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

[JaimeMiro]

Dodgers win, struggled. Came into tonight, thinking they'd blow the Diamondbacks off the field...

[JAKEPEAVY21]

Machado homers in his return to Baltimore...the fans gave him a nice ovation as well.

[ApricotSinner32]

No big dogs won tonight weird stuff chalk is dominating.

[Chi_archie]

Hate the chalk

[dudekid]

Will Smith is definitely going to be traded, Giants going to be major sellers at the deadkine. Madbum will go too

[Chi_archie]

Will Smith is definitely going to be traded, Giants going to be major sellers at the deadkine. Madbum will go too

will be interesting to see who they can get

[koz-man]

Yankees' Stanton to get MRI after injuring knee

New York Yankees outfielder Giancarlo Stanton left Tuesday night's 4-3 win against the Toronto Blue Jays with a right knee contusion and underwent an MRI.
Stanton is not in the lineup for Wednesday afternoon's game against the Blue Jays, but he is listed as an available player on the bench.
Stanton was 1-for-1 in the game, hitting a single in the first inning. He got tangled up with Toronto pitcher Clayton Richard while getting thrown out on a headfirst slide into third base, but he remained in left field in the second and third innings.

[Otters27]

Lots of day action. Starting off with Yanks

[mr. leisure]

Lots of day action. Starting off with Yanks

Lots of of big favorites in the early games .Lets see if a big dog can pull off an upset .

[JMobile]

New pitcher for Dodgers is struggling today.

[jrgum3]

will be interesting to see who they can get

Will Smith should net them a good return since teams are always looking for left handed bullpen help and he’s quietly having a good year for the Giants. I’m interested to see who takes a shot that Madbum will return to his postseason form even though he’s a rental.

[Cross]

NL Central kind of a close race with a lot of teams.

[Otters27]

Red Sox Boo

[JaimeMiro]

What a game by the Yankees; knew they'd come back from the 5-0 deficit but didn't bet then cause odds were too low. Around 2.65 @ bookmaker in the 2nd/3rd inning

[EmpireMaker]

11:15pm: The Cubs have called Kimbrel up to the MLB roster for tomorrow’s game and optioned Tony Barnette to Triple-A Iowa, Maddon announced post-game (Twitter link via Gonzales).
4:50pm: Manager Joe Maddon announced to reporters that Kimbrel is on his way to meet the Cubs right now (Twitter link via Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune). There won’t be a formal announcement or an official corresponding roster move until at least tomorrow, it seems.
3:54pm: Kimbrel is “no longer with” the Cubs’ Triple-A affiliate, reports Tommy Birch of the Des Moines Register. Birch calls Kimbrel’s debut with the Cubs “imminent.” Like Wittenmyer, Birch suggests that Kimbrel is expected to be officially called up this week.
10:20am: Cubs closer Craig Kimbrel appears on the cusp of making his long-awaited 2019 debut. The Cubs could activate the seven-time All-Star as early as Thursday or Friday, per Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times. Kimbrel is already on the Cubs’ 40-man roster.
Kimbrel, who has been pitching with Triple-A Iowa since June 16, threw a perfect, two-strikeout inning Tuesday in what could go down as his last tuneup performance. The 31-year-old right-hander has made four appearances with Iowa, including back-to-back outings over the weekend, and given up two hits, a walk and a run against four strikeouts. Kimbrel’s fastball has sat in the 95 mph range along the way. That’s down from Kimbrel’s ~98 mph career average, though there’s understandably no concern on the Cubs’ part.
“It’s not about results or velocity, it is getting in game shape and building that foundation,” president of baseball operations Theo Epstein said this week (via Bruce Levine of 670 The Score).
If the Epstein-led Cubs get the version of Kimbrel they’re expecting, the potential Hall of Famer could make a substantial impact on the National League playoff race. Chicago has managed a 43-36 record and a one-game lead over the Brewers in the NL Central as the season approaches the halfway point, though the Cubs’ success has come despite an unspectacular bullpen. Steve Cishek, Brandon Kintzler and Kyle Ryan have recorded solid numbers, but most of the Cubs’ other relievers have been shaky this year. It hasn’t helped the Cubs have gone without the injured Brandon Morrow, a 2018 force who went down last July and still hasn’t returned. Morrow piled up more saves than any other Cub a year ago, and his absence has left Cishek and Pedro Strop to rack up the majority of game-ending opportunities to mixed results. Strop has endured an uncharacteristically subpar season and will try to right himself in a return to a setup role when Kimbrel enters the mix.
While Kimbrel’s an all-time great with 333 saves and a 91 percent success rate for his career, his performance fell back a bit last year as he concluded his Red Sox stint. Kimbrel still posted a 2.74 ERA/3.13 FIP with 13.86 K/9 and 4.48 BB/9 over 62 1/3 innings, which is production every team would sign up for late in games. But clubs had their limits in free agency with Kimbrel, who reportedly had designs on becoming the first-ever $100MM reliever early in the offseason. Clubs scoffed at that asking price and Kimbrel’s subsequent requests, which left him without an employer for seven months.
The Kimbrel saga came to a merciful end when he agreed June 5 to join the Cubs on a three-year, $43MM deal. The draft had passed by then, meaning the Cubs didn’t have to surrender compensation other than money for the qualifying offer recipient. Chicago’s about to begin finding out whether the Kimbrel signing will go down as a wise investment.

[jrgum3]

Finally its Kimbrel time in Chicago

[Chi_archie]

Finally its Kimbrel time in Chicago

should be interesting

[batt33]

I seem to recall hearing that pitchers doing an abbreviated spring training aren't very successful...yes he has been pitching but not against major league hitters..we shall see.

[JMobile]

Tatis should be a All Star.

[dudekid]

any brewers guys here? what the hell is up with Jimmy Nelson? lol

[koz-man]

Yankees say Stanton likely out until August

LONDON -- New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman says slugger Giancarlo Stanton is more likely to return in August than July after straining his right knee.
The often-injured outfielder went on the 10-day injured list with a strained posterior cruciate ligament Wednesday, barely a week after returning from a series of setbacks that sidelined him for almost three months. Stanton was hurt this time on a headfirst slide against Toronto on Tuesday night.

[JAKEPEAVY21]

Harper just hit a Homer to put the Phillies up 1-0 in the bottom of the 6th...

[hotcross]

Kimbrel got two quick outs in the top of the 9th in his first save appearance as a Cub. Then gave up a double to Acuna and walked Swanson before getting Freeman to ground out. Cubs won 9-7

[BigSpoon]

Hunter Pence makes the All-Star team at DH when he could only get a minor league deal as a free agent in the offseason.

[JaimeMiro]

Dodgers, what a game... 8 - 12, too good despite their weakness in the bullpen

[jrgum3]

Hunter Pence makes the All-Star team at DH when he could only get a minor league deal as a free agent in the offseason.

Good for Pence he’s been fantastic this year.

[EmpireMaker]

The Rays will promote left-hander Brendan McKay to start Saturday’s game against the Rangers, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports (Twitter link). McKay isn’t on the Rays’ 40-man roster, so another transaction beyond a 25-man roster spot will have to be opened before Saturday.
McKay entered the season as one of the consensus top minor leaguers in the game, though pundits gave him something of a wide range of evaluations. ESPN’s Keith Law and Fangraphs’ Eric Longenhagen each ranked McKay as the 14th-best prospect in the sport, while MLB.com (29th), Baseball Prospectus (42nd) and Baseball America (49th) weren’t quite as bullish.
Part of the discrepancy could stem from McKay’s unique status as a two-way player. An outstanding pitcher and first baseman at the University of Louisville, the Rays drafted “Two-Way McKay” fourth overall in the 2017 draft and allowed him to continue at both positions in his pro career.
Thus far, McKay has shown a lot more promise on the mound, with a sterling 1.85 ERA, 6.24 K/BB rate, and 11.6 K/9 over 165 innings pitched, compared to a .216/.348/.356 slash line and 14 homers over 541 plate appearances (though he has hit quite well against Triple-A pitching). It’s worth noting that McKay’s progress was somewhat slowed by two different oblique injuries in 2018, once sustained as a pitcher and one as a hitter — “highlighting the inherent risk of developing a two-way player,” as MLB.com’s scouting report notes.
Perhaps as a nod to this injury risk, the Rays have seemingly looked to turn McKay (if he remains a two-way player at all) into a more direct copy of Shohei Ohtani, in terms of how the Angels deploy Ohtani when he isn’t on the mound. McKay has been used exclusively as a DH when appearing in a lineup this season, rather than any more time at first base.
It isn’t yet known if the Rays will give McKay any DH at-bats in the big leagues, though Tampa Bay has cycled so many players through the designated hitter spot this season (as a way of keeping everyone fresh) that it stands to reason McKay could also get a look. Austin Meadows has received the bulk of Tampa’s DH time this season, and with both Meadows and McKay are left-handed hitters, it doesn’t make for an ideal match. That said, the Rays are flexible with their lineups and positions as any team in baseball, so Avisail Garcia or Tommy Pham could get a breather against the occasional right-hander to allow for McKay to get some exposure to MLB pitching.
More immediately, however, McKay will be used to address the Rays’ pitching needs. With Tyler Glasnow facing an even longer IL stint after suffering a setback in his recovery from a forearm injury, the Rays are down to Blake Snell, Charlie Morton, and Yonny Chirinos as regular starters, with openers and bulk starters handling the other regular turns through the rotation. It could be that Tampa doesn’t want to overwhelm McKay in his first taste of the majors, and will keep him as just a pitcher for now. Getting some quality innings from McKay would be a big boost for the Rays, as the team could then more directly focus on adding relief pitching at the deadline rather than having to think about acquiring a starter as well.

[Chi_archie]

The Rays will promote left-hander Brendan McKay to start Saturday’s game against the Rangers, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports (Twitter link). McKay isn’t on the Rays’ 40-man roster, so another transaction beyond a 25-man roster spot will have to be opened before Saturday.
McKay entered the season as one of the consensus top minor leaguers in the game, though pundits gave him something of a wide range of evaluations. ESPN’s Keith Law and Fangraphs’ Eric Longenhagen each ranked McKay as the 14th-best prospect in the sport, while MLB.com (29th), Baseball Prospectus (42nd) and Baseball America (49th) weren’t quite as bullish.
Part of the discrepancy could stem from McKay’s unique status as a two-way player. An outstanding pitcher and first baseman at the University of Louisville, the Rays drafted “Two-Way McKay” fourth overall in the 2017 draft and allowed him to continue at both positions in his pro career.
Thus far, McKay has shown a lot more promise on the mound, with a sterling 1.85 ERA, 6.24 K/BB rate, and 11.6 K/9 over 165 innings pitched, compared to a .216/.348/.356 slash line and 14 homers over 541 plate appearances (though he has hit quite well against Triple-A pitching). It’s worth noting that McKay’s progress was somewhat slowed by two different oblique injuries in 2018, once sustained as a pitcher and one as a hitter — “highlighting the inherent risk of developing a two-way player,” as MLB.com’s scouting report notes.
Perhaps as a nod to this injury risk, the Rays have seemingly looked to turn McKay (if he remains a two-way player at all) into a more direct copy of Shohei Ohtani, in terms of how the Angels deploy Ohtani when he isn’t on the mound. McKay has been used exclusively as a DH when appearing in a lineup this season, rather than any more time at first base.
It isn’t yet known if the Rays will give McKay any DH at-bats in the big leagues, though Tampa Bay has cycled so many players through the designated hitter spot this season (as a way of keeping everyone fresh) that it stands to reason McKay could also get a look. Austin Meadows has received the bulk of Tampa’s DH time this season, and with both Meadows and McKay are left-handed hitters, it doesn’t make for an ideal match. That said, the Rays are flexible with their lineups and positions as any team in baseball, so Avisail Garcia or Tommy Pham could get a breather against the occasional right-hander to allow for McKay to get some exposure to MLB pitching.
More immediately, however, McKay will be used to address the Rays’ pitching needs. With Tyler Glasnow facing an even longer IL stint after suffering a setback in his recovery from a forearm injury, the Rays are down to Blake Snell, Charlie Morton, and Yonny Chirinos as regular starters, with openers and bulk starters handling the other regular turns through the rotation. It could be that Tampa doesn’t want to overwhelm McKay in his first taste of the majors, and will keep him as just a pitcher for now. Getting some quality innings from McKay would be a big boost for the Rays, as the team could then more directly focus on adding relief pitching at the deadline rather than having to think about acquiring a starter as well.

Let's see what McKay has

[dudekid]

McKay will be interesting but I have a hard time seeing the Rays use him as an actual starter. I imagine he will follow an opener and throw about 5 innings

[JMobile]

Sorry Jake, I'm picking the Cards tonight.

[batt33]

Hunter Pence makes the All-Star team at DH when he could only get a minor league deal as a free agent in the offseason.

Wow..That's pretty cool....

[koz-man]

The Houston Astros lead all teams with three starters for this year's All-Star Game, after all the votes were tallied Thursday in Major League Baseball's new "Starters Election."
ASG starters - American League

C: Gary Sanchez	Yankees
1B: Carlos Santana	Indians
2B: DJ LeMahieu	Yankees
SS: Jorge Polanco	Twins
3B: Alex Bregman	Astros
OF: Mike Trout	Angels
OF: George Springer	Astros
OF: Michael Brantley	Astros
DH: Hunter Pence	Rangers

ASG starters - National League

C: Willson Contreras	Cubs
1B: Freddie Freeman	Braves
2B: Ketel Marte	D-backs
SS: Javier Baez	Cubs
3B: Nolan Arenado	Rockies
OF: Christian Yelich	Brewers
OF: Cody Bellinger	Dodgers
OF: Ronald Acuna Jr.	Braves

[BigSpoon]

Can't get over the Hunter Pence selection, one of the most unlikely All-Star starters ever.

[Otters27]

Can't get over the Hunter Pence selection, one of the most unlikely All-Star starters ever.

Fan favorite

[ApricotSinner32]

I'm tired of all of the favorites winning i'm ticked rick.