least weigh the fan voting, so that players/coaches/media have some say as to who deserves to go. After all, if "this one counts" then we need to make sure the most deserving players are there.

For those who are interested in our take on the NL All-Stars, I just got it posted: http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/2008_All_Star_Snubs_and_Flubs_NL_Edition/286719

Jeter? Only 1 shortstop has better stats than him in the AL and that is Michael Young. No one has better. Jhonny Peralta, seriously? This is in Yankee Stadium, he is the captain on the New York Yankees, give me a break.

huh?

Yeah, let's dispel this myth that Jeter has been unproductive. Read this: http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/Why_Jeter_SHOULD_Start_the_All_Star_Game/288093

Saunders pride of VaTech been tearing it up

Saunders rules

Jermaine Dye should have been a lock. He belongs there over his teammate, Carlos Quentin.

It's a close one, but I put Quentin ahead of Dye. Dye does have the higher batting average by more than 30 points; however, Quentin still beats him in OBP, .376 v. 363. The HR's are the same (19), but Quentin has driven in more runs. I just feel like Quentin has brought a bit more to the table than Dye this year. But, still, on a more general level, I consider the two of them pretty interchangeable.

VOTE THE 'STACHE

I'm surprised no one called me on it yet, but Matsuzaka deserved some consideration - moreso than a lot of his teammates at least. After tonight's game, he'll be 10-1 with an ERA below 3. The only knocks on him are his inability to go deep into many games, and the high WHIP.

I'm feelin some Orioles love in this article... and I like it. Some of the guys are putting together unexpectedly solid years, but I understand why they didn't make the roster. Team success matters as well.

IDC ABOUT THE PITCHERS EXPLAIN 2 THINGS
1 HOW DOES KEVIN YOUKILLIS NOT DESERVE TO BE THERE
2 HOW DOES DUSTIN PEDROIA NOT DESERVE TO BE THERE
AND I GET Y MANNY SHOULDN'T BE THERE IF U HAVEN'T NOTICED HE VERY POPULAR WITH THE FANS AT FENWAY BUT OTHER THAN THAT AND HE JUST HIT HIT 500TH HR LIKE LAST MONTH HE ISN'T THAT GREAT!

Kevin Youkilis certainly deserves to be there - I just think Morneau should be getting the start. However, reading some of the arguments made here and on the original site, it may not be so cut and dry an issue as I originally thought. Still, if it were up to me, I'd give Morneau the starting nod.

As for Pedroia - he's had a fine year, but I think there are enough players who have had better years to keep Pedroia from making the trip. If you think Pedroia should be starting over Ian Kinsler, you're crazy. I'd also have Brian Roberts make the team before Pedroia. If we're going to have 3 second baseman, then fine, there's a spot for Pedroia. But if we're sticking with 2, I'm going with Kinsler and Roberts.

Kinsler should be starting. Look at his stats. .337 average (1st among 2B). 23 SB. 80 runs (1st among 2B by 19 runs). 126 hits. 14 HR (1st among 2B). 53 RBI (1st among 2B). There is nothing you can say about that. Pedroia is also deserving but Kinsler should be hands down, starting at 2B for the American League. He is a MVP candidate halfway through the season.