Yankees Editorial: What Would a 2015 Subway Series All-Star Team Look Like?

The N.L East first place New York Mets (13-3) will head into the Bronx tomorrow night to take on the New York Yankees (9-7) in the first game of the 2015 Subway Series. Both teams will have arguably their best pitchers on the mound, as Jacob deGrom (2-1, 0.93 ERA) is set to take on Michael Pineda (2-0, 5.00 ERA).

The Met’s are off to their best start in franchise history, currently sporting the best record in the entire MLB while the New York Yankees are coming off a three game winning streak in which they took three of four games from the first place Detroit Tigers.

Obviously the Subway Series is one of the most heated rivalries in all of sports, but instead of comparing them to another, what would happen if you were to combine the two teams into one New York City all-star team?

Ryan Hatch of NJ.com did a good job breaking down his team earlier, but mine would look a little different.

Here’s a look at my 2015 New York All-Stars.

Catcher: Travis d’Arnaud – New York Mets

Putting d’Arnaud’s injury aside, he’s been way more productive than Brian McCann. Through 15 games, d’Arnaud posted a slash line of .317/.356/.537, which trumps the .224/.273/.400 posted by Brian McCann. While McCann is a little more reliable behind the dish on the defensive end, I’d prefer to give my manager a catcher with more upside and way less of a headache in terms of defensive shifts.

First Base: Mark Teixeira – New York Yankees

Though Lucas Duda is six-years younger than Mark Teixeira and is off to a great start to the 2015 season, Mark Teixeira still holds a slight edge as the best first baseman in New York City. Aside from having a significantly lower batting average than Duda, Teixeira still has more home runs (5) and more RBIs (13) than Duda.

Second Base: Jose Pirela – New York Yankees

Not the .190 batting Stephen Drew, not the .140 batting Daniel Murphy, but New York Yankees minor leaguer Jose Pirela would be my starting second baseman. Pirela, who’s currently on the comeback trail from a concussion suffered in spring training batted .333 with a .902 OPS during his seven game cup of coffee with the Yankees last September. Though the sample size is incredibly small, Reggie Jackson himself said that Pirela has the best bat in the New York Yankees farm system. On the defensive end, Pirela is capable of playing multiple positions, which proves his versatility.

Third Base: David Wright – New York Mets

Very close decision here between Chase Headley and David Wright, and though I’m a big believer in Headley and his timely hitting, I have to give the nod to Captain America. Again putting Wright’s injured hamstring aside, his career .298/.377/.494 line is slightly better than the .254/.313/.407 posted by Headley. Yes, Headley is two years younger than Wright, but let’s be honest, what’s an all-star New York team without David Wright?

Shortstop: Wilmer Flores – New York Mets

No question here, Didi Gregorius is just lacking the confidence to be a dominant player in New York. It might be the pressure of replacing Derek Jeter, it might be the demanding Yankees fan base, but Didi Gregorius needs to just figure it out. Wilmer Flores has a 0.2 WAR while the struggling Gregorius has -0.7, need I say more?

Left Field: Brett Gardner – New York Yankees

Michael Cuddyer (.283/.345/.434) has worked wonders for the New York Mets offense so far in 2015, but Brett Gardner (.308/.413/.410) is hitting slightly better. Gardner also has the upper hand in speed, as he currently leads the American League with five stolen bases.

Center Field: Jacoby Ellsbury – New York Yankees

Despite what David Ortiz has to say, Ellsbury is still a complete player for the New York Yankees. Offensively, his career .293/.347/.433 and career OPS of .780 at just 31-years old is just too hard to leave of this all-star team. Defensively, his range is still in tact, as he’s posted a dWAR of 0.2 so far in 2015.

Right Field: Juan Lagares – New York Mets

Though it’s not his natural position, the trio of Gardner, Ellsbury and Lagares has the potential to be the best outfield in all of baseball. Lagares, 26, is batting .271 with 7 RBI’s in 62 plate appearances so far in 2015. Defensively, Lagares probably has the highest upside out of any outfielder in the New York, posting a dWAR of 3.5 in 2013 and 3.4 in 2014.

Designated Hitter: Mr. Alex Rodriguez – New York Yankees

Yes, there’s a DH on my all-star team, and he’s the 39-year old Alex Rodriguez who has four home runs, 11 RBIs, 11 runs scored and an insane 1.011 OPS in 62 plate appearances in 2015. I might be overstepping some boundaries here, but if Alex hit’s career home run #660 on my field, my team will be on the top step of the dugout cheering him on as he rounds the bases.

Starting Rotation:

1. Matt Harvey – New York Mets (3-0, 3.50 ERA, 24 K)

2. Michael Pineda – New York Yankees (2-0, 5.00 ERA, 20 K)

3. Masahiro Tanaka – New York Yankees (2-1, 3.22 ERA, 24 K)

4. Jacob dGrom – New York Mets (2-1, 0.93 ERA, 17 K)

5. C.C. Sabathia – New York Yankees (0-3, 4.53 ERA, 20 K)

Bullpen:

1. Andrew Miller

2. Dellin Betances

3. Chasen Shreve

4. Alex Torress

5. Jeurys Familia

6. Chris Martin

Pinch Hitter: Chris Young – New York Yankees

Interesting because he played for both teams, but his .344 average and four home runs in 32 bat-bats in 2015 would make him a starter on my all-star team had it not been for Gardner, Ellsbury and Lagares occupying my outfield.

Skipper: Joe Girardi – New York Yankees

Joe Girardi has compiled a 655-493 record and a 2009 World Series title with the New York Yankees, which is head over heels better than the 315-347 record of Terry Collins. As good as this New York Mets team is playing at the moment, Joe Girardi still has Collins beat in my eyes.

What do you this about this all-star team fans? Let us know in the comments below.

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