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

[batt33]

how about that! a sweeper...for the Giants

I meant to say a 4 game sweep!

[jrgum3]

I meant to say a 4 game sweep!

Yep I hardly recognize this offense with all the hits and runs they’re scoring.

[Cross]

So this means the Giants are not selling anymore?

[Otters27]

Clevenger starting to roll

[jrgum3]

So this means the Giants are not selling anymore?

They still might sell I think if they feel the move or moves will help them in the long run.

[JaimeMiro]

Lots of immediate blowouts since all star break

Just been taking overs... Been good

[stevenash]

Clevenger starting to roll

The Indians are really starting to roll and could be the team to beat in the AL.

Their pitching staff is loaded with arms that strike out one an inning or more.
Check out the K's per nine stat and the WH/IP's.
Tribe can go all the way.

Pos	Name	W	L	ERA	G	GS	SV	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	SO	WHIP	H9	HR9	BB9	SO9+A:S
▼
	Mike Clevinger	2	2	3.99	6	6	0	29.1	18	13	3	12	46	1.023	5.5	0.9	3.7	14.1
CL	Brad Hand*	4	3	2.29	41	0	25	39.1	29	10	3	10	60	0.992	6.6	0.7	2.3	13.7
SP	Shane Bieber	8	3	3.49	20	19	0	118.2	95	46	17	24	150	1.003	7.2	1.3	1.8	11.4
SP	Carlos Carrasco (10-day IL)	4	6	4.98	12	12	0	65	74	36	14	11	79	1.308	10.2	1.9	1.5	10.9
SP	Trevor Bauer	8	7	3.65	21	21	0	138	110	56	20	54	160	1.188	7.2	1.3	3.5	10.4
	Corey Kluber (60-day IL)	2	3	5.8	7	7	0	35.2	44	23	4	15	38	1.654	11.1	1	3.8	9.6
RP	Nick Wittgren	4	0	3.09	32	0	1	35	28	12	4	7	36	1	7.2	1	1.8	9.3
	Tyler Clippard	0	0	3.64	27	1	0	29.2	20	12	2	8	29	0.944	6.1	0.6	2.4	8.8

[EmpireMaker]

The Astros had interest in trading for catcher Martin Maldonado before the Cubs acquired him from the Royals on Monday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports (subscription link). Maldonado was a pre-deadline pickup for Houston last July, when it acquired him from the division-rival Angels, but the Astros’ attempt to re-sign him during the offeason failed. The Astros then brought in free agent Robinson Chirinos, who has been their No. 1 backstop all year but has slumped of late. Chirinos is a better hitter than Maldonado, but the latter is far and away the superior defender. Astros backup catcher Max Stassi is another defense-first catcher, though he’s having a much worse season at the plate than Maldonado. For Houston, re-acquiring Maldonado could have brought about the end of the out-of-options Stassi’s time on its 40-man roster.
More on a few other American League clubs…

• Indians ace Corey Kluber’s recovery from the fractured right forearm he suffered May 1 took a significant step Wednesday, per Paul Hoynes of cleveland.com. Kluber threw an all-fastball, 20-pitch bullpen session – his first since incurring the injury – without any issues. “Everybody came out smiling,” manager Terry Francona said. Kluber will throw a bullpen again Sunday, though there’s still no timetable for his return to the majors. Despite having to deal with long-term absences of Kluber and fellow rotation stalwarts Carlos Carrasco and Mike Clevinger this season, the Indians are 54-40 and tied for the AL’s second wild-card spot.
• Royals shortstop Adalberto Mondesi went to the injured list with a left shoulder subluxation Wednesday. Fortunately, the injury isn’t as severe as Mondesi initially feared, Lynn Worthy of the Kansas City Star tweets. With that said, it remains unknown how much time the 23-year-old cornerstone will miss. A former stud prospect, Mondesi has developed into an untouchable major leaguer for the Royals, having combined passable offense with plus defense and excellent base running since a breakout 2018.
• Athletics third baseman Matt Chapman left their win over the Mariners on Wednesday with left ankle soreness, Oakland announced. Chapman is day-to-day, Rusty Simmons of the San Francisco Chronicle relays. Winners of eight of 10 and tied with Cleveland for the AL’s second wild-card position, the A’s are rolling thanks in part to Chapman, who’s enjoying another superstar-caliber campaign. The 26-year-old has torched the opposition for a .279/.363/.552 batting line with 22 home runs and 4.2 fWAR over 405 plate appearances in 2019.
• The Twins designated reliever Mike Morin for assignment Tuesday, which came as somewhat of a surprise considering the 3.18 ERA and .79 BB/9 the right-hander has posted in 22 2/3 innings this season. Manager Rocco Baldelli admitted it was a “very difficult” decision to jettison Morin, who did “his job very well” (via Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com). With 37 players on their 40-man roster after Morin’s DFA, the Twins “will almost certainly” select a reliever from the minors (recent pickups Cody Allen and Carlos Torres are among the candidates) or acquire one via trade to replace him.

[Stallion]

The Giants management wants them to lose, so they can rebuild. As long as they stay within striking distance of a playoff spot a rebuild wont happen.

[Chi_archie]

The Astros had interest in trading for catcher Martin Maldonado before the Cubs acquired him from the Royals on Monday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports (subscription link). Maldonado was a pre-deadline pickup for Houston last July, when it acquired him from the division-rival Angels, but the Astros’ attempt to re-sign him during the offeason failed. The Astros then brought in free agent Robinson Chirinos, who has been their No. 1 backstop all year but has slumped of late. Chirinos is a better hitter than Maldonado, but the latter is far and away the superior defender. Astros backup catcher Max Stassi is another defense-first catcher, though he’s having a much worse season at the plate than Maldonado. For Houston, re-acquiring Maldonado could have brought about the end of the out-of-options Stassi’s time on its 40-man roster.
More on a few other American League clubs…

• Indians ace Corey Kluber’s recovery from the fractured right forearm he suffered May 1 took a significant step Wednesday, per Paul Hoynes of cleveland.com. Kluber threw an all-fastball, 20-pitch bullpen session – his first since incurring the injury – without any issues. “Everybody came out smiling,” manager Terry Francona said. Kluber will throw a bullpen again Sunday, though there’s still no timetable for his return to the majors. Despite having to deal with long-term absences of Kluber and fellow rotation stalwarts Carlos Carrasco and Mike Clevinger this season, the Indians are 54-40 and tied for the AL’s second wild-card spot.
• Royals shortstop Adalberto Mondesi went to the injured list with a left shoulder subluxation Wednesday. Fortunately, the injury isn’t as severe as Mondesi initially feared, Lynn Worthy of the Kansas City Star tweets. With that said, it remains unknown how much time the 23-year-old cornerstone will miss. A former stud prospect, Mondesi has developed into an untouchable major leaguer for the Royals, having combined passable offense with plus defense and excellent base running since a breakout 2018.
• Athletics third baseman Matt Chapman left their win over the Mariners on Wednesday with left ankle soreness, Oakland announced. Chapman is day-to-day, Rusty Simmons of the San Francisco Chronicle relays. Winners of eight of 10 and tied with Cleveland for the AL’s second wild-card position, the A’s are rolling thanks in part to Chapman, who’s enjoying another superstar-caliber campaign. The 26-year-old has torched the opposition for a .279/.363/.552 batting line with 22 home runs and 4.2 fWAR over 405 plate appearances in 2019.
• The Twins designated reliever Mike Morin for assignment Tuesday, which came as somewhat of a surprise considering the 3.18 ERA and .79 BB/9 the right-hander has posted in 22 2/3 innings this season. Manager Rocco Baldelli admitted it was a “very difficult” decision to jettison Morin, who did “his job very well” (via Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com). With 37 players on their 40-man roster after Morin’s DFA, the Twins “will almost certainly” select a reliever from the minors (recent pickups Cody Allen and Carlos Torres are among the candidates) or acquire one via trade to replace him.

things heating up

[JMobile]

Padres trying to trade away Renfroe and Franmil

[dudekid]

Just wanted to check in to say the Rockies are fukking terrible. Holy shit, how do you get swept on a 4 game homestand by SF? Including a doubleheader sweep?? Unreal

[koz-man]

Catch-22: Reds scramble to fill spot after injurie


CINCINNATI -- The Reds are down to their fourth and fifth catchers after placing two more on the injured list Thursday.
Curt Casali went on the 10-day injured list with a right knee sprain that manager David Bell said could keep him out for as long as a month. Casali is expected to spend two weeks wearing a brace.

Kyle Farmer was placed on the seven-day concussion list after taking two foul balls off his mask in the ninth inning of Tuesday's game against the Cubs in Chicago.

Gold Glove catcher Tucker Barnhart has been out since June 28 with a right oblique strain.

Juan Graterol was promoted from Triple-A Louisville and rushed to Chicago to start Wednesday's day game. The Reds shored up the position on Thursday by signing Ryan Lavarnway, one day after he was released by Yankees.

[BigSpoon]

Catch-22: Reds scramble to fill spot after injurie


CINCINNATI -- The Reds are down to their fourth and fifth catchers after placing two more on the injured list Thursday.
Curt Casali went on the 10-day injured list with a right knee sprain that manager David Bell said could keep him out for as long as a month. Casali is expected to spend two weeks wearing a brace.

Kyle Farmer was placed on the seven-day concussion list after taking two foul balls off his mask in the ninth inning of Tuesday's game against the Cubs in Chicago.

Gold Glove catcher Tucker Barnhart has been out since June 28 with a right oblique strain.

Juan Graterol was promoted from Triple-A Louisville and rushed to Chicago to start Wednesday's day game. The Reds shored up the position on Thursday by signing Ryan Lavarnway, one day after he was released by Yankees.

Wow, that is crazy.

[hotcross]

Just wanted to check in to say the Rockies are fukking terrible. Holy shit, how do you get swept on a 4 game homestand by SF? Including a doubleheader sweep?? Unreal

beware of Minnesota as well

playing very poorly

7 errors in the past 6 games, plus another 2 errors in the first half of Thursday's game

[batt33]

They still might sell I think if they feel the move or moves will help them in the long run.

agreed, But I think they will want a premium right now if they continue to play well.

[Otters27]

Giants Mets game no one can hit. Top 14. Giants hitters not even trying to have good at bats

[jrgum3]

The Giants management wants them to lose, so they can rebuild. As long as they stay within striking distance of a playoff spot a rebuild wont happen.

I disagree because as long as they keep winning I think they hold all the cards in potential deadline deals. Teams will have to be willing to pay a premium price for a Madison Bumgarner and Will Smith because the Giants can always say that's not enough for us to deal a guy that can help you win a championship in the postseason. Plus they can always say we're in the race so the deal would have to be too good for us to pass up for a deal to be reached.

[jrgum3]

Just an incredible game between the Giants and Mets tonight. I thought my Giants play was dead when Alonzo hit that homer in the 16th but the Giants just keep finding ways to win games. They are making this last season for Bochy a memorable one after it seemed it was going to be a forgettable one in April and May.

[EmpireMaker]

Indians right-hander Trevor Bauer turned in a terrific performance Thursday in a win over the Tigers, striking out 10 and yielding three earned runs on five hits and two walks in 6 2/3 innings. Despite Bauer’s importance to the playoff-contending Indians, his name has been frequently bandied about in trade rumors this summer. As a result, Thursday could’ve been one of his last starts as a member of the Tribe. Asked after the game if the rumors have been on his mind, Bauer told Mandy Bell of MLB.com and other reporters: “Nope. Don’t think about it.” Notably, though, Indians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti did address the team regarding the deadline “to make sure no one was blindsided by any discussions, especially Bauer,” Bell writes.

• The Tigers’ Nicholas Castellanos is likely a more realistic trade candidate than Bauer, but the right fielder suggested Thursday he’s not fully convinced a deal will come together before the deadline. Castellanos said (via Chris McCosky of the Detroit News) that “I wouldn’t be shocked if I don’t get traded. Everybody thought I’d get traded last trade deadline. Everybody thought I’d get traded this offseason. There were people who thought I’d get traded in spring training.” With an extension between the non-contending Tigers and Castellanos appearing to be out of the question, it’s highly probable the team will part with him this month unless there’s no interest from elsewhere. Regardless, Castellanos indicated to McCosky that he has made peace with whatever happens and is more focused on what happens on the field, where he has been on an offensive tear of late.
• Angels first baseman Albert Pujols exited the team’s game Thursday with left hamstring tightness, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register was among those to report (Twitter links). It doesn’t seem like an issue that’s going to lead to an IL stint, though, as manager Brad Ausmus said afterward Pujols will miss a small amount of time or none at all. The Hall of Fame-bound 39-year-old has appeared in 76 games this season and hit .243/.306/.439 (96 wRC+) with 14 home runs in 314 plate appearances.
• Thursday was the one-year anniversary of the Orioles-Dodgers blockbuster that sent former O’s franchise player Manny Machado to Los Angeles. Jon Meoli of the Baltimore Sun revisits the swap in a piece focusing on outfield prospect Yusniel Diaz, the headlining part of the Orioles’ five-player return. Diaz didn’t log great production with Baltimore’s Double-A affiliate after the trade last year, and he told Meoli via an interpreter he felt “a lot of pressure” trying to make good on the trade. That pressure has died down, though, and Diaz is now having a better season than last as a member of the Orioles’ Double-A affiliate. The 22-year-old has progressed with the help of Double-A hitting coach Keith Bodie, as Meoli details in his piece.

[ApricotSinner32]

Good luck today gentlemenssssssssssssssssss

[Chi_archie]

Indians right-hander Trevor Bauer turned in a terrific performance Thursday in a win over the Tigers, striking out 10 and yielding three earned runs on five hits and two walks in 6 2/3 innings. Despite Bauer’s importance to the playoff-contending Indians, his name has been frequently bandied about in trade rumors this summer. As a result, Thursday could’ve been one of his last starts as a member of the Tribe. Asked after the game if the rumors have been on his mind, Bauer told Mandy Bell of MLB.com and other reporters: “Nope. Don’t think about it.” Notably, though, Indians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti did address the team regarding the deadline “to make sure no one was blindsided by any discussions, especially Bauer,” Bell writes.

• The Tigers’ Nicholas Castellanos is likely a more realistic trade candidate than Bauer, but the right fielder suggested Thursday he’s not fully convinced a deal will come together before the deadline. Castellanos said (via Chris McCosky of the Detroit News) that “I wouldn’t be shocked if I don’t get traded. Everybody thought I’d get traded last trade deadline. Everybody thought I’d get traded this offseason. There were people who thought I’d get traded in spring training.” With an extension between the non-contending Tigers and Castellanos appearing to be out of the question, it’s highly probable the team will part with him this month unless there’s no interest from elsewhere. Regardless, Castellanos indicated to McCosky that he has made peace with whatever happens and is more focused on what happens on the field, where he has been on an offensive tear of late.
• Angels first baseman Albert Pujols exited the team’s game Thursday with left hamstring tightness, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register was among those to report (Twitter links). It doesn’t seem like an issue that’s going to lead to an IL stint, though, as manager Brad Ausmus said afterward Pujols will miss a small amount of time or none at all. The Hall of Fame-bound 39-year-old has appeared in 76 games this season and hit .243/.306/.439 (96 wRC+) with 14 home runs in 314 plate appearances.
• Thursday was the one-year anniversary of the Orioles-Dodgers blockbuster that sent former O’s franchise player Manny Machado to Los Angeles. Jon Meoli of the Baltimore Sun revisits the swap in a piece focusing on outfield prospect Yusniel Diaz, the headlining part of the Orioles’ five-player return. Diaz didn’t log great production with Baltimore’s Double-A affiliate after the trade last year, and he told Meoli via an interpreter he felt “a lot of pressure” trying to make good on the trade. That pressure has died down, though, and Diaz is now having a better season than last as a member of the Orioles’ Double-A affiliate. The 22-year-old has progressed with the help of Double-A hitting coach Keith Bodie, as Meoli details in his piece.

good bauer

[Stallion]

Cleveland might be a seller at the deadline this year.

[BigSpoon]

Cleveland might be a seller at the deadline this year.

I would be surprised if they were, playing well lately. Like stevenash mentioned earlier, they will be dangerous in the postseason with their pitching if they make it.

[koz-man]

Strasburg gets 2 hits in one inning, including HR

Washington Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg went 3-for-3 with five RBIs -- including a single and a 420-foot home run in one inning -- in Thursday's 13-4 win over the Braves in Atlanta.

Strasburg became the first Nationals pitcher to drive in five runs in a game and have two hits in one inning. He's the first pitcher in the majors to homer and record an additional base hit in the same inning since Edwin Jackson did it with the Diamondbacks against the Pirates on April 11, 2010.

[JaimeMiro]

Cubs really going to win 6-5, needed the extra run

[Cross]

Cubs catching fire in second half like usual!

[mr. leisure]

Rizzo with the grand slam .

[stevenash]

Just your normal, everyday run of the mill 10 run inning.
Cards down 7-0, than they decided we're through messing around and score 10 runs in the sixth.

[stevenash]

https://www.espn.com/mlb/playbyplay?gameId=401076197

[jrgum3]

Just your normal, everyday run of the mill 10 run inning.
Cards down 7-0, than they decided we're through messing around and score 10 runs in the sixth.

Yeah that was wild man I was on the Cards tonight and they were down 7-0 after 5. Then they scored 12 unanswered runs to go up by 5 and had to barely hang on for a crazy 12-11 victory.

[Cross]

St Louis is boring.

[batt33]

Just an incredible game between the Giants and Mets tonight. I thought my Giants play was dead when Alonzo hit that homer in the 16th but the Giants just keep finding ways to win games. They are making this last season for Bochy a memorable one after it seemed it was going to be a forgettable one in April and May.

It's great that Bochy has a little coaching left to do....hopefully instead of waiting for the end of the season...at least for now

[jrgum3]

Unbelieveable Giants game again tonight. Only the Mets would lose on a dropped routine fly ball 1-0 in extra innings... this is nuts I've never seen anything quite like this the Giants can't seem to lose right now...

[batt33]

Unbelieveable Giants game again tonight. Only the Mets would lose on a dropped routine fly ball 1-0 in extra innings... this is nuts I've never seen anything quite like this the Giants can't seem to lose right now...

Crazy... Back to 500! I liked madbums interview last night.....If we manage to keep this going and sneak in (the postseason), I don't think anyone will want to match up with us," he said.