This is an opinion piece expressing my belief as to which players truly deserve a starting spot on the 2007 MLB American League All-Star Team. You may be surprised.

The 2007 MLB season has definitely been a strange one so far in the American League. Already, the Junior Circuit has seen two no-hitters. The first was thrown by Mark Buehrle on April 18th. By June 1st, rumors spred that Chicago was already looking to trade him. The second was by Justin Verlander on June 12th. No one has talked about trading him. Verlander is a stud.

The League has also seen the collapse, temporary but futile resurgence, and inevitably maddening re-collapse of its wealthiest club, the New York Yankees. Alex Rodriguez has amazed his fans and critics alike by keeping on pace to finish 2007 with some historic totals. So has his teammate Derek Jeter, who is batting .345. Both Yankees made this list of American League All-Stars. Here are the rest.

Catcher

(S) Victor Martinez, Cleveland Indians (.313, 14 HR, 62 RBI, .377 OBP)

(R) Jorge Posada, New York Yankees (.339, 9 HR, 44 RBI, 23 Doubles)

This was probably the toughest choice of all. Posada is hitting for average, smacking doubles at a record date, has an OBP of .404 and handles the Yankees staff quite well. But Martinez wins out because of his power numbers and for being the offensive leader on a division contender while Posada's New York Yankees flounder ten games behind in third place. That was the difference.

First Base

(S) Justin Morneau, Minnesota Twins (.278, 20 HR, 57 RBI, One Bruised Lung)

(R) David Ortiz Pig Papi, Boston Red Sox (.325, 13 HR, 48 RBI)

Ortiz is an All-Star, no doubt about it. But Morneau is a starter, in every sense of the word. He's showing people why he is the defending MVP.

Second Base

(S) Placido Palanco, Detroit Tigers (.324, 1 HR, 35 RBI, 95 Hits, 52 Runs)

(R) Brian Roberts, Baltimore Orioles (.323, 4 HR, 22 RBI, 96 Hits, 24 SB)

It's hard for fans to get emotional about this one. Both of these guys are hard-nosed, solid payers, who can hit and run well, and are not afraid to dive in head first to home plate. Roberts gets the very slight edge because he's on pace for 200 hits, 40 doubles and 50 steals. That's rare.

Third Base

Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees (.332, 28 HR, 77 RBI, 72 Runs, 95 Hits, 9 steals)

Mike Lowell, Boston Red Sox (.294, 12 HR, 54 RBI)

No explanation needed

Shortstop

Derek Jeter, New York Yankees (.345, 5 HR, 36 RBI, 52 Runs, 96 Hits, 21 Doubles)

Carlos Guillen, Detroit Tigers (.325, 12 Hr, 56 RBI, 45 Runs, 80 Hits, 16 Doubles)

Jeter has gotten at least one base hit in 67 of the Yankees' 74 games. In the seven games where he went hitless, Jeter reached base four times, three by walk, one by an HBP. Think about that for a second. He's been on base in 71 out of 74 games. Jeter also leads all shortstops in batting average, hits, runs scored, and on-base percentage. He's second in walks, second in slugging, and he's third in triples. He also plays the best defense at the position in the entire league.

Outfield

Starters:

Magglio Ordonez, Detroit Tigers (.377, 13 HR, 68 RBI, 65 runs, 106 Hits, 34 Doubles)

Torii Hunter, Minnesota Twins (.304, 15 Hr, 57 RBI, 84 Hits, 21 Doubles)

Vladimir Guererro, Los Angeles Angels (.331, 14 HR, 69 RBI, 90 Hits, 23 Doubles)

Not much to argue about here, except maybe Ichiro for Torii Hunter. But the numbers just don't bear that out. Tough pick, though.

Reserves

Gary Sheffield, Detroit Tigers (.289, 17 HR, 50 RBI, 67 Runs, 9 SB)

Curtis Granderson, Detroit Tigers (.294, 10 HR, 40 RBI, 22 Doubles,14 Triples, 56 Runs)

Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle Mariners (.362, 5 HR, 38 RBI, 53 Runs, 22 SB)

There were many candidates for the spot that Curtis Granderson ultimately won. He pulled through on the sheer brilliancy of his versatility. He is in the top 10 in batting, hits, home runs and runs scored among AL outfielders. He also leads that group in triples, is second in slugging percentage and third in doubles. That sounds like a well-balanced and exciting player who is certainly worthy of a spot on the American League All Star squad.

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