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

Third Base & Shortstop: Toronto Blue Jays

Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Like with Miggy, when a possible MVP candidate is in your starting lineup, there’s a good chance you will see him balancing out the weaker half of his defensive pairing. For the Blue Jays, it’s difficult to overlook Josh Donaldson‘s 3.8 WAR. When it comes to shortstop, Jose Reyes could just as easily be alternated with Ryan Goins.

What you lose in offensive production with Goins, you gain in defensive range and efficiency. Reyes has played in only 37 games this season, but nonetheless ranks inside the top 10 at his position in WAR with a 0.6. His defense has fallen off some in recent years, but he is still a very productive leadoff hitter who gets on base, finding ways to steal them and cross home plate.

Goins, meanwhile, displays fine defensive chops and is not doing all that terrible on offense either with two home runs and 22 RBI through 54 games played. His dWAR of 0.9 speaks for itself. Either way, the AL gets an MVP caliber third baseman and an above average shortstop. For the sake of argument and because of his leadoff abilities, we’ll roll with Reyes for a total WAR of 4.4 between the two.

Runners-up: Seattle Mariners’ Kyle Seager (2.3) and Brad Miller (1.5)

Next: The Outfield