MLB ALL-STAR UPDATE

MLB / Baseball

Written by Gus Cousins

Congratulations fan of an unspecified team, you’ve made it to the unofficial halfway point of this glorious 2022 MLB season!

You’ve made your votes. Starting lineups are set. Just a few more games, and then we’ll all focu-wait what? Dylan Cease isn’t on the roster? Concession workers are threatening a strike? WHO is in the Home Run Derby?!

Source (Background photos): MLB

That may seem a little overwhelming at first, but I can assure you that all will be ok…I hope. The MLB Home Run Derby, whose contestants shall be discussed further below, is slated to take place this coming Monday while the All-Star Game itself will be played on Tuesday. The Futures Game will kick off the festivities as teams are playing their second-last game prior to the break on Saturday, with the MLB Draft beginning on Sunday - needless to say, plenty of action!

Two full years have passed since Dodger Stadium was supposed to host the 2020 All-Star Game, but the time has finally arrived - and isn’t it in perfect California style to create as much drama surrounding the event as humanly possible? In the least overwhelming way possible, let us begin by taking a look at the rosters in each league:

​AMERICAN LEAGUE	​NATIONAL LEAGUE
STARTERS: Alejandro Kirk, C, Blue Jays Vlad Guerrero Jr., 1B, Blue Jays Jose Altuve, 2B, Astros Rafael Devers, 3B, Red Sox Tim Anderson, SS, White Sox Aaron Judge, OF, Yankees Mike Trout, OF, Angels Giancarlo Stanton, OF, Yankees Shohei Ohtani, DH, Angels	STARTERS: Willson Contreras, C, Cubs Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Cardinals Jazz Chisholm, 2B, Marlins Manny Machado, 3B, Padres Trea Turner, SS, Dodgers Ronald Acuna Jr., OF, Braves Mookie Betts, OF, Dodgers Joc Pederson, OF, Giants William Contreras, DH, Braves
RESERVES: Jose Trevino, C, Yankees Luis Arraez, IF, Twins Xander Bogaerts, IF, Red Sox Jose Ramirez, IF, Guardians Andres Gimenez, IF, Guardians George Springer, OF, Blue Jays Byron Buxton, OF, Twins Andrew Benintendi, OF, Red Sox Kyle Tucker, OF, Astros Julio Rodriguez, OF, Mariners J.D. Martinez, DH, Red Sox	RESERVES: Travis d’Arnaud, C, Braves Nolan Arenado, IF, Cardinals Pete Alonso, IF, Mets Jeff McNeil, IF, Mets C.J. Cron, IF, Rockies Dansby Swanson, IF, Braves Kyle Schwarber, OF, Phillies Juan Soto, OF, Nationals Starling Marte, OF, Mets Ian Happ, OF, Cubs Garrett Cooper, DH, Marlins
LEGACY ADD: Miguel Cabrera, IF, Tigers	LEGACY ADD: Albert Pujols, IF, Cardinals
PITCHERS: Shane McClanahan, SP, Rays Nestor Cortes, SP, Yankees Alek Manoah, SP, Blue Jays Framber Valdez, SP, Astros Martin Perez, SP, Rangers Paul Blackburn, SP, Athletics Justin Verlander, SP, Astros Gerrit Cole, SP, Yankees Shohei Ohtani, SP, Angels Clay Holmes, RP, Yankees Emmanuel Clase, RP, Guardians Gregory Soto, RP, Tigers Jorge Lopez, RP, Orioles	PITCHERS: Clayton Kershaw, SP, Dodgers Sandy Alcantara, SP, Marlins Corbin Burnes, SP, Brewers Luis Castillo, SP, Reds Max Fried, SP, Braves Tony Gonsolin, SP, Dodgers Joe Musgrove, SP, Padres Carlos Rodon, SP, Giants Edwin Diaz, RP, Mets Ryan Helsley, RP, Cardinals David Bednar, RP, Pirates Joe Mantiply, RP, Diamondbacks

Injury replacements, pitching limitations, and player disinterest could continue to run amok - Phillies’ Bryce Harper and Astros’ Yordan Alvarez are forced to miss the All-Star Game due to injuries, while Giants’ Carlos Rodon has replaced Brewers’ Josh Hader who’s on the bereavement list. Between now and Sunday, a slew of replacement players will be announced - most of which will be pitchers - as numerous starters will need (or opt for) rest.

As is the case every year, Snubs are a major focus by fans - calling into question the legitimacy of requiring each team to send a representative is gaining traction, as multiple high-level players in both leagues were noticeably absent in the original All-Star roster announcement.

Braves’ Austin Riley, Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman, Nationals’ Josh Bell, Mariners’ Ty France, Reds’ Brandon Drury, White Sox’ Dylan Cease, Blue Jays’ Kevin Gausman, and Angels’ Taylor Ward are among those who - for the time being - aren’t scheduled to fly to Dodger Stadium. Things of course will likely change, but in the meantime, fans aren’t happy. There are far too many arguments to dive into, but injuries and rest should remedy part of the situation.

THE HOME RUN DERBY

On Monday, July 18th, eight contestants will participate in the MLB Home Run Derby - seven of which, at this moment, we know. One spot has yet to be filled but will be announced over the next few days - a spot offered to Vlad Guerrero Jr. but was declined by him for rest. Currently, the NL-to-AL player ratio is 5-to-2 which likely means that the last participant will come from the AL to help slightly balance it out.

Phillies’ Kyle Schwarber, Nationals’ Juan Soto, Braves’ Ronald Acuna Jr., Cardinals’ Albert Pujols, Mets’ Pete Alonso, Guardians’ Jose Ramirez, and - somewhat surprisingly - Mariners’ Julio Rodriguez have given the official ‘OK’ to compete.

Pete Alonso is hopeful of three-peating the derby, having won in both 2019 amidst a historic showdown with Vlad Guerrero Jr. and 2021 when he took down Orioles’ Trey Mancini. The prize remains at 1 million dollars, enough of an incentive that Alonso is willing to put his 1.000 winning percentage on the line.

21-year-old Julio Rodriguez and 42-year-old Albert Pujols are equally as noticeable, with the age gap alone being one of the major storylines. In past years, Pujols would not have been a part of the festivities - same with Miguel Cabrera - but as part of the new CBA (as if we haven’t heard about that enough) comes the ability for the Commissioner's Office to add one “Legacy Player” to each team. This ability drew the ire of many for taking away a spot for worthy candidates, although assurances have been made that Pujols’ and Cabrera’s additions didn’t block anyone.

Personally, I think it’d be fun to see Brewers’ Rowdy Tellez in the derby but alas, I don’t have those kinds of strings to pull. Sigh.

DODGERS’ CONCESSION WORKERS

A headline that is receiving far less attention than it should be, a looming - albeit minor - concern is that Concession Workers at Dodger Stadium have considered the idea of striking during the All-Star Game due to unfair working conditions and wages.

While the details may seem mundane to the average fan, what you need to know is this: talks between the workers and their employers are ongoing to prevent any such strike from occurring, with the MLB Players Association openly backing the workers. In terms of leverage, there’s no better time to get one side to the table than when the MLB rolls through town.

A combination of economic inflation and unlivable wages has sparked debate in the United States and Canada (and, in some regard, around the world), with unionization rates climbing in many job facets. What will hopefully come out of these meetings is a much fairer deal for Dodger Stadium workers, with next-to-no delays or side effects stemming from the contract talks.

With social media being as large as it is, it would be somewhat surprising if the public doesn’t get a clearer picture of situations like this throughout many leagues over the next number of years.

With this all said, the MLB has said it is on track for all events and festivities to be taking place this weekend and into next week. One week of fun, and then the ever-stressful playoff push continues…will the Orioles actually make it? Stay tuned!