Who Would Win a Team USA vs. the World MLB All-Star Game Battle?

To spark interest in the MLB All-Star Game, perhaps baseball should rethink its AL vs. NL concept.

With international stars becoming so prevalent, wouldn’t it be more compelling to see Team USA take on the best that the rest of the world has to offer?

Our first task is assembling the rosters. We’ll adopt the same ridiculous 34-player limit that the sport presently uses (just in case this contest lasts a zillion innings).

However, the existing voting process has no place in this fantasy. Obsessive fans who send 25 submissions with a dozen different e-mail addresses—you know who you are—often support individuals based on reputation or marketability. Instead, let’s fill each position (including designated hitter) with those who actually deserve recognition based on 2013 first-half production.

The rule about removing pitchers from All-Star rosters who started the previous Sunday is also bogus. The best pitchers will be chosen without taking that into consideration.

Then, we’ll simulate the game itself, assuming it’s being played at Citi Field on July 16, 2013, the same date as the actual Midsummer Classic.