The MLB All-Star Teams: The Way It Should Be

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Debate never ends when it comes to All-Star rosters.

It's become tradition to dispute certain additions or subtractions from the teams and almost trendy to bash the way MLB decides who starts.

I can get with that; I've done it in the past.

But that isn't what the All-Star game is about. Of course, for the past few years, the All-Star game suddenly means something, so that's altered the way some managers have decided to select players.

Everyone has their own meaning though. Some believe the game should be to see who you want to see, not just to reward the players who deserve the recognition.

I myself like to put together a team based on who deserves it. This is this year's best of the best for the first half of baseball. I also put together a Non-Star team to extend the recognition, because ultimately, someone gets snubbed.

So I filled out my full roster, and I've proven that one man can select an All-Star team way better than a combined effort by players, managers, and fans could.

A few notes to remember while you are reading my teams.

I don't satisfy the rule that every team needs a representative. I fill out fewer positions than the real All-Star team does, a full starting lineup with a backup for each number of starting spot, plus two extra spots.

There are eight starters and five relief pitchers, the same number of pitchers on the real All-Star team.

*Denotes Starter

American League Catchers

Joe Mauer, Minnesota* and Victor Martinez, Cleveland

Can you pick two other catchers and make a strong case against either one of these guys?

It would be pretty tough, especially with the way Mauer has pretty much put together just as productive a season as Martinez has with one less month of work.

These two are pretty much No. 1 and 1-A when it comes to the choices at the AL Catcher spot, and I don't think I even have to bring up the numbers.

American League Infielders

1B Justin Morneau, Minnesota*; 2B Aaron Hill, Toronto*; SS Jason Bartlett, Tampa Bay*; 3B Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay*

1B Mark Teixeira, New York; 2B Ian Kinsler, Texas; SS Derek Jeter, New York; 3B Michael Young, Texas

My first baseman was a tough choice that ultimately had me taking just two in order to get deserving players at other positions in. Morneau has pretty much been business as usual, and the move to New York hasn't affected Mark Teixeira.

Carlos Pena just misses out despite being one of the top home run hitters in the entire major leagues. But home runs don't put you on my All-Star team—completeness does.

Ian Kinsler and Aaron Hill have been the two best second basemen in the AL this year. Dustin Pedroia is the reigning MVP, but that was last year. You can't argue with the year Hill has put up, and Kinsler's All-Star snub is probably one of the biggest surprises of the actual rosters.

Jason Bartlett missed some time, but he's been the best hitting shortstop in the AL. Mix that in with the fact that he's probably one of, if not the best, fielders at his position. Derek Jeter is putting together a season that gives him a nod over several other players, but his numbers are worthy enough this year.

Michael Young has been such a professional with his move to third. He was an All-Star and Gold Glove shortstop, and now he's at third base doing the same things. Evan Longoria put on a stretch of baseball that made you turn your head and wonder if the future superstar at that position has arrived.

A few notables that were left off include Ben Zobrist and Brandon Inge. While they've put up All-Star caliber seasons, I've got a place for them elsewhere. Their versatility is a plus, but it's not enough for me to reward them with this honor.

American League Outfielders

Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle*; Jason Bay, Boston*; Torii Hunter, Los Angeles*

Shin-Soo Choo, Cleveland; Carl Crawford, Tampa Bay; Adam Lind, Toronto

What can you say about Ichiro? The guy is a mainstay on this list because at some point in the season, he goes on a rip that puts him up near the top of American League hitters.

Jason Bay has made the transition to the American League just fine, as he is one of the top run producers in the entire game. With David Ortiz's struggles and Manny Ramirez gone, Bay has been huge for Boston.

I used to think Torii Hunter just made the game every year based on his defense, regardless of his offensive output. This year, though, his offensive numbers are worthy of the nod.

Combine that with his defense, and he's a slam dunk to start the game. He might not be playing his year due to injury, but I appreciate defenders like Hunter, even more when they can do what Hunter has done offensively.

Shin-Soo Choo and Adam Lind got left off the real AL roster, but at least one of them should have made it in my eyes. My team has them both, as they've been ultimate run-producers for their teams.

Carl Crawford has stolen more bases in the first half of this season than I would steal in five lifetimes. I need him on this team.

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