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The winner of the All-Star Game MVP award is more unpredictable than the regular-season award. If you look at the last 10 years, there's been a diverse mix of elite superstars, one-year wonders and retiring closers who have been bestowed the honor. 

As the 2014 All-Star Game approaches, the list of potential MVP candidates that you can rattle off the top of your head is vast.

Do you choose the best player in the sport (Mike Trout)?

How about the best pitcher (Clayton Kershaw)?

We are in awe of the incredible feats of strength Major League Baseball players show, both in games and during batting practice, but not all power is created equal.

In the case of the 2014 Home Run Derby, Target Field isn't a hitter's paradise, so having extra pop is essential to winning. 

The final weekend of the first half of the season is upon us, baseball fans. Unlike many years, the sport didn't coast into the All-Star break this time around. With big-time performances, major injuries and season-changing moves, the baseball world has been turned upside down as the vast majority of those immersed in the game take a few days off.

Here at Bleacher Report, we don't ever take time off from baseball. After watching the games, analyzing the numbers and dissecting the rumors, the most important narratives from the week have emerged.

Tim Lincecum did it again. The San Francisco Giants right-hander won his fourth straight start by holding the National League West rival Arizona Diamondbacks scoreless over seven innings at AT&T Park on Friday night.

The Giants won 5-0 to take the first of a three-game set. More importantly, the win kept San Francisco tied atop the division with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who lost to the San Diego Padres, 6-3.

The San Diego Padres took a major step toward possibly hiring the first female general manager ever after reportedly interviewing Kim Ng for their GM vacancy, per The Associated Press, via ESPN.com:

"And that's an easy play...oh, he missed him!" 

The play-by-play announcer says it all, as Cincinnati's Billy Hamilton pulled off one of the most elusive moves of the season to avoid a tag from Pittsburgh's Gaby Sanchez and get on first. 

With what appeared to be an easy out coming, Hamilton did a full hesitation move to avoid the tag and dive for first base. 

The home stretch is always the most difficult.

In this instance, that refers to the complex machine that is the MLB trade rumor mill as the deadline looms at the end of July. It can also refer to the fact that the Midsummer Classic is upon us, meaning franchises are more willing to wheel and deal for the postseason push after the break.

The Cleveland Indians have some work to do at the upcoming July 31 trade deadline. The team currently sits at 45-46, 7.5 games back of the division-leading Detroit Tigers and 3.5 games back of the Seattle Mariners for the second wild-card spot.

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout stormed his way into the record books Thursday night, using a four-hit performance against the Texas Rangers to become the fastest player in franchise history with 500 career hits, per Angels Director of Communications Eric Kay.

It's no secret that the Chicago Cubs possess more exciting players in the minor leagues than they do in the major leagues. As sad as it is, most of the core of the team's future hasn't played a major league game yet.

While the Cubs have gotten mixed results from their top prospects, there are a select few who deserve a shot at the big leagues this season.