THE WATERCOOLER

QUESTION: Yadier Molina led Atlanta’s Brian McCann by almost 400,000 votes at the catcher position when the latest N.L. All-Star voting results were released Monday. With two days to go in fan voting, it would appear Molina almost has this one locked up. McCann, while playing almost 50 less games, leads Molina in HRs and RBIs, plus he has a higher batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage. Do you think the case could be made that McCann deserves the start in this All-Star Game, or does Molina’s defense outweigh his offensive inferiority to McCann?

JOE STRAUSS
McCann is unquestionably the stronger offensive player and Molina the better defender. McCann may also be on the team as a backup. There is something to be said about a player’s availability when considerations are made for the All-Star Game or postseason awards. Yadier’s brother, Bengie, is a superior offensive player as well and has been available to the Giants for the entire first half. Indeed, the question should be whether Yadi is more deserving than his older brother, who doubles as the Giants’ cleanup hitter and is the only NL catcher with more at-bats than the Cardinals’ Gold Glover. Bengie has twice as many home runs and 75 percent more RBI than his younger brother. It would be a compelling story for both Molinas to make the game. Their family has endured significant loss since last season, including their father. I’d have little problem with either guy starting. After being bruised by Michael Cuddyer’s hard slide last weekend, Yadi might be better served by making a cameo appearance in the July 14 game, no matter how much it “counts.”

DERRICK GOOLD
It’s not a difficult case to make at all. Start with this: Brian McCann may be the best all-around catcher in the National League. McCann has seven fewer hits than Yadier Molina in 45 fewer at-bats. He has more RBIs, more home runs and an on-base percentage that is significantly better. All that’s missing is playing time. He missed time with blurred vision earlier this season and that’s allowed other catcher’s to surpass him in the offensive categories that are usually his, and often his alone. Molina has the certain edge in hometown favor and defense, but defense isn’t the dent in McCann’s resume that it is for other catchers. He’s got the profile and the substance of an All-Star catcher. But as you look at the numbers and consider both candidates mentioned in the question, another answer emerges: Neither. My eye for the All-Star drifts west, to another NL catcher named Molina …

JEFF GORDON
Molina’s defense is so exceptional that, yes, he has earned the starting nod. He is the rare shutdown catcher. Nobody is picking runners off first base like this guy. Few catchers are as adept at getting the lead runners on sacrifice bunt attempts. And he controls the running game, too. And his offense is good enough to boost his All-Star credentials.

RICK HUMMEL
Sure, you could make the case that McCann should start, but Molina’s defense has been good and his average has been decent, albeit his modest run production. I have no problem with any player of quality being able to start an All-Star Game in the city in which he plays.

KEVIN WHEELER (Host of “Sports Open Line” on KMOX)
Sure, the case could be made for McCann over Molina, but it would be wrong. Catcher is the most important position on the field and a catcher’s defense must take a higher priority than his offense because of the nature of the position. The catcher is in on every single pitch of every single game he plays and while that is also true of pitchers, the guys out on the mound only have to “handle” themselves. The catcher has to handle the whole pitching staff.

Yadi is the best defensive catcher in the game and far too often defense is ignored in the MLB All-Star Game. It’s nice to see players recognized for the “other half” of the game — you know, the half where teams try to prevent runs from scoring.