With my copious amounts of spare time and this latest rash of injuries amongst baseball's elite, I figured I'd throw together an All-Star team of those who will not be with us to kick off the 2011 season. Please keep in mind that some of the decisions may seem flakier than others, but I can't make players be injured people.
C - Dioner Navarro. He's the reason I prefaced this bit with a disclaimer. But, aside from being an ex-Ray, Navarro did manage to find his way onto the All-Star team in 2008.
1B - Kendry Morales. Morales gets the nod because the Twins' Justin Morneau will apparently be playing the opener. While Morales has yet to make an actual All-Star team, his last full season in 2009 yielded a healthy .306 average plus 34 HR and 108 RBI.
2B - Chase Utley. Not gonna lie, this is the guy I built the entire piece around. He's a five-time All-Star, and arguably top 5 offensive second baseman all-time, assuming he can come back after his reportedly nasty knee injury.
3B - Casey Blake. Another stretch here, hardly a legitimate All-Star. Barely a legitimate Major Leaguer at his advanced age of 37. However, for the purposes of this blog, he beats out the likes of Ian Stewart and Adam Rosales. My sincerest apologies to Adam Rosales' high socks.
SS - Nick Punto. Nick Punto, with his sports hernia, is bringing his talents to the list. No standouts at short, and for some reason Nick Punto was listed as a SS, despite the fact that I can't recall him ever playing there.
LF - Jason Bay. The 2004 NL Rookie of the Year of the year, is falling up an injury plague 2010, with a brief stint on the DL to start 2011. He's a three-time All-Star and also from Canada. Yikes.
CF - Grady Sizemore - While not being the best looking man in Cleveland, Sizemore also moonlights on the DL. After three straight All-Star campaigns from '06-'08, Sizemore has spent substantial time on the disabled list.
RF - Corey Hart - A two-time invitee to the midsummer classic. This guy can rake. Last year he hit 31 HR with 102 RBI to little fanfare for the Milwaukee Brewers
DH - Carlos Guillen. I took Guillen here because he's always been a super-sub, although lately has fallen victim to the injury bug and I fear he'll never be the same. He has three All-Stars to his credit.
My Starting Rotation
P - Adam Wainwright. A 20-game winner last year, his only All-Star season, Wainwright will likely miss the entire 2011 campaign after having Tommy John surgery.
P - Zack Greinke - Greinke, the 2009 AL Cy Young winner, has only one All-Star game appearance, but is still young enough to be on many an All-Star team.
P - Mat Latos - In spite of the fact that Latos has never made an All-Star team, he had a break out year in 2010 and I wouldn't sleep right if I didn't inlcude him.
P - Steven Strasburg - OK, not a legitimate All-Star, yet. He's not just hype. He's the steak and the sizzle. Posted a remarkable 12.2 SO/9 in his brief foray to the majors last year, before being shut down and requiring Tommy John surgery.
P - Johan Santana - A four-time All-Star and a two-time Cy young recipient, Santana has missed significant time each of the last three seasons, and isn't expected back until late June at the earliest, after having surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff.
Set-up Man
P - Justin Duchscherer - An All-Star in '05 and '08, Justin's career has taken a turn for the hurt. He missed the entire 2009 season with a variety of ailments, and only pitched 28 innings last season. He's looking for a fresh start in Baltimore, but making this team is not exactly the best first step.
Closer
P - Brian Wilson. Sorry all you Phillies fan, Brad Lidge has nothing on "The Beard". Nuff Said.
Next post, my preseason picks. Right now I'm out the door to catch the Rays' Opening Day matchup against Jeremy Guthrie and the Orioles.
No comments:
Post a Comment