G-Rex All-Star Picks Review

The 2014 MLB All-Star Game is tonight at 7:30 ET on FOX. To prepare everyone for the game, I'm reviewing my All-Star picks from two weeks ago. I made a few mistakes-wrong picks and typos- but for the most part, I projected most of the All-Stars.

NL

Starters

C Jonathan Lucroy-Brewers-Starter (Replaced Yadier Molina as Starter)

1B Paul Goldschmidt-D-Backs

2B Dee Gordon-Dodgers-Reserve

3B Todd Frazier-Reds-Reserve

SS Troy Tulowitzki-Rockies-Starter

LF Andrew McCutchen-Pirates-Starter (CF)

CF Carlos Gomez-Brewers-Starter (LF)

RF Giancarlo Stanton-Marlins-Starter (DH)

DH Yasiel Puig-Dodgers-Starter (RF)

SP Adam Wainwright-Cardinals-Starter

Reserves

C Devin Mesoraco-Reds-Reserve

C Buster Posey-Giants-Not All-Star

1B Anthony Rizzo-Cubs-Reserve

1B Freddie Freeman-Braves-Reserve

2B Chase Utley-Phillies-Starter

2B Daniel Murphy-Mets-Reserve

3B Casey McGehee-Marlins-Not All-Star

3B Anthony Rendon-Nationals-Not All-Star

SS Starlin Castro-Cubs-Reserve

OF Jason Heyward-Braves-Not All-Star

OF Billy Hamilton-Reds-Not All-Star

OF Seth Smith-Padres-Not All-Star

Pitchers

Johnny Cueto-Reds-All-Star

Clayton Kershaw-Dodgers-All-Star

Tim Hudson-Giants-All-Star (Replaced Madison Bumgarner)

Julio Teheran-Braves-All-Star (Replaced Jeff Samardzija)

Henderson Alvarez-Marlins-Replaced Jordan Zimmerman)

Jordan Zimmerman-Nationals-All-Star

Alfredo Simon-Reds-All-Star (Replaced Johnny Cueto)

Zack Grienke-Dodgers-All-Star

Francisco Rodriguez-Brewers-All-Star

Aroldis Chapman-Reds-All-Star

Craig Kimbrel-Braves-All-Star

Huston Street-Padres-All-Star (Replaced Tyson Ross)

AL 

Starters

C Salvador Perez-Royals-Starter (Replaced Matt Wieters as Starter)

1B Edwin Encarnacion-Blue Jays-Reserve

2B Jose Altuve-Astros-Reserve

3B Josh Donaldson-A's-Starter

SS Derek Jeter-Yankees-Starter

LF Nelson Cruz-Orioles-Starter (DH)

CF Mike Trout-Angels-Starter (LF)

RF Yoenis Cespedes-A's-Reserve

DH Victor Martinez-Tigers-Reserve

SP Felix Hernandez-Mariners-Starter

Reserves

C Derek Norris-A's-Reserve

C Kurt Suzuki-Twins-Reserve 

1B Jose Abreu-White Sox-Reserve

1B Miguel Cabrera-Tigers-Starter

2B Ian Kinsler-Tigers-Reserve (Replaced Victor Martinez)

2B Robinson Cano-Mariners-Starter

3B Kyle Seager-Mariners-Reserve (Replaced Edwin Encarnacion)

3B Adrian Beltre-Rangers-Reserve

SS Erick Aybar-Angels-Reserve (Replaced Alex Gordon)

SS-Alexei Ramirez-White Sox-Reserve

OF Jose Bautista-Blue Jays-Starter (RF)

OF Alex Gordon-Royals-Reserve

OF Michael Brantley-Indians-Reserve

Pitchers

Masahiro Tanaka-Yankees-All-Star

Corey Kluber-Indians-Not All-Star

Yu Darvish-Rangers-All-Star

Scott Kazmir-A's-All-Star

Mark Buehrle-Blue Jays-All-Star

Dallas Keuchel-Astros-Not All-Star

Garrett Richards-Angels-Not All-Star

David Price-Rays-All-Star

Fernando Rodney-Mariners-All-Star (Replaced David Price)

Sean Doolittle-A's-All-Star

Greg Holland-Royals-All-Star

Koji Uehara-Red Sox-All-Star (Replaced Masahiro Tanaka)

All-Stars Not on My All-Star Team

NL

C Yadier Molina-Cardinals

C Miguel Montero (Replaced Yadier Molina)-D-Backs

3B Matt Carpenter-Cardinals

IF/OF Josh Harrison-Pirates

OF Charlie Blackmon-Rockies

OF Hunter Pence-Giants

P Tyson Ross-Padres

P Tony Watson-Pirates

P Pat Neshek-Cardinals

P Tyler Clippard (Replaced Julio Teheran)-Nationals

AL

1B/OF Brandon Moss-A's

P Max Scherzer-Tigers

P Jon Lester-Red Sox

P Glen Perkins-Twins

P Dellin Betances-Yankees

2014 Home Run Derby Preview

 Here's the bracket: http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2014/0711/2014_mlb_hrd_bracket.jpg

Contestants

American League:

Jose Bautista (Captain)-Blue Jays

Yoenis Cespedes-Athletics

Josh Donaldson-Athletics

Brian Dozier-Twins

Adam Jones-Orioles

National League:

Todd Frazier-Reds

Justin Morneau-Rockies

Yasiel Puig-Dodgers

Giancarlo Stanton-Marlins

Troy Tulowitzki (Captain)-Rockies

American League

Jose Bautista

Stats: 17 HR, .502 SLG, .210 ISO

Derby Appearances: 2 (2011-1st Round; 2012-Runner-Up)

Analysis: Bautista, the AL captain, is always a power threat, and has experience, so he is among the contenders.

Prediction: Quarterfinals

Yoenis Cespedes

Stats: 14 HR, .442 SLG, .195 ISO

Derby Appearances: 1 (2013- Champion)

Analysis: Cespedes is the defending champion, so he's obviously on everyone's favorites list. But recent history doesn't bode well for Cespedes, as Robinson Cano, the 2012 champ, hit 0 in last year's Derby.

Prediction: Runner-Up

Josh Donaldson

Stats: 20 HR, .449 SLG, .211 ISO

Derby Appearances: 0

Analysis: Donaldson, Cespedes's teammate, has a nice home run total this year and is excited to be participating. He's a dark horse candidate.

Prediction: Round 1

Brian Dozier

Stats: 18 HR, .436 SLG, .194 ISO

Derby Appearances: 0

Analysis: Dozier is probably an underdog, being a middle infielder who didn't show much power before recently. But he does have familiarity with Target Field and the support of the home crowd.

Prediction: Semifinals

Adam Jones

Stats: 16 HR, .486 SLG, .186 ISO

Derby Appearances: 0

Analysis: Jones will be entertaining and a power threat, although he plays in the homer-friendly Camden Yards and has one of the lesser home run totals among the participants. 

Prediction: Round 1

National League

Todd Frazier

Stats: 19 HR, .500 SLG, .210 ISO 

Derby Appearances: 0

Analysis: I, of course, will be rooting for the Toddfather tonight, and believe he is a strong dark horse candidate. Remember, this is the same man who did this: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MSqZC1uW1TM

Prediction: Semifinals

Justin Morneau

Stats: 13 HR, .502 SLG, .182 ISO

Derby Appearances: 0

Analysis: this is a nice story, as Morneau was a fan favorite in Minnesota for a number of years. However, he only has 13 home runs and plays in Coors Field.

Prediction: Round 1

Yasiel Puig

Stats: 12 HR, .522 SLG, .213 ISO

Derby Appearances: 0

Analysis: Puig will provide lots of entertainment and showmanship, but he only has 12 home runs. Then again, he may thrive in this environment.

Prediction: Quarterfinals

Giancarlo Stanton

Stats: 21 HR, .538 SLG, .241 ISO

Derby Appearances: 0

Analysis: Stanton is the clear-cut favorite, as he smashes moon shots regularly, and he has the largest average home run distance in the league. He's the guy to beat.

Prediction: Champion

Troy Tulowitzki

Stats: 21 HR, .613 SLG, .268 ISO

Derby Appearances: 0

Analysis: Tulo, the NL captain, has impressive numbers and is by far the best shortstop in Major League Baseball, but he, like Morneau, plays in the Mile High City, and his Home-Road splits (Home: .419/.497/.748; Away: .265/.367/.463) show the effects of Coors Field.

Prediction: Round 1

These predictions are basically stabs in the dark, as anyone of these competitors could take home the trophy.  I used ESPN.com and FanGraphs as statistical references. 

The 2014 Home Run Derby is tonight at 8:00 ET on ESPN from Target Field in Minneapolis.

(Note: SLG=Slugging Percentage; ISO=Isolated Power (Slugging percentage minus average). Slash lines are AVG/OBP/SLG)

Evaluation of the A's-Cubs Trade (Plus the D-Backs-Angels Trade)

Last night the Chicago Cubs traded pitchers Jeff Samardzijia and Jason Hammel to the Oakland A's for shortstop Addison Russell (the A's top prospect and 2012 first-round pick), pitcher Dan Straily (second-year starter for the A's who was demoted to AAA), outfielder Billy McKinley (the A's #2 prospect and 2013 first-round draft pick), and the good old PTBNL (Player To Be Named Later). Obviously it's hard to gauge a trade right after it happens, especially when there are prospects involved. It's a waiting game. But as it stands right now, it looks like a win-win. Billy Beane and the A's bolster their rotation, making then a World Series favorite (they already have the best record in Major League Baseball) and Theo Epstein and the Cubs get another top prospect to add to their glut of future stars, including third baseman Kris Bryant and shortstop Javier Baez. One might question the Cubs stockpiling young shortstops, with Starlin Castro already entrenched there at the big league level, but they will probably move one of the shortstops to second base and trade another (probably Baez) for young pitching. As for the A's, their rotation goes from Sonny Gray-Scott Kazmir-Tommy Milone-Brad Mills-Jesse Chavez to Jeff Samardzijia-Jason Hammel-Sonny Gray-Scott Kazmir-Jesse Chavez (or something like that). That's an upgrade.

In other (more minor) news, the Arizona Diamandbacks traded reliever Joe Thatcher and outfielder Tony Campana to the L.A. Angels for two prospects, outfielder Zack Borenstein and pitcher Joey Krehbeil. This trade is a small response to the A's trade as the Angels bolster their bullpen to try to keep up with the A's in the AL West. The D-Backs, like the Cubs, get pieces for the future, as they are out of contention this year.o)

Last night the Chicago Cubs traded pitchers Jeff Samardzijia and Jason Hammel to the Oakland A's for shortstop Addison Russell (the A's top prospect and 2012 first-round pick), pitcher Dan Straily (second-year starter for the A's who was demoted to AAA), outfielder Billy McKinley (the A's #2 prospect and 2013 first-round draft pick), and the good old PTBNL (Player To Be Named Later). Obviously it's hard to gauge a trade right after it happens, especially when there are prospects involved. It's a waiting game. But as it stands right now, it looks like a win-win. Billy Beane and the A's bolster their rotation, making then a World Series favorite (they already have the best record in Major League Baseball) and Theo Epstein and the Cubs get another top prospect to add to their glut of future stars, including third baseman Kris Bryant and shortstop Javier Baez. One might question the Cubs stockpiling young shortstops, with Starlin Castro already entrenched there at the big league level, but they will probably move one of the shortstops to second base and trade another (probably Baez) for young pitching. As for the A's, their rotation goes from Sonny Gray-Scott Kazmir-Tommy Milone-Brad Mills-Jesse Chavez to Jeff Samardzijia-Jason Hammel-Sonny Gray-Scott Kazmir-Jesse Chavez (or something like that). That's an upgrade.

In other (more minor) news, the Arizona Diamandbacks traded reliever Joe Thatcher and outfielder Tony Campana to the L.A. Angels for two prospects, outfielder Zack Borenstein and pitcher Joey Krehbeil. This trade is a small response to the A's trade as the Angels bolster their bullpen to try to keep up with the A's in the AL West. The D-Backs, like the Cubs, get pieces for the future, as they are out of contention this year.

G-Rex's 2014 MLB All-Star Team

I'm Baaaaaaaaaack! It's been a long hiatus for this busy dinosaur, but I'm back with my picks for the 2014 MLB All-Star Game at Target Field in Minnesota. With fan voting ending tonight, I felt it was the best time to reveal my picks. So, without further ado, here it is:

2014 All-Star Team

NL

Starters

C Jonathan Lucroy-Brewers

1B Paul Goldschmidt-D-Backs

2B Dee Gordon-Dodgers

3B Todd Frazier-Reds

SS Troy Tulowitzki-Rockies

LF Andrew McCutchen-Pirates

CF Carlos Gomez-Brewers

RF Giancarlo Stanton-Marlins

DH Yasiel Puig-Dodgers

SP Adam Wainwright-Cardinals 

Reserves

C Devin Mesoraco-Reds

C Buster Posey-Giants

1B Anthony Rizzo-Cubs

1B Freddie Freeman-Braves

2B Chase Utley-Phillies

2B Daniel Murphy-Mets

3B Casey McGehee-Marlins

3B Anthony Rendon-Nationals

SS Starlin Castro-Cubs

OF Jason Heyward-Braves

OF Billy Hamilton-Reds

OF Seth Smith-Padres

Pitchers

Johnny Cueto-Reds

Clayton Kershaw-Dodgers

Tim Hudson-Giants

Julio Teheran-Braves

Henderson Alvarez-Marlins

Jordan Zimmerman-Phillies

Alfredo Simon-Reds

Zack Grienke-Dodgers

Francisco Rodriguez-Brewers

Aroldis Chapman-Reds

Craig Kimbrel-Braves

Huston Street-Padres

AL

Starters

C Salvador Perez-Royals

1B Edwin Encarnacion-Blue Jays

2B Jose Altuve-Astros

3B Josh Donaldson-A's

SS Derek Jeter-Yankees

LF Nelson Cruz-Orioles

CF Mike Trout-Angels

RF Yoenis Cespedes-A's

DH Victor Martinez-Tigers

SP Felix Hernandez-Mariners

Reserves

C Derek Norris-A's

C Kurt Suzuki-Twins

1B Jose Abreu-White Sox

1B Miguel Cabrera-Tigers

2B Ian Kinsler-Tigers

2B Robinson Cano-Mariners

3B Kyle Seager-Mariners

3B Adrian Beltre-Rangers

SS Erick Aybar-Angels

SS-Alexei Ramirez-White Sox

OF Jose Bautista-Blue Jays

OF Alex Gordon-Royals

OF Michael Brantley-Indians

Pitchers

Masahiro Tanaka-Yankees

Corey Kluber-Indians

Yu Darvish-Rangers

Scott Kazmir-A's

Mark Buehrle-Blue Jays

Dallas Keuchel-Astros

Garrett Richards-Angels

David Price-Rays

Fernando Rodney-Mariners

Sean Doolittle-A's

Greg Holland-Royals

Koji Uehara-Red Sox

If you aren't familiar with the All-Star voting rules, here they are: 34 players from each league are selected via fan voting, player voting, coaches selection, and a final fan vote. At least one player from each team must be in the game. This is a mix of who I think WILL be in the All-Star Game and who I think SHOULD be in the All-Star Game (Example: Derek Jeter isn't playing very well this season, but because he's a future Hall-of-Famer in his last season, he will get voted in as a starter). There are a few players I had  a somewhat tough time omitting. I was especially torn on pitchers (apologies to relievers who aren't closers, such as Jonathan Broxton, Dellin Betances, and Jake McGee). I used various stats and references to make these selections. Feel free to disagree.