Every year at this time the fans cast their votes and the coaches and players speak their minds resulting in All-Star rosters. The format is a bit screwy in itself, but when you factor in the fact that every team has to have at least one player there is always room for debate on which players got snubbed. Here are my top candidates:
Mike Lowell - .299, 13 HR, 54 RBI (had stint on DL)
Pat Burrell - .274, 22 HR, 54 RBI
Evan Longroria - .283, 16 HR, .354 OBP, .535 SLG (spent time in minors)
Jason Bay - .285, 17 HR, 45 RBI, 6 SB
Jermaine Dye - .308, 19 HR, 52 RBI
Gavin Floyd - 10 wins, 3.22 ERA
Derrek Lee - .306, 15 HR, 53 RBI, 4 SB
Jose Reyes - .297, 9 HR, 38 RBI, 31 SB
David Wright - 286, 16 HR, 66 RBI, 9 SB
Cole Hamels - 9-5, 3.22 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 110 K's
Daisuke Matsuzaka - 9.1, 2.55 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 70 K's
Kyle Lohse - 10-2, 3.61 ERA, 1.26 WHIP
Francisco Cordero - 4-1, 18 saves, 2.43 ERA, 44 K's
Obvisouly in the case of Lowell, Dice K, and Derrek Lee there are already seven of their teammates on the squad. Some of these guys are on the vote in ballot, but is it justified?