Blue Jays All-Stars

Until the All-Star teams are filled with statistically deserving players instead of just fan favourites and most of the Manager's own team, I will have no respect for the All-Star game.  In fact, until the World Series home-field advantage aspect of the game is removed, I will have no respect for the All-Star game.  Nevertheless, I like to see Blue Jays make the roster.  Congratulations to Brett Cecil, José Bautista, and Edwin Encarnacion for being selected!  Encarnacion was a political victim last season, failing to make the All-Star team solely because Kansas City needed an All-Star and their best player happened to be Billy Butler (who also plays 1B/DH).  He also should have won a Silver Slugger, but I digress.  Bautista is only an All-Star because he has historically been an All-Star, and thus received numerous votes.  It is nice to see this happen for a Blue Jay for a change, as it is usually Jays players who miss the All-Star team because of players such as this.  Cecil has shocked the world with his sudden breakout season, and being a middle reliever, his selection certainly comes as a surprise.  Of course, Cecil would be half the pitcher his is if not for Steve Delabar encouraging the use of Jamie Evans's Velocity program, which has worked so well for him.  Thus, we should "#raisethebar" and vote Steve Delabar in the final vote.

One last note: Casey Janssen should have been named to the All-Star team.  But I guess that, incredible as he is in Save situations, he does struggle outside of them, meaning that unless the All-Star game ends up with the American League leading by 3 or less in the 9th (with Jim Leyland wanting Janssen to be his Closer), Casey is probably not a useful addition to the team.  Especially when the Manager expects to be a World Series contender.  Well, next year...