Dodgers: The Dodgers All 2000’s All-Star Starting Lineup

Later on this evening, the MLB All-Star game will take place in Washington D.C. with Dodgers manager Dave Roberts guiding the NL All-Star team.

Joining skipper Dave Roberts in Washington D.C. will be Ross Stripling, Matt Kemp, and Kenley Jansen.  Despite participating in the home run derby last night, Max Muncy is not an all-star although he did an excellent job representing the Dodgers in the home run derby.  Matt Kemp will start and bat fifth for the National League all-stars.

Given the all-star game, I took a look back at the Dodgers all-stars since 2000 and put together a starting lineup for each of the nine starting positions.  I also threw closer in as a position just to add some more debate and intrigue to the idea.  Here is the starting lineup that features the best Dodger all-stars since the year 2000 (in my opinion).

Starting Infield

Catcher – Russell Martin (2007-2008)

There is no way the spot could go to Paul Lo Duca since he has been anti-Dodgers ever since he retired.  Russell Martin burst onto the scene in 2007 finishing with 19 homers, 87 RBI’s, 21 stolen bases, and a .293 batting average.  That is quite the season for any position, coming from a catcher that is even more impressive.

First Base – Adrian Gonzalez (2015)

The first base position has only featured two Dodger all-stars since 2000.  Those two are Nomar Garciaparra in 2006, and Adrian Gonzalez in 2015.  Nomar had his last big season in 2006 with the Dodgers but Adrian Gonzalez edges him out as Gonzo hit 28 home runs in 2015 and was as Vin Scully liked to say, “The butter and egg” man.  Gonzalez was acquired at a time when the Dodgers desperately lacked a run-producing bat at first base and Adrian filled that void for years.

Second Base – Jeff Kent (2005)

The Dodgers have had two all-star second baseman since 2000 with Jeff Kent and Orlando Hudson taking the honors.  While the O-dawg was a fun enthusiastic player, the best all-star second baseman the Dodgers have had since 2000 is Jeff Kent.  In 2005, Kent 29 home runs and drove in over 100 runs.  Kent also hit .289 and put together the last big season by a Dodger second baseman.

Shortstop – Corey Seager (2016)

The Dodgers have scored three all-star shortstops since 2000 in Cesar Izturis, Rafael Furcal, and Corey Seager.  While Furcal was the last legitimate leadoff threat the Dodgers have had, Corey Seager put together the best all-star season of the three and takes the starting shortstop spot.  In 2016, Seager blasted 26 home runs and hit .308 in his first full season in the big leagues.  Seager should be in all-star contention next year if he has a comeback season he is capable of having.

Third Base – Justin Turner (2017)

The Dodgers had a drought at third base ever since Adrian Beltre left the Dodgers.  In fact, Justin Turner is the only all-star third baseman the Dodgers have had since 2000.  Turner also was a final vote candidate and ended up making last year’s all-star team.  Justin was in contention for the NL batting title last season finishing with a .322 average and 21 home runs.

Starting Pitcher and Closer

Starting Pitcher – Clayton Kershaw (2011-2017)

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Although Clayton Kershaw is not an all-star this season, he knows a thing or two about all-star games having been on the NL roster for the past seven years.  Due to injuries, Kershaw did not make this year’s team but he is easily the best all-star starting pitcher the Dodgers have had since 2000.  He is also arguably the greatest pitcher in Dodgers history period, with Sandy Koufax being the only other starting pitcher who is in the same conversation as Kershaw.  Kershaw will look to start a string of healthy seasons and avoid the same fate that Koufax did in his injury-shortened career.

Closer – Kenley Jansen (2017-2018)

While Eric Gagne set the consecutive saves record, and had one of the most dominant seasons by a closer ever, winning the Cy Young, he is still not the durable reliever that Kenley Jansen is.  Jansen also has never had the PED questions that Eric Gagné had.  Jansen put together his own historic season last year finishing with a 1.32 ERA and going 41-42 in save opportunities.

Next: Dodgers Quick Hits: Machado, Muncy, Jansen, Stripling

Jansen has already set the Dodgers all-time franchise saves record and given that he’s only 30 years old, he should be able to have at least four to five more solid seasons to tack onto his record.  If he can age the way Mariano Rivera did with his cutter, then Jansen still has a long career ahead of him.  Jansen takes the honor as the closer of the all 2000’s Dodger all-star team.