FanNation

Cowboys-Celtics-Chisox said 03/16, 09:05 PM
OK, I'll go against the grain and say they will not have 5 all-star reps this year.

For starters, you have to remember that last years A.L. all-star game was managed by Leyland and his staff...the guy who picks reserves...they won't have that advantage this year.

Sheffield, while still a pretty productive hitter is a full time DH these days and can't seem to stay healthy for long stretches as age creeps up on him.

Verlander/Bonderman/Willis - Come on. Bonderman and Willis are both coming off of seasons where their ERA was over 5.00. To expect either to sniff the A.S. game is crazy. Verlander has a shot, but no guarantee.

Polanco had a career year last year in making his only A.S. game during his 10 year career. It's overly optimistic to expect to see him make it this year again.

Jaques Jones? You kidding me? Not unless he buys a ticket.

Granderson might be worthy but has an awful lot of competition in CF in the A.L. so he's a likely omission.

Maggs and Pudge are likely representatives if they remain healthy. Verlander if he gets off to a good start. And I'll give you Cabrera if he quickly adjusts to the A.L.

Somewhere between 2 and 4 is more likely.

Cowboys-Celtics-Chisox said 03/17, 06:44 PM
"Dontrelle Willis bombed in Florida most likely because of desire to get out of the organization."

Wait. You believe Willis purposely tanked in Florida just so he'd be traded? Interesting as Willis said repeatedly he DIDN'T want to be traded. But taking your statement at face value, this is the kind of guy you want to see in an A.S. game? One who would purposely play below his abilities to get out of a bad situation?

Polanco is indeed a good punch and Judy hitter with a career .305 BA. What he isn't is a perennial all star. He had far and away career highs last year in BA and Runs scored. None of his other numbers have ever been overly impressive and he was a 1st time all star at the age of 31 last year. Career season = 1 and done in A.S. appearances.

I'm still laughing at the Jacque Jones pick. Finds some of his power? The guy has never hit more than 27 home runs in a season. Has never driven in more than 85 and has never had a BA higher than .304. You think he has a legit shot to be an All Star? As an OF in the AL? If so, I've got a bridge in Brooklyn for sale...cheap.

Granderson has too much competition in CF. He has an outside shot but probably not this year.

Cowboys-Celtics-Chisox said 03/18, 08:18 PM
Any way you slice it, Willis is not likely to make the A.S. team. He's been in steady decline for a couple of years and is now going to have to face A.L. hitters on a daily basis.

Yeah, Polanco had a nice year LAST year when he made the team. Point is, that was a career year for him, not his typical season. Expect a regression to the mean, which is not A.S. worthy for him.

Again with the Jones thing. For starters, the AL doesn't have fantastic left fielders? Ever heard of Manny Ramirez, perhaps? And it doesn't much matter, after the fan selected starters are voted in, the manager can use any OF position player to substitute anywhere. Jones is 32 years old, been in MLB for 9 years, and has never sniffed an A.S. game. On top of THAT you are giving him numbers he's NEVER reached before. The last time he hit .300 was five years ago, he's NEVER hit 30 HRs or driven in 100...Not even playing Wrigley. Now he's moving to a pitchers park and you think he's going to have an offensive explosion?

OK, so the guy trying to convince me that Jacque Jones is going to be an all star now calls Grady Sizemore overrated? Come on, man

The Tigers are likely to send between 2 and 4 players to the ASG