​ANAHEIM, Calif. — Each summer brings with it a few surprises and omissions for the All-Star Game roster. On Saturday, two Red Sox players who looked like strong candidates for the AL roster were, instead, left off.
First baseman Willson Contreras was not selected despite his 18 homers, 53 RBIs, and a .532 slugging percentage. Contreras ranked second in WAR (2.8) among AL first basemen according to FanGraphs, with only the Athletics’ Nick Kurs (3.5) ahead of him. Sonny Gray, who started Saturday night in the second game of Boston’s nine-game road trip, was 9-1 with a 2.69 ERA that would have ranked him fourth among AL starters if he had qualified. Gray had a late April stint on the IL, which kept him from meeting the necessary qualifications.
Interim manager Chad Tracy said, “The way I look at it is, we do have a couple more players who, when you look at the numbers and what they’ve done, are definitely deserving. I’m still holding out hope. Between now and when the All-Star Game happens, there’s so much roster fluctuation. It happens every year, where people can’t go or get hurt or things happen. So I’m still holding out hope that there are a couple more guys (selected) on our team that I feel are deserving, no question about it.”
Contreras added, “I’m not disappointed. I try not to build up too many expectations when it comes to the All-Star Game. But if you ask me if I feel like I’m personally deserving, I would tell you, ‘Yes.’ But talking about with my teammates, I wasn’t filling my head up with illusions of being on the team.”
With Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the Blue Jays’ first baseman who was voted by fans as the AL starter, having withdrawn from the game Saturday, there could be an opening for Contreras as a replacement. “I would obviously love to be on the All-Star team,” Contreras said. “It’s one of the motivations in this game to play our best, and it would be an honor to be added to that group. The possibility is out there. It’d be a pleasure to join the team.”
Contreras also noted his sympathy for Gray, his teammate in Boston and previously in St. Louis. “It’s difficult because he’s had a phenomenal year,” he said. “We have two—Ranger and Chapman—that are going. I’m really surprised that Gray wasn’t selected; based on the year he’s had, I think he should be there.”
Reliever Aroldis Chapman, chosen to his ninth All-Star Game, echoed the sentiment: “Very surprised, especially considering the year he’s had. I hope they’ll be able to include him in the coming days.” Ranger Suarez, who was named to the team, also voiced support for Gray: “I was definitely a little surprised, especially since Sonny’s had a tremendous year. He’s a leader for us.”