COAS Picks the 2014 MLB All Stars

It may be a little early for this, but I'm going to be on a writing leave in about a week for a while. You know, getting married is kind of a big deal. Balloting for the MLB All Star Game is open until July 3rd and last year I waited until right before the deadline to make my selections, but given that I will be preoccupied, I'm voting early.

Of the four major sports, I'd say baseball has the best All Star Game. You get to see the best players in the game on the field, and they're all trying. That said, the fact that the All Star Game decides home field advantage for the World Series is a joke. Either decide by better overall record, or for a possibly better barometer, use their records against common opponents or something. But that's a post for another time.

Since the reality is that the game decides so much, having the fans vote on the starting lineup makes the starters something of a joke. I take this vote seriously though, and only intend to vote for the guys who deserve to start. Below you will see the starting lineups I voted for 75 times (you get 25 votes per email address, and I'm using the three I have. Sue me.) Stats included with the line are in average/homers/RBI's format and assumed to be the stat lines after all action on June 14th since the voting was conducted on June 15th.

American League
1B: Miguel Cabrera (DET)- .325/12/55
2B: Robinson Cano (SEA)- .331/3/36
SS: Alexei Ramirez (CHW)- .309/7/36
3B: Josh Donaldson (OAK)- .250/17/50
C: Kurt Suzuki (MIN)- .305/2/29
DH: Victor Martinez (DET)- .329/17/43
OF: Jose Bautista (TOR)- .311/15/46
OF: Mike Trout (LAA)- .299/13/49
OF: Michael Brantley (CLE)- .319/10/44

Miggy is the obvious choice for first base, with all due respect to the damage Jose Abreu has done on the South Side. Second is a little tougher, but Cano has done fairly well in his new digs. Derek Jeter will end up starting at short based on sentimentality, which would be fine were this just an exhibition game, but Alexei deserves the start based on numbers. Josh Donaldson has the worst average of my starting lineup, but he's been mashing, so it's fine. Catcher was tough, but Suzuki has done a decent amount of damage for the Twins so I'm in. In the outfield, Bautista and Trout were the no-brainers, and I opted for Brantley over Adam Jones of the Orioles. I almost didn't vote for a DH out of principle (the designated hitter is for sissies), but since I have to, I can't argue against V-Mart's eye-popping numbers.

National League
1B: Paul Goldschmidt (ARI)- .309/14/50
2B: Neil Walker (PIT)- .280/11/35
SS: Troy Tulowitzki (COL)- .355/17/43
3B: Todd Frazier (CIN)- .272/14/35
C: Evan Gattis (ATL)- .293/15/35
DH*: Giancarlo Stanton (MIA)- .302/18/54
OF: Carlos Gomez (MIL)- .310/12/38
OF: Andrew McCutchen (PIT)- .323/11/41
OF: Yasiel Puig (LAD)- .318/11/40

Goldschmidt is the best choice at first, though I did consider Anthony Rizzo. Second base is a little shallow, but I think Neil Walker had the best, most balanced numbers. Tulo is having a monster year, so he's a no brainer at short. Third base was kind of tough too, but Todd Frazier has had a good year, so he's in there. Evan Gattis is hitting really well behind the plate, so he gets the nod there. With the outfield, I cheated a little bit. Stanton was a for-sure pick, as was Puig. I omitted Puig last year based on lack of service time, but that's not an excuse this time. I was torn between McCutchen and Gomez for the third outfielder. Ultimately I decided to cheat; Stanton will be the unofficial DH since the game is being played at an American League park, and the other three outfielders got my vote. Considering Stanton is second among NL outfielders at last update, I think he'll be fine, and all four of these guys will make the team one way or another anyway.

The Official COAS All Star Ballot

Proof of my lack of bias here: no Cubs are starting. Let's be honest, none of them deserve it. They'll get at least one rep obviously, though there might be a shot at a couple. Rizzo might be a backup at first, and I think Jeff Samardzija, even though he's come back to Earth a little bit, could get a nod as one of the pitchers. That's probably it for them, though. On the South Side, I already gave Alexei the starting nod even though Jeter will win. Ramirez will probably still make the team though. Chris Sale will be a pitcher almost definitely. Jose Abreu has a shot, and while I'm considering asking where the love for Paul Konerko is, he's done nothing this year to deserve making the team. Too bad, I actually have a lot of respect for Paulie.

On this Father's Day, enjoy spending time with your dad. To those of you readers who are dads, especially mine, thank you for everything that you do. Enjoy this day, you deserve it.