MLB All-Star Game: Rosters with package deals on defense

Pitcher & Catcher: Oakland Athletics

Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

There are plenty of strong starting pitcher’s to choose from in the American League. If the Blue Jays or Royals had a true ace to pair with Russell Martin or Salvador Perez, respectively, there might be competition in this slot. But right now, Toronto’s best hurler has been rookie Aaron Sanchez who is currently on the DL with a 0.9 WAR, while KC’s has been 36-year-old Chris Young in mostly spot starts with a 1.6 WAR.

Given the pitching shortcomings of those AL East and AL Central clubs, it’s an AL West team — and perhaps the worst club overall in the American League — that boasts the best starting pitcher and catcher tandem. Ironic.

Sonny Gray and Stephen Vogt have been outstanding in 2015. A lot of people probably saw Gray building on his 2014 success, but few could have predicted that Vogt would break out. A career minor leaguer until his age 28 season with the Oakland Athletics, Vogt is slashing .280/.383/.523 with 12 homers and 45 RBI.

Gray leads all MLB pitcher’s in WAR with a 4.3 mark, while Vogt is tied for first with Martin amongst all catcher’s with a 2.4 mark. This equates to a cumulative WAR of 6.7 for Gray and Vogt over 67 games played.

Runners-up: Houston Astros’ Dallas Keuchel (3.7) and Jason Castro (1.2)

Next: Right side of infield