AL Starting All Star - SS

While my tomato loving co-writer may try to convince you that Derek Jeter should be the starting shorstop, this is not a popularity contest, I’m basing my opinions on actual performance this year, and if you go by the numbers Orlando Cabrera is nearly mirroring Jeter in every category (Jeter has a few more homers, Cabrera has more steals). To me the real tie breaker is two things – Cabrera is the lifeblood of a division leader and Jeter is not. Cabrera also is a better fielder than Jeter with a .986 fielding percentage. In fact, I still don’t believe Jeter ever should have won the gold glove, but that is an entirely different debate. I would be happy to see either player representing the AL at shortstop, but for me Cabrera has been ever so slightly betters even though we all know Jeter will be voted in. Plus Cabrera is a survivor of the Expos organization, that's got to count for something!

Fight the evil empire, Vote Orlando!

AL Starting All Star - 2b

Probably the weakest position out of any in both leagues except NL catcher, AL second basemen doesn’t have that stud like Chase Utley or even a great defender who is a pretty good hitter. Luis Castillo is having a great year, but his offense isn’t what it used to be, even if his defense is gold glove. Because of this, I think the best of a mediocre bunch is Placido Polanco. His numbers won’t wow you but they are very good, and he is an above average defensive second basemen on a contending team. His numbers: .336, 1 hr, 35 RBI’s, 48 runs scored. He also has a .377 OBP and is an excellent number two hitter, advancing runners, getting on base and scoring with the big bats behind him. In my mind you can’t ask for another second basemen who does as much as him in the AL, and doing it on a winning team only shows off his value. Plus I love seeing first time guys making the team and he is has an enormous head.

Vote Polanco Now!