DETROIT, MI - JULY 22: Miguel Cabrera #24 of the Detroit Tigers celebrates a solo home run in the first inning during the game against the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park on July 22, 2012 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
(Author's Note: Imagine a world in which MLB allows its greatest stars to leave the American stage for a month to represent their respective countries on the world stage at the London Olympics. This post is part of a series outlining what the top national team rosters would look like in such a ridiculous, and admittedly fun, scenario.)
TEAM VENEZUELA
Batting Order:
1. Elvis Andrus (SS)
2. Asdrubal Cabrera (2B)
3. Pablo Sandoval (DH)
4. Miguel Cabrera (1B)
5. Carlos Gonzalez (RF)
6. Miguel Montero (C)
7. Martin Prado (LF)
8. Omar Infante (3B)
9. Gerardo Parra (CF)
QUICK THOUGHT: This is a solid, deep lineup. There's serious pop going through the middle of the order, particularly as you try to battle Sandoval, Cabrera and Gonzalez in consecutive at-bats.
Bench
IF: Alcides Escobar
IF: Jose Altuve
QUICK THOUGHT: Defense was the priority here, which explains having a versatile defensive whiz in Franklin Gutierrez. Infante and Parra, both starters, give added flexibility, which helps given that Escobar and Altuve are essentially one-position players.
Starting Rotation
QUICK THOUGHT: It's not incredible, and we'll probably see some far better rotations going forward. There's talent coming up the pipeline, though, and the 2012 team still has its ace in King Felix.
Bullpen
Henry Rodriguez, Ronald Belisario, Franklin Morales, Brayan Villarreal, Jose Mijares, Rafael Betancourt, Francisco Rodriguez
QUICK THOUGHT: Lots of velocity, although this group has some guys with shaky command. It's a good bunch, though, far better than what the vast majority of MLB teams roll out.
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