The All Star Game rosters were announced last night and the 2 Yankee representatives were Robinson Cano and Mariano Rivera. 2 reps is a low number for the Yankees, but in this season of offensive decline in their everyday lineup it was the right call.
Cano, on the strength of his recent hot streak, has boosted himself back up to a 2.93/.372/.527 batting line on the season. He leads AL second baseman in HR (20), RBI (58) and is second in wOBA (.376), wRC+ (137), and R (50). He's the best player on his team by far and he's having a great year with little support around him. The fact that he was voted in by the fans given what he's done solidifies his reputation as one of the best in the game and someone more than deserving of a spot.
As for Mo, it's pretty simple. The greatest closer of all time, one of the greatest players at any position of all time, in his final season before retiring as the all-time MLB saves leader; who's tied for the AL lead in saves with 29 and has a 1.39/2.27 ERA/FIP split at age 43 a year after having major knee surgery? Yeah, pretty sure that guy is going to make the All Star team.
If you want to talk about possible snubs, you could mention Brett Gardner and Hiroki Kuroda. Gardner, as a player whose value is driven by his defense and speed, was an expected position player casualty to the teams who need representation. His lack of dynamite offensive stats got him lost in the shuffle despite a good all-around year at the plate. Kuroda has been similar to what he was last year - consistent, reliable, "bend but don't break" type of pitcher - and that similarity isn't enough to stand out against guys with gaudier strikeout numbers and lower run rates.
Cano and Mo were the 2 best and most obvious candidates to represent the Yankees this season. That they both made it as they should have is the best anyone could have expected for the Yanks this year. Congrats to both of them.
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