All-Star Game Lineup 2012: Picking the 10 Players Most Likely to Win MVP

One of the most intriguing storylines of the MLB All-Star Game is who will win the event's MVP award. With the game's best players together on the same field, how does one stand out?

It often feels as if the two superstar-filled lineups cancel each other out for the first couple of innings until it dawns on everyone that there's a game being played. And that's usually when one of the All-Stars makes the key play.

Sometimes, the MVP question gets answered early when someone cranks out a home run early in the game, like Bo Jackson did in 1989. Prince Fielder settled the debate with his three-run homer last year. 

Any one of the players on the Kauffman Stadium field Tuesday night could win MVP. All these guys are great—the best of the best.

Whether the game follows a story line or turns on a random moment, these 10 players are the most likely to hold up the MVP trophy when the game is finished. 

Robinson Cano, New York Yankees

OK, Kansas City fans. You got Cano's attention by booing him out of Monday night's Home Run Derby in an impressive display of civic pride. Fielder got similar treatment last year in Arizona and came back the next night to win the All-Star Game MVP. Cano could get the last word this year. 

Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh Pirates

Does the casual baseball audience watching the MLB All-Star Game realize that the Pirates are in first place? Do they know McCutchen is an MVP candidate that leads the majors in batting average?

The All-Star Game is a fine how-do-you-do for fans not familiar with McCutchen's great season. 

Jose Bautista, Toronto Blue Jays

Did you see the look on Bautista's face after Fielder cranked out 12 bombs in the final round of the Home Run Derby? It was a combination of resignation and irritation.

He knew he wasn't going to win. But I'm betting he also knows that he can erase all of that with an All-Star MVP award. 

Carlos Beltran, St. Louis Cardinals

This would be a nice story, albeit a bittersweet one for Royals fans. Beltran is the homegrown star who flew off to seek riches elsewhere unfortunately had to be traded away when he became more expensive than the team could afford. Now, in the twilight of his career, he's having one of his best seasons.

Winning the All-Star MVP where his career began would follow a nice circular path.

Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers

As we all know, this past offseason didn't go so well for Braun. Since then, he's tried to erase doubts and show that last year's National League MVP award was legit. The Brewers won't be in the postseason, so this is Braun's last chance to do so on a national stage this year.

Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels

The reserves often end up determining the final outcome in the All-Star Game. With strong benches on both sides, the same could happen this year. Trout could enter the game and be a factor with his bat, his speed, his defense or all of the above, as we saw with Carl Crawford in 2009.

Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers

With the 2011 American League MVP and Cy Young Award, there are only so many trophies left for Verlander to seize. This is one of them.

Pitchers don't often win All-Star Game MVP, but Verlander has an excellent chance since he will be starting for the AL. Next year, it's the Home Run Derby.

David Wright, New York Mets

Yes, it's old news now, and we're presumably past the uproar. But maybe it still stings Wright a bit that Pablo Sandoval was voted into the NL starting lineup. Wright played MVP-caliber baseball in the first half of the season, and there's no reason to think he won't continue to do so on Tuesday night.

Ian Kinsler, Texas Rangers

It's just a feeling. Call it a hunch. Kinsler just feels like the sort of player that wins the All-Star Game MVP. What type of player is that? One who comes off the bench as a pinch-hitter or replacement in the field and cranks out a home run, steals a base and makes a big splash in limited playing time. 

Chipper Jones, Atlanta Braves

This is probably the best story we could have in this All-Star Game, though it might feel a bit scripted. Jones wins the All-Star Game MVP in his final season, like Cal Ripken Jr. did in 2001.

It won't be the same, of course, but Jones still deserves a curtain call surrounded by his peers.

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