Underdogs Longoria, Hart Selected to All Star Game by Fans

Fan voting is over and the underdogs have prevailed. It was announced yesterday that Tampa Bay Rays 3B Evan Longoria and Milwaukee Brewers Outfielder Corey Hart have been selected by the fans to play in the 2008 All Star Game at Yankee Stadium next Tuesday.

Longoria beat out Jason Giambi and Jermaine Dye in the American League while Hart was voted over bigger name stars David Wright and Carlos Lee.

From the Associated Press:

Longoria received 9 million votes for the AL spot and was followed by Jermaine Dye of the Chicago White Sox, Jason Giambi of the New York Yankees, Brian Roberts of Baltimore and Jose Guillen of Kansas City.

Hart got 8 million votes and was followed by the New York Mets' David Wright, Philadelphia's Pat Burrell, San Francisco's Aaron Rowand and Houston's Carlos Lee.

Major League Baseball said a record 47.8 million votes were cast, more than double last year's 23.1 million.

As much as I love Corey Hart, I'm very surprised to see David Wright and Carlos Lee left off the roster. Both Wright and Lee are having great seasons and should be included in this year's lineup. It makes it fair to allow a player from every team play, but at the cost of leaving a much better player off the roster, it kind of defeats the purpose of the "All Star" game. Thoughts?

***UPDATE***

Colorado Rockies manager Clint Hurdle, also manager of the National League All Star team, has announced that David Wright will replace injured Alfonso Soriano on the team.

CC Sabathia Traded to the Milwaukee Brewers

The rumors finally were confirmed Monday as reigning American League Cy Young award winner C.C. Sabathia has been dealt to the Milwaukee Brewers for four prospects including Matt LaPorta, Milwaukee's top prospect. Also included in the deal are Zach Jackson, a Class AAA left-hander and Rob Bryson, a Class A right-hander.

It is expected that Sabathia will remain with the Brewers for the remainder of the season before testing the free agent waters after the season. Sabathia rejected a four-year, $72 million offer from the Cleveland Indians prior to the season.

The Brewers began the Sabathia era on Monday only 3 1/2 games behind the Cubs and a percentage point ahead of St. Louis for the National League Wild Card.

This should make for a great 1-2 punch in Milwaukee with Sabathia joining Ben Sheets in the rotation. Unfortunately for the Brewers, the rest of the rotation is only mediocre at best. The offense will have to continue to step up if they want to contend with the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals.

The Brewers have two ways of winning this year: Either by winning the National League Central Division, or by securing the wild-card slot. Right now, the Cubs appear to be the favorites in both the National League Central and as the National League representative in the World Series but this trade has definitely helped the Brewers.

Only time will tell but at least Milwaukee is making a run at the division title this year. If their pitching staff holds up (hint hint Ben Sheets hint hint) the Brewers find themselves with a great chance to end their long playoff drought this season.