Is Jorge Cantu an All-Star?

[Fritz]

We'll get 3. JJ, Hanley, Uggla.

[Mainge]

No Johnson?

Fuck me. I just called out MH for leaving JJ out of the NL rotation.

Even we don't notice him.

[emkayseven]

I think it's JJ and Uggz and Hanley. Gotta be honest, if he keeps winning I think Anibal is deserving too. And Nunez definitely is deserving, but they don't take many closers and you figure KRod and Capps are shoo-ins

[Bobbob1313]

Well you can push, but fine; 2.5.

Everyone's going to take the over on 2.

[emkayseven]

If you really look at the numbers, Cantu hasn't been bad defensively at all. His UZR is 0.1, and his UZR/150 is 2.9. Wright is a terrible defensive player (-3.5 UZR, -11.3 UZR/150), as is McGehee (-4.9 UZR, -17.5 UZR/150). Zimmerman has clearly been the NL's best all-around third baseman this year, but Cantu is RIGHT there behind him. I mean, whether you consider clutch hitting to be a skill or not, his .407 average and 1.067 OPS with RISP is simply outstanding.

But there's no way Charlie Manuel or any coaches - or most fans for that matter - are looking at UZR when they look at fielding. It's errors and fielding percentage, that's it. No doubt Cantu's defense has improved but when you're taking a stat like UZR which isn't even widely accepted by all statheads and thinking it'll be applied toward All-Star selection, it just isn't going to happen.

[Valid]

But there's no way Charlie Manuel or any coaches - or most fans for that matter - are looking at UZR when they look at fielding. It's errors and fielding percentage, that's it. No doubt Cantu's defense has improved but when you're taking a stat like UZR which isn't even widely accepted by all statheads and thinking it'll be applied toward All-Star selection, it just isn't going to happen.

Oh no I know. I was just making his case of being deserving of an All-Star spot, regardless of managerial/fan selections.

[emkayseven]

Oh no I know. I was just making his case of being deserving of an All-Star spot, regardless of managerial/fan selections.

I mean, in a vacuum, he's probably deserving of an All-Star spot. But every team has to get a rep. Hanley and JJ are definitely better choices and Uggla is probably a better choice because of his position. Add to that the fact that there are several deserving 3B on teams without as many other options as we have (Brewers have Gallardo, Nats have Capps and Hammer, Reds have Votto and maybe Leake, Mets have Pelfrey and KRod). We have more convincing players in other positions and those other teams will probably need a (or another) rep. No way the Marlins have 4 All-Stars if the Mets have 1 or 2. And, of course, like I mentioned Polanco probably gets voted in, but even if he doesn't Manuel probably takes his guy over taking Cantu because he can.

[Ramp]

If Cantu continues to lead the league in RBI, I think he makes (and should make) the ASG.

[emkayseven]

so if he's second in RBI he shouldn't and doesn't?

[Fritz]

Wow, MK7 doing his best bobbob impersonation.

[Bobbob1313]

If that's his best, I'm insulted.

[Ramp]

so if he's second in RBI he shouldn't and doesn't?

correct

[Fritz]

If that's his best, I'm insulted.

He's not good at impersonation.

[Bobbob1313]

He's not good at impersonation.

Obviously.

[Fritz]

You should see his Woody Allen though.