Falling stars

An around-the-horn look at a team full of former All-Stars who won't be on the guest list Tuesday night in Seattle

There’ll be some marquee names missing when the best of the American League square off against the best of the National League in Tuesday night’s All-Star Game in Seattle.

In some cases slowed by injury, in others having turned in good-but-not-great first halves, some of the brightest stars in the baseball universe—names you expect to see at the Mid-Summer Classic annually—won’t be on hand.

Among them: Bryce Harper, Manny Machado, J.T. Realmuto, Francisco Lindor, Max Scherzer and Fernando Tatis Jr.

But there are other former All-Stars who entered 2023 with high hopes who have had hugely disappointing first halves. Big-money stars. Some players who were signed to be key difference makers in new places. Others coming off career years. Some set back by injuries. Some in the latter stages of their careers but hoping to catch lightning in a bottle one final time in 2023.

With players like that in mind, I’ve put together a Falling Stars team. A collection of former All-Stars, some of the biggest names, among the best-paid players in the game. Players who, after rough first halves, will spend their All-Star break on the beach.

Let’s go around the horn…