The 2019 Major League Baseball Player Chatter, News and Fantasy Thread.

[JMobile]

Rangers and Phillies interested in Donaldson.

[Stallion]

There is no chance the Jays are gonna get Cole.

[Cross]

Donaldson had a great under the radar year.

[stevenash]

Rangers and Phillies interested in Donaldson.

Philly is a good fit.
Gives Harper protection and like Harper is a very high OBA guy.

[batt33]

There is no chance the Jays are gonna get Cole.

I'll second that!....

[EmpireMaker]

Yankees right-hander Domingo German enjoyed a quality 2019 season before it ended in undignified fashion in late September. German went on administrative leave under the MLB-MLBPA Joint Domestic Violence Policy, thus preventing him from participating in the Yankees’ playoff series against the Twins and Astros. Although the league still hasn’t interviewed German, a resolution to his case should occur “in a matter of weeks,” not months, Ken Davidoff and Dan Martin of the New York Post write.
As is always the case with a player involved in a domestic issue, it’s up in the air whether his team will welcome him back. However, the Yankees are the same club that acquired closer Aroldis Chapman from the Reds in December 2015 when he was amid serious domestic troubles of his own. The league ultimately suspended Chapman for 30 games to open the 2016 season. Now, regardless of whether the Yankees keep German, he could face a ban to start the 2020 campaign after sitting out the last couple weeks of 2019.
The status of German may help inform the Yankees’ offseason plans, as he was one of the team’s most effective rotation options in 2019. The 27-year-old pitched to a 4.03 ERA/4.72 FIP with 9.63 K/9 against 2.45 BB/9 across 143 innings. The Yankees look like a team in need of starting help right now, and the problems in their rotation will become even more acute if they’re unwilling or unable to pencil German into their rotation for at least the beginning of next season.

[JaimeMiro]

The resolution in Domingo's case
is expected in a matter of weeks rather than months which would be good for the MLB. I've never heard of a doctor or teacher getting suspended for domestic violence

[BarkingToad]

Donaldson will be just another overpriced, aging free agent with less than 100 RBIs and almost 200 strikeouts some lazy GM will throw lots of money at.

[koz-man]

Mike Trout, Braves trio among 2019 Silver Slugger Award winners

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout has received his seventh Silver Slugger Award after batting .291 with 45 home runs and 104 RBIs this season.

The Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuna Jr., Freddie Freeman and Ozzie Albies are among the first-time winners on the National League side, along with Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Cody Bellinger. First-timers for the American League are Cleveland Indians first baseman Carlos Santana, New York Yankees infielder DJ LeMahieu, Houston Astros infielder Alex Bregman and Minnesota Twins catcher Mitch Garver.

The selections, honoring the best offensive players at each position in each league, were voted on by major league coaches and managers.

[Otters27]

Donaldson had a great under the radar year.

Donaldson great guy. Saw him signing autographs for people when no one else would

[Chi_archie]

Donaldson great guy. Saw him signing autographs for people when no one else would

Always good to hear those stories

[JAKEPEAVY21]

Donaldson great guy. Saw him signing autographs for people when no one else would

Surprising, he seems like a real jerk.

Nice to know he can flip the switch when playing and off the field.

[cincinnatikid513]

why does it take so long announce cy young mvp awards jeez

[BigSpoon]

Donaldson will be just another overpriced, aging free agent with less than 100 RBIs and almost 200 strikeouts some lazy GM will throw lots of money at.

He bounced back nicely last year. He'll probably only get a 1-2 year deal this winter because of his age though.

[Cross]

So will Cole get his deal before or after regular season starts?

[JMobile]

Reds interested in Didi Gregorius.

[batt33]

why does it take so long announce cy young mvp awards jeez

Geez no kidding ...no need to drag it out.

[EmpireMaker]

• The Yankees “tried hard” to land Orioles reliever Mychal Givens at the trade deadline, the New York Post’s Joel Sherman reports. The right-hander was a popular figure on the rumor mill last July, with such clubs as the Indians, Dodgers, Braves, Phillies, and Nationals all reportedly showing interest in acquiring his services. It isn’t any surprise that the Yankees were also involved given how New York is constantly looking to reinforce its already strong bullpen, and it isn’t out of the question that the Yankees could ask about Givens again this winter. The 29-year-old is under team control for two more seasons (and projected to make $3.2MM in arbitration this winter), though Givens is coming off the worst of his five big league seasons. Givens posted a 12.3 K/9 and 3.31 K/BB rate over 63 innings but his ERA ballooned to 4.57, due in large part to a lot of problems keeping the ball in the park (1.9 HR/9).
• Sticking with Sherman’s piece, he wonders if the Yankees could perhaps try to land both Givens and Jonathan Villar from the Orioles in a package deal that would also address another team need — a lack of left-handed hitting. Interestingly, Sherman writes that there is some strategy behind this lineup imbalance, as the Yankees have preferred to deploy right-handed bats with opposite-field power rather than actual left-handed hitters, as lefty bats can be more easily hampered by defensive shifts. If the Bronx Bombers did decide to add more pop from the left side, however, Sherman feels the best possible solution would be switch-hitting superstar Francisco Lindor, if the Indians made him available in a trade. Beyond Villar, Sherman lists a few other players (old friend Didi Gregorius, Freddy Galvis, Tucker Barnhart, Jason Castro) who could be signed or acquired in trades to add left-handed balance to either the lineup or bench. In Galvis’ case, Sherman reports that he was the Yankees’ second choice as shortstop depth last offseason before they landed Troy Tulowitzki.
• The Yankees’ decision to exercise some financial restraint has drawn criticism from some fans and pundits, particularly since the club has now gone 10 full seasons without a World Series title. As Fangraphs’ Craig Edwards observes in a look at the last 20 years of Yankees spending, the franchise made a gigantic payroll spike in 2003-2004 (up into the $200MM-$240MM range, around three times as much as the average payroll) that possibly “outstripped what might have been reasonable compared to their revenues and financial status, and that staying at around $240 million reflected a necessary correction.” The Yankees’ average payroll increase hasn’t matched the rest of the league’s overall increase over the last decade, however, even while the Yankees franchise has increased its revenues.

[ApricotSinner32]

• The Yankees “tried hard” to land Orioles reliever Mychal Givens at the trade deadline, the New York Post’s Joel Sherman reports. The right-hander was a popular figure on the rumor mill last July, with such clubs as the Indians, Dodgers, Braves, Phillies, and Nationals all reportedly showing interest in acquiring his services. It isn’t any surprise that the Yankees were also involved given how New York is constantly looking to reinforce its already strong bullpen, and it isn’t out of the question that the Yankees could ask about Givens again this winter. The 29-year-old is under team control for two more seasons (and projected to make $3.2MM in arbitration this winter), though Givens is coming off the worst of his five big league seasons. Givens posted a 12.3 K/9 and 3.31 K/BB rate over 63 innings but his ERA ballooned to 4.57, due in large part to a lot of problems keeping the ball in the park (1.9 HR/9).
• Sticking with Sherman’s piece, he wonders if the Yankees could perhaps try to land both Givens and Jonathan Villar from the Orioles in a package deal that would also address another team need — a lack of left-handed hitting. Interestingly, Sherman writes that there is some strategy behind this lineup imbalance, as the Yankees have preferred to deploy right-handed bats with opposite-field power rather than actual left-handed hitters, as lefty bats can be more easily hampered by defensive shifts. If the Bronx Bombers did decide to add more pop from the left side, however, Sherman feels the best possible solution would be switch-hitting superstar Francisco Lindor, if the Indians made him available in a trade. Beyond Villar, Sherman lists a few other players (old friend Didi Gregorius, Freddy Galvis, Tucker Barnhart, Jason Castro) who could be signed or acquired in trades to add left-handed balance to either the lineup or bench. In Galvis’ case, Sherman reports that he was the Yankees’ second choice as shortstop depth last offseason before they landed Troy Tulowitzki.
• The Yankees’ decision to exercise some financial restraint has drawn criticism from some fans and pundits, particularly since the club has now gone 10 full seasons without a World Series title. As Fangraphs’ Craig Edwards observes in a look at the last 20 years of Yankees spending, the franchise made a gigantic payroll spike in 2003-2004 (up into the $200MM-$240MM range, around three times as much as the average payroll) that possibly “outstripped what might have been reasonable compared to their revenues and financial status, and that staying at around $240 million reflected a necessary correction.” The Yankees’ average payroll increase hasn’t matched the rest of the league’s overall increase over the last decade, however, even while the Yankees franchise has increased its revenues.

looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ooooool

[koz-man]

Reds interested in Didi Gregorius.

Not surprised. He came up thur their system. Hope they can work it out.

[Otters27]

Surprising, he seems like a real jerk.

Nice to know he can flip the switch when playing and off the field.

True of lots of guys. Some guys are the nicest guys off the field. But sports brings out their dark side

[Chi_archie]

• The Yankees “tried hard” to land Orioles reliever Mychal Givens at the trade deadline, the New York Post’s Joel Sherman reports. The right-hander was a popular figure on the rumor mill last July, with such clubs as the Indians, Dodgers, Braves, Phillies, and Nationals all reportedly showing interest in acquiring his services. It isn’t any surprise that the Yankees were also involved given how New York is constantly looking to reinforce its already strong bullpen, and it isn’t out of the question that the Yankees could ask about Givens again this winter. The 29-year-old is under team control for two more seasons (and projected to make $3.2MM in arbitration this winter), though Givens is coming off the worst of his five big league seasons. Givens posted a 12.3 K/9 and 3.31 K/BB rate over 63 innings but his ERA ballooned to 4.57, due in large part to a lot of problems keeping the ball in the park (1.9 HR/9).
• Sticking with Sherman’s piece, he wonders if the Yankees could perhaps try to land both Givens and Jonathan Villar from the Orioles in a package deal that would also address another team need — a lack of left-handed hitting. Interestingly, Sherman writes that there is some strategy behind this lineup imbalance, as the Yankees have preferred to deploy right-handed bats with opposite-field power rather than actual left-handed hitters, as lefty bats can be more easily hampered by defensive shifts. If the Bronx Bombers did decide to add more pop from the left side, however, Sherman feels the best possible solution would be switch-hitting superstar Francisco Lindor, if the Indians made him available in a trade. Beyond Villar, Sherman lists a few other players (old friend Didi Gregorius, Freddy Galvis, Tucker Barnhart, Jason Castro) who could be signed or acquired in trades to add left-handed balance to either the lineup or bench. In Galvis’ case, Sherman reports that he was the Yankees’ second choice as shortstop depth last offseason before they landed Troy Tulowitzki.
• The Yankees’ decision to exercise some financial restraint has drawn criticism from some fans and pundits, particularly since the club has now gone 10 full seasons without a World Series title. As Fangraphs’ Craig Edwards observes in a look at the last 20 years of Yankees spending, the franchise made a gigantic payroll spike in 2003-2004 (up into the $200MM-$240MM range, around three times as much as the average payroll) that possibly “outstripped what might have been reasonable compared to their revenues and financial status, and that staying at around $240 million reflected a necessary correction.” The Yankees’ average payroll increase hasn’t matched the rest of the league’s overall increase over the last decade, however, even while the Yankees franchise has increased its revenues.

Yanks with that $$$$$$

[stevenash]

why does it take so long announce cy young mvp awards jeez

MLB likes to keep you in suspense

[BigSpoon]

Yanks with that $$$$$$

Boo hoo with their 10 year World Series 'drought'.

[stevenash]

Boo hoo with their 10 year World Series 'drought'.

You need a perfect storm these days to win a WS.

[JMobile]

Padres rumored to get Strasburg and Rendon. I don't think this is true.

[Cross]

I heard some talk of Betts for Contreras. I would definitely take that as a cubs fan. Although Betts does become a free agent next year.

[batt33]

San Francisco hired Scott Harris to be its new general manager. Harris had been the Chicago Cubs' assistant GM since 2018, after joining the organization in 2012 as director of baseball operations

[Cross]

Good pickup by the Giants on the GM front.

[EmpireMaker]

The Marlins have hired Hadi Raad to be their new director of pro scouting, according to a tweet from Lindsey Adler of The Athletic (link). Raad is a five-year veteran of the Yankees front office, most recently serving as the club’s director of minor league operations.
Raad, a collegiate player with Wheaton College from 2008 to 2010, carries scouting experience in both the Yankees and Rangers organizations. That Raad has ties with the Yankees may come as no particular surprise, considering that the Marlins have on a few occasions attracted figures connected to the old club of Miami CEO Derek Jeter. Recently, the club was said to have offered former Yankee Hensley Meulens a coaching role on the staff of manager Don Mattingly.
More notes from around the NL, mostly of the front office and coaching variety…

• After a report indicated that the club would interview Jeremy Hefner of the Twins on Monday as part of their search for a new pitching coach, could the Mets still be considering old friend Phil Regan for the job? The club hasn’t “officially ruled out” Regan, who took over as New York’s pitching coach following Dave Eiland’s dismissal in mid-summer, as noted in a tweet from Andy Martino of SNY (link). Although references to Regan’s age (82) are applied perhaps a bit too liberally in the press, Martino rightfully points out that the club’s reported candidates–including Hefner and Michigan pitching coach Chris Fetter–are clearly of a different profile than the veteran instructor Regan.
• Another well-traveled baseball figure, Ruben Amaro Jr., apparently still feels a deep connection with the Phillies organization for which he once served as GM, according to a profile from Bob Brookover of the Philadelphia Inquirer (link). After a two-year stint with the Mets in which he served in both coaching and front office capacities, Amaro Jr. is again a professional “free agent” this offseason–and one unabashed about stating his desire to work with his old club in Philly. “I’d be lying to you if I told you I didn’t want to work in the organization in some capacity again,” Amaro Jr. said of the Phillies. “I would love to come back. It’s home for me.” The veteran baseball man and Philadelphia native also indicated to Brookover that there are currently a number of vocational paths open to him (as one would expect of someone with his resumé), but it’s still worth noting that the 54-year-old would welcome a return to the team that relieved him of his GM duties late in the 2015 season.

[koz-man]

CINCINNATI -- On the heels of the 2012 Winter Meetings, the Reds, Indians and D-backs completed a blockbuster three-team trade on Dec. 11. The big name for Cincinnati coming over from Cleveland was outfielder Shin-Soo Choo. Other players would become big names later.
One current Reds player and another former one were also involved in the deal. Then a starting pitching prospect, Trevor Bauer was moved from Arizona to Cleveland, while Cincinnati dealt shortstop prospect Didi Gregorius to Arizona. Gregorius eventually became a star for the Yankees.
And now the conditions appear right for free-agent shortstop Gregorius to return to the Reds, where his career started.
Hailing from Curacao, Gregorius was 22 when he was a September callup for Cincinnati in 2012. He debuted to start in place of an injured Zack Cozart on Sept. 5 of that season and batted .300 (8-for-20) in eight games, with four starts at shortstop.
The Reds, who signed Gregorius as a 17-year-old in 2007, loved Gregorius’ defensive wizardry and great throwing arm. Although he didn’t have much power at the time, he had the makings of decent hitter capable of getting on base. But with Cozart having already established himself at shortstop as the club was coming off a National League Central title, Cincinnati capitalized on its positional depth and moved Gregorius to land Choo.

Why Gregorius makes sense
• Of course, the Reds have an opening at shortstop after José Iglesias became a free agent. And the only string attached to Gregorius was cut on Monday when the Yankees declined to make him a qualifying offer. Had one been extended, signing Gregorius would have meant Draft pick compensation going to New York.
• The door is still open for Iglesias to return, but Gregorius could be an offensive upgrade for a team seeking to score more runs. From 2016-18 with the Yankees, Gregorius averaged 24 home runs per season while totaling 10.2 wins above replacement (WAR). In 2019, Iglesias hit a career-high 11 homers in his one season with the Reds and was worth 1.5 WAR. Both players are capable of making jaw-dropping plays in the field.
• There has certainly been a lot of turnover on the Reds since 2012, with Joey Votto being the only player on the current roster that played with Gregorius when he was freshly promoted. But Gregorius is likely familiar with the main players in the front office, like president of baseball operations Dick Williams, general manager Nick Krall and ownership. He’s been to Spring Training at the Reds’ complex in Goodyear, Ariz., and he knows what the facility has to offer for players.

Why Gregorius might not work
• The Reds certainly won’t be competing in a vacuum for Gregorius’ services. Their NL Central rivals -- the Brewers -- are among teams looking to improve at shortstop. The Yankees could always try to bring Gregorius back, though they may go with Gleyber Torres at short.
• Cincinnati has avoided signing free agents for more than two years. The last player from outside the organization to get a long-term deal was closer Francisco Cordero, who signed a four-year, $48 million deal before the 2008 season. But Williams has made it clear, however, that Cincinnati’s payroll is getting bumped upwards and that could give the club a better chance to compete for free agents.
• Gregorius will turn 30 in February and is coming off a poor 2019 season that could deflate some of his value. An elbow injury during the 2018 American League Division Series required Tommy John surgery and he didn’t debut this year until early June. Gregorius batted .238/.276/.441 with 16 homers and 61 RBIs in 82 games after he returned. Steamer projects a batting slash line of .264/.312/.450 with 22 homers -- an indication teams should be bullish for a rebound season.

What if Gregorius doesn’t sign with the Reds
Should the Reds and Gregorius not being able to pull off this reunion, the club could look at multiple scenarios. Inside the club, it has already picked up the $5.5 million option for Freddy Galvis, with the idea he could be used at shortstop, second base or off the bench. Iglesias was happy with the Reds and fit well into their clubhouse and his defense was loved by the team -- namely its pitchers.
By far the most intriguing alternative would be a trade for Cleveland’s Francisco Lindor. The superstar is viewed by many in the industry as a candidate to be dealt because he has two seasons of club control remaining before he can become a free agent. That means it would likely require a huge haul in return to get Lindor. But focused on contending, the Reds weren’t afraid to make trades last winter and could be willing to do what it takes to improve the team.

[ApricotSinner32]

Good luck today with your wagers people get it

[Chi_archie]

San Francisco hired Scott Harris to be its new general manager. Harris had been the Chicago Cubs' assistant GM since 2018, after joining the organization in 2012 as director of baseball operations

he should do good there

[BigSpoon]

CINCINNATI -- On the heels of the 2012 Winter Meetings, the Reds, Indians and D-backs completed a blockbuster three-team trade on Dec. 11. The big name for Cincinnati coming over from Cleveland was outfielder Shin-Soo Choo. Other players would become big names later.
One current Reds player and another former one were also involved in the deal. Then a starting pitching prospect, Trevor Bauer was moved from Arizona to Cleveland, while Cincinnati dealt shortstop prospect Didi Gregorius to Arizona. Gregorius eventually became a star for the Yankees.
And now the conditions appear right for free-agent shortstop Gregorius to return to the Reds, where his career started.
Hailing from Curacao, Gregorius was 22 when he was a September callup for Cincinnati in 2012. He debuted to start in place of an injured Zack Cozart on Sept. 5 of that season and batted .300 (8-for-20) in eight games, with four starts at shortstop.
The Reds, who signed Gregorius as a 17-year-old in 2007, loved Gregorius’ defensive wizardry and great throwing arm. Although he didn’t have much power at the time, he had the makings of decent hitter capable of getting on base. But with Cozart having already established himself at shortstop as the club was coming off a National League Central title, Cincinnati capitalized on its positional depth and moved Gregorius to land Choo.

Why Gregorius makes sense
• Of course, the Reds have an opening at shortstop after José Iglesias became a free agent. And the only string attached to Gregorius was cut on Monday when the Yankees declined to make him a qualifying offer. Had one been extended, signing Gregorius would have meant Draft pick compensation going to New York.
• The door is still open for Iglesias to return, but Gregorius could be an offensive upgrade for a team seeking to score more runs. From 2016-18 with the Yankees, Gregorius averaged 24 home runs per season while totaling 10.2 wins above replacement (WAR). In 2019, Iglesias hit a career-high 11 homers in his one season with the Reds and was worth 1.5 WAR. Both players are capable of making jaw-dropping plays in the field.
• There has certainly been a lot of turnover on the Reds since 2012, with Joey Votto being the only player on the current roster that played with Gregorius when he was freshly promoted. But Gregorius is likely familiar with the main players in the front office, like president of baseball operations Dick Williams, general manager Nick Krall and ownership. He’s been to Spring Training at the Reds’ complex in Goodyear, Ariz., and he knows what the facility has to offer for players.

Why Gregorius might not work
• The Reds certainly won’t be competing in a vacuum for Gregorius’ services. Their NL Central rivals -- the Brewers -- are among teams looking to improve at shortstop. The Yankees could always try to bring Gregorius back, though they may go with Gleyber Torres at short.
• Cincinnati has avoided signing free agents for more than two years. The last player from outside the organization to get a long-term deal was closer Francisco Cordero, who signed a four-year, $48 million deal before the 2008 season. But Williams has made it clear, however, that Cincinnati’s payroll is getting bumped upwards and that could give the club a better chance to compete for free agents.
• Gregorius will turn 30 in February and is coming off a poor 2019 season that could deflate some of his value. An elbow injury during the 2018 American League Division Series required Tommy John surgery and he didn’t debut this year until early June. Gregorius batted .238/.276/.441 with 16 homers and 61 RBIs in 82 games after he returned. Steamer projects a batting slash line of .264/.312/.450 with 22 homers -- an indication teams should be bullish for a rebound season.

What if Gregorius doesn’t sign with the Reds
Should the Reds and Gregorius not being able to pull off this reunion, the club could look at multiple scenarios. Inside the club, it has already picked up the $5.5 million option for Freddy Galvis, with the idea he could be used at shortstop, second base or off the bench. Iglesias was happy with the Reds and fit well into their clubhouse and his defense was loved by the team -- namely its pitchers.
By far the most intriguing alternative would be a trade for Cleveland’s Francisco Lindor. The superstar is viewed by many in the industry as a candidate to be dealt because he has two seasons of club control remaining before he can become a free agent. That means it would likely require a huge haul in return to get Lindor. But focused on contending, the Reds weren’t afraid to make trades last winter and could be willing to do what it takes to improve the team.

Interesting to see the dollars and term it takes to get Gregorius this winter.

[JaimeMiro]

Good pickup by the Giants on the GM front.

It's only a good pickup if he makes the right moves