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

**EmpireMaker** · 09-30-17, 11:06 PM

Nationals ace and NL Cy Young front-runner Max Scherzer left his start in the fourth inning against the Pirates on Saturday with a right hamstring cramp, manager Dusty Baker announced. Baker added that Scherzer underwent a precautionary MRI, but the skipper didn’t seem overly concerned about the right-hander, Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post tweets. A major injury to Scherzer right before the playoffs could be disastrous for the Nationals, who will match up with the Cubs in the NLDS. If healthy, Scherzer should take the ball for Game 1 on Oct. 6. The two-time Cy Young winner wrapped up his regular season with 3 1/3 scoreless, five-strikeout innings on Saturday, giving him a 2.51 ERA and 12.02 K/9 against 2.47 BB/9 across 200 2/3 frames.
More on Washington and a couple other NL franchises:

The Cardinals have discussed a new contract with impending free agent reliever Juan Nicasio, who made it clear Saturday that he’d like to re-sign with the club. “Try and make a good deal. I want to stay here,” Nicasio told his agent (via Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, on Twitter). Acquired in a trade with Philadelphia on Sept. 6, Nicasio has served as the Cardinals’ closer down the stretch and thrown 10 innings of two-run ball with the team. In 71 1/3 innings divided among Pittsburgh, Philly and St. Louis this season, the 31-year-old has put up a 2.61 ERA and logged 8.69 K/9 against 2.49 BB/9.
The Phillies’ decision to change managers could cost them promising hitting coach Matt Stairs, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com writes. In Stairs’ first year on the job, the former slugger has won the favor of the Phillies’ hitters and played a key role in the development of some of their young players, details Zolecki. Thanks in part to Stairs, the Phillies’ offense has posted better numbers across the board than last year’s, including in the runs scored department (679 to 610). Stairs told Zolecki that he’d “love” to continue in Philly, but he realizes his fate rests with the team’s next manager.
On Saturday, the Nationals activated infielder Stephen Drew from the 60-day disabled list and moved reliever Shawn Kelley to the 60-day DL with bone chips in his right elbow. The move was made so Drew would be eligible for the postseason, though he’s unlikely to be ready for NLDS action, per Jamal Collier of MLB.com. An abdominal strain has shelved Drew since July 25, before which he slashed a disappointing .253/.302/.358 in 106 plate appearances. Kelley, who last pitched Sept. 22, also endured a poor regular season (7.27 ERA in 26 innings). The two-time Tommy John recipient is due a $5.5MM salary in 2018.

**BigSpoon** · 10-01-17, 01:22 AM

Originally posted by stevenash

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.

I'm assuming Jon Gray will start for the Rockies. He had 3 starts against the D-Backs this season and went 2-1 with a 3.50 ERA in 18 innings. The 2 wins were both at Chase Field as well.

**Otters27** · 10-01-17, 07:15 AM

Originally posted by BigSpoon

I'm assuming Jon Gray will start for the Rockies. He had 3 starts against the D-Backs this season and went 2-1 with a 3.50 ERA in 18 innings. The 2 wins were both at Chase Field as well.

Gray is going to have to pitch a gem. This could be his breakout party

**koz-man** · 10-01-17, 07:43 AM

Congrats to Tigers utilityman Andrew Romine for becoming just the fifth player to play all nine positions in one game.

He even retired the one batter he faced on the mound. Was it a stunt? Sure. Was it a fun stunt? Absolutely. The previous four:
Bert Campaneris (1965), Cesar Tovar (1968), Scott Sheldon and Shane Halter (2000).

**JAKEPEAVY21** · 10-01-17, 08:29 AM

Originally posted by koz-man

Congrats to Tigers utilityman Andrew Romine for becoming just the fifth player to play all nine positions in one game.

He even retired the one batter he faced on the mound. Was it a stunt? Sure. Was it a fun stunt? Absolutely. The previous four:
Bert Campaneris (1965), Cesar Tovar (1968), Scott Sheldon and Shane Halter (2000).

I could've sworn Jose Oquendo did as well?

**El Nino** · 10-01-17, 10:27 AM

Originally posted by Cross

Altuve and Rizzo for MVPs this year.

Goldschmidt beats Rizzo in literally every category with less AB's. Votto should win it.

**Chi_archie** · 10-01-17, 06:29 PM

Originally posted by JAKEPEAVY21

I could've sworn Jose Oquendo did as well?

yes simultaneously as well

**Chi_archie** · 10-01-17, 06:30 PM

seriously though...

not in one game, but over a career I believe though

**Cross** · 10-01-17, 10:24 PM

Votto obvious MVP if his team didn't suck, give it to Rizzo.

**ApricotSinner32** · 10-01-17, 11:40 PM

Originally posted by Cross

Votto obvious MVP if his team didn't suck, give it to Rizzo.

**EmpireMaker** · 10-02-17, 12:31 AM

Little is known about Shohei Otani’s preferred destination if he makes the jump to Major League Baseball this offseason, though in a profile of the two-way star, Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times wonders if Otani’s reputation as a “yakyu shonen” (as Hernandez puts it, “basically, a kid who lives, eats and breathes baseball”) could provide some hints. Otani is believed to be intent on coming to MLB for competitive reasons given his outward lack of interest in money. For this same reason, Otani may not necessarily be swayed by a wealthy team like the Dodgers or Yankees, according to Hiroshi Sasaki, Otani’s former high school coach. When choosing schools, Otani chose to play for a lower-profile high school closer to home rather than accept offers from larger programs.
Here’s more from around baseball as we head into the postseason…

The Rangers seem like one of the four or five teams most likely to sign Otani, and possibly the favorite “if it comes down to the dollars available and a college-recruiting like pitch,” Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News writes as part of a reader chat. Still, Grant doesn’t believe any team has more than a 15-18% chance of signing Otani, since any number of factors could influence his choice.
Perhaps with this in mind, the Rays are also “sincere” about their interest in Otani, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times writes. The Rays usually don’t have the financial resources to compete for blue-chip international talent, though Otani’s situation presents a unique opportunity. The Rays can offer Otani a chance to both pitch and hit, and they can point to their willingness to let fourth overall pick Brendan McKay be a two-way player as an example of their flexibility.
The Nationals have shown interest in Zack Cozart in the past and could be a fit for the free agent shortstop this winter, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe opines. It may hinge on whether or not the Reds issue Cozart a qualifying offer, though if the Nats did make a move, Cozart would take over at short and Trea Turner could shift to center field. (This would also move Adam Eaton to left field to replace free agent Jayson Werth.) Defensive metrics indicate that Turner’s glovework is better as a shortstop than as a center fielder, though it may still be too early in Turner’s young career to make that call one way or the other. Cozart, of course, is one of the game’s better defenders and is coming off an outstanding season at the plate.
Astros righty David Paulino recently underwent surgery to remove bone spurs from his throwing elbow but is expected to be ready for Spring Training, the team announced (MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart has the details). Paulino was placed on the 60-day DL just as he was eligible to be activated following an 80-game PED suspension. The 23-year-old was cited on top-100 prospect lists from Baseball America (51st), MLB.com (54th) and Baseball Prospectus (83rd) prior to the season and he has gotten cups of coffee in each of Houston’s last two seasons, with a 6.25 ERA over 36 big-league innings.

**Otters27** · 10-02-17, 06:54 AM

Yankees vs. Twins. Tomorrow night. All signs point to Yankees but I think the Twins pull it out.

**Chi_archie** · 10-02-17, 07:24 AM

Originally posted by Cross

Votto obvious MVP if his team didn't suck, give it to Rizzo.

Bryant has a much better WAR than Rizzo so those two will split some votes

**Cross** · 10-02-17, 09:41 AM

I'd go Rizzo over Bryant for sure this year, he produced a ton of runs and a gold glover at first base.

**koz-man** · 10-02-17, 05:07 PM

Dan Bellino will be the plate umpire for G1 of Red Sox-Astros. He had the plate when Chris Sale faced Justin Verlander on April 10 in Detroit. For what it's worth, Sale went 7.2 innings, allowed two runs and struck out 10; Verlander went 7 innings and allowed one unearned run. Tigers won, 2-1.

**EmpireMaker** · 10-02-17, 11:38 PM

The reigning World Series champion Cubs stumbled through the early months of the season, which led president Theo Epstein to inform teams in early July that he’d consider selling impending free agents such as Jake Arrieta and Wade Davis, Patrick Mooney of NBC Sports Chicago reports. The Cubs were at their lowest point of the season on July 9, when they dropped to 43-45 with a 14-3 loss to the Pirates in the last game before the All-Star break. Regarding his thought process at the time, Epstein told Mooney: “Not blowing it up. But when you’re five-and-a-half out, if you have a bad road trip and a bad homestand and then you’re 10-and-a-half out, absolutely, we would have sold.” Instead, Epstein swung a blockbuster trade with the White Sox for left-hander Jose Quintana on July 13, the final day of the break. The Cubs proceeded to go 49-25 in the second half of the season to finish 92-70 and run away with the National League Central.
More from the NL:

The Cardinals may deal from their surplus of outfielders this offseason, but the highest-paid member of the bunch, Dexter Fowler, seems unlikely to go anywhere. When the Cardinals signed Fowler to a five-year, $82.5MM contract last winter, they included a no-trade clause in the deal. Now, Fowler tells Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that he and his family love their new city. He also enjoys being part of the Cardinals organization. “I see myself being here for a long time. It’s what I signed up for,” the center fielder said. “That’s what my contract says. I’m looking to build a legacy with my teammates.” Fowler had a terrific offensive season to kick off his Redbirds tenure, hitting .264/.363/.488 with 18 home runs in 491 plate appearances, but injuries limited him to 118 games and advanced metrics indicate he had a rough time in the field (minus-18 Defensive Runs Saved, minus-5.9 Ultimate Zone Rating).
The hammer dropped Monday on Braves general manager John Coppolella and special assistant Gordon Blakely, both of whom resigned over alleged rule violations. Their departures might not be the end, either, as David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution tweets that it wouldn’t be a surprise to see more members of the Braves’ scouting department forced to resign.
Given that he’s close with Gary Denbo, Blakeley would have been a possibility to join the Marlins’ front office, but that’s now in question after Monday’s events, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald writes. Denbo is currently with the Yankees, but the expectation is that he’ll join friend and new owner Derek Jeter in the Marlins’ decision-making hierarchy, Jackson notes. Meanwhile, there’s a sense that the Marlins will retain manager Don Mattingly and president of baseball operations Michael Hill, per Joe Frisaro of MLB.com. Hill isn’t a lock to remain in the same role, suggests Frisaro, who adds that third base coach Fredi Gonzalez could depart. The Tigers have asked to speak with Gonzalez about becoming their next manager, according to Frisaro.

**Chi_archie** · 10-03-17, 07:40 AM

Braves a mess

**koz-man** · 10-03-17, 09:59 AM

Stephen Strasburg and Sean Doolittle won NL Pitcher and Reliever of the Month, respectively. The fact that a Nats reliever won ROM tells you all you need to know about how far Washington's bullpen has come. Position of strength heading into the NLDS

**LT Profits** · 10-03-17, 10:29 AM

Originally posted by koz-man

Stephen Strasburg and Sean Doolittle won NL Pitcher and Reliever of the Month, respectively. The fact that a Nats reliever won ROM tells you all you need to know about how far Washington's bullpen has come. Position of strength heading into the NLDS

But they are still the Nats!

I suspect they will keep their record of never having won a playoff series in franchise history (including Montreal) intact after Cubs series. I am not making series play but will be mainly on Cubbies game by game I'd imagine.

**yisman** · 10-03-17, 10:32 AM

Sano did not make the roster.

**Cross** · 10-03-17, 11:38 AM

Amazing how well Twins are playing without Sano, also they gave away their all star closer at the all star break.

**Chi_archie** · 10-03-17, 02:45 PM

Originally posted by koz-man

Stephen Strasburg and Sean Doolittle won NL Pitcher and Reliever of the Month, respectively. The fact that a Nats reliever won ROM tells you all you need to know about how far Washington's bullpen has come. Position of strength heading into the NLDS

I didnt know about DoLittles year

**stevenash** · 10-03-17, 08:16 PM

Buxton is a top five most exciting player in the game today.
(Trout is still #1)

**EmpireMaker** · 10-03-17, 11:39 PM

Buxton wrenched his back when he went up against the wall for that catch. I look forward to seeing what he does next season.

**Otters27** · 10-04-17, 01:26 AM

Letting Yankees back in game in 1st inning cost the twins. Smart coaching by taking sverino out

**ApricotSinner32** · 10-04-17, 03:13 AM

Empiremaker owns a fantasy site guy is a scammer!

**koz-man** · 10-04-17, 04:57 AM

On an individual level, the Yankees' advancement to the ALDS isn't lost on Todd Frazier, who said "this is what I came here for ... the opportunity to play for a World Series." The Toms River, NJ, native (who had 20 people at tonight's game) was traded to New York from the Chicago White Sox just before this year's trade deadline. He was last in the playoffs in 2013 as a Cincinnati Red.

**Chi_archie** · 10-04-17, 07:33 AM

Originally posted by koz-man

On an individual level, the Yankees' advancement to the ALDS isn't lost on Todd Frazier, who said "this is what I came here for ... the opportunity to play for a World Series." The Toms River, NJ, native (who had 20 people at tonight's game) was traded to New York from the Chicago White Sox just before this year's trade deadline. He was last in the playoffs in 2013 as a Cincinnati Red.

oh todd frazier

**JAKEPEAVY21** · 10-04-17, 09:28 AM

let's go Nationals!

fukk the cubs

**BigSpoon** · 10-04-17, 11:23 AM

Originally posted by Otters27

Letting Yankees back in game in 1st inning cost the twins. Smart coaching by taking sverino out

Gutsy call by Girardi paid off.

**mr. leisure** · 10-04-17, 11:39 AM

let's go Nationals!

Like the Nats here too .

**stevenash** · 10-04-17, 08:45 PM

Originally posted by Cross

Votto obvious MVP if his team didn't suck, give it to Rizzo.

Votto had a MVP season, however the Reds still finish last with or without him, Rizzo? Cubs still win the division with a replacement player.

Now ask yourself this? Do the Snakes make the playoffs without Goldy?
Do the Rox make the playoffs without Arenado?
The answer is probably no and no.

If I have a vote, I split my vote right down the middle for Arenado and Goldy.

**Cross** · 10-04-17, 10:55 PM

Not sure what replacement player you had in mind for Rizzo. He must be a damn good one, lol.

**EmpireMaker** · 10-04-17, 11:35 PM

Derek Jeter, the Miami Marlins' new CEO and part-owner, is considering keeping four esteemed members of the the team's front office he had reportedly wanted fired.
Jeter reportedly asked in September for the dismissal of Baseball Hall of Famers Andre Dawson and Tony Perez, as well as Jeff Conine, the former outfielder known as "Mr. Marlin," and 2003 World Series-winning manager Jack McKeon.
Jeter has since personally reached out to the four and informed them he didn't really intend to fire them and that he'd be interested in retaining all four of them in roles to be determined, according to FanRag Sports.
The apparent change of heart comes a day after Jeter and controlling owner Bruce Sherman spoke publicly for the first time Tuesday about their group's $1.2 billion purchase of the Marlins. During that media conference, Jeter was noncommittal about keeping Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton, who led the majors in home runs (59) and RBIs (132) this season.
"We do have to rebuild the organization," Jeter said Tuesday. "It starts with player development and scouting. We will build it from top down and bottom up."
Stanon is three years into a 13-year contract, one that was seriously backloaded. He's still owed $285 million in that $325 million deal, and the Marlins lost money this season. Stanton said last week that he does not want to be part of another rebuild with the Marlins.
The Marlins -- World Series champions in 1997 and 2003 -- concluded their eighth consecutive losing season, the longest streak in the majors.

**BarkingToad** · 10-05-17, 01:51 AM

How can NL MVP not be Stanton?