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

[koz-man]

Escobar (wrist/hand) leaves game early


Nats 3B Yunel Escobar left today's game against the Mets with an apparent injury to his wrist/hand. Washington is already without Denard Span, Anthony Rendon and Jayson Werth.

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Injury bug hitting the Nats hard....

[EmpireMaker]

CINCINNATI -- While much of the attention on a likely-available starting pitcher from the Reds this July will correctly be aimed at ace Johnny Cueto, he's not the only attractive trade candidate in the Reds rotation. The other is, of course, 27-year-old righty Mike Leake.
Leake worked an excellent outing Wednesday afternoon against the Cubs following a heartbreaking extra-innings loss Tuesday evening, helping the Reds to a 9-1 win. Not only was he big for helping his team bounce back, but he saved the bullpen, going eight innings and allowing only one run on four hits. He didn't walk anyone while striking out six.
It's no secret to Leake that he could be traded, as he openly discussed it after the game. He admitted that he had thought Wednesday could be the final start of his Reds career. Not that it affects him.
"It's beyond my control," he said. "If I'm traded, I'm traded. If I'm not, I'm not."
"I try to show my stuff, but I also think I can be better than I have been. I want to just get better every day."
A free agent after this season, Leake is surely an attractive rental to teams not looking to gut a farm system or pick up a lot of salary while adding a durable and mostly consistent starting pitcher.
On the durability front, Leake hasn't been on the disabled list since 2010. He worked 192 1/3 innings in 2013 and 214 1/3 last season. He's already up to 128 2/3 this season.
One of the reasons Leake won't be bringing back a King's ransom is that neither the stats nor the raw stuff are eye-popping. After Wednesday's outing, he is 8-5 with a 3.78 ERA. He doesn't miss bats at a high rate (87 strikeouts, good for 6.09 K/9), his four-seamer and cutter "only" work up into the low-90s and you won't be finding many of those "holy cow, look at this" GIFs of his slider or curve.
He is pitching very well at present, though, sporting a 1.29 ERA in July with a 0.89 WHIP and 22 strikeouts against only six walks in four starts (28 innings). And while he doesn't strike guys out consistently, he does keep the ball on the ground regularly, as he entered Wednesday 16th in the majors in ground ball rate among qualifying starters. Perhaps a team with great defense and now in desperate need of rotation depth (cough, Royals*, cough) would make a nice fit? At the very least, Leake is a nice fallback for any teams who miss out on aces such as Cole Hamels (more long-term answer) or Cueto (rental).

[MexicanStallion]

Throwing in the usual trade rumors here.

The Cubs have had talks with the Tigers about David Price, multiple sources tell Bruce Levine of CBS Chicago.

Levine said Cubs president Theo Epstein and general manager Jey Hoyer were among the first to call the Tigers regarding Price once word got around that he might be available. Despite the undoubted interest, it's still hard to see the Tigers giving up on 2015 while sitting at 47-47 on the year. If they do, they'll likely find multiple suitors for the services of the 29-year-old.

[Chi_archie]

Throwing in the usual trade rumors here.

The Cubs have had talks with the Tigers about David Price, multiple sources tell Bruce Levine of CBS Chicago.

Levine said Cubs president Theo Epstein and general manager Jey Hoyer were among the first to call the Tigers regarding Price once word got around that he might be available. Despite the undoubted interest, it's still hard to see the Tigers giving up on 2015 while sitting at 47-47 on the year. If they do, they'll likely find multiple suitors for the services of the 29-year-old.

I'd like to see the Cubs go after it like that

[EmpireMaker]

The Astros have acquired left-hander Scott Kazmir from the A's in exchange for right-hander Daniel Mengden and catcher Jacob Nottingham.
It's the first significant trade of the season, and of course it comes from A's GM Billy Beane. FOX Sports MLB Insider Ken Rosenthal first reported the trade, which was later confirmed by the A's via Twitter.
Kazmir, 31, revived his career over two years in Oakland, posting a 20-14 record across 300 innings and 50 starts with a 3.12 ERA, 265 strikeouts and a 1.13 WHIP.

[koz-man]

Angels' Freese going to DL with fractured finger

Los Angeles Angels third baseman David Freese will be out at least two weeks with a broken right index finger after getting hit by a pitch in Wednesday night's 5-2 win over the Twins.

[Shortstop]

Escobar (wrist/hand) leaves game early


Nats 3B Yunel Escobar left today's game against the Mets with an apparent injury to his wrist/hand. Washington is already without Denard Span, Anthony Rendon and Jayson Werth.

------------------
Injury bug hitting the Nats hard....

Angels' Freese going to DL with fractured finger

Los Angeles Angels third baseman David Freese will be out at least two weeks with a broken right index finger after getting hit by a pitch in Wednesday night's 5-2 win over the Twins.

Wow, there have been quite a few hand/wrist injuries in the last few weeks...

[Shortstop]

The Astros have acquired left-hander Scott Kazmir from the A's in exchange for right-hander Daniel Mengden and catcher Jacob Nottingham.
It's the first significant trade of the season, and of course it comes from A's GM Billy Beane. FOX Sports MLB Insider Ken Rosenthal first reported the trade, which was later confirmed by the A's via Twitter.
Kazmir, 31, revived his career over two years in Oakland, posting a 20-14 record across 300 innings and 50 starts with a 3.12 ERA, 265 strikeouts and a 1.13 WHIP.

Hopefully this will open the door to a lot more moving and shaking this summer.

I really want the Buccos to do something of significance in the next week or so...

[Chi_archie]

Hopefully this will open the door to a lot more moving and shaking this summer.

I really want the Buccos to do something of significance in the next week or so...

How bout out the NL player of the week a few weeks back

12 years to the day since the bucs traded him to the cubs...

welcome back Aramis Ramirez!!!

[Shortstop]

How bout out the NL player of the week a few weeks back

12 years to the day since the bucs traded him to the cubs...

welcome back Aramis Ramirez!!!

Yes, sir! Just heard the news! 👏🏼

Welcome back to the 'Burgh, A-Ram! 👏🏼

[Shortstop]

Clayton Kershaw now with 29 scoreless IP! Must be something in the LA Dodgers water!

Kershaw (W, 8-6)	9.0	3	0	0	0	11	0	104-79	2.51

[Chi_archie]

Clayton Kershaw now with 29 scoreless IP! Must be something in the LA Dodgers water!

Kershaw (W, 8-6)	9.0	3	0	0	0	11	0	104-79	2.51

Sheesh, hope this guys have nothing left in tank, come playoffs.

[EmpireMaker]

Pirates trade with Brewers for slugger Aramis Ramirez

By David Brown | Baseball Writer

July 23, 2015 5:39 pm ET

• 
  

Aramis Ramirez will find the Pittsburgh Pirates look a lot different than they did the previous time he dressed as a member of the team. The Pirates, acting on a need to fill the third-base spot because of injury, acquired Ramirez and cash from the Brewers on Thursday afternoon in exchange for minor-league pitcher Yhonathan Barrios.
Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette broke the news that the two teams were near an agreement, and CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman reported via Twitter that Aramis Ramirez has been acquired by the Pirates. Heyman adds that the Pirates will be covering $3 million of the remaining salary left on Ramirez's deal, meaning the Brewers are sending slightly less than $3 million as part of the trade.

PIRATES get:		BREWERS get:
	3B Aramis Ramirez Cash considerations		P Yhonathan Barrios

Ramirez, 37, comes in batting .247/.295/.430 with 11 home runs in 302 plate appearances for the Brewers. Ramirez, who said before the 2015 season that it probably would be his last, broke in with the Pirates in 1998 as a 20-year-old. At that point, the franchise was in the midst of 21 straight losing seasons. But they have made the playoffs the past two seasons, and are in good shape to do so again.
Two relatively recent injuries -- to Josh Harrison and Jordy Mercer -- opened up a need for Ramirez, who has hit .284 with with an .836 on-base-plus-slugging percentage for his 18-year career.
A reunion should be emotional for both parties; Ramirez was seen as something of an immature kid when he was traded to the Cubs in 2003, but he's become a respected veteran and is considered a steady influence in the clubhouse.
Barrios, 23, has 11 saves in 13 opportunities for Triple-A Indianapolis this season. He has allowed 36 hits in 40 1/3 innings, but has only 21 strikeouts. His career record is 5-11.

[koz-man]

How bout out the NL player of the week a few weeks back

12 years to the day since the bucs traded him to the cubs...

welcome back Aramis Ramirez!!!

Yes, sir! Just heard the news! 

Welcome back to the 'Burgh, A-Ram! 

Nice move by the Bucs.

Always liked him....Hope he helps them over take the Cards.

[Robber]

Kc is screwed they need 2 sp s

They need a trade like Oakland cubs

[Andy117]

Mets finally call up Michael Conforto and put Cadaver on the DL.

[BigSpoon]

Mets acquire Juan Uribe and Kelly Johnson from the Braves. The sad thing is that it actually improves their lineup.

[EmpireMaker]

Mets acquire Juan Uribe and Kelly Johnson from the Braves. The sad thing is that it actually improves their lineup.

LOL, pretty sad but it really does improve their lineup a bit (but why these bums).

[BigSpoon]

LOL, pretty sad but it really does improve their lineup a bit (but why these bums).

At least they did not give up much if anything to get them. Uribe and Johnson are useful to have around until Wright and Cuddyer are back.

[Shortstop]

Scott Kazmir was very effective in his debut for Houston. The Astros shutout the Royals, 4-0 on Friday night...

Kazmir (W, 6-5)	7.0	3	0	0	1	3	0	91-60	2.24

[Chi_archie]

Mets finally call up Michael Conforto and put Cadaver on the DL.

Hope they didn't give up much

[koz-man]

Burns doubtful with groin injury


Athletics OF Billy Burns had to leave Friday's 9-3 loss to the Giants when he fouled a ball into his groin. "I've never been squared up like that... and that pain was pretty terrible." said Burns, whose injury was dubbed a testicular contusion

[Shortstop]

Cole Hamels! Plus, he went 1-3 at the dish!

Hamels (W, 6-7)	9.0	0	0	0	2	13	0	129-83	3.64

[Shortstop]

Alex Rodriguez continues his monster year as the Yankees beat the Twins, 8-5 on Saturday.

Ellsbury CF	5	0	1	0	0	1	16	.299	.370	.377
Young LF	2	1	1	0	1	1	16	.257	.310	.473
a-McCann PH	1	0	0	0	0	1	4	.252	.324	.457
Gregorius SS	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.244	.294	.328
Rodriguez DH	4	3	3	4	0	0	9	.277	.375	.539
Teixeira 1B	4	1	2	0	0	0	10	.263	.365	.557
Beltrán RF	4	1	0	0	0	0	13	.256	.307	.419
Headley 3B	3	1	1	1	0	0	10	.260	.312	.377
Murphy C	4	1	1	3	0	0	13	.271	.304	.376
Ryan SS	2	0	0	0	0	1	12	.263	.333	.421
b-Gardner PH-LF	2	0	0	0	0	0	10	.293	.370	.461
Drew 2B	4	0	1	0	0	1	12	.186	.259	.369

[Chi_archie]

Interesting story AROD is

[Wrigley]

Interesting story AROD is

3 HR last night without the steroids, Guy can still play

[koz-man]

Wow...ARod is on fire!!!!

[koz-man]

Congrats...

2015 Baseball Hall of Fame inductees

For the 3rd time in the history of BBWAA voting, and the first since 1955, the Hall of Fame welcomes exactly 4 new players.

The newest members: John Smoltz, Randy Johnson, Craig Biggio and Pedro Martinez.

[BigSpoon]

3 HR last night without the steroids, Guy can still play

I would not say that is a given. Very surprisingly productive this season.

[Shortstop]

In other news, the Broncos beat the Bengals 17-7 on Sunday...



Reds 7



Rockies 17


4:10 PM ET, July 26, 2015
Coors Field, Denver, Colorado

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
CIN	0	1	3	0	2	0	0	0	1	7	14	0
COL	2	0	10	1	3	1	0	0	-	17	15	0

W: K. Kendrick (4-11)
L: M. Lorenzen (3-5)

[EmpireMaker]

In other news, the Broncos beat the Bengals 17-7 on Sunday...



Reds 7



Rockies 17


4:10 PM ET, July 26, 2015
Coors Field, Denver, Colorado

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
CIN	0	1	3	0	2	0	0	0	1	7	14	0
COL	2	0	10	1	3	1	0	0	-	17	15	0

W: K. Kendrick (4-11)
L: M. Lorenzen (3-5)

Cargo caught fire this week, he was 10/21 with 5 homers.

[koz-man]

In other news, the Broncos beat the Bengals 17-7 on Sunday...



Reds 7



Rockies 17


4:10 PM ET, July 26, 2015
Coors Field, Denver, Colorado

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
CIN	0	1	3	0	2	0	0	0	1	7	14	0
COL	2	0	10	1	3	1	0	0	-	17	15	0

W: K. Kendrick (4-11)
L: M. Lorenzen (3-5)

EZ now...

[koz-man]

Dodgers have top veggie-friendly park

Dodger Stadium leads PETA's top 10 list of the MLB's most vegetarian-friendly stadiums, citing its vegan nachos and vegan mini-burgers. Citizen Bank Park, Nationals Park, Petco Park and Citi Field round out the top 5.
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I'll pass

[BigSpoon]

Johnny Cueto is going to be really good for the Royals. Good on their management to go all-in this season.

[Chi_archie]

Johnny Cueto is going to be really good for the Royals. Good on their management to go all-in this season.

indeed

Cincy did very well for themselves long term too