The 2017 Major League Baseball Player Chatter, News and Fantasy Thread.

[stevenash]

Cubs are so stacked and going so well right now, it is going to take a lot for any team to upset them in the playoffs.

Good pitching beats good hitting, not all the time but usually.

[BarkingToad]

100 RBI season for Albert Pujols for the 14th time.

[Chi_archie]

100 RBI season for Albert Pujols for the 14th time.

horrible horrible horrible season though

[BigSpoon]

horrible horrible horrible season though

Still 4 years and $114M left on his contract after this season too. The worst contract though is probably Miguel Cabrera atm, 6 years and $184M left.

[koz-man]

Congrats to Jose Altuve for his fourth consecutive 200-hit season. He's the 17th player since 1950 with at least four 200-hit seasons, but just the fifth with at least four in a row, joining Ichiro Suzuki, Wade Boggs, Michael Young and Kirby Puckett. With a .348 average, he'll also win his third batting title. Oh, and maybe the MVP Award.

[EmpireMaker]

With Eric Hosmer, Lorenzo Cain, Mike Moustakas and Alcides Escobar all hitting free agency, this offseason will mark the end of an era in Royals history. Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star looks back at those players’ most memorable moments with the team, and as you might expect, those moments line up with the Royals’ postseason runs in 2014 and 2015. It’s unclear how many of the free agents, if any, will be back in K.C. next season; over 39% of respondents in a recent poll of MLBTR readers felt that Hosmer, Cain and Moustakas will all be playing elsewhere in 2018. Still, there’s no question that the Royals and their fans enjoyed some wonderful memories with this core group or stars, highlighted by the 2015 World Series title.
Some more from around the AL Central…

• The rebuilding White Sox face several pros and cons about potentially dealing Jose Abreu, CSN Chicago’s Dan Hayes writes. Abreu’s trade value is high in the wake of an excellent season, and since he turns 31 in January and is only controlled through the 2019 season, it isn’t clear if he’ll be still around or still productive when the Sox are again contenders. On the other hand, Abreu is a respected clubhouse mentor (an important role for such a young team) and he keeps in excellent shape, so he could ward off the usual decline that hits players as they get into their 30s.
• 2017 has been a struggle for ByungHo Park, who spent the entire season in the minors. While Park has yet to deliver on his four-year, $12MM contract, Twins chief baseball officer Derek Falvey tells Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press that “we have every expectation he’ll remain at this point” rather than explore a return to South Korean baseball. In fact, Park will be spending much of the offseason in North America, working out at the Twins’ facilities. The first baseman posted a .684 OPS over 244 plate appearances for the Twins in 2016, then hit .253/.308/.415 with 14 homers over 455 PA for Triple-A Rochester this season. Despite these struggles and some injuries, Park has dealt with his situation “incredibly professionally,” Falvey said.

[Cross]

Cardinalslaughing at the Angels right now.

[stevenash]

With Eric Hosmer, Lorenzo Cain, Mike Moustakas and Alcides Escobar all hitting free agency, this offseason will mark the end of an era in Royals history. Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star looks back at those players’ most memorable moments with the team, and as you might expect, those moments line up with the Royals’ postseason runs in 2014 and 2015. It’s unclear how many of the free agents, if any, will be back in K.C. next season; over 39% of respondents in a recent poll of MLBTR readers felt that Hosmer, Cain and Moustakas will all be playing elsewhere in 2018. Still, there’s no question that the Royals and their fans enjoyed some wonderful memories with this core group or stars, highlighted by the 2015 World Series title.

2015 was the greatest baseball year of my life.
Memories I will take to my grave.
Not just one or two moments, there were over 20 memorable moments I can name off the top of my head that just flat out thrilled me.
Escobar lead off inside the park homer, Hosmer mad dash towards home, Cain working that base on balls out, Cueto and his masterpiece, my oh my I can go all night.

Cain is 100 percent gone, Moose will get a too big an offer to refuse offer somewhere else.
Hosmer stays, not just a fan hunch either, he's the one that sell the merchandise, Mr. Glass knows he puts butts in the stands, he's the fan favorite, Hosmer is the only one that stays, they gave Gordon that ridiculous contract, we're stuck with him, they game his a boatload of money and forgot how to hit, all the good pitching is locked up, Sal Perez is back, Escobar started to hit in the second half he'll get a fair but a not too fat contract from a team that needs a SS that makes the plays on defense.

Like I said, feeling here (and other places) is Hosmer stays unless Boston wants to get away from Han-Ram at first base and upgrade, but I think Boston makes a play for Moose and moves Devers to OF or DH.

This all came together in 2011, Dayton Moore moved Greinke to Milwaukee for Escobar, Lorenzo Cain, and Jake Odorizzi, moved Odorizzi from KC for Wade Davis and Shields, Shields was not a great success but KC needs an innings eating starter, Wade Davis was a super reliever converted starter that was extremely instrumental in the two WS appearances, Lorenzo Cain and Escobar I don't need to tell you about, so in 2011 with Gordon (already here), Perez, Hosmer all home grown products, Dayton Moore trades an extremely talented starter (but head case) Greinke for a dependable World Series shortstop in Escobar and CF Lo-Cain, and Odorizzi a mediocre starter and flipped him for Davis and Shields.

Well played Mr. Moore, and thanks for the memories fellas.
Job well done, but it's business, I get that.

[yisman]

Chris Taylor injured in the first inning to kill my DFS team.

I was playing in a bracket tournament. Lose in first round, get 4k. Lose in second, get 5k. Lose in third, get 10k.

I lost in the second.

Winner gets 100k.

[EmpireMaker]

Here are the latest signings from the July 2 international class…

• Martinez Jr.’s deal with the Tigers includes an $800K signing bonus as well as $300K worth of U.S. scholarship money, tweets Dionisio Soldevila of Grandes en los Deportes.

Earlier Updates

• The Tigers have signed Dominican third baseman Pedro Martinez Jr., ESPN.com’s Enrique Rojas reports (via Twitter). The son of the legendary Hall of Fame pitcher, the 16-year-old Martinez is a well-regarded hitting prospect, as detailed in a profile by Scott Miller of the Bleacher Report beck in June. Detroit had a $4.75MM bonus pool for this international period and have made a number of signings, including a $1MM bonus for Venezuelan shortstop Alvaro Gonzalez.
• The Diamondbacks have agreed to sign 16-year-old Venezuelan outfielder Wilderd Patino. MLB.com’s Jesse Sanchez (Twitter link) was the first to report that the two sides were nearing a deal, with Baseball America’s Ben Badler reporting that the agreement had been reached. Patino had been connected to the Rangers well in advance of the July 2 opening date for 2017-18 international prospects, though an elbow injury suffered in the spring seemed to impact his status. (Badler speculates that the Rangers may be saving whatever bonus pool space they have to make a play for Shohei Otani.) MLB.com and BA ranked Patino 25th and 27th in their respective lists of the best prospects within this year’s international class, with both scouting reports praising the youngster’s athletic ability and the likelihood that he becomes a strong defensive center fielder. Arizona has been aggressive in this international signing period, as the club had a maximum bonus pool of $5.75MM and no longer faced the $300K max signing cap it was under for the previous two int’l periods.

[Otters27]

IF Brewers lose today. Then Rockies should have it wrapped up. If Brewers win it could get interesting as the Rockies host the Dodgers.

[mr. leisure]

Chris Taylor injured in the first inning to kill my DFS team.

I was playing in a bracket tournament. Lose in first round, get 4k. Lose in second, get 5k. Lose in third, get 10k.

I lost in the second.

Winner gets 100k.

Damn , tough break Yis .

[JAKEPEAVY21]

Chris Taylor injured in the first inning to kill my DFS team.

I was playing in a bracket tournament. Lose in first round, get 4k. Lose in second, get 5k. Lose in third, get 10k.

I lost in the second.

Winner gets 100k.

yisman finds a way to complain about winning 5k

[Chi_archie]

sorry to hear Yis

[koz-man]

Congrats to the Indians on their 100th win -- the first time the franchise has done that since the 1995 team went an insane 100-44 in a strike-shortened season. Are they the best team in baseball? Maybe.

FiveThirtyEight. gives them the best odds of winning the World Series at 28 percent (the Dodgers are at 16 percent). Makes sense; they're 40-7 since August 11.

[stevenash]

Twins first team in history to reach the playoffs the year following a 100 plus loss season.

[yisman]

also Thames from my lineup fouled a ball off his foot last night and exited early

missed today as a result

[Cross]

Congrats to the twinkies, what a turnaround.

[Cross]

Cubs rule, bears drool.

[Chi_archie]

Congrats to the twinkies, what a turnaround.

Always good to see the small markets turn it around

[EmpireMaker]

Whether the Rangers decide to push for a playoff spot in 2018 or rebuild could determine third baseman Adrian Beltre’s future with the team, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News writes. Beltre has a full no-trade clause, but he’d be open to waiving it in 2018 – the final year of his contract – if the Rangers don’t aim to contend next season. The 38-year-old future Hall of Famer will meet with general manager Jon Daniels to find out the franchise’s plans, though Grant suggests that the Rangers will indeed try to bounce back in 2018 (perhaps by signing Shohei Otani). “My choice is I don’t want to be anywhere else,” Beltre said. “They know what I want. I want us to have the best team we can have. Yes, I want to win.” While this was an injury-marred season for Beltre, his excellent production continued – he slashed .311/.382/.533 and accounted for 3.6 rWAR/3.1 fWAR in just 387 plate appearances.
More from the American League:

• The Royals and newly minted closer Mike Minor are interested in continuing their union in 2018, but they’ll have to work out a new contract, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com suggests. While Minor and the Royals have a $10MM mutual option for next season, the team will buy him out for $1.25MM, per Flanagan. A former starter, Minor has returned from back-to-back seasons lost to injury this year to toss 75 2/3 innings out of the Royals’ bullpen and log sterling numbers (2.64 ERA, 10.11 K/9 against 2.5 BB/9), owing in part to improved velocity.
• On Wednesday, the Twins became the final American League team to clinch a playoff spot. Here’s more good news for Minnesota: Third baseman Miguel Sano, out since Aug. 19 with a stress reaction to his left shin, is making progress in his recovery. The slugger took 60 swings Wednesday and could do the same Thursday, with chief baseball officer Derek Falvey noting that Sano’s “in a better spot now,” Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports. While Sano probably won’t be active for the Twins’ wild-card game against either the Yankees or Red Sox, he could be a factor if the club advances to the ALDS, per Bollinger. The Twins have gone 21-16 since Sano’s injury, even though his absence has deprived them of a hitter who recorded a terrific .267/.356/.514 line with 28 home runs in 475 trips to the plate.
• The AL-leading Indians, meanwhile, may see a notable reinforcement of their own come back in time for the playoffs. They’re targeting a weekend return for outfielder Michael Brantley, manager Terry Francona told William Kosileski of MLB.com and other reporters Wednesday. If Brantley fares well in his first action since suffering a right ankle sprain, one that has sidelined him since Aug. 8, he seems likely to make the Tribe’s ALDS roster. “We’re trying to give him every chance possible so we can make a good decision,” Francona said. “He’ll be included in that.”

[Otters27]

Brewers have to sweep and the Rockies have to get swept for Brewers to win outright.

If Rockies win 1 and brewers sweep then playoff to make the wildcard. Or Brewers lose 1 and Rockies get swepts

[JAKEPEAVY21]

I'd love to see the Indians win it this year.

[u21c3f6]

I'd love to see the Indians win it this year.

Agreed. At the moment LAD & Indians are the favorite WS matchup.

Joe.

[koz-man]

Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant are getting a second straight day off but a few regulars are back in the lineup for the Cubs. Jon Jay, Ben Zobrist and Willson Contreras will start against the Reds on Friday with Ian Happ playing third base and Alex Avila at first for Jose Quintana's final reg season start.

[BigSpoon]

Seems like the AL MVP and AL Cy Young are easy calls in Jose Altuve and Corey Kluber. I think Max Scherzer should win the NL Cy Young. The NL MVP is a really tough call. Stanton and Votto have been the best position players in the NL but their teams are awful. I'm leaning towards Nolan Arenado or Paul Goldschmdt.

I'm interested in hearing everyone else's picks for the major awards.

[stevenash]

Always good to see the small markets turn it around

Yes, very important for the game of baseball.
People don't want to see NY, Chi, LA every year, year in year out.

[yisman]

Cy Youngs, IMO

Kluber
Scherzer

I don't think it's close in either case.
I'm interested in hearing everyone else's picks for the major awards.[/QUOTE]

[Cross]

Altuve and Rizzo for MVPs this year.

[EmpireMaker]

The Cubs’ clubhouse celebration after clinching the NL Central included some telling comments from Jon Lester, who proclaimed that John Lackey had made “probably his last regular-season start. Here’s to one hell of a career!” before toasting his longtime teammate. (USA Today’s Bob Nightengale has the details.) This is the first open acknowledgement that Lackey is heading towards retirement after the season. Lackey’s two-year, $32MM contract is up once the Cubs conclude their postseason run, and he turns 39 in October. He struggled to a 4.56 ERA over 169 2/3 innings thanks in large part to problems with the long ball, as Lackey surrendered a league-high 36 homers and a career-high 18.3% home run rate. Still, Lackey has enjoyed a tremendous 15 seasons in the big leagues and, coming out of the Cubs bullpen in the playoffs, he’ll look to collect his fourth World Series ring.
Here’s more from around baseball as we head into the final weekend of the regular season…

• The Cardinals don’t expect extensions with any of their upcoming free agents before the season is over, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. This includes Lance Lynn, whose representatives haven’t had any in-depth talks with the club about a new deal. When asked if Thursday’s start could be his last with the Cardinals, Lynn said it “certainly looks that way.” Lynn looks to be one of the top pitchers available in this year’s free agent market, and it appears he’ll be departing a Cards rotation that will mostly be relying on promising younger arms in 2018.
• Also from Goold’s article, he reports that the Cardinals have been in touch with Juan Nicasio about a new deal. Nicasio came to St. Louis after a rather surprising series of transactions that saw the right-hander waived by the Pirates, claimed by the Phillies and then dealt to the Cards all within a week’s time at the end of August and in early September. No matter the uniform, Nicasio pitched well, posting a 2.65 ERA, 3.55 K/BB rate and 71 strikeouts over 71 1/3 innings for his three teams, making a league-high 75 appearances. The Cardinals have clearly liked what they’ve seen in their short time with Nicasio on the roster and may be trying to lock Nicasio up before he hits the open market.
• There is mutual interest between the Giants and Nick Hundley in a new contract, though Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle observes that it might hinge on how much playing time Hundley is able to find elsewhere from a catching-needy team. Obviously, anything more than a backup role isn’t an option in San Francisco with Buster Posey locked in as the regular catcher. Hundley hit .246/.276/.425 over 296 PA with the Giants while becoming a big voice in the team’s clubhouse.

[koz-man]

Don Mattingly may move Giancarlo Stanton to leadoff spot to get him an extra at-bat or two, as Stanton pursues 60. Espn

[Chi_archie]

Don Mattingly may move Giancarlo Stanton to leadoff spot to get him an extra at-bat or two, as Stanton pursues 60. Espn

smart

[BigSpoon]

Brewers blew a 6-0 lead and lost 7-6 to give the Rockies the wild card spot.

[stevenash]

Brewers blew a 6-0 lead and lost 7-6 to give the Rockies the wild card spot.

Rox 8 and 11 this season head to head vs. 'Zona.
Grienke made five starts vs. Rox, was 2 and 1 with 2 no decisions.

[yisman]

rockies pulled everyone as a result