You Make the Call: 2012 All-Star

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Somebody will represent the Mets. Who? Vote now. Winner gets to watch the whole thing.

Pick up to 3, write in additional choices or write-ins

[Edgy MD]

I'm going for Wright and Davis, but I also think Duda will rip apart the league in the first half. Can you set it to allow re-votes?

[Vic Sage]

Dickey, for having another credible year, with no other viable candidates as a Mets rep.
and then Vic Sage, as emergency call up.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

set for re-votes.

[Ceetar]

Utley's injury gives Murphy a better shot.

Howard's injury (and Fielder/Pujols departing) give Davis a better shot.

If Santana stays healthy and is winning games, I think he gets a spot in part due to history, which I imagine many will hope he declines.

I'd like to see Dickey get in.

[TransMonk]

If Wright's healthy, I think he gets in. I went with Dickey as well.

I think Niese, Davis and Santana have shots as well, but didn't vote them on the poll.

[metirish]

Duda

Davis

Santana


Christ, I actually noted Santana and no Dickey...

[Benjamin Grimm]

Davis on merit, and Wright on reputation.

[Vic Sage]

[u:hanm9609]NL all-star 1bmen:[/u:hanm9609]

* Joey Votto -- Best 1bman in the NL.
* Lance Berkman -- borderline HOFer had a great year last year. If he's healthy, should be able to do it again.
* Ryan Howard -- injured; out til June, but if he comes back strong at that point, he could well get another A-S nod, even just based on his rep and/or phillie phan ballot stuffing.

Assuming Howard doesn't get an A-S nod because of his injury (which is not at all assured), I can see Iron Ike getting that A-S slot (since MLB is unlikely to take more than 3 1bmen), unless he gets beaten out by one these highly touted young players:
* Yonder Alonso - Cuban rookie starting for SD
* Freddie Freeman - good looking 2nd year Brave
* Paul Goldschmidt - rookie starting in AZ
* Anthony Rizzo - Cubs rookie likely to start in AAA but could get call-up
* Gaby Sanchez - marlins decent 3rd-year man

I'd say if Ike has the type of 1st half we can safely project, and Ryan Howard is sidelined for much of the first half, then he has a 50/50 shot at an A-S bid.

[Guest Mets Guy in Michigan]

I think Niese really does get it all together this year. I think he'll join Ike and Wright.

[Ceetar]

Vic Sage wrote: I'd say if Ike has the type of 1st half we can safely project, and Ryan Howard is sidelined for much of the first half, then he has a 50/50 shot at an A-S bid.

Ryan Howard will not be on the all-star ballot for fan voting, as he's not starting the season with the team. It generally lists the Opening Day starters ( Reyes not on it in 2010 for instance)

The ballot may already have been printed at this point though, otherwise Utley may not be on it either.

[ashie62]

Ramon Ramirez

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Wright, Murph, Duda (w/Davis a close fourth). I think Murph and Duda have HUGE first halves.

[HahnSolo]

With Larussa gone, does Matheny take over the managing duties?

Assuming no one is voted in by the fans, I'm gonna go with Dickey. I'll give a real tentative nod to Wright as well.

[Edgy MD]

I'm 112% sure that LaRussa manages the game, and McCarver spends the pregame weeping with admiration for his fellow Cardinal legend, and by the end, he'll have you wanting to kick open the doors to Cooperstown, to forsake any artificial waiting period and to install a new plaque on the wall before the sun rises on the next day.

Oh, and Jeter.

[Vic Sage]

you guys do know that Wright has a ripped stomach muscle that kept Zimmerman out for months last year, right?

Also, at 3b in the NL there are these all-stars:

Zimmerman,R - Was
Ramirez,A - Mil
Jones,C - Atl

any or all of whom could get an A-S nod over Wright, as well as:

Freeze,D - StL
Walker, N - Pit
Sandoval,P - SF

any or all of whom could jump up to an A-S level.

I think Wright is unlikely to get an A-S nod, at least based on performance. His former A-S status does give him an edge in voting but will mean little to MLB in selecting reserves. So unless he's voted in as a starter, i don't see it. Of course, if he has a great 1st half, that changes everything, but I just don't think that's likely, based on his recent seasons and his current physical condition.

[Vic Sage]

and if either MURPHY or DUDA has a first half so dominant as to get either of them (much less both of them) selected to the A-S team, I will happily eat a shoe in the middle of Times Square.

I think the Mets lone all-star selection this season will likely come from among pitchers Santana, Dickey or Niese, or Ike Davis, depending on performance and need.

[Ceetar]

Vic Sage wrote: you guys do know that Wright has a ripped stomach muscle that kept Zimmerman out for months last year, right?

Mostly because it's was undiagnosed and he played through it, hurting it further, then they tried conservative treatment that didn't work. And then they panicked and tried to change his throwing motion.

[Vic Sage]

granted, but it still doesn't bode well for David getting off to a good start.

[Ceetar]

Vic Sage wrote: granted, but it still doesn't bode well for David getting off to a good start.

but the doctors due diligence and overly cautious approach means maybe he'll miss 5-10 games instead of 30-40.

[Vic Sage]

Again, granted... but even if he misses fewer games, he'll still be playing through an injury at some point (after having missed ST games and some regular season games), so won't be 100% or fully prepared to start the season. This is simply not a good starting point for a guy if you're projecting him to have a 1st half good enough for an A-S selection. This is not a criticism, or simple churlishness on my part... its just a reality.