The Yankees were "on the brink" of acquiring Mariners ace Cliff Lee on Thursday night, but the trade fell through Friday, the New York Post reports. In fact, it appears New York is no longer in the Lee sweepstakes.
The Yankees were prepared to part with well-regarded catching prospect Jesus Montero, second baseman David Adams and pitcher Zach McAllister, according to the report. But the Mariners were concerned with Adams’ high ankle sprain and asked for another player to be included in the trade. New York said it was willing to do so, but Seattle increased its demands again, and the deal fell apart.
Another team might have sweetened its offer for Lee, the Post notes. The Rangers, Twins, Rays and Reds are among the other suitors for the pitcher.
Lee, who is 8-3 with an AL-best 2.34 ERA this season, is scheduled to pitch against the Yankees tonight in Seattle. As a member of the Phillies’ rotation last season, Lee recorded Philadelphia’s only two wins against New York in the World Series.
A trade to the Yankees would have reunited Lee, the 2008 AL Cy Young award winner, with former Indians teammate CC Sabathia, who won the award in 2007.
Sporting News staff reports
The Yankees were "on the brink" of acquiring Mariners ace Cliff Lee on Thursday night, but the trade fell through Friday, the New York Post reports. In fact, it appears New York is no longer in the Lee sweepstakes.
The Yankees were prepared to part with well-regarded catching prospect Jesus Montero, second baseman David Adams and pitcher Zach McAllister, according to the report. But the Mariners were concerned with Adams’ high ankle sprain and asked for another player to be included in the trade. New York said it was willing to do so, but Seattle increased its demands again, and the deal fell apart.
Another team might have sweetened its offer for Lee, the Post notes. The Rangers, Twins, Rays and Reds are among the other suitors for the pitcher.
Lee, who is 8-3 with an AL-best 2.34 ERA this season, is scheduled to pitch against the Yankees tonight in Seattle. As a member of the Phillies’ rotation last season, Lee recorded Philadelphia’s only two wins against New York in the World Series.
A trade to the Yankees would have reunited Lee, the 2008 AL Cy Young award winner, with former Indians teammate CC Sabathia, who won the award in 2007.
After winning two of three at Citizens Bank Park, the NL East-leading Braves will visit Citi Field this weekend. The second-place Mets have won four of the five games between the teams this season, though they haven’t met since mid-May. The season series has featured three one-run games, and no team has scored more than five runs in any game.
Tonight’s pitching matchup features the surprising R.A. Dickey, who wasn’t in the Mets’ rotation when these teams last met, and the up-and-down Tommy Hanson, who lost to the Mets earlier this season despite not allowing an earned run. Mets rookie first baseman Ike Davis is just 2-for-12 against Atlanta, though both hits were homers.
Minnesota has won six of the nine games against Detroit this season. However, the first-place Tigers have been the hotter team recently, winning seven of their past 10 games overall. The rivals will begin a three-game series at Comerica Park tonight.
Miguel Cabrera, a Triple Crown threat, has homered twice and driven in eight runs against Minnesota this season. For the Twins, Jim Thome has abused Tigers pitching for three homers and seven RBIs. But speedy Denard Span has done arguably the most damage, with five triples and nine RBIs. In the teams’ previous series, Span tripled three times and drove in five runs in one game.
In another intriguing weekend matchup, the first-place Padres will travel to Coors Field. Although San Diego is 7-1 against the Giants, it is 1-4 versus the Dodgers and 3-6 against the Rockies.
Colorado has won three consecutive series overall and has a chance to close the N.L. West gap a bit more. To prevent that, the Padres must silence Clint Barmes, who has five doubles, two homers and 12 RBIs against them this season.
After winning two of three at Citizens Bank Park, the NL East-leading Braves will visit Citi Field this weekend. The second-place Mets have won four of the five games between the teams this season, though they haven’t met since mid-May. The season series has featured three one-run games, and no team has scored more than five runs in any game.
Tonight’s pitching matchup features the surprising R.A. Dickey, who wasn’t in the Mets’ rotation when these teams last met, and the up-and-down Tommy Hanson, who lost to the Mets earlier this season despite not allowing an earned run. Mets rookie first baseman Ike Davis is just 2-for-12 against Atlanta, though both hits were homers.
Minnesota has won six of the nine games against Detroit this season. However, the first-place Tigers have been the hotter team recently, winning seven of their past 10 games overall. The rivals will begin a three-game series at Comerica Park tonight.
Miguel Cabrera, a Triple Crown threat, has homered twice and driven in eight runs against Minnesota this season. For the Twins, Jim Thome has abused Tigers pitching for three homers and seven RBIs. But speedy Denard Span has done arguably the most damage, with five triples and nine RBIs. In the teams’ previous series, Span tripled three times and drove in five runs in one game.
In another intriguing weekend matchup, the first-place Padres will travel to Coors Field. Although San Diego is 7-1 against the Giants, it is 1-4 versus the Dodgers and 3-6 against the Rockies.
Colorado has won three consecutive series overall and has a chance to close the N.L. West gap a bit more. To prevent that, the Padres must silence Clint Barmes, who has five doubles, two homers and 12 RBIs against them this season.
Sporting News Audio is a weekly series of conversations with Sporting News experts during the MLB season. In this installment, Ryan Fagan talks about the teams that surprised him in the season’s first half, and whether or not they’re going to continue playing that well.
Sporting News
Sporting News Audio is a weekly series of conversations with Sporting News experts during the MLB season. In this installment, Ryan Fagan talks about the teams that surprised him in the season’s first half, and whether or not they’re going to continue playing that well.
Lou Piniella says he has every intention of being the Cubs’ manager through the end of this season, his last in Chicago.
"I’m not a quitter. No, I’m not a quitter," Piniella told reporters Tuesday before the club’s game in Arizona (per the Chicago Tribune). "In this business, you better be prepared to take the good with the bad. I mean, nobody wants the bad, but at the same time, it happens."
The Cubs are 37-47 after a 6-4 victory Tuesday night, 10 games behind the first-place Reds in the NL Central.
The Tribune notes that Cubs general manager Jim Hendry insists he won’t fire Piniella, who is expected to retire from managing after this year. ("I know that this will be my last managing job," he said. "I do know that for a fact.")
Piniella, 66, says he has no regrets about coming to Chicago.
"If I had to do it all over again, I would do the same thing," he said. "It has been a unique experience. It really has. This is going to be a good way for me to end my career because I’ll look at it with a lot of pleasant memories — and a little hurt, too."
Sweet Lou also had a few words of wisdom for Dodgers manager Joe Torre, who earlier this season was rumored to be interested in succeeding Piniella.
"He can come here. He’ll find out that it’s a little harder than what he thinks it is," Piniella said. "But that’s OK. When I leave here they can hire the best manager they can, and I wish him well."
Sporting News staff reports
Lou Piniella says he has every intention of being the Cubs’ manager through the end of this season, his last in Chicago.
"I’m not a quitter. No, I’m not a quitter," Piniella told reporters Tuesday before the club’s game in Arizona (per the Chicago Tribune). "In this business, you better be prepared to take the good with the bad. I mean, nobody wants the bad, but at the same time, it happens."
The Cubs are 37-47 after a 6-4 victory Tuesday night, 10 games behind the first-place Reds in the NL Central.
The Tribune notes that Cubs general manager Jim Hendry insists he won’t fire Piniella, who is expected to retire from managing after this year. ("I know that this will be my last managing job," he said. "I do know that for a fact.")
Piniella, 66, says he has no regrets about coming to Chicago.
"If I had to do it all over again, I would do the same thing," he said. "It has been a unique experience. It really has. This is going to be a good way for me to end my career because I’ll look at it with a lot of pleasant memories — and a little hurt, too."
Sweet Lou also had a few words of wisdom for Dodgers manager Joe Torre, who earlier this season was rumored to be interested in succeeding Piniella.
"He can come here. He’ll find out that it’s a little harder than what he thinks it is," Piniella said. "But that’s OK. When I leave here they can hire the best manager they can, and I wish him well."
Baseball commissioner Bud Selig said Tuesday he remains opposed to expanding the use of replay in the sport. He also has no plans to change the format of the All-Star Game in which the winning league gains home-field advantage in the World Series.
"I talked to a lot of players, talked to a lot of fans, quite frankly there is little appetite for more instant replay," Selig told reporters (per AOL FanHouse) during a conference call to promote next week’s All-Star Game. "At this point in time I agree with that. I said I’d continue to review it and I will. … I think where we are now is a very good balance."
Selig again invoked tradition as one reason why he’s hesitant to introduce more technology. "We have it to a point where if you go any further, you are really changing the sport. I’m very concerned about that," he said. Baseball uses replay to settle disputes about home runs and whether batted balls are fair or foul.
As for the All-Star Game, Selig claims no MLB officials have heard complaints about the changes he made after the 2002 game ended in a tie.
"What [home-field advantage] has done is added excitement to this thing. It has marketed the sport. It has done everything we thought it would. It’s been even better. … Anything that takes our All-Star Game and increases the intensity, why would you change that? Of course we wouldn’t."
Sporting News staff reports
Baseball commissioner Bud Selig said Tuesday he remains opposed to expanding the use of replay in the sport. He also has no plans to change the format of the All-Star Game in which the winning league gains home-field advantage in the World Series.
"I talked to a lot of players, talked to a lot of fans, quite frankly there is little appetite for more instant replay," Selig told reporters (per AOL FanHouse) during a conference call to promote next week’s All-Star Game. "At this point in time I agree with that. I said I’d continue to review it and I will. … I think where we are now is a very good balance."
Selig again invoked tradition as one reason why he’s hesitant to introduce more technology. "We have it to a point where if you go any further, you are really changing the sport. I’m very concerned about that," he said. Baseball uses replay to settle disputes about home runs and whether batted balls are fair or foul.
As for the All-Star Game, Selig claims no MLB officials have heard complaints about the changes he made after the 2002 game ended in a tie.
"What [home-field advantage] has done is added excitement to this thing. It has marketed the sport. It has done everything we thought it would. It’s been even better. … Anything that takes our All-Star Game and increases the intensity, why would you change that? Of course we wouldn’t."
Dallas Braden is angry the A’s are trying to profit off his "Get off my mound" scold of Alex Rodriguez.
The A’s left-hander told reporters Monday the team is selling T-shirts that contain the phrase against the wishes of himself, his teammates and the players union. The unlicensed shirts, which have been on sale for a month, do not include Braden’s name and uniform number but do feature the phrase and a slihouette of his pitching motion.
"It’s just not cool," Braden said before the A’s and Yankees met for the first time since the April dustup. "It’s just a serious, gross lack of tact. At the end of the day, I hope I do not become associated with that kind of approach."
Braden said he understands the club’s desire to make a buck (the A’s are charging $25 a pop) but is upset with management’s unwillingness to listen.
"They’re trying to generate revenue, trying to get butts in the seat, I can see that," Braden said. "It’s almost like, at what cost do you do that? They didn’t have permission. They were told on multiple occasions, that, no, it’s not a good idea. It’s not going to be approved. They just kind of put the horse-blinders on and ran with it."
Braden said he doesn’t have or want a shirt and added that he considers it an affront to A-Rod and the game. "We’re all fraternity brothers. This is baseball. You don’t ever put two guys against each other, no matter how fun-lvoing or severe the incident might be," Braden said..
Braden yelled "Get off my mound" at A-Rod during a game April 22. Rodriguez angered Braden by stepping inside Braden’s "office" after a foul ball.
The two haven’t spoken directly to each other since, though they did trade barbs through the media. Braden pitched a perfect game three weeks after the incident, but has since landed on the disabled list with an elbow injury.
Even though the two are together again, Braden isn’t interested in a confab. "I’m not a big hype guy," he said. "It is what it is. Done deal."
Sporting News staff reports
Dallas Braden is angry the A’s are trying to profit off his "Get off my mound" scold of Alex Rodriguez.
The A’s left-hander told reporters Monday the team is selling T-shirts that contain the phrase against the wishes of himself, his teammates and the players union. The unlicensed shirts, which have been on sale for a month, do not include Braden’s name and uniform number but do feature the phrase and a slihouette of his pitching motion.
"It’s just not cool," Braden said before the A’s and Yankees met for the first time since the April dustup. "It’s just a serious, gross lack of tact. At the end of the day, I hope I do not become associated with that kind of approach."
Braden said he understands the club’s desire to make a buck (the A’s are charging $25 a pop) but is upset with management’s unwillingness to listen.
"They’re trying to generate revenue, trying to get butts in the seat, I can see that," Braden said. "It’s almost like, at what cost do you do that? They didn’t have permission. They were told on multiple occasions, that, no, it’s not a good idea. It’s not going to be approved. They just kind of put the horse-blinders on and ran with it."
Braden said he doesn’t have or want a shirt and added that he considers it an affront to A-Rod and the game. "We’re all fraternity brothers. This is baseball. You don’t ever put two guys against each other, no matter how fun-lvoing or severe the incident might be," Braden said..
Braden yelled "Get off my mound" at A-Rod during a game April 22. Rodriguez angered Braden by stepping inside Braden’s "office" after a foul ball.
The two haven’t spoken directly to each other since, though they did trade barbs through the media. Braden pitched a perfect game three weeks after the incident, but has since landed on the disabled list with an elbow injury.
Even though the two are together again, Braden isn’t interested in a confab. "I’m not a big hype guy," he said. "It is what it is. Done deal."
The Orioles and Buck Showalter have met a second time about the club’s managerial position, The Baltimore Sun reports, but no job offer has been made.
Showalter is considered a front-runner for the full-time position, with former Indians manager Eric Wedge also a candidate. Juan Samuel is serving as interim manager after the team fired Dave Trembley on June 4.
"I have not been offered anything, that’s for sure," Showalter told The Sun on Monday night. He declined to comment further, the newspaper reported.
Orioles officials did return calls seeking comment from The Sun.
The Sun speculates the Orioles could have a new manager in place immediately after the All-Star break next week.
Sporting News staff reports
The Orioles and Buck Showalter have met a second time about the club’s managerial position, The Baltimore Sun reports, but no job offer has been made.
Showalter is considered a front-runner for the full-time position, with former Indians manager Eric Wedge also a candidate. Juan Samuel is serving as interim manager after the team fired Dave Trembley on June 4.
"I have not been offered anything, that’s for sure," Showalter told The Sun on Monday night. He declined to comment further, the newspaper reported.
Orioles officials did return calls seeking comment from The Sun.
The Sun speculates the Orioles could have a new manager in place immediately after the All-Star break next week.
The Reds and Mariners have discussed a trade involving Seattle left-hander Cliff Lee, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports, and the Twins reportedly are making a big push as well.
Officials from Cincinnati and Seattle spoke last month when the teams met for an interleague series out West.
Reds general manager Walt Jocketty on Monday didn’t deny that talks have taken place.
"I will say this: We’re looking at any way we can to improve the club," Jocketty told reporters. "To improve the club, it would have to be a pretty significant player to do that. We have a lot of good things going. We don’t want to disrupt that."
Lee would qualify as a significant addition. The 2008 AL Cy Young Award winner is 8-3 with a 2.34 ERA for the last-place Mariners, despite missing the first month of the season with an injury. He can become a free agent after the season, and Seattle is expected to deal him before the July 31 nonwaiver trading deadline.
The Enquirer speculated that first base prospect Yonder Alonso, a 2008 Reds first-round draft pick, would have to be included in a package of prospects to get Lee. Alonso is blocked in Cincinnati by Joey Votto.
A Detroit radio station reported Monday night that the Twins had finalized a deal for Lee, but the Twins quickly denied the story. SI.com’s Jon Heyman, however, reported things are getting "interesting" between the teams and that the discussions "have possibilities."
Both Heyman and AOL FanHouse’s Jeff Fletcher report Seattle wants Twins catching prospect Wilson Ramos as part of the deal. Ramos is blocked by Joe Mauer. Fletcher also reported that Minnesota may also have offered outfielder Aaron Hicks, Minnesota’s first-round pick in 2008.
Sporting News staff reports
The Reds and Mariners have discussed a trade involving Seattle left-hander Cliff Lee, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports, and the Twins reportedly are making a big push as well.
Officials from Cincinnati and Seattle spoke last month when the teams met for an interleague series out West.
Reds general manager Walt Jocketty on Monday didn’t deny that talks have taken place.
"I will say this: We’re looking at any way we can to improve the club," Jocketty told reporters. "To improve the club, it would have to be a pretty significant player to do that. We have a lot of good things going. We don’t want to disrupt that."
Lee would qualify as a significant addition. The 2008 AL Cy Young Award winner is 8-3 with a 2.34 ERA for the last-place Mariners, despite missing the first month of the season with an injury. He can become a free agent after the season, and Seattle is expected to deal him before the July 31 nonwaiver trading deadline.
The Enquirer speculated that first base prospect Yonder Alonso, a 2008 Reds first-round draft pick, would have to be included in a package of prospects to get Lee. Alonso is blocked in Cincinnati by Joey Votto.
A Detroit radio station reported Monday night that the Twins had finalized a deal for Lee, but the Twins quickly denied the story. SI.com’s Jon Heyman, however, reported things are getting "interesting" between the teams and that the discussions "have possibilities."
Both Heyman and AOL FanHouse’s Jeff Fletcher report Seattle wants Twins catching prospect Wilson Ramos as part of the deal. Ramos is blocked by Joe Mauer. Fletcher also reported that Minnesota may also have offered outfielder Aaron Hicks, Minnesota’s first-round pick in 2008.
The Yankees, Dodgers and Cardinals were among the clubs with a scout in attendance at Cliff Lee’s start in Detroit on Sunday afternoon, according to FOXSports.com. It marked the second straight start by Lee that the Yankees scouted.
Rival clubs believe the Yankees are pursuing Lee ahead of the July 31 non-waiver deadline, although it’s possible the Yankees are scouting Lee in preparation for his upcoming free agency, according to the report. The Mariners are widely expected to trade Lee this month.
New York also has been linked to Kansas City infielder/outfielder Willie Bloomquist, according to The Kansas City Star. Boston and Philadelphia also reportedly are in the mix.
That interest doesn’t sit well with his current manager. "I’m not advocating Willie going anywhere," K.C. skipper Ned Yost said. "I can’t tell you how valuable he is. He’s at the top of his position. I can’t think of another super-utility player who is as good as Willie outside of maybe Jamey Carroll (of the Dodgers)."
Sporting News staff reports
The Yankees, Dodgers and Cardinals were among the clubs with a scout in attendance at Cliff Lee’s start in Detroit on Sunday afternoon, according to FOXSports.com. It marked the second straight start by Lee that the Yankees scouted.
Rival clubs believe the Yankees are pursuing Lee ahead of the July 31 non-waiver deadline, although it’s possible the Yankees are scouting Lee in preparation for his upcoming free agency, according to the report. The Mariners are widely expected to trade Lee this month.
New York also has been linked to Kansas City infielder/outfielder Willie Bloomquist, according to The Kansas City Star. Boston and Philadelphia also reportedly are in the mix.
That interest doesn’t sit well with his current manager. "I’m not advocating Willie going anywhere," K.C. skipper Ned Yost said. "I can’t tell you how valuable he is. He’s at the top of his position. I can’t think of another super-utility player who is as good as Willie outside of maybe Jamey Carroll (of the Dodgers)."
An ERA of 2.62 and a WHIP of 0.96 aren’t enough to make the Padres’ Mat Latos an All-Star.
1. Not a single pitcher from the Padres makes the team. This could not have been what shortstop Jerry Hairston meant when he told me recently that, "We hope everyone continues to overlook us." The Padres’ rotation leads the majors in ERA. Their bullpen leads the majors in ERA. Yet they are limited to one player on the team — first baseman Adrian Gonzalez — and the best their pitchers can do is get closer Heath Bell on the final-vote ballot.
This is so wrong that you can be almost certain at least one more San Diego pitcher will be added by the time the players convene in Anaheim next Monday. Two besides Bell who are worthy: starter Mat Latos, 9-4 with a 2.62 ERA and reliever Luke Gregerson, 51 strikeouts to 6 walks in 38 outings with a 2.23 ERA.
2. No Joey Votto. This is about two things:
• Charlie Manuel keeping one of his own happy rather than going with the more deserving player. Going into Sunday, Votto held a statistical edge over Ryan Howard, and his Reds owned the better record and were in first place.
Heck, a case could be made for the Braves’ Troy Glaus over Howard considering the impact Glaus has made on the NL East standings.
• Manuel earning the right to such a call. If the Reds reach the World Series, perhaps Dusty Baker can return the favor.
3. No Andy Pettitte. At 10-2 with a 2.93 ERA, he should be in line to start the game. He’s nearing the end of a career that’s almost Hall of Fame worthy and there’s been no Ubaldo Jimenez in the AL this season. Instead of possibly starting, Pettitte was completely left off the team by his own manager in favor of CC Sabathia.
Perhaps Girardi wants to keep the 38-year-old Pettitte rested for the second half. Or, more likely, Girardi has figured out a way to name both. Because Sabathia is scheduled to pitch Sunday, he would be ineligible to work in the All-Star game and would have to be replaced. Hmm? Pettitte should not make too many plans for the break.
4. Omar Infante is in. Who? You know, the Braves’ super sub. But that’s the thing. He’s not even a full-time starter on his own team. And now he’s an All-Star.
Manuel must not want to worry about running out of players. Because Infante can play all over, Manuel can hang on to him until the late innings and not have to think so much about how he uses the NL bench. The NL really must want to end their 13-year winless streak.
5. No Matt Cain. This one is on NL players, who went with Tim Lincecum over Cain as one of its five starting pitchers. Guess players haven’t caught on as much as everyone else that wins are overrated.
6. No Miguel Olivo. Another bad call by NL players, who opted for Brian McCann and his reputation over the Rockies’ Olivo and his fine season. Olivo is hitting .308 with 11 homers and 39 RBIs. McCann: .261, 9 and 33 — and offense is supposed to be his strength.
Well, enough griping (for now). Two impressive points about the selections:
• NL players voted for Martin Prado over Chase Utley, 472-276. That’s a big margin. Guess they were paying close enough attention to see that Utley is injured. It also must mean that players look closely at batting average leaders. Prado leads the NL with a .336 average.
• AL players got it right at every position except shortstop, where Derek Jeter had 573 votes to just 266 for Elvis Andrus. Even if the Rangers’ 21-year-old doesn’t deserve the start — he does, in my book — he should not be more than doubled up in the voting.
At least Andrus still made the team, which is more than any Padres pitcher can say.
An ERA of 2.62 and a WHIP of 0.96 aren’t enough to make the Padres’ Mat Latos an All-Star.
1. Not a single pitcher from the Padres makes the team. This could not have been what shortstop Jerry Hairston meant when he told me recently that, "We hope everyone continues to overlook us." The Padres’ rotation leads the majors in ERA. Their bullpen leads the majors in ERA. Yet they are limited to one player on the team — first baseman Adrian Gonzalez — and the best their pitchers can do is get closer Heath Bell on the final-vote ballot.
This is so wrong that you can be almost certain at least one more San Diego pitcher will be added by the time the players convene in Anaheim next Monday. Two besides Bell who are worthy: starter Mat Latos, 9-4 with a 2.62 ERA and reliever Luke Gregerson, 51 strikeouts to 6 walks in 38 outings with a 2.23 ERA.
2. No Joey Votto. This is about two things:
• Charlie Manuel keeping one of his own happy rather than going with the more deserving player. Going into Sunday, Votto held a statistical edge over Ryan Howard, and his Reds owned the better record and were in first place.
Heck, a case could be made for the Braves’ Troy Glaus over Howard considering the impact Glaus has made on the NL East standings.
• Manuel earning the right to such a call. If the Reds reach the World Series, perhaps Dusty Baker can return the favor.
3. No Andy Pettitte. At 10-2 with a 2.93 ERA, he should be in line to start the game. He’s nearing the end of a career that’s almost Hall of Fame worthy and there’s been no Ubaldo Jimenez in the AL this season. Instead of possibly starting, Pettitte was completely left off the team by his own manager in favor of CC Sabathia.
Perhaps Girardi wants to keep the 38-year-old Pettitte rested for the second half. Or, more likely, Girardi has figured out a way to name both. Because Sabathia is scheduled to pitch Sunday, he would be ineligible to work in the All-Star game and would have to be replaced. Hmm? Pettitte should not make too many plans for the break.
4. Omar Infante is in. Who? You know, the Braves’ super sub. But that’s the thing. He’s not even a full-time starter on his own team. And now he’s an All-Star.
Manuel must not want to worry about running out of players. Because Infante can play all over, Manuel can hang on to him until the late innings and not have to think so much about how he uses the NL bench. The NL really must want to end their 13-year winless streak.
5. No Matt Cain. This one is on NL players, who went with Tim Lincecum over Cain as one of its five starting pitchers. Guess players haven’t caught on as much as everyone else that wins are overrated.
6. No Miguel Olivo. Another bad call by NL players, who opted for Brian McCann and his reputation over the Rockies’ Olivo and his fine season. Olivo is hitting .308 with 11 homers and 39 RBIs. McCann: .261, 9 and 33 — and offense is supposed to be his strength.
Well, enough griping (for now). Two impressive points about the selections:
• NL players voted for Martin Prado over Chase Utley, 472-276. That’s a big margin. Guess they were paying close enough attention to see that Utley is injured. It also must mean that players look closely at batting average leaders. Prado leads the NL with a .336 average.
• AL players got it right at every position except shortstop, where Derek Jeter had 573 votes to just 266 for Elvis Andrus. Even if the Rangers’ 21-year-old doesn’t deserve the start — he does, in my book — he should not be more than doubled up in the voting.
At least Andrus still made the team, which is more than any Padres pitcher can say.
