Players that are stars get talked about on a national stage - plain and simple. We have none, zero - nada. All nobodies, wash-ups and has-beens. Until that changes...this team will always be a farce.
You are overlooking all of the young talent we have.
Look at the Rays this season. They have none of these stars you are talking about. They just have a lot of very solid young players mixed together with a few decent vets. No stars at all.