All-Star game: Which player should get the final vote in the NL?

Writers from around Tribune Co. reveal which of the final five choices — Michael Bourn, David Freese, Bryce Harper, Aaron Hill or Chipper Jones — they think should get the fans’ vote to make the National League All-Star roster.

Check back throughout the day for their responses and join the discussion by voting in the poll and leaving a comment of your own.

Juan C. Rodriguez, South Florida Sun Sentinel

Bryce Harper said he would give his vote to Chipper Jones. That’s the right call. Jones isn’t the most deserving player on the list based on 2012 performance. He isn’t even the best equipped to help the National League gain home-field advantage in the World Series.

Yet for as much as the All-Star game “counts,” it’s still an exhibition. The game always has featured not just the best players of the first half, but the top stars of the era. Jones certainly is among the latter group, and his inclusion on the NL squad would be a deserving tribute to a retiring superstar.

Usually the fans take care of that component, voting in future Hall of Famers to start the game long after their numbers no longer merit their selection. Jones doesn’t deserve to start, but he should be celebrated one final time.

Ron Fritz, Baltimore Sun

Why not another local hero? David Freese isn’t from Kansas City, but he plays for the St. Louis Cardinals and grew up outside of St. Louis, about a four-hour drive to Kansas City. He led the Cardinals to the World Series title last year and he’s more than helped fill in for the departure of Albert Pujols in the offseason.

Freese’s numbers are way better than Bryce Harper’s and Chipper Jones’. They are slightly better than Michael Bourn’s and Aaron Hill’s too. Freese has hit 13 home runs, he’s driven in 48 and his average is .279. On top of that, he’s made just four errors at third base. I think it would be great if MLB added Jonathan Broxton to the AL team and Freese to the NL team. It would mean so much more to them with theAll-Star game in their state.

I love the sentimentality of picking Chipper Jones, but Freese is more deserving and he’d get to play in front a relatively home crowd. Vote Freese.

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All-Star game: Which player should get the final vote in AL?