Which Cubs Deserve to Be 2023 MLB All-Stars?

Hey. You. Voting for the 2023 MLB All-Star Game is officially live! In fact, voting has been live for about a week, and you can vote up to 5x each day (every 24 hours) up until June 22. Here’s a look at the rules/process.

  • For each league, you can vote for one player at each infield position, and DH, plus three outfielders (write-ins allowed).
  • The winners will automatically earn starting roster spots in their designated positions for the 2023 MLB All-Star Game.
  • The other top vote getters will remain on the ballot for the second phase of voting, which begins June 26. Those votes will contribute (but not solely decide) the position player reserves, which (along with pitchers) are chosen through a combination of player ballot selections and choices made by the Commissioner’s Office.

Anyway, go vote now. It’s actually a pretty fun process.

But the real reason you’re here … which Cubs deserve to play in the 2023 MLB All-Star Game? I know it’s feels weird to even think about that when the Cubs are reeling and the season is ending before our very eyes. But they do have a couple deserving players, and I’d like to point them out for you.

MLB All-Star Game: No Doubters

Dansby Swanson

You’ll have to vote him in, but there is absolutely ZERO doubt Dansby Swanson has earned the right to make his second All-Star team. In fact, this year, he should be the starter.

Overall, Dansby Swanson is leading the NL shortstops in WAR (2.6) and has a .270/.361/.422 (118 wRC+) slash line that trails only Giants shortstop Thairo Estrada. Plus, Swanson has the same number of homers, more games played, one fewer run scored, and 8 more RBI. Swanson is also walking 3x more and striking out less often. And don’t even look at the expected statistics. Swanson blows Estrada out of the water.

In terms of Defensive Runs Saved, Swanson (8) ranks fifth … in all of Major League baseball among ALL players. Naturally, he’s first in terms of DRS among all NL shortstops. Sticking with the defensive metrics, Swanson’s Ultimate Zone Rating (3.0) ranks second to Francisco Lindor, his Outs Above Average (8) ranks first, and his overall DEF rating (9.5) leads ALL MLB shortstops.

He’s even a positively rated baserunner.

I really don’t even know why we’re still talking. By fWAR, Swanson (2.6) has been the 9th most valuable position player in all of MLB. And by bWAR, Swanson (2.7) has been the fifth most valuable position player. He’s an All-Star. He’s the NL’s starting shortstop.

Marcus Stroman

You can’t vote for him, but the case for Marcus Stroman is almost as clear as the case for Swanson. I don’t think he’s necessarily a lock as the National League starter, but he’s certainly earned his place on the team. Just check out some of these rankings (league wide followed by NL only).

  • 79.0 IP (t-7th, t-3rd)
  • 2.39 ERA (7th, 2nd)
  • .186 AVG (3rd, 2nd)
  • 59.9 GB% (3rd, 3rd)
  • 0.57 HR/9 (5th, 3rd)
  • 2.8 launch angle (4th, 3rd)
  • 3.8 Barrel% (2nd, 1st)

And I really hate using fWAR, which is way too dependent on the sort of non-contact-management things Marcus Stroman (and a lot of Cubs pitchers), don’t do well, but even that has him tied for the 6th most valuable starter in the NL this season with 1.6 WAR.

Switch to bWAR and Marcus Stroman (3.1) is the SINGLE MOST VALUABLE starting pitcher in baseball and actually tied with Ronald Acuรฑa Jr. as the most valuable player in the game through this point in the season. LOL.

Needless to say, he’s earned the right to join his second All-Star Team, as well.

Deserving, But …

Justin Steele

Justin Steele has a very strong case for his first All-Star nod, with his 2.65 ERA, 5.9% walk rate, and NL leading 84.7 MPH average exit velocity, which trails ONLY Shohei Ohtani (84.5 MPH) in all of MLB. But he’s on the shelf right now. And while his last start was artificially shortened by the injury, the one before that was pretty brutal: 3.2 IP, 6H, 5ER, 0BB, 4K. One start does not spoil what was basically a Cy Young bid, but I’m just saying: He had a bad game, then got hurt, and is now on the shelf. He deserves it, and probably will get it, but he’ll need to come back and make a few healthy, effective starts to cement his position.

Cody Bellinger

Cody Bellinger was absolutely on an All-Star reserve pace (if not better), with his seven homers, nine stolen bases, 122 wRC+, and plus-plus defense in center field through the middle of May. But … he hasn’t played since the middle of May. He needs to get back on the field fast if he wants to re-earn that All-Star bid. Fortunately, if he does, I think he’ll be right back in the thick of it. His 1.4 WAR still ranks among the top-10 NL outfielders. He can get a spot if he comes back very soon.

Just Outside the Bubble

Each year, there are somewhere between 7-8 outfielders on each All-Star team roster, the three starters plus three-four reserves. Strictly speaking, none of Ian Happ, Seiya Suzuki, or Cody Bellinger are squarely in the running, but each has something to offer and has certainly flashed All-Star caliber at various points throughout the season.

For example …

Ian Happ

Ian Happ’s .393 OBP ranks among the top-4 outfielders in the National League. In fact, it’s among the top-10 in all of baseball. That’s not nothing. Unfortunately, he’s currently a little short on homers (4), stolen bases (5), and RBI (23) to really separate him from the other outfielders. The defense has ranked poorly, as well, which is dragging down his WAR total (1.2 is still 13th among all NL outfielders, but that’s outside of the obvious All-Star range). Because he’s on the bubble โ€” and because he’s been an All-Star before โ€” I actually do think a hot few weeks could thrust him back into the reserve conversation, but we’ll just have to see. For now, he’s a no.

Seiya Suzuki

Since April 30, Seiya Suzuki is absolutely performing at an All-Star caliber player, at least offensively: .272/.368/.482 (131 wRC+) with seven doubles, a triple, and five homers. But you don’t just get to cherry-pick results. Even if we can explain away his cold first couple of weeks (94 wRC+), and we can โ€” he was injured and didn’t have a Spring Training โ€” All-Star voting doesn’t work that way. Plus, Suzuki isn’t really near the top in any one offensive category (though he’s pretty good across the board), which makes it hard for him to stand out. A homer binge will be needed.

Drew Smyly

Drew Smyly has had a fantastic season and is maybe on his way to the best year of his career. He also almost threw a perfect game earlier this season. But he’s not very flashy and his results are not quite as strong as some of the top starters in the National League. He has been very good though.

Nico Hoerner

Whoops. Forgot to add Nico Hoerner, though he goes in the “Just outside the bubble” section. We all know Hoerner’s defense at second base has been nothing short of Gold Glove caliber this season. And that his base running is legitimately excellent (he’s among the top-10 in stolen bases among ALL players, is second only to Whit Merrifield among all second baseman, and is leading the National League. However, his overall offensive performance, while perfectly valuable given everything else he brings to the table, ranks 12th among NL second baseman. Among NL second baseman, he’s 14th in homers, sixth in RBI, and third in runs scored. He certainly can play his way into consideration, but like everyone in this section, it’ll require some immediate, significant offensive contributions.

Final Tally

At a minimum, and barring a dramatic change, it seems the 2023 Chicago Cubs should send two players (Swanson, Stroman) to the 2023 MLB All-Star Game. There are two more players (Steele, Bellinger) who are pretty clearly deserving, but will have to come back healthy and productive to really solidify their spots. Until they do, they’re falling behind and risk falling off entirely. And then there are three more players (Suzuki, Happ, Smyly) that are probably just outside the bubble, despite having solid seasons. If they don’t go on a loud and productive runs very soon (like … the next week or two), they’ll miss the cut. Most likely, none of those three will be All-Stars this year.

Beyond that, just to not completely ignore them, Yan Gomes has been having a very good season, but he’s not up there among the league’s best catchers. Patrick Wisdom may have 14 homers, but that’s it. And while only three NL relievers with more innings pitched than Adbert Alzolay have a lower ERA than his stellar 2.25 mark, he’s not a closer and won’t get that level of recognition.

So with two virtual locks, and two more right there on the bubble, let’s set the over/under of Cubs in the 2023 MLB All-Star game at 2.5. Where do you think they land?

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Colton Dach Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks Assign Levshunov AND Dach to Rockford, Activate Smith

Before Wednesday's game, the Blackhawks announced a few roster moves. The team formally activated veteran forward Craig Smith from IR. To make room on the roster, they needed to assign at least one player to Rockford. The Blackhawks sent both Artyom Levshunov and Colton Dach to the IceHogs. We knew Levshunov was headed back to Rockford without playing a game when he joined the Blackhawks earlier this week; the intent...

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Chicago Blackhawks
Tab Bamford
โ€ข
Feb 05, 2025
Jason Dickinson Chicago Blackhawks Connor McDavid

Blackhawks vs Oilers โ€” Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

Yes, the Blackhawks are back on national television. And yes, it's against a really good team with legit championship aspirations. And yes, they're sitting a couple young guys in the press box again. But... this one's at home? And... yeah. That's all I've got. Get ready for a late night if you're attending because this is the second game of the night on TNT. Broadcast Info Puck Drop: 8:45ish PM CT...

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Chicago Blackhawks
Tab Bamford
โ€ข
Feb 05, 2025

New NHL Players Poll Offers Interesting Results

On Wednesday morning The Athletic released the results of their informal, anonymous NHL player poll. They asked the usual range of questions, from coaches players would/would not want to play for, which cities would be on a no-trade list and whether or not Gary Bettman should retire from his role as commissioner of the NHL. And there were a few interesting results. Here the ones that got my attention: Ordinarily...

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Michael Cerami began covering the Chicago Cubs for Bleacher Nation as a part-time contributor in 2015. One year later, he joined Bleacher Nation full-time, covering the Chicago Cubs and Major League Baseball. Today, Michael runs Bleacher Nation, contributing as a writer (Cubs, MLB) and an editor for all sections of the site, including the Chicago Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks, as well as MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL. In 2019, Michael was the co-host of NBC Sports Chicago's Cubs Post-Game Show Outside the Ivy. You can find him on Twitter/X @Michael_Cerami

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Shaw and 2B-3B, Ricketts on McCaskey, Early Start, Mizuhara, Padres, and Other Cubs Bullets

I feel like a genius and an idiot: for *YEARS* I have loved peanut butter sauce as an ice cream topping, but you can't get it everywhere, and there's basically no good take-home variety. So I get it when I...

Obsessive Alex Bregman Watch: How Many Suitors? How Many Years? Red Sox Back-Up Plan? More

A few Alex Bregman bits to chew on as you settle down for the night ... Jon Heyman tonight writes that although Bregman is receiving "creative short-term offers," he and Scott Boras are still looking for six+ years. That tracks...

Free Agent 3B Yoan Moncada Signs with the Angels

The Chicago Cubs, ostensibly still in the market for a free-agent third baseman, will watch one option fall off the board tonight. Former White Sox third baseman - and offseason Cubs target - Yoan Moncada is reportedly signing a modest...

Resetting the Chicago Cubs’ Excessively Crowded Bullpen Picture

Given the Ryan Brasier trade potentially capping off the Chicago Cubs' bullpen moves for the offseason, and given how much movement there has been in that group this offseason, I thought it worth a reset just to see where the...

Let’s Look at the Cubs Payroll and Roster Implications of Signing Alex Bregman

Based on some scattered quotes from ownership โ€” as well as where Jed Hoyer's front office wound up last season โ€” our initial expectation for the Cubs 2025 payroll was right around the first tier of the luxury tax threshold (up...

Obsessive Alex Bregman Watch: Still Holding Out for Maximum-Length Deal?

It has felt for a few days like maybe there was a thaw coming in the Alex Bregman/Scott Boras demands for a maximum-length deal in order to finally put pen to paper in free agency, but maybe that was just...

Another Ranking Places the Cubs’ Farm System Close to the Middle of the Pack Going Into 2025

The tale is not as old as time, but it's as old as this prospects rankings season goes: the Chicago Cubs' farm system stepped way back over the last year, for reasons good and bad, and now ranks as closer...

Bader and PCA, Pham and Pirates, No Festa Forever, Brasier and Berti, Rays Stadium, and Other Cubs Bullets

Kinda thought I would wake up to an Alex Bregman decision. It had that vibe last night, but nothing doing yet. Instead, we got Pete Alonso signing, which I suppose is not nothing. But I'm about ready for "the offseason"...

Pete Alonso Re-Signing with the Mets, Did NOT Get Paaaaid

The Pete Alonso free agency closes up back where it started, and where most thought it would end: he's going back to the New York Mets. And, boy, he did NOT get paaaaaid: In total, Pete Alonso's deal will guarantee...

The Cubs Have a New Full-time Backup to Jon Sciambi on Marquee (And I’m Very Here For It!)

Alternate title: The Cubs are promoting top broadcasting prospect Alex Cohen! Maybe it's not the breaking news those of us on social media are pining for tonight, but it makes me happy nonetheless! According to Jeff Agrest at The Chicago...

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Claim $1500 BetMGM Promo Code for KC vs PHI, NBA, and More This Weekend

The NFL finale is almost here! Kansas City and Philadelphia will go at it on Sunday for the right to be crowned this season's champion. Ahead of Sunday's showdown, BetMGM is offering an enticing $1,500 first-bet bonus to elevate your...

Oilers vs. Avalanche: How to Watch, Odds, Picks & Predictions

Friday's NHL games include the Edmonton Oilers (34-16-4) hosting the Colorado Avalanche (32-22-2) at Rogers Place. The Avalanche are underdogs (+164 on the moneyline) against the Oilers (-198) ahead of the contest, which begins at 9:00 PM ET on ESPN+.You...

Where to Watch RC Celta de Vigo vs. Real Betis: TV Channel, Start Time and Live Stream

LaLiga's 10th-place team, Real Betis, visits 13th-place RC Celta de Vigo on Saturday at 8:00 AM ET.Watch LaLiga matches on Fubo! Use our link to sign up now.Celta de Vigo vs. Real Betis TV & Live Stream InfoWhen: Saturday, February...

Where to Watch SC Freiburg vs. 1. FC Heidenheim 1846: TV Channel, Start Time and Live Stream

Two clubs residing in opposite halves of the Bundesliga, ninth-place SC Freiburg and 16th-place 1. FC Heidenheim 1846, play at 9:30 AM ET on Saturday.Watch Bundesliga matches on Fubo! Use our link to sign up now.SC Freiburg vs. 1. FC...

Where to Watch TSG Hoffenheim vs. Union Berlin: TV Channel, Start Time and Live Stream

The Bundesliga's 15th-place team, TSG Hoffenheim, hosts 14th-place Union Berlin on Saturday at 9:30 AM ET.Watch Bundesliga matches on Fubo! Use our link to sign up now.TSG Hoffenheim vs. Union Berlin TV & Live Stream InfoWhen: Saturday, February 8, 2025...

Where to Watch Athletic Bilbao vs. Girona FC: TV Channel, Start Time and Live Stream

The fourth-place team in LaLiga, Athletic Bilbao, hosts seventh-place Girona FC on Saturday at 10:15 AM ET.Watch LaLiga matches on Fubo! Use our link to sign up now.Athletic Bilbao vs. Girona FC TV & Live Stream InfoWhen: Saturday, February 8,...

Where to Watch VfL Wolfsburg vs. Bayer Leverkusen: TV Channel, Start Time and Live Stream

Two of the Bundesliga's top 10 goal-scorers go head-to-head when Jonas Wind (eight goals) and VfL Wolfsburg host Patrik Schick (14) and Bayer Leverkusen on February 8, 2025.Watch Bundesliga matches on Fubo! Use our link to sign up now.VfL Wolfsburg...

Where to Watch Hellas Verona vs. Atalanta: TV Channel, Start Time and Live Stream

Atalanta and Mateo Retegui have a good-looking matchup against Hellas Verona on Saturday. Retegui is first in Serie A with 16 goals, while Hellas Verona ranks 20th in the league defensively, allowing 48 goals.Watch Serie A matches on Fubo! Use...

Where to Watch FSV Mainz vs. FC Augsburg: TV Channel, Start Time and Live Stream

Two clubs residing in opposite halves of the Bundesliga, sixth-place FSV Mainz and 12th-place FC Augsburg, meet at 9:30 AM ET on Saturday.Watch Bundesliga matches on Fubo! Use our link to sign up now.FSV Mainz vs. FC Augsburg TV &...

Where to Watch Borussia Dortmund vs. VfB Stuttgart: TV Channel, Start Time and Live Stream

Two of the Bundesliga's top 10 scorers go head-to-head when Sehrou Guirassy (nine goals) and Borussia Dortmund host Ermedin Demirovic (eight) and VfB Stuttgart on February 8, 2025.Watch Bundesliga matches on Fubo! Use our link to sign up now.Borussia Dortmund...

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