The rosters for baseball's 2009 All-Star Game will be announced this afternoon on TBS, at 1 p.m. EST. We won't be back at BYB HQ until this evening (when we'll surely write about which Detroit Tiger [or Tigers] were named to the American League roster, as well as recap this afternoon's game versus the Twins), but that doesn't mean there can't be a discussion - and reaction - to the selections as they occur.
It's been clear for weeks now that no Tigers player would be selected to the AL starting lineup. (At last count, I believe Miguel Cabrera had fallen to fifth in voting among first basemen.) Of course, every team gets one representative, so we know Detroit will have at least one player on the team. But could they have more than one? The Tigers have a handful of deserving candidates. Not to mention they're the first-place team in the AL Central.
Is Justin Verlander the most likely Tigers All-Star? Could Edwin Jackson somehow join him on the AL pitching staff? He's been one of the best pitchers in the league, despite what his won-loss record says. With the logjam at first base, might Brandon Inge be the Tigers' best bet among Detroit's position player candidates? Other than Tampa's Evan Longoria, has an AL third baseman had a better season?
(EDIT: ThaWalrus9 pointed out that Curtis Granderson should be among the possible candidates. Compared to his AL outfielder peers, Grandy stacks up very well. Bad oversight on my part, but it would mess up the poll to add him now. Sorry about that.)
Which Tiger(s) will make the team? Will one of them be among the Final Vote candidates? How do you feel about the selections? Who shouldn't have made the team? Who was robbed? An Open Thread awaits your input.