Back to business...Cleveland sports notes

Sorry I have been away for a few days. Hopefully that will be the last time for awhile that I'll be away for that many days in a row.

Below are my thoughts on some of the recent Cleveland sports headlines.

Fausto Carmona is an All-Star...but should be be?

Cleveland's lone representative in the Major League Baseball All-Star Game is pitcher Fausto Carmona.

In my opinion, he was the third best candidate for that role on the Indians. Outfielder Shin-Soo Choo was my first choice to be the Tribe's All-Star (even after he got hurt) and pitcher Mitch Talbot (8-7, 3.86 ERA, 50 SO) has numbers equally impressive as Carmona (7-7, 3.69 ERA, 57 SO).

Carmona's selection does make for a good story because at this time last season, he was pitching at Triple-A. He made his final start of the season's first half on June 4, an 11-3 loss to Minnesota, leaving him at 2-6 with a 7.42 ERA. He returned to the team at the end of July and has been a different pitcher ever since.

He has never made the All-Star team, and if he loses on Friday against Tampa Bay, he will go to the game with a sub-.500 record, leaving other AL starters Jered Weaver (8-3, 2.82 ERA) and Justin Verlander (10-5, 3.85 ERA) to scratch their heads over the selection process that left them off the roster.

Weaver would have been on the team if there was not a rule in place that says every team must be represented at the game. While I love the Indians, I truly believe the team should not have an All-Star this season.

More injuries

Injuries have been a popular theme for the Indians this season.

Shin-Soo Choo injured his thumb on Friday diving to make a catch against Oakland, but he doesn't likely need surgery and should be back on the field before September as was initially reported.

Losing Choo is a blow to Cleveland's lineup, but it also gives Michael Brantley a chance to earn regular at-bats. Since he is a piece of the Tribe's future, I'm alright with seeing him on the field, even at Choo's expense. This is a lost season for Cleveland, so they might as well give everybody they can at-bats whenever they can get them.

The injury I'm more concerned with is Matt LaPorta's. Although he is not expected to miss significant time after being struck by Elvis Andrus' elbow at first base last night, any setback for the future clean-up hitter is not welcomed.

There was not concussion sustained on the play, which would have been the second of LaPorta's young career, but he is not in tonight's lineup. There is no word on whether he will play tomorrow.

LaPorta has hit in seven of the nine games since he was recalled. In that same time, he has four home runs and nine RBIs.

What would a notes column be without LeBron?

1. LeBron James has still not made a decision about where he will play for the 2010-11 season and beyond, but he may make the announcement via Twitter.

He set up an account this afternoon after being convinced to do so by close friend Chris Paul.

2. It was reported by ESPN that Toronto would be open to a sign-and-trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers regarding free agent Chris Bosh.

Bosh, however, reportedly does not have any interest in playing in Cleveland. Like LeBron, Bosh likely wants to be the premiere player on his team, which would be impossible playing alongside LeBron in Cleveland.

But at this time of year, rumors and erroneous/unconfirmed reports have been rampant in many outlets' NBA coverage, so anything is possible until it becomes official.

3. LeBron has made two appearances at his basketball camp in Akron.

The camp would make a good place for LeBron to announce his intentions to resign with the Cavaliers, but it does not appear that will happen. He has not given any indication of his plans whatsoever.

My All-Star ballot

Below are the players I have been voting for to make the 2010 Major League Baseball All-Star starting rosters. Unlike some people, I do not of vote for my team's players (unless they are deserving).

American League:
*C - Victor Martinez, Boston
*1B - Miguel Cabrera, Detroit
*2B - Robinson Cano, New York
*3B - Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay
*SS - Elvis Andrus, Texas
*DH - Vladimir Guerrero, Texas
*OF - Josh Hamilton, Texas
*OF - Magglio Ordonez, Detroit
*OF - Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle

National League:
*C - Ivan Rodriguez, Washington
*1B - Adrian Gonzalez, San Diego
*2B - Martin Prado, Atlanta
*3B - Scott Rolen, Cincinnati
*SS - Hanley Ramirez (was voting for Troy Tulowitzki before injury)
*OF - Ryan Braun, Milwaukee
*OF - Jason Heyward, Atlanta (did not change vote after injury)
*OF - Andre Ethier, Los Angeles

My predictions for starting pitchers
*AL: David Price, Tampa Bay
*NL: Ubaldo Jimenez, Colorado

This season, there are some close battles. Below is why I selected the players I selected, and my choices for potential backups.

American League:
*C - Victor Martinez, Boston

Martinez is my favorite player, but his numbers (.289, 9 HR, 38 RBI) are better than Joe Mauer's of Minnesota (.302, 3 HR, 34 RBI). Mauer, nonetheless, will earn the start. Kurt Suzuki of Oakland (.267, 10 HR, 35 RBI) would be my other backup selection.

*1B - Miguel Cabrera, Detroit

Cabrera has arguably posted better numbers (.338, 20 HR, 67 RBI) than Justin Morneau of Minnesota (.347, 15 HR, 50 RBI). Because of fan ignorance, Mark Teixeria of New York (.230, 13 HR, 48 RBI) has garnered several votes. Other viable contenders for first base reserve sports are Billy Butler of Kansas City (.319, 7 HR, 40 RBI) and Kevin Youkilis of Boston (.301, 15 HR, 50 RBI)

*2B - Robinson Cano, New York

Cano (.358, 15 HR, 53 RBI) is the runaway choice at second base for the AL. Dustin Pedroia of Boston (.292, 12 HR, 41 RBI) was the best option at backup before he was injured. Now, Ian Kinsler of Texas (.294, 3 HR, 24 RBI) is the favorite.

*3B - Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay

Longoria (.296, 12 HR, 53 RBI) may not have the best numbers of all third basemen, but he is the most important to his team's lineup. Adrian Beltre of Boston (.349, 12 HR, 52 RBI) and Michael Young of Texas (.311, 11 HR, 51 RBI) should be the backups. Again, due to fan ignorance, Alex Rodriguez of New York (.281, 11 HR, 54 RBI) has garnered many votes.

*SS - Elvis Andrus, Texas

Derek Jeter of New York (.286, 8 HR, 39 RBI) will probably start because of the team's large fan base, but I prefer Andrus (.296, 24 RBI, 22 SB) because of his versatility. Asdrubal Cabrera of Cleveland may have earned a spot on the team had he remained healthy.

*DH - Vladimir Guerrero, Texas

There is no argument at DH, as Guerrero (.330, 16 HR, 63 RBI) is the only DH on the ballot hitting above .300. He is second among those same players in home runs and first in RBI.

*OF - Josh Hamilton, Texas
*OF - Magglio Ordonez, Detroit
*OF - Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle

To me, Hamilton (.343, 18 HR, 58 RBI), Suzuki (.335, 3 HR, 24 RBI, 21 SB) and Ordonez (.314, 10 HR, 49 RBI) are the three most deserving outfielders. Nelson Cruz of Texas (.321, 10 HR, 39 RBI), David DeJesus of Kansas City (.331, 5 HR, 35 RBI), Carl Crawford of Tampa Bay (.315, 7 HR, 38 RBI, 27 SB), Brett Gardner of New York (.321, 3 HR, 23 RBI, 24 SB), Alex Rios of Chicago (.307, 13 HR, 40 RBI, 21 SB), Vernon Wells of Toronto (.288, 19 HR, 47 RBI), Shin-Soo Choo of Cleveland (.285, 12 HR, 42 RBI, 12 SB) and Jose Bautista of Toronto (.232, 20 HR, 50 RBI) are viable candidates for the reserve roles.

National League:
*C - Ivan Rodriguez, Washington

Rodriguez (.301, 1 HR, 23 RBI) gets my vote because of his resurgence in Washington. Miguel Olivo of Colorado (.308, 11 HR, 38 RBI) has better numbers and should backup Rodriguez. That, however, would only happen if fan ignorance hadn't put Yadier Molina of St. Louis (.235, 3 HR, 30 RBI) and Brian McCann of Atlanta (.259, 9 HR, 32 RBI) toward the top of the voting list.

*1B - Adrian Gonzalez, San Diego

Albert Pujols of St. Louis (.312, 18 HR, 57 RBI) will clearly be the starter, so I went with Gonzalez (.302, 16 HR, 51 RBI), who is far more important to San Diego's lineup than Pujols is to St. Louis'. Joey Votto of Cincinnati (.313, 18 HR, 55 RBI) and Ryan Howard of Philadelphia (.295, 15 HR, 55 RBI) should also be All-Stars.

*2B - Martin Prado, Atlanta

Chase Utley of Philadelphia (.277, 11 HR, 37 RBI) was ignorantly voted the starter, but because of his injury, Prado (.335, 7 HR, 33 RBI) should get the nod. Brandon Phillips of Cincinnati (.313, 9 HR, 25 RBI, 10 SB) and Dan Uggla of Florida (.262, 15 HR, 55 RBI) both have a good chance of being named All-Stars.

*3B - Scott Rolen, Cincinnati

There's a big debate at the National League third base spot among Rolen (.300, 17 HR, 53 RBI), David Wright of New York (.310, 14 HR, 61 RBI) and Placido Polanco of Philadelphia (.318, 5 HR, 27 RBI). Polanco has been injured, however, which opens the door for Ryan Zimmerman of Washington (.285, 13 HR, 39 RBI) to get a look too. I went with Rolen because of his resurgence and his importance to the Reds' lineup.

*SS - Hanley Ramirez (was voting for Troy Tulowitzki before injury)

Tulowitzki (.306, 9 HR, 34 RBI) was my pick before his injury. Now, I am voting for Ramirez (.293, 12 HR, 50 RBI, 14 SB), who probably would have started anyway. Rafael Furcal of Los Angeles (.321, 2 HR, 23 RBI, 12 SB) would have gotten my vote had he not been injured earlier this season.

*OF - Ryan Braun, Milwaukee
*OF - Jason Heyward, Atlanta (did not change vote after injury)
*OF - Andre Ethier, Los Angeles

Braun (.299, 11 HR, 49 RBI, 11 SB), Heyward (.251, 11 HR, 45 RBI) and Ethier (.312, 12 HR, 47 RBI) are my selections for the National League outfield. I still give Heyward a vote because of the excitement he has brought to the game as a rookie. Manny Ramirez of Los Angeles (.322, 8 HR, 39 RBI) likely will start in place, assuming he is voted in. Carlos Gonzalez of Colorado (.302, 12 HR, 46 RBI), Marlon Byrd of Chicago (.311, 9 HR, 35 RBI), Matt Holliday of St. Louis (.302, 11 HR, 37 RBI), Andrew McCutchen of Pittsburgh (.298, 7 HR, 24 RBI, 19 SB), Jayson Werth of Philadelphia (.292, 13 HR, 38 RBI), Cody Ross of Florida (.295, 7 HR, 43 RBI) and Justin Upton of Arizona (.268, 14 HR, 39 RBI, 11 SB) are viable candidates for the reserves roles.

My predictions for starting pitchers
*AL: David Price, Tampa Bay

Price leads the American League with 11 wins and a 2.44 ERA. He also has 84 strikeouts. Clay Buchholz of Boston (10-4, 2.45 ERA, 64 SO) may also get the nod though. Hopefully, AL manager Joe Girardi doesn't give Andy Pettitte (9-2, 2.72 ERA, 74 SO).

*NL: Ubaldo Jimenez, Colorado

There's no question Jimenez (14-1, 1.83 ERA, 102 SO) will get the start. Josh Johnson of Florida (8-3, 1.83 ERA, 107 SO) provides a compelling case, but Jimenez has been far better this season at the root of it all. St. Louis' Jaime Garcia (7-4, 2.27 ERA, 70 SO) and Adam Wainwright (11-5, 2.34 ERA, 114 SO) are also darkhorse candidates.

Choo further proves All-Star status

Indians outfielder Shin-Soo Choo furthered his resume to be named to this season's All-Star team with two home runs in a 5-3 Cleveland win against Cincinnati this afternoon.

Choo hit a solo blast in the first off Bronson Arroyo and torched him for a three-run shot on a very similar pitch in the fifth.

On the season, Choo has been Cleveland's most consistent player, hitting .286 through 73 games with a team-best 81 hits, 12 home runs, 13 doubles and 41 RBIs. He has also stolen 12 bases on 16 attempts and has an on-base percentage of .390, which ranks 16th among eligible players.

While those numbers are far from placing him in the American League's starting nine, they will be good enough to make Choo Cleveland's lone representative at the All-Star Game on July 13 at Angel Stadium in Los Angeles.

Choo has never been an All-Star, but as the team's best hitter and no pitchers on the roster posting stats anywhere near All-Star level, he will certainly get his first chance this season.

Cleveland has not had multiple All-Star selections since 2008 when both Cliff Lee and Grady Sizemore were named to the squad. The last Indians All-Star starter was Juan Gonzalez in 2001.