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

[EmpireMaker]

Though the Yankees’ rotation was dealt a substantial blow yesterday with the news that Luis Severino would be shut down entirely for another six weeks, the organization isn’t hitting the panic button and making a sudden push for lingering free-agent Dallas Keuchel, SNY’s John Harper reports. New York general manager Brian Cashman would prefer to “exhaust all of the alternatives” before pursuing Keuchel unless the former Cy Young winner’s price tag drops even further. SNY’s Andy Martino tweets a similar sentiment, suggesting there’s no interest in Keuchel at this time.
The Yankees will be getting some help for a beleaguered rotation this weekend, however, as manager Aaron Boone revealed to reporters Wednesday that CC Sabathia will be activated from the injured list and make his 2019 debut on Saturday (Twitter link via Newsday’s Erik Boland). The Yanks also have Gio Gonzalez tuning up in Triple-A, and given that the lefty has an April 20 opt-out in his minor league contract, it seems likely that he’ll get a look sooner rather than later.
More out of the Bronx…

• Third baseman Miguel Andujar made 25 throws from 60 feet this week and has been cleared to swing a bat on Friday, the team told the media today (Twitter link via George A. King III of the New Pork). It’s not yet clear if the young slugger will be able to avoid surgery to repair the small tear in his right shoulder’s labrum, though both he and the Yankees are hopeful that he can avoid going under the knife. In his absence, DJ LeMahieu has been hitting well while manning the hot corner, though injuries to both Andujar and Troy Tulowitzki have tested the Yankees’ infield depth.
• Center fielder Aaron Hicks has begun to hit soft-toss in addition to his throwing regimen, tweets James Wagner of the New York Times. He’s also been running the bases recently and is optimistic that he’ll be able to take on-field batting practice in the near future. Meanwhile, Giancarlo Stanton has begun to swing a bat as he works his way toward a return. Both players figure to need to minor league rehab assignments before they’re able to suit up to return to the Yankees, but it seems that each is proceeding free of any setbacks at present.

[JaimeMiro]

Jose Altuve led the Astros past Yankees with huge 2-homer game

[jrgum3]

Wow I’m glad I got rid of Severino when I did. I never would have drafted him except for the fact the team I had him on was auto drafted since I had to work.

[warlord]

for now Phillies pitching bad. Nationals hitting good

[Otters27]

Wow I’m glad I got rid of Severino when I did. I never would have drafted him except for the fact the team I had him on was auto drafted since I had to work.

Thatguy burns me every time I bet him anyways

[Chi_archie]

Jose Altuve led the Astros past Yankees with huge 2-homer game

guy is a stud

[JAKEPEAVY21]

Spanked then again today 1 - 3

Padres rookie SP Nick Margevicius has been very impressive...the strange thing is his fastball tops out at 90MPH but he seems to always be a step ahead of the hitters and they have a tough time squaring up and barreling the ball off of him. The ball also seems to jump out of his hand and looks faster than he actually throws. His delivery/release point might be another reason that hitters have a tough time picking up the ball out of his hand. He also throws a lot of strikes, doesn't walk many hitters and pitches at a pretty fast pace...don't let him get into a rhythm.

[dudekid]

Padres rookie SP Nick Margevicius has been very impressive...the strange thing is his fastball tops out at 90MPH but he seems to always be a step ahead of the hitters and they have a tough time squaring up and barreling the ball off of him. The ball also seems to jump out of his hand and looks faster than he actually throws. His delivery/release point might be another reason that hitters have a tough time picking up the ball out of his hand. He also throws a lot of strikes, doesn't walk many hitters and pitches at a pretty fast pace...don't let him get into a rhythm.

Ive been watching him for sure. It remains to be seen how he adjusts to hitters catching up with him especially 3rd time around in the lineup. Padres young arms are legit though

[JAKEPEAVY21]

Ive been watching him for sure. It remains to be seen how he adjusts to hitters catching up with him especially 3rd time around in the lineup. Padres young arms are legit though

Margevicius was not expected to make the team out of spring training and was never on the Padres top 30 prospects list. I did not really expect much from him but have been pleasantly surprised after watching him pitch a few times now. The fact is that this guy understands how to pitch and keep hitters off balance.

Agreed that the Padres young pitchers have looked good and there are a lot more higher touted ones on the way.

[koz-man]

M's homer in record 15th straight to start season

Second baseman Dee Gordon, with a sixth-inning blast on Thursday, pushed the Seattle Mariners into the record books for the longest season-opening home run streak in MLB history.


Gordon's solo shot to right field -- his first of the season -- against the Kansas City Royals extended the Mariners' streak to 15 games with a home run to open this season, surpassing the mark set by the 2002 Cleveland Indians.

Daniel Vogelbach also later homered as Seattle rallied for a 7-6 win in 10 innings.


Every position player has homered for the Mariners, who lead the AL West -- and the majors -- with a 13-2 record.
Seattle leads the American League with 36 home runs and a .295 average through 15 games.

[BigSpoon]

M's homer in record 15th straight to start season


Second baseman Dee Gordon, with a sixth-inning blast on Thursday, pushed the Seattle Mariners into the record books for the longest season-opening home run streak in MLB history.


Gordon's solo shot to right field -- his first of the season -- against the Kansas City Royals extended the Mariners' streak to 15 games with a home run to open this season, surpassing the mark set by the 2002 Cleveland Indians.

Daniel Vogelbach also later homered as Seattle rallied for a 7-6 win in 10 innings.


Every position player has homered for the Mariners, who lead the AL West -- and the majors -- with a 13-2 record.
Seattle leads the American League with 36 home runs and a .295 average through 15 games.

Don't think anyone saw this M's start to the season coming.

[batt33]

M's homer in record 15th straight to start season


Second baseman Dee Gordon, with a sixth-inning blast on Thursday, pushed the Seattle Mariners into the record books for the longest season-opening home run streak in MLB history.


Gordon's solo shot to right field -- his first of the season -- against the Kansas City Royals extended the Mariners' streak to 15 games with a home run to open this season, surpassing the mark set by the 2002 Cleveland Indians.

Daniel Vogelbach also later homered as Seattle rallied for a 7-6 win in 10 innings.


Every position player has homered for the Mariners, who lead the AL West -- and the majors -- with a 13-2 record.
Seattle leads the American League with 36 home runs and a .295 average through 15 games.

Wow, never knew this was happening.....

[JMobile]

Padres picking up the chemistry.

[jrgum3]

Mariners might just run away and hide in the AL West that offense can light up a scoreboard.

[EmpireMaker]

The Braves continued to lock up their core pieces Thursday, announcing a contract extension with second baseman Ozzie Albies that’ll guarantee the 22-year-old a total of $35MM from 2019-25. The contract includes a pair of club options reportedly valued at $7MM apiece, each of which has a $4MM buyout. If both are exercised, Albies will earn a mere $45MM over the next nine seasons — four of which would have been free-agent years.

Albies was already under control through 2023 but will now join Ronald Acuna Jr. in comprising a core that the Braves can build around beyond that point in time. Acuna’s contract was deemed by many to be bargain, but the Albies deal runs nearly the same length while checking in at just under one third of the total maximum value.
In terms of overall guarantee, Albies topped fellow second baseman Ketel Marte, though he did so only by giving away additional years of control. Historically speaking, there’s little to no precedent for a player this young and of this caliber surrendering four would-be free-agent seasons for a maximum payout under $50MM. While there’s surely something to be said for accepting a first life-changing payday — particularly with arbitration still two years away — Albies was on track to become a free agent upon completion of his age-26 season. For comparison’s sake, Scooter Gennett earned $18MM over this three arb years despite not breaking out until he was in his first arbitration season. Jonathan Schoop, who was non-tendered after his second arbitration season, signed a one-year deal with the Twins and will earn $19.475MM across what would’ve been his three arb seasons.
Setting aside second basemen and merely looking at players who signed extensions with between one and two years of Major League service, Christian Yelich (seven years, $49.57MM), Andrelton Simmons (seven years, $58MM) and Anthony Rizzo (seven years, $41MM) all topped the Albies guarantee handily — and did so more than four years ago. If Albies was dead-set on an extension, a $50MM baseline would have been at least commensurate with market trends — especially considering the multiple options over free-agent seasons. Instead, the deal checks in more along the lines of dated extensions signed by Starling Marte, Jedd Gyorko and Gregory Polanco.
Frankly, this seems like the type of deal that an agent would strongly advise his client not to take. Perhaps Albies simply wanted to take the largest guarantee the Braves were willing to offer; he received just a $350K signing bonus as a prospect, after all, and his career earnings to date may not even total seven figures. From a purely human standpoint, it’s hard for any 22-year-old player without much in the way of career earnings to rebuff $35MM under the guise that he’ll earn more on a year-to-year basis beginning 24 months down the line. Presumably, all of the points made here were spelled out to Albies before he made what amounts to a life-altering decision.
The contract serves as a reminder that the teams hold overwhelming leverage in instances such as this, and the Atlanta organization took full advantage of that reality. It’s nothing short of a coup for the Braves to land Albies for a maximum of $45MM over the next nine years just weeks after Eloy Jimenez signed a deal that can pay him as much as $75MM over eight years before he ever played a single MLB game.
Albies, meanwhile, entered his second full big league campaign in 2019 with a career .268/.317/.453 batting line to go along with 30 homers, 49 doubles, 10 triples and 22 stolen bases (in 26 attempts). He’s off to a fast start thus far, too, having posted a .929 OPS through the season’s first 11 games. Long one of the game’s top-ranked prospects, Albies earned what figures to be the first of multiple All-Star nods last year as part of a season that both Baseball-Reference and Fangraphs pegged at 3.8 wins above replacement. Given the output he’s already demonstrated to this point in his career, it seems unfathomable that Albies wouldn’t have taken home at least $10-15MM in arbitration, and the more realistic scenario (as evidenced by Schoop and Gennett) is that he’d have done quite a bit better.
The Braves may very well try to spin the Acuna and Albies extensions as big expenditures that’ll buy some good will with fans after a quiet offseason in which they did not spend at anywhere near the level they implied to fans several months ago. And Braves fans, to be clear, should be thrilled by both deals. However, these types of deals aren’t the type that a team can legitimately claim as alternatives to spending in free agency and in taking on salary via trades; rather, they’re the type of contracts that should empower a team to spend in those arenas, knowing full well that paying market rate for other talent is offset by the overwhelming bargains they’ve secured over a pair of homegrown assets.

[Chi_archie]

Mariners might just run away and hide in the AL West that offense can light up a scoreboard.

It's been amazing

[batt33]

Watching The Giants last night...heard posey is still looking for his first RBI of the season.....wow

[JAKEPEAVY21]

Watching The Giants last night...heard posey is still looking for his first RBI of the season.....wow

I heard his hips are totally shot which robs him of any power...seems to be true?

[koz-man]

Don't think anyone saw this M's start to the season coming.

According to the media this was to be the Yankees.

[BigSpoon]

Kevin Pillar drove in four runs in the Giants' win over the San Diego Padres, a night after hitting a grand slam. He became the first Giant with at least four RBI in back-to-back games since Bonds drove in nine runs over two games in April 2002. The Giants didn't acquire Pillar until before the sixth game of the season, but he already is tied with Brandon Belt for the team lead with eight RBI.
interesting....Didn't know anything about him

Pillar leading the team with 10 RBI now. Impressive from him but kinda sad for the Giants.

[Otters27]

Don't think anyone saw this M's start to the season coming.

Love this Team

[Cross]

The Braves just robbed Albies with that deal, who is his agent???

[JaimeMiro]

So will the Red Sox come out of hibernation any time soon. Been tough backing them

[dudekid]

So will the Red Sox come out of hibernation any time soon. Been tough backing them

They won last night? The bats arent the issue really its the pitching. Should be a get right series against Balt

[JaimeMiro]

They've won two in a row, but still looking shaky. Not yet high on them.

[Cross]

Easy to have a hangover w pitching after winning a World Series. So hard to repeat these days.

[jrgum3]

I don't think this Giants game is ever going to end. I just want my under 8 ticket to cash already...

[EmpireMaker]

With the excitement of a new season, it’s easy to forget that one of the game’s most accomplished relief pitchers is still sitting on the sideline after failing to find a contract over the offseason. Star closer Craig Kimbrel remains available — and that fact that is due largely to his own unrealistic asking prices, Jim Bowden argues at The Athletic (subscription link).
According to Bowden, agent Dave Meter not only set out in search of a six-year, $120MM for Kimbrel, but has continued to demand a record-seeking deal this spring. Bowden claims that, “even as late as March,” the Kimbrel camp “was still seeking a five-year pact in the $100 million range.”
If indeed that’s the case, it would be hard to escape the conclusion that Kimbrel and/or Meter have simply failed to recognize the reality of Kimbrel’s market standing. Despite his historic excellence, there were some well-documented issues with his free-agent case. That’s why MLBTR predicted a four-year, $70MM contract rather than a record-setting, nine-figure pact.
While a nine-figure bonanza was never likely achievable, it’s certainly possible that mistaken market posturing cost Kimbrel a chance at a deal of the sort we expected. It’s also all but impossible to say that with any real confidence without knowing quite a bit more than is publicly available.
Even if Bowden is correct regarding the Kimbrel side’s expressed beliefs regarding his value, it’s not clear at all that Kimbrel ever fielded and rejected any truly significant contract offers. (Bowden does say that “specific, and significant, offers, or at least ranges of potential contract proposals” were made, though details aren’t available.) Perhaps the player-side negotiating position prevented that from happening, but that’s not something that can be assessed with certitude.
Whatever the case, it’s a tough spot now for Kimbrel and his rep. (Somewhat ironically, Meter is also under fire for rather different reasons after another client inked an eyebrow-raising recent extension.) Their present bargaining position isn’t really known, but it’s certainly becoming harder and harder to imagine a multi-year arrangement coming together — let alone one that compensates Kimbrel commensurate with his still-lofty present ability levels.
While some teams have evidently been interested in discussing longer-term proposals, their own willingness may not be the same at this point of the year. Bowden says that most of those clubs now simply want to score a “bargain basement deal” with Kimbrel, though perhaps it’s still possible that one or more will do more if they truly believe it’s necessary to convince Kimbrel to get back in action and see enough of a team need. (Certainly, there’s no shortage of teams with bullpen needs.)
It’s not an altogether different situation for veteran starter Dallas Keuchel. Bowden also chides him and agent Scott Boras for taking an unreasonable starting position and failing to adapt, though in that case it’s said that specific demands weren’t made in early talks.
Where and when these two hurlers might sign remains anyone’s guess. In a recent poll, MLBTR readers predicted that deals wouldn’t come until after the June draft, at which time draft compensation will no longer be required to add either player. If you’re interested in reading more about possible landing spots, the situation isn’t all that different than it was when MLBTR recently analyzed Kimbrel’s and Keuchels’s market standing team by team.

[Chi_archie]

With the excitement of a new season, it’s easy to forget that one of the game’s most accomplished relief pitchers is still sitting on the sideline after failing to find a contract over the offseason. Star closer Craig Kimbrel remains available — and that fact that is due largely to his own unrealistic asking prices, Jim Bowden argues at The Athletic (subscription link).
According to Bowden, agent Dave Meter not only set out in search of a six-year, $120MM for Kimbrel, but has continued to demand a record-seeking deal this spring. Bowden claims that, “even as late as March,” the Kimbrel camp “was still seeking a five-year pact in the $100 million range.”
If indeed that’s the case, it would be hard to escape the conclusion that Kimbrel and/or Meter have simply failed to recognize the reality of Kimbrel’s market standing. Despite his historic excellence, there were some well-documented issues with his free-agent case. That’s why MLBTR predicted a four-year, $70MM contract rather than a record-setting, nine-figure pact.
While a nine-figure bonanza was never likely achievable, it’s certainly possible that mistaken market posturing cost Kimbrel a chance at a deal of the sort we expected. It’s also all but impossible to say that with any real confidence without knowing quite a bit more than is publicly available.
Even if Bowden is correct regarding the Kimbrel side’s expressed beliefs regarding his value, it’s not clear at all that Kimbrel ever fielded and rejected any truly significant contract offers. (Bowden does say that “specific, and significant, offers, or at least ranges of potential contract proposals” were made, though details aren’t available.) Perhaps the player-side negotiating position prevented that from happening, but that’s not something that can be assessed with certitude.
Whatever the case, it’s a tough spot now for Kimbrel and his rep. (Somewhat ironically, Meter is also under fire for rather different reasons after another client inked an eyebrow-raising recent extension.) Their present bargaining position isn’t really known, but it’s certainly becoming harder and harder to imagine a multi-year arrangement coming together — let alone one that compensates Kimbrel commensurate with his still-lofty present ability levels.
While some teams have evidently been interested in discussing longer-term proposals, their own willingness may not be the same at this point of the year. Bowden says that most of those clubs now simply want to score a “bargain basement deal” with Kimbrel, though perhaps it’s still possible that one or more will do more if they truly believe it’s necessary to convince Kimbrel to get back in action and see enough of a team need. (Certainly, there’s no shortage of teams with bullpen needs.)
It’s not an altogether different situation for veteran starter Dallas Keuchel. Bowden also chides him and agent Scott Boras for taking an unreasonable starting position and failing to adapt, though in that case it’s said that specific demands weren’t made in early talks.
Where and when these two hurlers might sign remains anyone’s guess. In a recent poll, MLBTR readers predicted that deals wouldn’t come until after the June draft, at which time draft compensation will no longer be required to add either player. If you’re interested in reading more about possible landing spots, the situation isn’t all that different than it was when MLBTR recently analyzed Kimbrel’s and Keuchels’s market standing team by team.

So crazy

[JAKEPEAVY21]

Padres win again to go 10-5...different guy every night getting a big hit, fun to see.

Jankowski is a key piece that has been missing, he should be back late May.

Cordero on shelf as well, hopefully he is back sooner than later.

[Otters27]

I don't think this Giants game is ever going to end. I just want my under 8 ticket to cash already...

Giants win 3-2. Always such to be the losing team on these. Using all that bullpen for a loss

[BigSpoon]

With the excitement of a new season, it’s easy to forget that one of the game’s most accomplished relief pitchers is still sitting on the sideline after failing to find a contract over the offseason. Star closer Craig Kimbrel remains available — and that fact that is due largely to his own unrealistic asking prices, Jim Bowden argues at The Athletic (subscription link).
According to Bowden, agent Dave Meter not only set out in search of a six-year, $120MM for Kimbrel, but has continued to demand a record-seeking deal this spring. Bowden claims that, “even as late as March,” the Kimbrel camp “was still seeking a five-year pact in the $100 million range.”
If indeed that’s the case, it would be hard to escape the conclusion that Kimbrel and/or Meter have simply failed to recognize the reality of Kimbrel’s market standing. Despite his historic excellence, there were some well-documented issues with his free-agent case. That’s why MLBTR predicted a four-year, $70MM contract rather than a record-setting, nine-figure pact.
While a nine-figure bonanza was never likely achievable, it’s certainly possible that mistaken market posturing cost Kimbrel a chance at a deal of the sort we expected. It’s also all but impossible to say that with any real confidence without knowing quite a bit more than is publicly available.
Even if Bowden is correct regarding the Kimbrel side’s expressed beliefs regarding his value, it’s not clear at all that Kimbrel ever fielded and rejected any truly significant contract offers. (Bowden does say that “specific, and significant, offers, or at least ranges of potential contract proposals” were made, though details aren’t available.) Perhaps the player-side negotiating position prevented that from happening, but that’s not something that can be assessed with certitude.
Whatever the case, it’s a tough spot now for Kimbrel and his rep. (Somewhat ironically, Meter is also under fire for rather different reasons after another client inked an eyebrow-raising recent extension.) Their present bargaining position isn’t really known, but it’s certainly becoming harder and harder to imagine a multi-year arrangement coming together — let alone one that compensates Kimbrel commensurate with his still-lofty present ability levels.
While some teams have evidently been interested in discussing longer-term proposals, their own willingness may not be the same at this point of the year. Bowden says that most of those clubs now simply want to score a “bargain basement deal” with Kimbrel, though perhaps it’s still possible that one or more will do more if they truly believe it’s necessary to convince Kimbrel to get back in action and see enough of a team need. (Certainly, there’s no shortage of teams with bullpen needs.)
It’s not an altogether different situation for veteran starter Dallas Keuchel. Bowden also chides him and agent Scott Boras for taking an unreasonable starting position and failing to adapt, though in that case it’s said that specific demands weren’t made in early talks.
Where and when these two hurlers might sign remains anyone’s guess. In a recent poll, MLBTR readers predicted that deals wouldn’t come until after the June draft, at which time draft compensation will no longer be required to add either player. If you’re interested in reading more about possible landing spots, the situation isn’t all that different than it was when MLBTR recently analyzed Kimbrel’s and Keuchels’s market standing team by team.

Wow, that would be nuts if they both aren't signed until after the June draft.

[batt33]

I don't think this Giants game is ever going to end. I just want my under 8 ticket to cash already...

Gave up the ghost in the 12th....... Belt now 2 for 2 in the 18th inning!....

[JAKEPEAVY21]

With the excitement of a new season, it’s easy to forget that one of the game’s most accomplished relief pitchers is still sitting on the sideline after failing to find a contract over the offseason. Star closer Craig Kimbrel remains available — and that fact that is due largely to his own unrealistic asking prices, Jim Bowden argues at The Athletic (subscription link).
According to Bowden, agent Dave Meter not only set out in search of a six-year, $120MM for Kimbrel, but has continued to demand a record-seeking deal this spring. Bowden claims that, “even as late as March,” the Kimbrel camp “was still seeking a five-year pact in the $100 million range.”
If indeed that’s the case, it would be hard to escape the conclusion that Kimbrel and/or Meter have simply failed to recognize the reality of Kimbrel’s market standing. Despite his historic excellence, there were some well-documented issues with his free-agent case. That’s why MLBTR predicted a four-year, $70MM contract rather than a record-setting, nine-figure pact.
While a nine-figure bonanza was never likely achievable, it’s certainly possible that mistaken market posturing cost Kimbrel a chance at a deal of the sort we expected. It’s also all but impossible to say that with any real confidence without knowing quite a bit more than is publicly available.
Even if Bowden is correct regarding the Kimbrel side’s expressed beliefs regarding his value, it’s not clear at all that Kimbrel ever fielded and rejected any truly significant contract offers. (Bowden does say that “specific, and significant, offers, or at least ranges of potential contract proposals” were made, though details aren’t available.) Perhaps the player-side negotiating position prevented that from happening, but that’s not something that can be assessed with certitude.
Whatever the case, it’s a tough spot now for Kimbrel and his rep. (Somewhat ironically, Meter is also under fire for rather different reasons after another client inked an eyebrow-raising recent extension.) Their present bargaining position isn’t really known, but it’s certainly becoming harder and harder to imagine a multi-year arrangement coming together — let alone one that compensates Kimbrel commensurate with his still-lofty present ability levels.
While some teams have evidently been interested in discussing longer-term proposals, their own willingness may not be the same at this point of the year. Bowden says that most of those clubs now simply want to score a “bargain basement deal” with Kimbrel, though perhaps it’s still possible that one or more will do more if they truly believe it’s necessary to convince Kimbrel to get back in action and see enough of a team need. (Certainly, there’s no shortage of teams with bullpen needs.)
It’s not an altogether different situation for veteran starter Dallas Keuchel. Bowden also chides him and agent Scott Boras for taking an unreasonable starting position and failing to adapt, though in that case it’s said that specific demands weren’t made in early talks.
Where and when these two hurlers might sign remains anyone’s guess. In a recent poll, MLBTR readers predicted that deals wouldn’t come until after the June draft, at which time draft compensation will no longer be required to add either player. If you’re interested in reading more about possible landing spots, the situation isn’t all that different than it was when MLBTR recently analyzed Kimbrel’s and Keuchels’s market standing team by team.

Wow, that would be nuts if they both aren't signed until after the June draft.

fukk em, them and their agents want to play hardball and they got what they asked for. No chance I'd sign either of them for that many years or that much per...id go no more than 3-4 years on either.

[koz-man]

Yankees' Betances (shoulder) 6-7 weeks away

Friday started with bad injury news for the New York Yankees. It ended with the same.
An MRI revealed that reliever Dellin Betances has a bone spur causing inflammation in his right shoulder, general manager Brian Cashman said. The right-hander will receive a cortisone shot Saturday and will be shut down for three weeks, and Cashman said he's at least six to seven weeks away from a big league return.