Baseball

The Cincinnati Reds have reached the All-Star break as legitimate contenders, and with the 2014 MLB trade deadline only a couple of weeks away, the team has to address a few weaknesses on its roster.

Look, we all know it's silly to get excited about any All-Star Game in any sport. Even in MLB, where the game actually means something, the mood is jovial and players largely exhibit the intensity of a mid-March spring training game. 

It's no secret that Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu has burst onto the scene, but the rate at which he's threatening first-year player records still comes as a bit of a surprise.

Part of the fun of the Major League Baseball All-Star Game is watching managers get to play fantasy baseball with their starting lineups.

This is the only time where you'll see the best the sport has to offer playing together on the same teams. These are the kinds of batting orders you could only hope to create in video games, and that's only when you turn off the trade logic.

Tim Lincecum has taken fans on a roller-coaster ride during the last three years, and it's finally reached its peak.

The MLB All-Star Game is used to highlight the best players in baseball near the halfway point of the regular season. Derek Jeter is not one of these players, but he still is worthy of his spot in the starting lineup for the American League.

It can be difficult to break down Tuesday's MLB All-Star Game in a strategic manner. After all, these are teams molded by fans and feature talented players all lumped together, not carefully pieced together by a general manager.

Players may play unusual roles. They hit from new spots in the lineup. Starters become relievers. Closers become setup men. Up is down, left is right...you get the point.

But clear strengths do become apparent when you study the rosters closely. This year is no different.  

Keep it locked right here as we bring you live coverage of the 2014 All-Star Game! 

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The San Diego Padres Systems Check video offers a quick overview of the team's farm system, addressing its strengths and weaknesses and how it can improve moving forward. The video also provides a breakdown of the Padres top prospects for 2014, catcher Austin Hedges, right-hander Matt Wisler and left-hander Max Fried, including each player's ETA in the major leagues and potential long-term role within the organization

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

The Seattle Mariners enter the All-Star break with a 2.5-game lead in the race for the second American League wild-card spot but still have some clear needs to address at the MLB trading deadline.