2011 MLB All-Star Game: Odds of Making the Team for Each Cubs Candidate
The 2011 All-Star Game is under a month away, and the Cubs are off to a less-than-stellar start to the season. That could mean another season in which the Cubs have a lone representative at the Midsummer Classic.
After being represented by just center fielder Marlon Byrd last season, although Carlos Marmol was certainly worthy as well, the Cubs will look to be better represented this season despite a poor record.
There are a number of potential candidates for the game, some more realistic than others but legitimate candidates nonetheless.
So here is a look at the handful of Cubs players who are at least somewhat All-Star worthy, the reasons why they should and should not be named to the team, and my take on their chances of being selected.
2B Darwin Barney
1 of 6
Stats
.294/.321/.359, 1 HR, 25 RBI, 34 R, 73 H
Why He Will Make the Team
Barney has been the most pleasant surprise of the season for the Cubs, as he was not even a sure thing to make the roster out of spring training, and has instead taken over the everyday job.
With Chase Utley hurt, second base is a weak position in the NL. As far as production, Barney falls in somewhere just behind Rickie Weeks, Brandon Phillips, and perhaps Neil Walker.
Why He Won't Make the Team
Phillips and Weeks are both more or less locks to make the roster and, despite a much lower average, Walker has eight home runs and 45 RBI on the season—if the NL does decide to go with three second basemen the honor would likely go to Walker. Also, Barney is currently on the 15-day DL so his stock certainly isn't rising.
Chances of Making the Team
SS Starlin Castro
2 of 6
Stats
.312 BA, 1 HR, 31 RBI, 38 R, 8 SB, 88 H
Why He Will Make the Team
There has been no sophomore slump for the 21-year-old Castro, as he has been the Cubs most consistent hitter all season long, batting at the top of the lineup as well as in the three-hole for a Cubs team that has struggled to find an identity offensively. He is currently third in the NL in hits and, while his defense has been poor, the offense is certainly there.
Why He Won't Make the Team
Troy Tulowitzki is a lock to start at shortstop, as he was the NL's leading vote-getter when the most recent numbers were released. From there, Jose Reyes is a sure thing to make the roster. Numbers wise, Stephen Drew of the Diamondbacks and Castro both have a shot. However, Castro's 15 errors could be what makes the difference.
Chances of Making the Team
3B Aramis Ramirez
3 of 6
Stats
.275 BA, 5 HR, 30 RBI, 21 R, 66 H
Why He Will Make the Team
Ramirez has managed to remain relatively healthy this season, aside from a freak injury when a ground ball hit him in the face and cost him a few games. That has resulted in fairly decent numbers and, with Ryan Zimmerman and David Wright having off years, Ramirez has the best numbers of anyone not named Placido Polanco at the position this season.
Why He Won't Make the Team
Although his numbers are decent compared to his position, they are in no way All-Star worthy. Polanco should wind up as the starter, and after that the backup could wind up being the Braves Chipper Jones as he has decent stats and could be wrapping up a Hall of Fame career this season.
Chances of Making the Team
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LF Alfonso Soriano
4 of 6
Stats
.275 BA, 13 HR, 31 RBI, 27 R, 50 H
Why He Will Make the Team
Soriano is having his best season since 2008, and is actually earning some of his $19 million this season as opposed to what he has done of late. He has played in just 50 games this season because of injury, but he is still sixth among NL outfielders in home runs and could be on his way to his first 30-home-run season since 2007.
Why He Won't Make the Team
Soriano is having a nice season, but the NL outfield is stacked. Lance Berkman, Ryan Braun, Matt Kemp, Hunter Pence, Andre Ethier, Jay Bruce, Andrew McCutchen, and Justin Upton are all better candidates to make the team than Fonzie.
Chances of Making the Team
RP Sean Marshall
5 of 6
Stats
3-1, 12 Holds, 1.95 ERA, 32 Ks, 32.1 IP
Why He Will Make the Team
In recent years, setup relievers have had a spot on the All-Star rosters, and Marshall is among the best in all of baseball in that role. His 12 holds are good for sixth in the National League, and his ERA is among the best in all of baseball.
Why He Won't Make the Team
If the NL does decide to put a setup man on the roster, Jonny Venters of the Braves is having an absolutely ridiculous season with a 0.63 ERA in 42.2 innings, and he would be first in line to get that spot. After that it would be between Marshall and the Nationals Tyler Clippard (1.99 ERA, 19 Holds) should they choose to go with a second setup man.
Chances of Making the Team
CP Carlos Marmol
6 of 6
Stats
1-2, 13 Saves, 2.90 ERA, 40 Ks, 31 IP
Why He Will Make the Team
Marmol has the best stuff of any reliever in the National League when he is on top of his game, and he is coming off one of the best seasons of all time by a reliever. His ERA is a bit high, and he has blown four saves, but he has still been among the best closers in the NL this season.
Why He Won't Make the Team
Back-to-back blown saves against the rival St. Louis Cardinals inflated Marmol's ERA and put a damper on his season to this point. Not only that, but his numbers this year are actually worse than his numbers last season at the All-Star break, and he didn't make it last season.
Chances of Making the Team
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