The 2014 Major League Baseball Player Chatter, News and Fantasy Thread

[Shortstop]

I'm strongly considering taking the Padres and the Under every game that Andrew Cashner starts @ Petco...

This guy is the real deal and perhaps a future Cy Young Award winner!

[koz-man]

Emilio Bonifacio is on an absolute tear to start the season for the Cubs.

He is 9-12, good for a robust .750 batting average!

I just came across this info...

Emilio Bonifacio set a ML record with the 9 hits in his 1st 2 games.
Previous holders of the record of 8 hits, in 1st 2 games, are Ira Flagstead (1926), Showboat Fisher (1930), Wade Boggs (1994) and Dante Bichette (1998).

PS. "Showboat" got to love that name.


Bonifacio also got off to a hot start in 2009. He went 14-25 through five games for an average of .583....

AND finished the season with a .252 AVG

[Chi_archie]

I just came across this info...

Emilio Bonifacio set a ML record with the 9 hits in his 1st 2 games.
Previous holders of the record of 8 hits, in 1st 2 games, are Ira Flagstead (1926), Showboat Fisher (1930), Wade Boggs (1994) and Dante Bichette (1998).

PS. "Showboat" got to love that name.


Bonifacio also got off to a hot start in 2009. He went 14-25 through five games for an average of .583....

AND finished the season with a .252 AVG

yeah showboat and Ira flagstead are new to me!!!

love it

[koz-man]

I'm strongly considering taking the Padres and the Under every game that Andrew Cashner starts @ Petco...

This guy is the real deal and perhaps a future Cy Young Award winner!

I agree.

And any game at Petco with decent pitchers going are worth a look at the under.

[stevenash]

Handcuff Rating System:
A - Pitcher has elite underlying skills and will positively contribute regardless of role.
B - Player has above-average skills and could be rostered in appropriate formats.
C - Pitcher has moderate skills that won’t hurt your team, but would only provide significant value if saw save opportunities
D- Pitcher’s value is mostly dependent on role and carries moderate risk
F - Pitcher’s value is dependent solely on save opportunities and has a realistic chance at actually hurting your team’s counting stats
Tier 1:
1. Craig Kimbrel (ATL) – The near immortal closer appeared uncharacteristically human on Wednesday. Kimbrel came into the game with one out in the ninth and two runners on base and was given the job of protecting a 4-0 lead. Kimbrel ended up allowing three runs to score before finishing the game to earn the save. He was only charged for one earned run of his own, but this isn’t the type of outing we like to see from the game’s number one closer. At this point, there’s no need to panic, he remains the top of the group.
Handcuffs: David Carpenter (A)
Tier 2:
2. Koji Uehara (BOS) – Uehara has been nearly unhittable since the second-half of 2013. From July 1^, 2013 until now, Uehara has thrown the following line: 45.1 IP, 15 H’s, 1 ER, 59 K’s, 2 BB’s. Uehara has continued his dominance over hitters this year and remains a rock solid option for fantasy teams.
Handcuffs: Edward Mujica (B), Junichi Tazawa (B)
3. Kenley Jansen (LAD) - The Dodgers' closer blew his first save of the season on Tuesday. Jansen gave up a lead-off double before eventually giving up the game-tying run. On Wednesday, he entered a tie game in extra innings and gave up the go-ahead homerun against the Tigers. After the game, Don Mattingly expressed confidence in his closer. On the season, Janssen has allowed three runs, ten hits, three walks and ten strikeouts through 5 and 2/3 innings. Interestingly, in his seven appearances, he has averaged a fastball velocity nearly 2.5 MPH higher than his career and 2013 averages. As the season goes on, it will be interesting to watch and see if this uptick in velocity leads to higher strikeouts or decreased control. He still has a stronghold on the job and will continue to be an excellent source of strikeouts and saves closing games for the Dodgers.
Handcuffs: Chris Perez (C), Paco Rodriguez (C)
Injured: Brian Wilson - DL
4. Greg Holland (KC)
Handcuffs: Wade Davis (C), Kelvin Herrera (C), Aaron Crow (C)
5. Trevor Rosenthal (STL) - Rosenthal bounced back from a rough non-save opportunity on Monday by saving his third game of the year on Tuesday. As I mentioned in my daily report on Monday, it isn't unusual for closers to struggle when the game isn't on the line, so it's nice to see him being back to his old self.
Handcuffs: Carlos Martinez (B), Kyle Siegrist (B)
Injured: Jason Motte - DL (B)
Tier 3:
6. Sergio Romo (SFG)
Handcuff: Santiago Casilla (D)
7. Joakim Soria(TEX) – Entering the game with a six-run lead, Soria allowed three runs against the Red Sox on Monday. As I mentioned earlier, I don’t put a whole lot of weight into poor non-save performances for closers, so I don’t think there’s much to read into with this outing. Soria remains a solid option to close out games for the Rangers and should rack up plenty of strikeouts along the way.
Handcuff: Alexi Ogando* (C), Jason Frasor (D)
8. Glen Perkins (MIN)
Handcuff: Jared Burton (C)
9. Ernesto Frieri (LAA)
Handcuff: Joe Smith* (C), Dane De La Rosa–DL (C)
10. Jason Grilli (PIT)
Handcuff: Mark Melancon (A)
11. Addison Reed (ARI)
Handcuff: JJ Putz (C)
Tier 4:
12. Joe Nathan (DET) – Nathan blew his second save of the season on Wednesday night and admitted to be going through a “dead arm” phase. The most concerning part about his struggles is his 2 MPH drop to his fastball, which now sits right around 90 MPH. This is the lowest his fastball has been since first returning from Tommy John Surgery in 2011. There’s not a whole lot of other options in the Tigers bullpen, so I think he will be given plenty of leash considering his successful past as a closer. As long as he remains healthy, you can keep rolling him out there. In the meantime, I’m downgrading him slightly in my rankings. If you’re looking for guy next in line, it’s likely Al Alburquerque, though he doesn’t come highly recommended. Despite solid strikeout numbers, Albuquerque’s walk rate of 15.1% is just shy of Carlos Marmol’s 15.6%.
Handcuffs: Al Alburquerque (C) Joba Chamberlain* (C)
13. Grant Balfour (TB)
Handcuffs: Joel Peralta (B) Jake McGee (B)
14. Steve Cishek (FLA)
Handcuff: AJ Ramos (C)
15. Fernando Rodney (SEA)
Handcuff: Danny Farquhar (B)

[Chi_archie]

I like this Handcuff stuff

[Shortstop]

I just came across this info...

Emilio Bonifacio set a ML record with the 9 hits in his 1st 2 games.
Previous holders of the record of 8 hits, in 1st 2 games, are Ira Flagstead (1926), Showboat Fisher (1930), Wade Boggs (1994) and Dante Bichette (1998).

PS. "Showboat" got to love that name.


Bonifacio also got off to a hot start in 2009. He went 14-25 through five games for an average of .583....

AND finished the season with a .252 AVG

Great post, koz-man! Gotta admit, I absolutely love the name "Showboat"

I wouldn't be surprised to see Emilio finish the year around .275 or so...

[Robber]

Cashner going to put up nice stats if he stays in SD

[Mitchell88]

Great post, koz-man! Gotta admit, I absolutely love the name "Showboat"

I wouldn't be surprised to see Emilio finish the year around .275 or so...

Yea why does Emilio always start so hot than turn to crap by mid season. wtf

[Shortstop]

Cashner going to put up nice stats if he stays in SD

No doubt! I think every pitcher in MLB would love to pitch in Petco...

[Shortstop]

Yea why does Emilio always start so hot than turn to crap by mid season. wtf

Good question. Could be several things: fatigue, injuries, improved scouting reports, etc.

Perhaps this is the year he stays hot throughout the season and competes for the batting title...

[EmpireMaker]

Yea why does Emilio always start so hot than turn to crap by mid season. wtf

Clearly he can hit, so maybe this year he can stay healthy and keep on track for the whole year.

[koz-man]

Good question. Could be several things: fatigue, injuries, improved scouting reports, etc.

Perhaps this is the year he stays hot throughout the season and competes for the batting title...

And I'm sure He asked that question to himself every year...

[MexicanStallion]

Arizona has to start thinking about Archie Bradley soon. Delgado was already moved to the bullpen for Collmenter and now Cahill was removed from the rotation.

2 Starts 12.0 In. 7 Hits. 2 Runs. 8/4 KK/BB

[Shortstop]

Chase Utley leads MLB with a strong .489 BA. He also has 3 HR's and 10 RBI's.

Meanwhile, Emilio has "slipped" down to .392 has no HR's and only 2 RBI's.

Both Chase and Emilio have crossed the plate safely 9 times so far this year.

[Shortstop]

Arizona has to start thinking about Archie Bradley soon. Delgado was already moved to the bullpen for Collmenter and now Cahill was removed from the rotation.

2 Starts 12.0 In. 7 Hits. 2 Runs. 8/4 KK/BB

To say Arizona has some pitching problems is a big understatement.

The Diamondbacks have a MLB worst 6.14 ERA.

[Chi_archie]

Neil Walker!!!!!

[koz-man]

Johnny Cueto threw a gem against the Bucs striking out, a career high, 12 batters.

It was his 3rd complete game shoutout of his career.

[Shortstop]

I'm strongly considering taking the Padres and the Under every game that Andrew Cashner starts @ Petco...

This guy is the real deal and perhaps a future Cy Young Award winner!

So far, so good!

[Shortstop]

Johnny Cueto threw a gem against the Bucs striking out, a career high, 12 batters.

Yeah, yeah we know!

koz-man!

[Chi_archie]

Volquez has been a nice surprise

i hope searage fixed him

[Shortstop]

Volquez has been a nice surprise

i hope searage fixed him

Yes, he definitely has!

Volquez is 1-0 with a 1.71 ERA in 21 IP so far this year. Good stuff!

[koz-man]

Volquez has been a nice surprise

i hope searage fixed him

Yes, he definitely has!

Volquez is 1-0 with a 1.71 ERA in 21 IP so far this year. Good stuff!

Were was this when he was with the Reds???

I'm glad for him though, I always liked him and knew he had the potential.

[Otters27]

anyone like tyler chatwood for rockies he looked solid last night

[Shortstop]

Alfredo Simon (Reds) is off to a very strong start.

He is 2-1 with a miniscule 0.86 ERA in 21 IP so far this season...

This is huge considering the injuries to their starting staff.

[Shortstop]

anyone like tyler chatwood for rockies he looked solid last night

I haven't seen him pitch that much to get a good read on him.

You're right though, he tossed a gem at home last night against the Phillies...

T Chatwood (W, 1-0)	7.0	2	1	0	1	6	0	88-51	2.77

[Chi_archie]

nice start for Ike Davis

[Shortstop]

nice start for Ike Davis

3-9 at the plate since joining the Buccos. Not too shabby so far...

[Shortstop]

Emilio Bonifacio went 1-16 last week for a robust .063 BA.

So much for the fast start out of the gate!

[Shortstop]

Gerrit Cole tosses an absolute gem through 8 and then Grilli gives up yet another bomb to Braun.

What a tough ND for Cole this afternoon as the Pirates lose again to Milwaukee...

G Cole	8.0	6	1	1	1	6	1	91-64	3.67

[Chi_archie]

Gerrit Cole tosses an absolute gem through 8 and then Grilli gives up yet another bomb to Braun.

What a tough ND for Cole this afternoon as the Pirates lose again to Milwaukee...

G Cole	8.0	6	1	1	1	6	1	91-64	3.67

that loss was hard to swallow

[koz-man]

Alfredo Simon (Reds) is off to a very strong start.

He is 2-1 with a miniscule 0.86 ERA in 21 IP so far this season...

This is huge considering the injuries to their starting staff.

This is a nice surprise so far this season.

Esp with Latos on the shelf.

[MexicanStallion]

This is a nice surprise so far this season.

Esp with Latos on the shelf.

Simon has been outstanding. I would still rather see him in the bullpen since it has been shaky and injury plagued.

[stevenash]

Chisenhall, batting cleanup, is on fire and dirt cheap.
Just saying

[Shortstop]

Chisenhall, batting cleanup, is on fire and dirt cheap.
Just saying

2-4 tonight, currently hitting .455 for the year...

Lonnie doing well!