Alternative Home Run Derby choices

David Wright and Robinson Cano made most of their picks for this year's All-Star Game Home Run Derby known Monday. National League captain Wright went with Bryce Harper, Carlos Gonzalez and Michael Cuddyer, while Cano chose Prince Fielder, Chris Davis and a player to be named later.

Those are all nice choices, although I think Wright could have done better than Cuddyer -- a player who is better at putting balls in play (.338 batting average) than putting them over the outfield wall (15 home runs).

If I was picking the sides for this year's Home Run Derby, though, the two sides would look like this:

American League
Chris Davis (Baltimore) has to be a lock because of his league-leading 33 home runs. I'll bring in Detroit's Miguel Cabrera, but I'd rather have Chicago's Adam Dunn because all Dunn does is hit homers (23 of his 59 hits have been long balls). Unfortunately Dunn didn't make the AL All-Stars roster, and since you have to be an All-Star to participate in the Home Run Derby, I'll let Cabrera take his swings.

After Davis and Cabrera, give me Cano (since this is in New York) and Toronto's Jose Bautista. I don't think you can truly call it a Home Run Derby if you don't have one of the best power hitters over the last four years (144 homers in his last 483 games).

National League
Obviously I'd keep Wright because the game is in his home ballpark (Citi Field), although he only has 13 home runs this season. And, it would be nearly impossible for me to deny CarGo his chance at the Home Run Derby with his NL-leading 24 homers.

Beyond those two, I'd bring in Pittsburgh's Pedro Alvarez and St. Louis' Carlos Beltran. Alvarez is a lot like Dunn in that when he gets a hit (71 this season), it usually goes a long way (22 home runs). As for Beltran, I think most Mets fans still have a bit of a soft spot for him in their hearts. And with 19 home runs this season, Beltran deserves a shot.

Why not Harper, you might ask? I have nothing against him, but I'd rather give Beltran a chance to shine in Queens again. Besides, Harper has plenty of great years of hitting home runs ahead of him. Beltran is 36 years old, and his body is beginning to show some wear and tear. Let Beltran have his chance this year.

Those are my Home Run Derby rosters. Which players do you think should have the chance to swing for the fences next Monday? Remember, they have to be on the current All-Star Game rosters.