When It Comes to All-Star Game, MLB Can't Have It Both Ways

In a lot of ways, the MLB All-Star game is like a confused child.  It lacks a sense of identity.
Adding home-field advantage implications for the winner of the All-Star Game sounds like a great idea.  In theory, it keeps baseball from falling victim to the problems that have plagued the All-Star tilts of other sports-namely, they're a joke.  Major League Baseball's own slogan pretty much sums it up: "this one counts."
Which is why, as a fan that follows the game of baseball closely and hopes to write about it professionally, I'm left confused.

If the All-Star Game is this important, why are the players voted to go not only by the fans, but, equally as important, by their peers and coaches given the option of not showing up?  Derek Jeter isn't going because he's exhausted.  I get it, the past couple weeks have been tough because of the hoopla surrounding your 3000th hit.  Still, the least you can do is go and take a bow for the fans that voted you in as a starter (an honor I'm not even sure you deserve this year given the stiff competition Asdrubal Cabrera and Jhonny Peralta.) 

If it really counted, it wouldn't matter who pitched on Sunday the best candidate would be starting.  I understand why they do it, they don't want to get anyone hurt.  At the same time though, if this was as important as game 7 of the World Series, something the MLB seems to be striving for, everyone would be available.  Justin Verlander would be starting and putting batters in their place.  He is a horse.  He can handle it.  As much as I like the way the Tigers rotation is shaping up right now by having him start the first game out of the All-Star break, I'm sure Jim Leyland wouldn't mind holding him back until Saturday or Sunday if that gave the Tigers, who are in the thick of the playoff race, the best chance of World Series home-field advantage.  Sadly, the MLB won't even allow the option.

This brings me to my solution: treat it like an exhibition.  The players already seem to do this, and league rules involving the pitchers seem to reinforce it.  The Home Run Derby, with the over-the-top commentary of Chris Berman, seems to already indulge in a sideshow atmosphere so why not just fully embrace it?  The same people will continue to watch the All-Star Game.  They tune in for the novelty, to see what a Roy Halladay/Miguel Cabrera duel might look like.  You're not gaining any viewership by putting home-field the line unless they all show up and you let the best players play.