ou cant Tell it's an election year, but right now I'm not talking Bush/Kerry but rather Red Sox/Yankees. But like the presidential election, there is no middle ground. I commented last year on how nice that it seemed that the fans were becoming much more knowledgeable in voting deserving All-Stars, and I even based the difference on the advent of internet voting. That still seems to hold true this year, at least in the National League, although there is a lot of support for players of the host Houston Astros. The American League is a different story however, as voting has become virtually a battle royal between Yankee and Red Sox fans. Despite his season-long slump, Derek Jeter is neck-and-neck with Nomar Garciaparra, who made his season debut just this week. Red Sox and Yankees account for four of the top-seven outfield vote getters and if voting ended today five of the eight position starters will come from the two AL-East mega-powers. But in many instances, it looks like the voters do know what�s going on, here are the early precincts by position�
AL �
C � Where are those people now who snickered at Ivan Rodriguez when he signed with the Tigers??? Pudge is third in the AL in batting with a .350 average and has driven in an amazing 42 runs in 52 games. Based on that (and on reputation), Pudge has a comfortable lead over Jorge Posada and Jason Varitek. However, Cleveland's Vic Matinez had done even better offensively, hitting .309 and driving in an amazing 38 runs in his last 33 contests. You can't go wrong with either Current Leader: Rodriguez, Most Deserving: Rodriguez/Martinez, My Vote: Martinez.
1B � Jason Giambi is a lock to start here, and I guess his numbers are acceptable enough (.263/10/27 in 40 games). Since he plays more at DH, David Ortiz did not make the ballot but has driven in 50 runs in 58 games. After those two there is not really a lot to consider, although Kansas City�s Ken Harvey (who also sees the majority of time at DH) is hitting .370. Current leader: Giambi, Most Deserving: Ortiz, My Vote: Giambi (voting for a write-in is like voting for Ralph Nader).
2B � KACSPORTS has projected Alfonso Soriano as the American League�s starting second baseman. Think I�m going out on a limb?? Soriano has nearly 900,000 votes, nearly three times of that of the nearest pursuers. Soriano�s numbers have been off, but he moved his only real competition (Michael Young) by moving him to shortstop. Current Leader: Soriano, Most Deserving: Soriano, My Vote: Soriano.
3B � How ironic on how Alex Rodriguez�s numbers thus far are a spitting image of that of Texas Ranger Hank Blalock. But everyone knows how a voting battle between those two will end up. My vote goes to Arod as well, not for his performance in the Bronx, but for the .355 batting average, 87 home runs, 205 RBI, 148 runs, and 55 stolen bases he has produced for me in 2K3 � with 16 games still to go. Blalock would have to be on pace for those type of numbers to ever have a chance of overtaking Arod. Current Leader: Arod, Most Deserving: Aord, My Vote: Arod
SS � With Jeter and Nomar around, they might as well be Libertarian candidates, but Carlos Guillen has a .559 slugging percentage, Michael Young (.332/40/9/37/6) is one of the games best five-category players, and Miguel Tejada has belted 47 RBI in 54 games. Someone tell Matt Drudge that American League baseball is played at 12 other venues besides Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park. Current Leader: Jeter/Nomar, Most Deserving: Guillen/Young/Tejada My Vote: Young (and only if you force me to just vote for one).
OF � Vladimir Guerrero and Manny Ramirez are shoo-ins, no complaints there. However there will be no less than five players vying for that final outfield start in what will easily be the most heated voting in either league. 65,000 votes separate cult favorite Johnny Damon (who could unseat Ted Kennedy in Massachusetts if he wanted to), Gary Sheffield, Ichiro Suzuki, Yankee-to-be Carlos Beltran, and Hideki Matsui. Red Sox nation will go nuts to get Damon in, Yankee fans will vote for Sheff, and Ichiro and Matsui bill get a tidal wave of votes from across the Pacific. Beltran is the most worthy candidate but he�s not a Yankee, yet. Current Leaders: Vlad, Ramirez, Damon/Sheffield, Most Deserving: Vlad, Ramirez, Beltran My Vote: Vlad, Ramirez, Beltran.
NL �
C � Mike Piazza (.305/25/13/30) will be the NL representative for the umpteenth time, but the Braves Johnny Estrada (.349/28/4/38) is more deserving. Current Leader: Piazza, Most Deserving: Estrada, My Vote: Estrada
1B � A ton of possibilities here. Albert Pujols holds a slight lead over Jeff Bagwell. However Jim Thome actually has the highest slugging percentage (.665), and NL batting leader Sean Casey (.374/45/11/43) and Craig Wilson (.340/13/38) are also very deserving. Left in the dust this year are Colorado�s Todd Helton along with Lyle Overbay despite his monster (.324/6/43) start. Current Leader: Pujols, Most Deserving: Thome/Pujols/Casey, My Vote: Pujols
2B � Jeff Kent is on fire with a club-record tying 24-game hit streak, and was one of baseball�s hottest players in the past month. He looks like he could get a base hit while falling out of his truck, or even motorcycle for that fact. Current Leader: Kent, Most Deserving: Kent, My Vote: Kent.
3B � Mike Lowell and Aramis Ramirez are among those having fine seasons, but the voters correctly have Scott Rolen (.355/16/63) on top here. Current Leader: Rolen, Most Deserving: Rolen, My Vote: Rolen
SS � The presence of Astro fans are most noticeable here, with Adam Everett neck-and-neck with Edgar Renteria in the voting. Renteria (.257/32/4/26/8) is having a off year but don�t tell that to Mark Prior. No one is setting the world on fire at short but Pittsburgh�s Jack Wilson (.336/31/5/24/5) is putting up the best numbers. Current Leaders: Renteria/Everett, Most Deserving: Wilson, My Vote: Wilson.
OF � To no one�s surprise, icons Barry Bonds and Sammy Sosa are #1/#2, while Ken Griffey Jr, has surged into third place. Lance Berkman and Craig Biggio remain within striking distance. The best player who will not get voted in is Philadelphia�s Bobby Abreu who�s having a fantastic five-category season (.299/47/14/43/12). I will also put Griffey in based on his recent (9 in 14 games) home run binge. Current Leaders: Bonds/Sosa/Griffey, Most Deserving: Bonds/Griffey/Abreu, My Votes: Bonds/Griffey/Abreu.
OTHER NOTES
A couple of huge injury developments during the week. Ex-Cubs closer Joe Borowski sought a second opinion after what was described as �damage� was found during an examination. It seems all but certain that LaTroy Hawkins will be closing for the long-term future, perhaps for the balance of the season. At 950, he should be a huge CDM pick-up and a top-ten closer. Another possibly troubling injury occurred when Victor Martinez pulled up lame, possibly a reoccurrence of a bum ankle suffered last year. If he goes on the DL, the likes of Matt LeCroy become a huge pick-up. Albert Pujols sustained a hamstring pull on Sunday last week, fortunately owners had time to get him out of this weeks lineup. Kerry Wood has visited the likes of Drs. Yokum and Andrews in the last week, the company line is two-three more weeks is the best case scenario. Also it was revealed that Curt Schilling has been dealing with a bum ankle since the beginning of the season, that also bears keeping an eye on.
PROSPECT WATCH
Scott Hairston (2B-AZ) � At least the D-Backs didn�t include him in the Richie Sexson deal. A third round pick in the 2001 draft, Hairston has been getting regular playing time due to injuries to Roberto Alomar and Matt Kata. Currently, Hairston is hitting .294 with three HR�s in just 68 AB�s. Hairston doesn�t have the speed of his brother, but has much more power with a quick stroke to all fields, and has averaged 15-20 home runs in the minors while maintaining a .300+ batting average. Has the defensive skills, but can be erratic and make errors in bunches. Hairston has played well enough that he should still be able to get some playing time when Alomar returns, but has shown enough to afford the D-Backs to shop Alomar around come trade deadline time.
ADDS (FA PICKUPS IN BOLD)
1. Sean Casey 1B-CIN (490) � Impressive .621 slugging percentage, on pace for 30 HR.
2. Mark Prior SP-CHC (261) � Should be a regular on this list in weeks to come.
3. Mariano Rivera RP-NYY (219) � Sandman racked up a couple more saves this week.
4. Roger Clemens SP-HOU (178) � Clemens v. Sheets a must-see.
5. Melvin Mora OF-BAL (128) � Four run game this week.
6. Randy Johnson SP-AZ (123) � Another two-step special.
7. Danny Graves RP-CIN (102) � Has been touched up in 13 of his 33 appearances.
8. J.D Drew OF-ATL (96) � Younger brother drafted #15 overall by the D-Backs this week.
9. Jason Schmidt SP-SF (95) � Could see for non-support down in Tampa.
10. Moises Alou OF-CHC (74) � Got some modest interest in his FA week.
DROPS
1. Juan Gonzalez OF-KC (159) � Most likely out until the All-Star Break.
2. Brandon Webb SP-AZ (155) - No start has lasted more than seven innings this year.
3. Roy Halladay SP-TOR (141) � Now on the DL (elbow).
4. Richie Sexson 1B-AZ (130) � May not resign, is it safe to officially call that trade a heist??
5. Troy Glaus 3B-ANH (119) � No breaking news here.
6. Carlos Delgado 1B-TOR (113) � I would imagine his DL stint will last through next week, providing playing time for Josh Phelps in NL parks.
7. Johan Santana SP-MN (109) - I like the potential on his starts in Milwaukee and Montreal next week.
8. Joe Borowski RP-CHC (96) - DL stint takes out what remaining guesswork there was.
9. Richard Hidalgo OF-HOU (79) - Only four home runs on the year.
10. Corey Patterson OF-CHC (74) - Target of abuse on the North Side.
SECOND SEASON ROSTER COMPOSITION (of top 250 teams)
C � Vic Martinez 164, Estrada 135, Piazza 68, Lopez 39, Varitek 39. Note: Matt LeCroy starts on nine teams) expect that number to go up next week.
1B � C. Wilson 128, Ortiz 125, Casey 98, Overbay 83
2B � Young 176, Loretta 77, Kent 67, Hairston 58
3B � Blalock 155, Rolen 108, Castilla 105, Lowell 102. In a surprise (at least to me), Aramis Ramirez only starts on 16 teams.
SS � Arod 137, Guillen 86, Roberts 61, K. Matsui 48, J. Wilson 37
OF � Mora 172, Cabrera 167, Griffey 151, Guillen 144, Ramirez 136, Vlad Guerrero 127, Podsednik 95, Drew 87, Crawford 81, Beltran 74. Note: Pujols is on 160 rosters (41 starts), ranking him fourth amongst outfielders.
SP (total ownership, not starts) � Zambrano 196, R. Johnson 189, Schmidt 185, Clemens 182, Penny 160, Schilling 158, Sheets 149, Oswalt 135, Prior 118
RP � Nathan 212 (most starts of any position), Graves 156, Benitez 154, Cordero 93, Rivera 87, Herges 64, Kolb 60
Lots more variety in the Second Season game than I have seen in previous years by far.
WEEK 11 PREVIEW
7 GAMES - CIN, PHI, CHC, HOU, BOS, CLE
Only one game this week wil be played in an American Leauge park (BOS @ CLE), all interleague games will be played at NL parks.
DH's who could lose playing time this week: Matt LeCroy, David Ortiz, Frank Thomas/Paul Konerko, Dmitri Young, Ken Harvey, Edgar Martinez, Erubiel Durazo.
BEST TWO START BETS: Johan Santana, Barry Zito, Mark Prior, Carlos Zambrano, Matt Morris, Jason Schmidt.
CDM FREE AGENT LIST (recommended purchases in bold)
C � Matt LeCroy (480) � Back in action and averaging a home run per 19 AB�s, as an extra bonus you are guaranteed that he will have the Metrodome ventilation at his back.
1B � Josh Phelps (590) � He doesn�t get going until August 1, long after you give up on him.
2B � Luis Castillo (1200) � Doesn�t steal as much these days, but has been successful on 10 of 12 attempts. Driving in more runs (29 in 59 games) than usual.
3B � Casey Blake (700) � Not bad (.273/827 in 49 games), but hits too far down in the order for my liking.
SS � Adam Everett (410) � Offers a nice average, scores runs like Paul Molitor (42 in 57 games) but drives in runs like Luis Castillo a few years back.
OF � Chipper Jones (1440) � First base looks to be in his future.
OF � Scott Podsednik (960) � Still a tough call between he and Carl Crawford. Crawford hits for a higher average, but Po will get you slightly more runs, along with occasional power. Definitely grab if you are hurting for SB�s.
SP � Barry Zito (1250) � Pitching much better as of late but could get roughed up at Busch and Wrigley.
SP � Matt Clement (960) � And he gets the red-hot A�s this week.
RP � Braden Looper (1190) � Doesn�t get enough save opps.
