All-Star voting update: Still too many Phillies, not enough Morneau - MLB

I know the All-Star Game approaches the irrelevant and that early vote totals are even less relevant than the game, but I just can’t help myself. The leaders so far:

American League

C: Joe Mauer
1B: Mark Teixeira
2B: Robinson Cano
3B: Evan Longoria
SS: Derek Jeter
OF: Ichiro, Nelson Cruz, Carl Crawford
DH: Vlad Guerrero

Comments: unchanged since last week. Justin Morneau continues to get no love.

National League

C: Yadier Molina
1B: Albert Pujols
2B: Chase Utley
3B: Placido Polanco
SS: Jimmy Rollins
OF: Ryan Braun, Jayson Werth, Andre Ethier

Comments: The only change from last week is that Shane Victorino is no longer in the top three outfielders, having been passed up by Andre Ethier. I hope the NL can survive with only four starters from the Phillies. Well, five, assuming Charlie Manuel gives Halladay the nod over Ubaldo Jimenez.

Remember folks: treat this like a Chicago election: vote early, vote often!

ST. LOUIS — Miles Mikolas is sticking with the St. Louis Cardinals.

The right-hander signed a three-year, $55.75 million contract on Friday that will carry through the 2025 season.

The new deal replaces a $68 million, four-year contract signed in February 2019 that covered the 2020-23 seasons and was set to pay $15.75 million this year.

Mikolas will receive a $5 million signing bonus payable July 1 and will make $18.75 million in 2023 and $16 million in each of the following two seasons. Mikolas can earn a $250,000 bonus for winning a Cy Young Award, $50,000 for All-Star election or selection or winning a Gold Glove, $100,000 for League Championship Series MVP and $150,000 for World Series MVP.

Mikolas is scheduled to make the second opening-day start of his big league career next Thursday when the Cardinals host Toronto. Mikolas went 12-13 with a 3.29 ERA last season while helping St. Louis to the NL Central title.

“Miles stands among the top pitchers in the game today, and has continued to provide a steady presence for us both in the rotation and inside the clubhouse,” St. Louis general manager John Mozeliak said in a statement.

Mikolas is 45-40 with a 3.79 in 143 games with San Diego, Texas and St. Louis. He recently pitched six shutout innings in two appearances for the U.S. in the World Baseball Classic.