Ok, so...by some of the reasoning above, an all star in any given season doesn't have to actually earn the title *all star*. He just has to have star power that carries over based upon past performance and his popularity, correct?
Let me ask you a question - If managers still picked the all star teams, do you suppose that Soto would make it aboard despite his anemic 2022? Do you think Snitker would rather have Soto over some other player who isn't in a 3 month slump, given the fact the outcome of the game means home field advantage in the WS and his Braves stand a decent chance to return to it this year? I bet not, and you probably do too. And if the Nats were contending, well.....I guarantee not.