2018 LVB All-Stars: Infielders

As the new season begins, we introduce the La Vida All-Stars, a team featuring the best Latino player at each position, regardless of nationality. We started by considering each potential All-Star’s cumulative WAR for the past three seasons, mulled the numbers over a plate of crispy tostones with garlic sauce, gave extra credit for an outstanding 2017 season and style points for creativity during Players Weekend. In some cases, we were forced to split hairs. But we’ll be happy to play our guys against yours — anytime, anywhere.

1B: José Abreu

Three-year WAR: 11.3

2017: .304/.354/.552

We are risking ridicule with this pick if the Tigers’ Miguel Cabrera — Venezuela’s greatest slugger ever — overcomes his physical ailments, advancing age and the worst season of his career. But like Willie Colón and Héctor Lavoe used to sing, Todo tiene su final. Yes, nothing is forever. Thanks to his consistent production since his debut in 2014, the White Sox’s José Abreu is now the best Latino first baseman.

Cabrera hit .249/.329/.399 last season and turns 35 on April 18. One need only look at Albert Pujols to see what happens to tall and burly players after they reach their mid-30s.

Abreu turned 31 in January, but his contributions go beyond hitting. On a team in a constant state of rebuilding, he has hit at least .290 with 25 home runs, 30 doubles and 100 RBIs every season — all the while willingly assuming the role of mentor (and occasional chauffeur) to the younger players, including his Cuban compatriots Yoan Moncada and Luis Robert.

Not every star player makes time for the next generation, but Abreu has a heart of gold. Off the field, he’s celebrated for sponsoring “Abreu’s Amigos,” a program that helps special-needs kids acquire social skills by taking them to the ballpark and other public events.

Abreu is a pro’s pro. Here’s hoping the White Sox improve fast enough to give him a shot at the Fall Classic.

The rest of the Top 5: Miguel Cabrera (Tigers), Carlos Santana (Indians), Yuli Gurriel (Astros) and Yonder Alonso (Padres)

2B: José Altuve

Three-year WAR: 20.8

2017: .346/.410/.547

You would think that there wouldn’t be much debate at this position, considering the Mariners’ Robinson Canó is the only second baseman in history with 300 home runs and a lifetime .300 average. The pride of San Pedro de Macorís in the Dominican Republic has owned the position for the past decade.

But the Astros’ José Altuve — who was just rewarded with a five-year contract extension worth $151 million — has become that good a player. At 27, he’s eight years younger than Canó and playing at an unprecedented level. Forgive us for repeating ourselves, but the Venezuelan second sacker is coming off an MVP season in which he won his third batting title and first World Series while becoming the first player in history to lead the league in hits four straight years with 200 or more each time.

You have to go back to the late ’70s and early ’80s — to Manny Trillo — to find another Venezuelan second baseman of note. Altuve has shattered the mold. If you want a metric that drives the point home, Altuve is only the second middle infielder born in Latin America to finish a season with a WAR higher than 8.0. The other one, you ask? Canó, in 2010 and 2012.

The rest of the Top 5: Robinson Canó (Mariners), Javy Báez (Cubs), César Hernández (Phillies) and Starlin Castro (Marlins)

SS: Francisco Lindor

Three-year WAR: 16.0

2017: .273/.337/.505

Before 2016, how many shortstops born in Puerto Rico had played in the All-Star Game?

If you can’t remember without the help of Baseball-Reference.com, don’t feel bad. Just as the Dominican Republic wasn’t known for catchers and Venezuela wasn’t famous for second basemen, until now Puerto Rico had infrequently produced shortstops with All-Star résumés.

Now it has two — the Houston Astros’ Carlos Correa and the Cleveland Indians’ Francisco Lindor — who promise to dominate the game for the next decade.

It’s not easy to pick between these two outstanding batters, who also happen to be good friends. The past three seasons, Lindor has hit .293/.349/.474 with 60 home runs and a 114 OPS+, while Correa has hit .288/.366/.498 with 66 home runs and a 138 OPS+.

While Correa, who is 6-foot-4 and a year younger at 23, has the advantage in size and slugging, Lindor is considered a better fielder. He earned a Gold Glove in 2016 and played shortstop on Team Puerto Rico in the 2017 World Baseball Classic. Last year he also smacked 44 doubles and 33 home runs, something no other shortstop born in Latin America had ever accomplished in the same season.

When we combine Lindor’s glove work with his hitting, he beats out Correa by a hair. In this case, you can’t go wrong with either. The Orioles’ Manny Machado, who on talent alone makes the Top Five, is going to have to work hard to beat out Lindor and Correa in the future.

Oh, and if you’re still trying to figure out Puerto Rican All-Star shortstops, here’s the answer — Wilfredo Cordero in 1994, José Hernández in 2002 and Felipe López in 2005.

The rest of the Top 5: Carlos Correa (Astros), Manny Machado (Orioles), Elvis Andrus (Rangers) and Jean Segura (Mariners)

3B: Nolan Arenado

Three-year WAR: 19.6

2017: .309/.373/.586

This is probably the most competitive of all positions, with many deserving candidates. Veterans like the Dominican Adrián Beltré, now with the Texas Rangers, and rising stars like Beltre’s countryman, the Indians’ José Ramírez, populate the position. That’s not even counting Dominican-American Manny Machado, who has excelled at third but is moving back to his original position of shortstop. Our pick is a player “Made in the USA” who’s proud of his Latino roots — the Rockies’ Nolan Arenado.

With a Cuban father and a Nuyorican mother with Cuban relatives, the 26-year-old Arenado plays with pura pasión and confidence every time he steps onto the field.

“Growing up in a Latin family has given me my charisma out there, my swag,” Arenado told ESPN.com in 2016.

Besides his swag, he can hit and field. Since his rookie season in 2013, he’s earned five straight Gold Gloves, three consecutive Silver Slugger Awards and three straight All-Star selections.

In fact, the past three seasons he’s averaged 40 doubles, 40 home runs and 131 RBIs. At this stage of his young career, Arenado is locked in, to the point that Phillies Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt, arguably the most complete third baseman in history, recently anointed him the “heir apparent.”

“I try to be very confident, and I get that from my family,” Arenado said. “They enjoy and take pride in what they do; I get that from them. That’s the way we are, even playing Wiffle ball.”

The rest of the Top 5: José Ramírez (Indians), Adrián Beltré (Rangers), Anthony Rendón (Nationals) and Miguel Sanó (Twins)

Who’s your pick? Who’d we miss? Tell us in the comments!

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