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So the first All-Star voting updates came out yesterday, and thus far, no Twins are in a starting position. So, if that were to hold true until the voting ends, they likely won't get any more than maybe three on the AL roster. So... below is a list of worthy Twins - who's left out?

Luis Castillo (.335 Average, 0 errors)
Justin Morneau (2nd in AL in HRs, T-3rd in RBIs, reigning MVP)
Joe Mauer (.353 Average - not enough ABs to qualify among the league leaders this season, reigning batting champ)
Torii Hunter (.318 Average, T-2nd in RBIs, T-4th in HRs)
Johan Santana (6-4, 2nd in ML in Ks, reigning Cy Young winner)
Joe Nathan (2-1, 11 saves, 1.85 ERA)

If they were Devil Rays, you might be able to make an argument for Michael Cuddyer and maybe Pat Neshek (if they take a setup man), but with the crowd ahead of them on their own team, I didn't include them.

Jim Leyland will be managing the AL squad, therefore he will name Nathan and Santana to the squad and then throw each guy 3 innings in the game to screw up the Twins rotation and bullpen coming out of the break.

Castillo - No, great glove and good bat but during all the nonsense that goes on during the event they don't have a fielding contest but they do have a HR contest. The all-star game is about the lumber, not the leather.
Mauer - No, he's already cleverly hidden in MN the way it is, now that he's been hurt he's even farther off the radar. Deserving, but won't be there this year.
Morneau - Yes, "just walk him status" locks up his spot.
Hunter - No, he should be there as this will be his most complete season. Ichiro will get the foreign vote, Manny will get the East Coast vote, Vlad will get the West Coast vote, Crawford and Wells will be the token Ray and Jay respectfully and the Leyland will take his guy Magglio to round out the OF leaving Hunter to watch the game in Gardy's office with Pat Neshek and his fruit and vegetable tray.

Irishmans Shanty wrote: Morneau - Yes, "just walk him status" locks up his spot.

Is anybody else a little concerned about the possibility of Morneau going to the All-Star game? I mean, this has potential disaster written all over it, because you know if he goes, he's going to be in the HR Derby and it has negatively effected many other hitters. It makes me a little nervous.

It wouldnt surprise me to see Torii get asked as well (assuming he goes, and I believe he will). I would hope he'd be smart enough to say no after his '02 performance, but who knows. I have a feeling that with McCovey Cove out there, ESPN will request as many lefties as they can find.

Valid concern Govs, but don't lose sleep over it.

It would be a greater concern if Morneau were representing the Royals in the HR derby and the Twins had Mike Sweeney, Emil Brown or Matt LeCroy as the big swinger in their lineup.

Morneau, Santanna, Hunter, and Castillo will probably be in the Allstar game.

Govs93 wrote:Is anybody else a little concerned about the possibility of Morneau going to the All-Star game? I mean, this has potential disaster written all over it, because you know if he goes, he's going to be in the HR Derby and it has negatively effected many other hitters. It makes me a little nervous.

Ugh.

Sounds like Gardy has some skills when it comes to pitching. Maybe he should be the starting pitcher for some of those old timer games

If you believe what Ryan Howard is saying in this article, it sounds like Griffey & Bonds will be participating in the HR Derby, so if you take those three and add Morneau and Fielder (who have already committed) to the mix... this is shaping up to be a pretty cool event. A couple of "old school" guys against the new breed.

It's always a lot of fun to watch, but this could be a whole different animal.


I still wish Morneau would stay away though... makes me nervous. Send Tyner instead.

Come onnnn Neshek!