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

[Shortstop]

Nice article, EM! It looks like Castillo will be the next Cuban star to make a major impact in MLB.

It will be interesting to see where he lands...

[EmpireMaker]

Nice article, EM! It looks like Castillo will be the next Cuban star to make a major impact in MLB.

It will be interesting to see where he lands...

could have some playoff race and post-season impact for sure

[Chi_archie]

could have some playoff race and post-season impact for sure

oh wow, he'd be playing this year?

[koz-man]

Bids increasing for Rusney Castillo

As the pursuit of Cuban outfielder Rusney Castillo reaches its final days, several clubs told ESPN.com on Wednesday that they believe the Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants have emerged as the likely finalists in a rapidly escalating bidding war.


Castillo is expected to choose a team within the next week, according to multiple sources. And clubs involved in the bidding believe he'll ultimately sign a five-year contract in the range of $50 million to $60 million. That would rank as the second-largest deal ever signed by an amateur player from Cuba or any other country, behind only Jose Abreu's six-year, $68 million contract with the Chicago White Sox.

NOt bad for a guy coming out of nowhere. And will be a millionaire by next week. WTF

[Shortstop]

Hey! The Buccos finally won one!

RAISE IT!!!

[EmpireMaker]

Just Brutal.
Garrett Richards dealing with a 'significant injury'

Angels pitcher Garrett Richards is dealing with a "significant injury," according to MLB.com.

Manager Mike Scioscia told reporters the injury is serious, though he would not elaborate. Richards will leave the team in order to be re-evaluated in Los Angeles Thursday. Richards left Wednesday night's game with a knee injury.

[Andy117]

Bids increasing for Rusney Castillo


As the pursuit of Cuban outfielder Rusney Castillo reaches its final days, several clubs told ESPN.com on Wednesday that they believe the Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants have emerged as the likely finalists in a rapidly escalating bidding war.


Castillo is expected to choose a team within the next week, according to multiple sources. And clubs involved in the bidding believe he'll ultimately sign a five-year contract in the range of $50 million to $60 million. That would rank as the second-largest deal ever signed by an amateur player from Cuba or any other country, behind only Jose Abreu's six-year, $68 million contract with the Chicago White Sox.

NOt bad for a guy coming out of nowhere. And will be a millionaire by next week. WTF

I miss rooting for a big market team.

[Chi_archie]

Hey! The Buccos finally won one!

RAISE IT!!!

finally

[koz-man]

Just Brutal.
Garrett Richards dealing with a 'significant injury'

Angels pitcher Garrett Richards is dealing with a "significant injury," according to MLB.com.

Manager Mike Scioscia told reporters the injury is serious, though he would not elaborate. Richards will leave the team in order to be re-evaluated in Los Angeles Thursday. Richards left Wednesday night's game with a knee injury.

Bad news for the Angels...

[xraygord]

Just Brutal.
Garrett Richards dealing with a 'significant injury'

Angels pitcher Garrett Richards is dealing with a "significant injury," according to MLB.com.

Manager Mike Scioscia told reporters the injury is serious, though he would not elaborate. Richards will leave the team in order to be re-evaluated in Los Angeles Thursday. Richards left Wednesday night's game with a knee injury.

That is really bad news for them.

[EmpireMaker]

The Angels added infield depth on Thursday by acquiring second baseman Gordon Beckham from the White Sox in exchange for cash and a player to be named later.
Beckham, 27, is batting .221/.263/.336 (67 OPS+) in 422 plate appearances this season. The heretofore White Sox lifer owns a career OPS+ of 83. He's generally regarded as a plus defensively.
Beckham, who's in his second year of arbitration eligibility, is under contract for $4.18 million this season. He's eligible for free agency after the 2015 season.
The Angels are of course set at second base with the under-appreciated Howie Kendrick. However, Beckham was an exclusive third baseman as a rookie, and he's also made a couple of emergency appearances at short in his career. That is, he's capable of filling a utility role in Anaheim.

[EmpireMaker]

Garrett Richards to have surgery for torn patellar tendon, out 6-9 months

By Mike Axisa | Baseball Writer

August 21, 2014 4:57 pm ET

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Angels right-hander Garrett Richards suffered a torn left knee patellar tendon after stumbling while covering first base during Wednesday night's game, the team announced. He will have surgery next week. The recovery time is 6-9 months.
Richards, 26, had to be carted off the Fenway Park field after the stumble. The 6-9 month recovery time means he may not be ready in time for the start of spring training and potentially Opening Day 2015.
In 26 starts and 168 2/3 innings this year, Richards is 13-4 with a 2.61 ERA. He will likely receive Cy Young votes after the season. Richards has emerged as the team's ace and losing him is an enormous blow.
The Angels are already without lefty Tyler Skaggs, who recently underwent Tommy John surgery. Veterans Jered Weaver and C.J. Wilson will have to lead the staff going forward.

[EmpireMaker]

from Cy Young contender to major knee surgery Just fvcking brutal.

[EmpireMaker]

Side of his foot catches while covering first and knee gets rolled under him, just awful.

[koz-man]

Side of his foot catches while covering first and knee gets rolled under him, just awful.

Thats just fuked up. It can happen that fast & ez...

[koz-man]

Now that Bud Selig is gone. Does Pete get reinstated into baseball????

What do you guys think???

[Shortstop]

Now that Bud Selig is gone. Does Pete get reinstated into baseball????

What do you guys think???

I sure hope so, k-m! Pete Rose should have been inducted into The Hall of Fame years ago! No question!

It really bothers me every year when they announce the new class to be inducted and he's not on the list.

I also think the Hall is getting watered down year after year. They're letting too many players in.

In my opinion, The Hall of Fame is for "The Elite" not "The Above Average"

Pete Rose was "Elite" and one of the greatest to ever play the game!

I'll stop now before I get really pissed off and upset...

[EmpireMaker]

Red Sox finalizing 7-year, $72.5M deal for Rusney Castillo

By Matt Snyder | Baseball Writer

August 22, 2014 12:54 pm ET


Rusney Castillo appears to be taking his talents to Boston. (USATSI)Cuban import Rusney Castillo is finalizing a seven-year, $72.5 million deal with the Red Sox, per CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman. The seven years are for the rest of this season and the six ensuing years. The deal is heavily backloaded, too.
Castillo, 27, has been compared in some scouting corners to a Brett Gardner type with a bit more power. He's 5-foot-9, 205 pounds. He hasn't played organized baseball at all in 2014. In 2012-13, his final season in Cuba, Castillo hit .274/.377/.399 in 68 games, per Baseball America.
Given that Castillo hasn't been playing ball this year, he'll surely need some seasoning in the minors before getting the call to the bigs. The minor-league season only has a few weeks left, so Castillo will likely get going in the minors rather quickly.
The move seems to signal that the Red Sox don't have a lot of confidence in at least a few of their outfielders for the near future. Jackie Bradley Jr. and Mookie Betts have been playing some center field. They could be moved to corners, of course, where there's already Yoenis Cespedes, Shane Victorino, Allen Craig, Daniel Nava, Brock Holt and others. Obviously, the deal is long-term and several of those players are only on short-term deals -- not to mention that Holt and Craig could play elsewhere on the diamond -- but there is a logjam coming in the outfield. All of the aforementioned players are either signed or under team control for 2015.
The Yankees, Cubs, Giants, Mariners and a host of others were connected to Castillo in rumors and reports.
News of Castillo signing with the Red Sox was first reported by Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports. The dollar figures were first reported by Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald.

[MexicanStallion]

Now that Bud Selig is gone. Does Pete get reinstated into baseball????

What do you guys think???

I don't know if he will, but he should be reinstated. It's silly having the all time hits leader not in the Hall of Fame. It sounds ridiculous.

[Chi_archie]

I don't know if he will, but he should be reinstated. It's silly having the all time hits leader not in the Hall of Fame. It sounds ridiculous.

yeah I'm not sure why morality is included as judgement for HOF

its a museum not public office

[Shortstop]

I don't know if he will, but he should be reinstated. It's silly having the all time hits leader not in the Hall of Fame. It sounds ridiculous.

Yep!

yeah I'm not sure why morality is included as judgement for HOF

its a museum not public office

Yep!

[koz-man]

I sure hope so, k-m! Pete Rose should have been inducted into The Hall of Fame years ago! No question!

It really bothers me every year when they announce the new class to be inducted and he's not on the list.

I also think the Hall is getting watered down year after year. They're letting too many players in.

In my opinion, The Hall of Fame is for "The Elite" not "The Above Average"

Pete Rose was "Elite" and one of the greatest to ever play the game!

I'll stop now before I get really pissed off and upset...

Nice...

I couldn't say it any better!!!

[EmpireMaker]

With his sixth inning steal of second base on Saturday night, Dodgers outfield prospect Joc Pederson became the first player in 80 years to join the 30-30 club in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League. He has 30 steals to go along with 32 home runs.
Before Pederson, the last PCL player to go 30-30 was Frank Demaree in 1934. Lefty O'Doul (1927) and Hall of Famer Tony Lazzeri (1925) are the only other 30-30 players in PCL history. Pederson is only the second 30-30 player in Dodgers' minor league history, joining Chin-Feng Chen in 1999.
Pederson, 22, came into Saturday's game hitting .301/.432/.586 in 114 games with Triple-A Albuquerque. It's worth noting the PCL and especially Albuquerque are very hitter friendly environments. Pederson is hitting .337/.486/.668 at home this year compared to .271/.383/.516 on the road.
Prior to the season, Baseball America ranked Pederson as the 34th best prospect in baseball. "With his patience, power, speed and athleticism, Pederson has the skills to contribute in all phases of the game as an above-average everyday player," wrote Baseball America in their 2014 Prospect Handbook.

[MexicanStallion]

^Saw news that he won't be playing much when he gets called up. So it seems like re-draft leagues can wait another year on Pederson.

[Shortstop]

With his sixth inning steal of second base on Saturday night, Dodgers outfield prospect Joc Pederson became the first player in 80 years to join the 30-30 club in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League. He has 30 steals to go along with 32 home runs.
Before Pederson, the last PCL player to go 30-30 was Frank Demaree in 1934. Lefty O'Doul (1927) and Hall of Famer Tony Lazzeri (1925) are the only other 30-30 players in PCL history. Pederson is only the second 30-30 player in Dodgers' minor league history, joining Chin-Feng Chen in 1999.
Pederson, 22, came into Saturday's game hitting .301/.432/.586 in 114 games with Triple-A Albuquerque. It's worth noting the PCL and especially Albuquerque are very hitter friendly environments. Pederson is hitting .337/.486/.668 at home this year compared to .271/.383/.516 on the road.
Prior to the season, Baseball America ranked Pederson as the 34th best prospect in baseball. "With his patience, power, speed and athleticism, Pederson has the skills to contribute in all phases of the game as an above-average everyday player," wrote Baseball America in their 2014 Prospect Handbook.

Albuquerque is AAA's Coors Field it seems?

Regardless, Pederson is putting up some very impressive numbers...

Wonder what ever became of Chin-Feng Chen, that name doesn't ring a bell?

[koz-man]

The Los Angeles Dodgers announced Sunday morning that shortstop Hanley Ramirez was being reinstated from the 15-day disabled list with a right oblique strain.

Ramirez incurred the injury on Aug. 5 in Milwaukee while drawing a walk early in the game, and for a Dodgers lineup that's been offensively inconsistent, Ramirez's presence goes a long way toward making life easier for manager Don Mattingly while harder for opponents.


"It'd be good to have him back in there, honestly," admitted Mattingly before the game against the New York Mets. "It changes the lineup from the standpoint of the length of it and the number of guys you have to go through just to navigate it. He's a dangerous guy in that lineup, so it's good to have him back."


Ramirez, who's batting .277 with 12 home runs and 58 RBIs in 100 games, will return to the starting lineup, albeit in a different spot. The majority of his at-bats have come in the third spot, but Mattingly opted to bat Ramirez fifth in an effort to help ease his way back into every-day action.

[Shortstop]

The Los Angeles Dodgers announced Sunday morning that shortstop Hanley Ramirez was being reinstated from the 15-day disabled list with a right oblique strain.

Ramirez incurred the injury on Aug. 5 in Milwaukee while drawing a walk early in the game, and for a Dodgers lineup that's been offensively inconsistent, Ramirez's presence goes a long way toward making life easier for manager Don Mattingly while harder for opponents.


"It'd be good to have him back in there, honestly," admitted Mattingly before the game against the New York Mets. "It changes the lineup from the standpoint of the length of it and the number of guys you have to go through just to navigate it. He's a dangerous guy in that lineup, so it's good to have him back."


Ramirez, who's batting .277 with 12 home runs and 58 RBIs in 100 games, will return to the starting lineup, albeit in a different spot. The majority of his at-bats have come in the third spot, but Mattingly opted to bat Ramirez fifth in an effort to help ease his way back into every-day action.

Having Hanley anywhere in the lineup can only help the Dodgers in my opinion...

[EmpireMaker]

The Dodgers need Hanley to get right, but they need him even if he isn't quite right.

[Chi_archie]

With his sixth inning steal of second base on Saturday night, Dodgers outfield prospect Joc Pederson became the first player in 80 years to join the 30-30 club in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League. He has 30 steals to go along with 32 home runs.
Before Pederson, the last PCL player to go 30-30 was Frank Demaree in 1934. Lefty O'Doul (1927) and Hall of Famer Tony Lazzeri (1925) are the only other 30-30 players in PCL history. Pederson is only the second 30-30 player in Dodgers' minor league history, joining Chin-Feng Chen in 1999.
Pederson, 22, came into Saturday's game hitting .301/.432/.586 in 114 games with Triple-A Albuquerque. It's worth noting the PCL and especially Albuquerque are very hitter friendly environments. Pederson is hitting .337/.486/.668 at home this year compared to .271/.383/.516 on the road.
Prior to the season, Baseball America ranked Pederson as the 34th best prospect in baseball. "With his patience, power, speed and athleticism, Pederson has the skills to contribute in all phases of the game as an above-average everyday player," wrote Baseball America in their 2014 Prospect Handbook.

should be very exciting

[koz-man]

Shin-Soo Choo done for season

Texas Rangers left fielder Shin-Soo Choo will miss the remainder of the 2014 season after being placed on the 15-day disabled list with a bone spur in his left elbow Monday.
The move is retroactive to Sunday.
Choo, who didn't make the trip to Seattle for the team's series with the Mariners, will undergo surgery in the next two weeks.
He missed Sunday's game against Kansas City with the flu, and is hitting .242 with 13 homers and 40 RBIs in 123 games.
Outfielder Michael Choice was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock to replace Choo.
Choice is batting .267 with seven home runs and 31 RBIs in 43 games for Round Rock. He started the season with the Rangers and hit .177 in 69 games before getting demoted.

He should have never left Cincy!!!

[EmpireMaker]

The Cubs are going to call up highly-touted prospect Jorge Soler before their series against Cincinnati begins Tuesday, reports David Kaplan of Comcast Chicago. Soler clubbed a three-run homer and then was pulled from the Iowa Cubs' game Monday night shortly thereafter mid-inning, seeming to signal the promotion.
Soler, 22, is hitting .340/.432/.700 with 23 doubles, 15 homers and 57 RBI in 62 minor-league games this season (eight in Rookie ball while he was rehabbing from injury, 22 in Double-A and 32 in Triple-A). He was ranked as the 41st best prospect in all of baseball heading into the season by Baseball America.
Expect Soler to play everyday, just as Javier Baez and Arismendy Alcantara are doing, in order to adjust to the majors this season while the Cubs aren't in contention. He'll play one of the corner outfield spots.
The Cubs signed Soler to a nine-year, $30 million deal in 2012 out of Cuba and he was already on the 40-man roster, so this move is hardly surprising. It's also worth mentioning that perhaps the Cubs' two best prospects -- Kris Bryant and Addison Russell -- are still in the minors. So the new wave isn't all up just yet.

[Chi_archie]

The Cubs are going to call up highly-touted prospect Jorge Soler before their series against Cincinnati begins Tuesday, reports David Kaplan of Comcast Chicago. Soler clubbed a three-run homer and then was pulled from the Iowa Cubs' game Monday night shortly thereafter mid-inning, seeming to signal the promotion.
Soler, 22, is hitting .340/.432/.700 with 23 doubles, 15 homers and 57 RBI in 62 minor-league games this season (eight in Rookie ball while he was rehabbing from injury, 22 in Double-A and 32 in Triple-A). He was ranked as the 41st best prospect in all of baseball heading into the season by Baseball America.
Expect Soler to play everyday, just as Javier Baez and Arismendy Alcantara are doing, in order to adjust to the majors this season while the Cubs aren't in contention. He'll play one of the corner outfield spots.
The Cubs signed Soler to a nine-year, $30 million deal in 2012 out of Cuba and he was already on the 40-man roster, so this move is hardly surprising. It's also worth mentioning that perhaps the Cubs' two best prospects -- Kris Bryant and Addison Russell -- are still in the minors. So the new wave isn't all up just yet.

very exciting

still wondering if Bryant will get a cup of coffee too when rosters expand in September, I know he was out with an injury as of a few days ago though

[Shortstop]

Shin-Soo Choo done for season

Texas Rangers left fielder Shin-Soo Choo will miss the remainder of the 2014 season after being placed on the 15-day disabled list with a bone spur in his left elbow Monday.
The move is retroactive to Sunday.
Choo, who didn't make the trip to Seattle for the team's series with the Mariners, will undergo surgery in the next two weeks.
He missed Sunday's game against Kansas City with the flu, and is hitting .242 with 13 homers and 40 RBIs in 123 games.
Outfielder Michael Choice was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock to replace Choo.
Choice is batting .267 with seven home runs and 31 RBIs in 43 games for Round Rock. He started the season with the Rangers and hit .177 in 69 games before getting demoted.

He should have never left Cincy!!!

I haven't followed Choo this season too much since he switched leagues.

Apparently I didn't miss much as it looks like he had a pretty miserable year and now a season ending injury...

[Shortstop]

The Cubs are going to call up highly-touted prospect Jorge Soler before their series against Cincinnati begins Tuesday, reports David Kaplan of Comcast Chicago. Soler clubbed a three-run homer and then was pulled from the Iowa Cubs' game Monday night shortly thereafter mid-inning, seeming to signal the promotion.
Soler, 22, is hitting .340/.432/.700 with 23 doubles, 15 homers and 57 RBI in 62 minor-league games this season (eight in Rookie ball while he was rehabbing from injury, 22 in Double-A and 32 in Triple-A). He was ranked as the 41st best prospect in all of baseball heading into the season by Baseball America.
Expect Soler to play everyday, just as Javier Baez and Arismendy Alcantara are doing, in order to adjust to the majors this season while the Cubs aren't in contention. He'll play one of the corner outfield spots.
The Cubs signed Soler to a nine-year, $30 million deal in 2012 out of Cuba and he was already on the 40-man roster, so this move is hardly surprising. It's also worth mentioning that perhaps the Cubs' two best prospects -- Kris Bryant and Addison Russell -- are still in the minors. So the new wave isn't all up just yet.

The Cubbies may actually make some noise here in the next few years if all of these prospects reach their potential...

[EmpireMaker]

I haven't followed Choo this season too much since he switched leagues.

Apparently I didn't miss much as it looks like he had a pretty miserable year and now a season ending injury...

Choo was awful this year, all year, he really hurt one of my fantasy teams this year.