The 2015 Major League Baseball Player Chatter, News and Fantasy Thread

[EmpireMaker]

Here are the top 10, according to Jayson Stark:

1	Cole Hamels, LHP, Phillies	6	Aroldis Chapman, LHP, Reds
2	Johnny Cueto, RHP, Reds	7	Carlos Gonzalez, RF, Rockies
3	Ben Zobrist, LF/2B, A's	8	Jeff Samardzija, RHP, White Sox
4	Francisco Rodriguez, RHP, Brewers	9	Aramis Ramirez, 3B, Milwaukee
5	Jonathan Papelbon, RHP, Phillies	10	Mike Napoli, 1B, Boston

[EmpireMaker]

The Tigers expect two-time AL MVP Miguel Cabrera to go on the disabled list for the first time in his career.
The first baseman left Friday night's 8-6 win over the Toronto Blue Jays in the fourth inning when he strained his left calf while breaking for second base on an attempted hit-and-run.


"I'm not optimistic at all," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. "When Miggy says he can't play, it is serious, because Miggy plays through everything."

Cabrera had an MRI, which showed no injury to his Achilles tendon. He will be examined again Saturday.
"I can't sit here and say we'll be fine, because he's the best hitter in baseball, at least in my eyes," Tigers right fielder J.D. Martinez said. "But if you look at our lineup, we've still got a lot of weapons."
Since his first full season in the majors in 2004, no one in baseball has appeared in more games than Cabrera. From 2004 to '14, he averaged 157 games per season and played fewer than 157 games once -- 2013 (148 games).
Cabrera's calf injury overshadowed Anibal Sanchez's no-hit bid for the Tigers, which was broken up when former Detroit teammate Ezequiel Carrera lined a single to left with one out in the eighth inning.
Cabrera was on first base with no outs in the fourth inning and a 3-2 count to Victor Martinez, and took off with the pitch. Martinez fouled the ball off, but Cabrera pulled up sharply, grabbing his left leg. He was attended to by trainers and limped off the field.

[BigSpoon]

Here are the top 10, according to Jayson Stark:

1	Cole Hamels, LHP, Phillies	6	Aroldis Chapman, LHP, Reds
2	Johnny Cueto, RHP, Reds	7	Carlos Gonzalez, RF, Rockies
3	Ben Zobrist, LF/2B, A's	8	Jeff Samardzija, RHP, White Sox
4	Francisco Rodriguez, RHP, Brewers	9	Aramis Ramirez, 3B, Milwaukee
5	Jonathan Papelbon, RHP, Phillies	10	Mike Napoli, 1B, Boston

Wish my Blue Jays could get both Cueto and Chapman from the Reds. It would be exactly what we need.

[EmpireMaker]

Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg left Saturday's game against the Giants after suffering an apparent injury in the fourth inning, per the Washington Post. Strasburg left the game after throwing 3/2 innings. He seemed to be grabbing at his left side and grimacing in pain.
Strasburg (5-5) has a 5.16 ERA with 63 strikeouts and 18 walks in 61 innings this season.

[koz-man]

Wish my Blue Jays could get both Cueto and Chapman from the Reds. It would be exactly what we need.

If the reds could get some young talent for them. I would concur.

[EmpireMaker]

LOS ANGELES (AP) Zack Greinke insists he just lives in the present, so don't ask him to consider his career-best scoreless streak of 27 2/3 innings or a possible start for the National League in the All-Star Game.
''I don't really think about it,'' he said after scattering four hits over seven scoreless innings in the Los Angeles Dodgers' 4-3 win over the New York Mets on Saturday night.
Greinke lowered his major-league best ERA to 1.48 in winning his second straight start. His longest previous scoreless streak was 24 innings from April 8-24, 2009, and it's the longest scoreless run by a Dodger since Clayton Kershaw's 41-inning streak last season.
''It's been pretty good,'' Greinke said about his first half of the season. ''Mainly just trying to stay one pitch at a time. I've had some good breaks with guys on base this year.''
Greinke outdueled the Mets' Matt Harvey, who dropped his second straight start and didn't complete at least six innings for the second time this season.
Greinke (7-2) struck out four and didn't walk anyone. He had a two-out single in the fourth inning, too.
''He's doing what he always does,'' Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. ''He knows exactly where he wants to go with every guy. Zack has got the weapons and he does his homework.''

[Andy117]

Cueto is obviously gone. Leake and Chapman are also good candidates.

Wouldn't be surprised to see Frazier moved too.

[Shortstop]

Here are the top 10, according to Jayson Stark:

1	Cole Hamels, LHP, Phillies	6	Aroldis Chapman, LHP, Reds
2	Johnny Cueto, RHP, Reds	7	Carlos Gonzalez, RF, Rockies
3	Ben Zobrist, LF/2B, A's	8	Jeff Samardzija, RHP, White Sox
4	Francisco Rodriguez, RHP, Brewers	9	Aramis Ramirez, 3B, Milwaukee
5	Jonathan Papelbon, RHP, Phillies	10	Mike Napoli, 1B, Boston

Aroldis Chapman would look great in a Pittsburgh Pirates uniform!

[koz-man]

Wouldn't be surprised to see Frazier moved too.

I really hope he stays. But he is probably on the block.

[koz-man]

Long-awaited debut set

Ervin Santana returns from an 80-game drug suspension for the Twins today against the Royals. The 32-year old went 14-10 with the Braves last season.

[koz-man]

Aroldis Chapman would look great in a Pittsburgh Pirates uniform!

Knowing the Reds they probably would ship players to a NL team. Or worst their own division.

[Chi_archie]

Aroldis Chapman would look great in a Pittsburgh Pirates uniform!

indeed

[MexicanStallion]

Wouldn't be surprised to see Frazier moved too.

I would. He's signed for another year and then controlled for the last year.

[EmpireMaker]

Rays outfielder Steven Souza had to get stitches on on the pinky of his right hand after being hit by a pitch during Sunday's game against the Yankees. Souza remained in the game temporarily after being hit. He ran the bases and scored a run but didn't return to the game after that. He isn't sure how much time he will miss because of the injury.
"Right now it's just day to day," Souza said.
Souza received x-rays on the finger, which came up negative. He will undergo more tests on Monday.
"It was a really deep cut, it was deeper than the doctor thought it was when he opened it up," Souza said. "We don't know what's in there. We're going to see a specialist in Kansas City.
"It's just my pinky. A giant laceration that runs up my pinky. I can't really bend it too well now. I'm hoping I wake up tomorrow and it feels little better. But I don't have much feeling in my pinky right now, which is kind of a worry for us. So we'll go from there."

---

[EmpireMaker]

Iwakuma is coming back this week, his rehab starts were good.

[BarkingToad]

Haha! Nice catch!

Wonder when was the last time two pitchers with the same last name started against each other?

Yesterday it happened again with same 2 De La Rosa's matched up in Arizona.

[Shortstop]

Yesterday it happened again with same 2 De La Rosa's matched up in Arizona.

Yes, they did! It's also crazy how similar their season stats are...

• 
  
  WIN
  J. De La Rosa
  
  
  (6-3, 4.46)
• 
  
  LOSS
  R. De La Rosa
  
  
  (6-4, 4.89)

[Shortstop]

Steven Matz with another strong outing as the Mets beat the Dodgers, 8-0, on Sunday out on the left coast...

Matz (W, 2-0)	6.0	2	0	0	2	8	0	101-65	1.32

[Chi_archie]

Mets are hanging in there

[koz-man]

Sale seeking to make history

Chris Sale is looking to record 10 K's for a major-league record 9th straight game, but he will be facing a tough Blue Jays lineup.

[MexicanStallion]

Sale seeking to make history

Chris Sale is looking to record 10 K's for a major-league record 9th straight game, but he will be facing a tough Blue Jays lineup.

Not quite, but a good game regardless vs Toronto

Chris Sale went all nine innings and limited the Blue Jays to two runs to earn the win on Monday.

Sale allowed two solo home runs: one to Chris Colabello in the third inning and one to Josh Donaldson in the sixth. That was it for run-scoring. Fresh off of his nomination to the 2015 All-Star roster for the American League, Sale gave up six hits overall, walked none, and struck out six. The lefty's streak of eight consecutive starts with double-digit strikeouts has come to an end. Now with a 2.80 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and 147/22 K/BB ratio over 112 1/3 innings, Sale will match up against the Cubs at Wrigley Field in his next start.

[Shortstop]

AJ Burnett responds like a champ to his All-Star selection! What a year he's having! LET'S GO BUCS!!!

Burnett	7.2	5	1	1	3	4	0	111-70	1.99
Watson	0.1	0	0	0	0	1	0	8-6	2.08
Hughes (W, 2-1)	1.0	2	0	0	0	0	0	10-8	2.39

[mpaschal34]

heard an interview with AJ earlier this year and he was adamant on saying that he was retiring after this year. he's said he's made enough money and that he wants to spend time with his family. the interviewer asked even if an offer of 10-15 mil came in. he said that he'd still retire. will be interesting to see what he really does. can't see anyone leaving that much money on the table.

[EmpireMaker]

heard an interview with AJ earlier this year and he was adamant on saying that he was retiring after this year. he's said he's made enough money and that he wants to spend time with his family. the interviewer asked even if an offer of 10-15 mil came in. he said that he'd still retire. will be interesting to see what he really does. can't see anyone leaving that much money on the table.

I can't see him leaving that much money on the table, he needs to bank on this good season he is having this year.

[MexicanStallion]

No need to worry about the Olivera status. Kendrick has been on fire the past 2-3 weeks.

Howie Kendrick went 4-for-5 with a double, a triple, an RBI, and two runs scored as the Dodgers outlasted the Phillies for a win on Monday.

It's his third four-hit game in his last 10 games. He tripled in the first inning and scored the Dodgers' first run, then led off the fifth inning and came around to score on Yasmani Grandal's three-run home run. He added an RBI single in the sixth, finishing a home run short of the cycle. Kendrick is hitting .300/.349/.432 with seven home runs, 37 RBI, and 40 runs scored on the year.

[BigSpoon]

the interviewer asked even if an offer of 10-15 mil came in. he said that he'd still retire. will be interesting to see what he really does. can't see anyone leaving that much money on the table.

David West sacrificed about $11M to play for the Spurs, different sport though.

[Chi_archie]

heard an interview with AJ earlier this year and he was adamant on saying that he was retiring after this year. he's said he's made enough money and that he wants to spend time with his family. the interviewer asked even if an offer of 10-15 mil came in. he said that he'd still retire. will be interesting to see what he really does. can't see anyone leaving that much money on the table.

he said he was retiring in 2013 after a good year with bucs

changed his mind in winter, then bucs low balled him he took bigger money to go to philly in 2014

he sucked there

he turned down his player contract option to pitch for phils again in 2015 for 12.75 million and accepted the Pirates offer for 8.5 million


so he has a history of changing his mind on retirement AND a history of leaving 4.25 million on the table already

[koz-man]

KC's last 3 wins have been walk-offs

Paulo Orlando's grand slam gave the Royals their third straight win via a walk-off. They didn't have any walk-off wins in their first 44 wins this season.

[Chi_archie]

KC's last 3 wins have been walk-offs

Paulo Orlando's grand slam gave the Royals their third straight win via a walk-off. They didn't have any walk-off wins in their first 44 wins this season.

that has to be great for clubhouse mojo

[EmpireMaker]

Jon HeymanBaseball Insider


These six teams seek a top starting pitcher but parity delaying market

July 7, 2015 11:29 am ET

• 
  

At least a half-dozen teams are in the market for a starting pitcher, but unusual parity, the expanded wild-card system and hesitant potential sellers have conspired to put a block on the market.
At least the Astros, Blue Jays, Royals, Dodgers, Pirates and Yankees are looking into the starters' market, but the only top-of-the-rotation starter on the trading block remains Cole Hamels, who's been out there for many months at this point. The market awaits new entries, but with the tightness of the races, one AL GM predicts there may not be big deals for big starters until close to the July 31 trade deadline.
By this point last season, Jeff Samardzija, Jason Hammel and Brandon McCarthy had already been traded.
Hamels certainly fits the description of an ace pitcher, but a $24 million salary, 20-team no-trade list and the Phillies' inability to receive an offer close to their asking price has kept him in Philly. The Jays and Astros have interest, but he signaled early that he likely wouldn't accept a deal to Toronto, and he is believed unlikely to OK one to Houston, either.
Interestingly, three of the teams most linked to Hamels aren't among the six clubs most interested in a starter; the Red Sox, Rangers and Cubs have at some point during Hamels' long trade-block odyssey been in talks with the Phillies, who seek a very top prospect as part of a package.
Other top pitchers viewed as possible trade targets this month include the Reds' Johnny Cueto and Mike Leake, the White Sox's Samardzija, the A's' Scott Kazmir and the Padres' Andrew Cashner and Tyson Ross. Cueto, Leake and Samardzija all can become free agents after the year.
However, word is the Reds aren't ready to sell (though some believe things may loosen up there after the July 14 All-Star game at Cincy), the White Sox are waiting as they begin to heat up (top Chisox executive Kenny Williams recently affirmed to USA Today they aren't in sell mode yet), the A's are playing much better than their record and the Padres are heavily invested in this season.
There are a few mid-rotation starters on the market now, such as the Mets' Jon Niese, but $9.5-million guaranteed to him after this year seems to have discouraged some potential buyers, though he's pitched well lately (he beat the Giants 3-0 Monday). Plus, teams in need of a starter are generally holding out hope they could land a top guy later this month.
Almost anyone can believe they are a playoff contender with two wild cards and so many teams close to .500. The Phillies, long established as a seller, are the only team completely buried, at 29 games under .500. The Brewers are 13 games under, but their two veteran starters, Kyle Lohse and Matt Garza have struggled (and Garza is on the disabled list), and the Rockies aren't stocked with veteran starters, either.

[koz-man]

Cano's slaps first walk-off since '09 to lift M's

Robinson Cano lined an RBI single into the right-field corner -- his first walk-off hit since nearly six years -- with one out in the 11th inning, giving the Mariners a 7-6 win over the Tigers.

[Shortstop]

Jon HeymanBaseball Insider


These six teams seek a top starting pitcher but parity delaying market

July 7, 2015 11:29 am ET

At least a half-dozen teams are in the market for a starting pitcher, but unusual parity, the expanded wild-card system and hesitant potential sellers have conspired to put a block on the market.
At least the Astros, Blue Jays, Royals, Dodgers, Pirates and Yankees are looking into the starters' market, but the only top-of-the-rotation starter on the trading block remains Cole Hamels, who's been out there for many months at this point. The market awaits new entries, but with the tightness of the races, one AL GM predicts there may not be big deals for big starters until close to the July 31 trade deadline.
By this point last season, Jeff Samardzija, Jason Hammel and Brandon McCarthy had already been traded.
Hamels certainly fits the description of an ace pitcher, but a $24 million salary, 20-team no-trade list and the Phillies' inability to receive an offer close to their asking price has kept him in Philly. The Jays and Astros have interest, but he signaled early that he likely wouldn't accept a deal to Toronto, and he is believed unlikely to OK one to Houston, either.
Interestingly, three of the teams most linked to Hamels aren't among the six clubs most interested in a starter; the Red Sox, Rangers and Cubs have at some point during Hamels' long trade-block odyssey been in talks with the Phillies, who seek a very top prospect as part of a package.
Other top pitchers viewed as possible trade targets this month include the Reds' Johnny Cueto and Mike Leake, the White Sox's Samardzija, the A's' Scott Kazmir and the Padres' Andrew Cashner and Tyson Ross. Cueto, Leake and Samardzija all can become free agents after the year.
However, word is the Reds aren't ready to sell (though some believe things may loosen up there after the July 14 All-Star game at Cincy), the White Sox are waiting as they begin to heat up (top Chisox executive Kenny Williams recently affirmed to USA Today they aren't in sell mode yet), the A's are playing much better than their record and the Padres are heavily invested in this season.
There are a few mid-rotation starters on the market now, such as the Mets' Jon Niese, but $9.5-million guaranteed to him after this year seems to have discouraged some potential buyers, though he's pitched well lately (he beat the Giants 3-0 Monday). Plus, teams in need of a starter are generally holding out hope they could land a top guy later this month.
Almost anyone can believe they are a playoff contender with two wild cards and so many teams close to .500. The Phillies, long established as a seller, are the only team completely buried, at 29 games under .500. The Brewers are 13 games under, but their two veteran starters, Kyle Lohse and Matt Garza have struggled (and Garza is on the disabled list), and the Rockies aren't stocked with veteran starters, either.

Good read! Things should get very interesting in the next few weeks...

[Shortstop]

KC's last 3 wins have been walk-offs

Paulo Orlando's grand slam gave the Royals their third straight win via a walk-off. They didn't have any walk-off wins in their first 44 wins this season.

that has to be great for clubhouse mojo

Word!

[Shortstop]

MLB Stolen Base Leaders:

1.		Hamilton, B	CIN	42
2.		Gordon, D	MIA	30
3.		Altuve, J	HOU	25
4.		Blackmon, C	COL	21
5.		Revere, B	PHI	20

[EmpireMaker]

KANSAS CITY -- Royals All-Star left fielder Alex Gordon left Wednesday night's 9-7 win over the Rays on a cart due to a left groin strain, according to the the club.
The Royals said that Gordon is having an MRI to determine severity of the strain.


"I'm hopeful that it's not an extremely long term thing, and I mean extremely long term, I'm talking months," manager Ned Yost said after the victory. " ... Could be, though. We've gotta see. He's getting an MRI right now and we'll find out."
Replays showed Gordon's left knee or ankle buckle as he raced toward the wall to retrieve a line drive by the Rays' Logan Forsythe.
Gordon immediately fell to the ground as Forsythe circled the bases to complete an inside-the-park home run in the top of the fourth inning, tying the score at 2.
Gordon appeared in agony as he lay face down and was kicking the ground with his right foot.
"The doctors didn't feel like it was detached from the bone, which is a good thing, so we'll just have to wait and see," Yost said.
Lorenzo Cain had belted a two-run homer in the bottom of the third to give the Royals a 2-1 lead.