The 2019 Major League Baseball Player Chatter, News and Fantasy Thread.
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batt33SBR Hall of Famer
- 12-23-16
- 6035
#3256Comment -
jrgum3SBR Hall of Famer
- 07-21-17
- 7005
#3257They have the offense to at least give the Yankees a scare but I don't know if they have the pitching to slow down that vaunted Yankees lineup.Comment -
EmpireMakerSBR Posting Legend
- 06-18-09
- 15582
#3258Whether the Giants tender outfielder Kevin Pillar a contract during the offseason “will serve as a clear referendum on how married to the metrics Farhan Zaidi’s baseball operations group will be,” Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic writes (subscription required). The Giants’ Zaidi-led front office acquired Pillar from Toronto in April, though the club could move on from him within the next couple months if it decides he’ll be too pricey to keep. Pillar’s making an affordable $5.8MM this year, but he’ll earn an appreciable raise over that sum during his last trip to arbitration because of his counting stats (631 plate appearances, 21 home runs, 86 runs batted in, 81 runs, 13 stolen bases). Those are aesthetically pleasing numbers, which can’t be said of the .257/.284/.430 batting line or the 83 wRC+ Pillar has posted. And while the soon-to-be 31-year-old Pillar has rightly been regarded as a marvelous defender throughout his career, advanced metrics haven’t been that bullish on him the past couple seasons (zero DRS, plus-1.2 UZR between center and right this year).
Pillar realizes the new-school turn that baseball’s front offices have taken could spell doom for his tenure as a Giant. He told Baggarly he wants to stay in San Francisco, but he acknowledged that “my future’s kind of up in the air.” Baggarly’s piece is worth a full read for more quotes from Pillar, a couple of his teammates and manager Bruce Bochy in regards to the high impact they believe he has made as a Giant.
Checking in on a pair of other MLB clubs…
- Mets first baseman/corner outfielder Dominic Smith will attempt to add center field to his list of positions next year, Tim Healey of Newsday relays. Smith, who has already slimmed down since he debuted in the majors in 2017, will spend the offseason getting in even better shape in order to become a viable option at the outfield’s most challenging spot. Whether Smith will play another game for the Mets after this season is in question, though, with Healey noting the 24-year-old could be a trade chip over the winter. NL Rookie of the Year shoo-in Pete Alonso occupies Smith’s primary position, first base, while the Mets count Michael Conforto, Brandon Nimmo, Jeff McNeil and J.D. Davis (not to mention the injured Yoenis Cespedes) among their other corner outfield-capable players.
- White Sox right-hander Dylan Cease’s season came to an early end when the club made him a late scratch from his scheduled start Thursday. Cease is dealing with a hamstring issue, one that will require an MRI on Friday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com tweets. The touted 23-year-old wrapped up his debut campaign with a 5.79 ERA/5.19 FIP, 9.99 K/9 and 4.32 BB/9 in 73 innings.
- Righty Michael Kopech, another of the White Sox’s coveted young arms, didn’t pitch at all this year after undergoing Tommy John surgery last September. Now, though, the flamethrowing Kopech is anticipating what he hopes will be a normal spring training. “I am as ready I can be right now,” Kopech said (via Bruce Levine of 670 The Score). “I have done everything I can to prepare. It has been a long time coming. I am ready to go for next spring.” Kopech should have a shot to join the returning trio of Cease, breakout star Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez in the White Sox’s season-opening rotation in 2020.
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stevenashModerator
- 01-17-11
- 65641
#3259
I don’t think Tampa Bay should be allowed to participate in post season play until they a) draw at least 20,000 fans a game on a regular basis and b) blow up that hideous dome.Comment -
Chi_archieSBR Aristocracy
- 07-22-08
- 63172
#3260yay metricsComment -
koz-manSBR Hall of Famer
- 11-21-08
- 7102
#3261Reds' Hall of Famer Brennaman calls final game
CINCINNATI -- And this one belongs to Marty Brennaman.
With fans applauding his every mention, the Hall of Fame broadcaster called his final Cincinnati Reds game Thursday, ending a 46-year career that has featured so many big stars and historic moments -- Hank Aaron, the Big Red Machine, Pete Rose -- and more than a few verbal tiffs with fans and players who weren't exactly endeared to his tell-it-like-it-is style.
He went out in style.
Brennaman popped into the press box to shake writers' hands before a game against the Milwaukee Brewers, already showing emotion. He recounted a touching phone call from Joe Girardi as he drove to the ballpark.
"A tough day," Brennaman said. "I've cried three times already."Comment -
ApricotSinner32Restricted User
- 11-28-10
- 10648
#3262Reds' Hall of Famer Brennaman calls final game
CINCINNATI -- And this one belongs to Marty Brennaman.
With fans applauding his every mention, the Hall of Fame broadcaster called his final Cincinnati Reds game Thursday, ending a 46-year career that has featured so many big stars and historic moments -- Hank Aaron, the Big Red Machine, Pete Rose -- and more than a few verbal tiffs with fans and players who weren't exactly endeared to his tell-it-like-it-is style.
He went out in style.
Brennaman popped into the press box to shake writers' hands before a game against the Milwaukee Brewers, already showing emotion. He recounted a touching phone call from Joe Girardi as he drove to the ballpark.
"A tough day," Brennaman said. "I've cried three times already."Comment -
stevenashModerator
- 01-17-11
- 65641
#3263^
yeah, Marty was ad good as it got.Comment -
El NinoSBR Posting Legend
- 05-03-12
- 18426
#3264Twinkies ready to notch 100 wins tonightComment -
CrossSBR Hall of Famer
- 04-15-11
- 5777
#3265100 wins and a first round playoff exit.Comment -
batt33SBR Hall of Famer
- 12-23-16
- 6035
#3266Need the giants to get a win this weekend...have the over 77.5..........down to the last few games go figure...Comment -
EmpireMakerSBR Posting Legend
- 06-18-09
- 15582
#3267The Astros shut down shortstop Carlos Correa for the rest of the regular season because of a back issue on Thursday. The hope then was that Correa would return for the start of the playoffs next week. That could still happen, but it doesn’t sound like a certainty at this point. Whether Correa will be ready for the American League Division Series will depend on how his back responds to workouts next week, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle writes.
“We’re going to have to see him do a lot of stuff between now and next Friday,” said general manager Jeff Luhnow, who noted it’s “hard to tell” if Correa’s back problems have worsened in the past week. Regardless, if the Astros aren’t confident in Correa’s health when the ALDS rolls around, they’ll “most likely” leave him off their roster, according to Luhnow.
The spot currently ticketed for Correa may end up going to rookie third baseman Abraham Toro, per Rome. And third baseman/AL MVP candidate Alex Bregman would perhaps handle shortstop, something he has had to do far more often than the Astros were hoping for this season. Correa’s regular season ended with just 75 games played on account of multiple injuries. The 25-year-old sat out from May 27 until July 26 with a fractured rib and then missed Aug. 20-Sept. 15 thanks to his back, which still won’t seem to heal.
The fact that the Astros will ultimately go without Correa 87 times during the regular season and possibly still finish with the majors’ best record is a testament to the overall strength of their roster. So, even if Correa’s not available come playoff time, Houston still figures to enter the proceedings with as good a chance as anyone to take home a World Series title. Obviously, though, a healthy Correa would only enhance the Astros’ odds of winning their second championship since 2017.Comment -
Otters27BARRELED IN @ SBR!
- 07-14-07
- 30760
#3268Wow. Indians Blew it. White Sox Motivated to play spoilerComment -
jrgum3SBR Hall of Famer
- 07-21-17
- 7005
#3269Lucky for you the Giants will be trying hard to get a win these last two games because of Bochy and because its the Dodgers. I guess thats all you can ask for when a team is playing meaningless games in September.Comment -
stevenashModerator
- 01-17-11
- 65641
#3270Tampa had the lowest payroll in the MLB on opening day.Comment -
koz-manSBR Hall of Famer
- 11-21-08
- 7102
#3271Rays, A's clinch wild-card spots; Indians left out
The Tampa Bay Rays and Oakland Athletics both clinched playoff berths as the American League wild cards on Friday, filling out the 10-team field for the postseason and leaving the Cleveland Indians on the outside looking in.
The A's locked up their spot first when the Indians lost 8-2 on the road to the Nationals, before the Rays joined Oakland with a 6-2 victory at Toronto.
They will face each other in the AL wild-card game Wednesday, though the right to host the game is still up for grabs this weekend. Oakland and Tampa Bay finished the night tied at 96-64 after the A's blew a one-run lead in the ninth and fell 4-3 to the Seattle Mariners. If the teams are tied at the end of Sunday's slate, the A's would be the home team after winning the season series 4-3.Comment -
ApricotSinner32Restricted User
- 11-28-10
- 10648
#3273Rays, A's clinch wild-card spots; Indians left out
The Tampa Bay Rays and Oakland Athletics both clinched playoff berths as the American League wild cards on Friday, filling out the 10-team field for the postseason and leaving the Cleveland Indians on the outside looking in.
The A's locked up their spot first when the Indians lost 8-2 on the road to the Nationals, before the Rays joined Oakland with a 6-2 victory at Toronto.
They will face each other in the AL wild-card game Wednesday, though the right to host the game is still up for grabs this weekend. Oakland and Tampa Bay finished the night tied at 96-64 after the A's blew a one-run lead in the ninth and fell 4-3 to the Seattle Mariners. If the teams are tied at the end of Sunday's slate, the A's would be the home team after winning the season series 4-3.Comment -
hotcrossSBR Hall of Famer
- 08-04-17
- 7934
#3274does anyone want to see this Tampa Bay team in the playoffs?
not very interesting to watch in my opinion
which means they'll probably go all the wayComment -
JMobileSBR Posting Legend
- 08-21-10
- 19074
#3276I'm not too excited about the NL Wild cards.Comment -
CrossSBR Hall of Famer
- 04-15-11
- 5777
#3277Rays will probably take it all, ha.Comment -
jrgum3SBR Hall of Famer
- 07-21-17
- 7005
#3278I watched this team at the Giants home opener back in April and I knew they'd be a damn good team. How they do it with that low a payroll is beyond me but you almost have to pull for them if you have no dog in the fight I think because I just love it when a small market team like Tampa sticks it to the Big Boys in the playoffs.Comment -
batt33SBR Hall of Famer
- 12-23-16
- 6035
#3279well frick nothing like stretching the wager to the very end.........and I mean the end lol.Comment -
mr. leisureSBR Posting Legend
- 01-29-08
- 17507
#3280[QUOTE=hotcross;28928475]does anyone want to see this Tampa Bay team in the playoffs?
Not really but a good story .Comment -
EmpireMakerSBR Posting Legend
- 06-18-09
- 15582
#3281The Brewers have already clinched at least a wild card berth, and they’ll head into the last day of the regular just a game behind the Cardinals for the NL Central lead. As the team continues to try and force a one-game playoff for the division crown, however, they continue to deal with some significant injury problems in their outfield.
In the top of the ninth inning on Saturday, Lorenzo Cain took a hard slide into Rockies catcher Drew Butera, as Cain was trying to score from first on a double. Cain was called out, and then replaced in center field prior to the bottom half of the inning. The Brewers announced that Cain suffered a left ankle sprain, and the outfielder told MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy and other reporters that he wasn’t sure if he could play on Sunday.
A similar injury forced Cain out of a game back on Sept. 20, though he didn’t end up missing any time. 2019 has been a tough season in general for Cain, who hasn’t spent any time on the injured list but has been dealing with a wide range of nagging problems to his oblique, wrist, and thumb all year. The result has been the worst full season (.260/.325/.372 over 643 PA) of Cain’s career, though he has hit much better in September to help carry the Brew Crew back into the postseason. Just on Saturday alone, Cain went 2-for-3 with a walk, and made an exceptional catch to prevent a Garrett Hampson home run.
It remains to be seen if Cain’s ankle problem could keep him out of a potential tiebreaker game with the Cardinals on Monday or the Brewers’ current postseason date, Tuesday’s National League wild card game against the Nationals. One player who does plan to be available beyond the regular season is Ryan Braun, as the outfielder told McCalvy and other media members that he is “very optimistic” that his mild left calf strain isn’t a major issue. Braun left Friday’s game with the injury, and it was already known that he would sit out Milwaukee’s final two regular season contests.
Braun has been no stranger to injuries in recent years, though his 144 games played this season represents his highest total since 2012. The 35-year-old has been both pretty durable and productive in his 13th MLB season, as Braun has hit .285/.343/.505 with 22 homers over 508 plate appearances.
With Cain and Braun nursing injuries and Christian Yelich already done for the season, the Brewers are in danger of being without their entire Opening Day outfield as they head into the playoffs. Ben Gamel is Milwaukee’s primary fourth outfielder, with utilityman Cory Spangenberg and rookies Trent Grisham and Tyrone Taylor also capable of filling in, while Eric Thames could potentially step into right field if he isn’t needed at first base.Comment -
Otters27BARRELED IN @ SBR!
- 07-14-07
- 30760
#3283Braves a dark horse to win seriesComment -
stevenashModerator
- 01-17-11
- 65641
#3284^
Not enough pitching.
Just like Oakland, not enough pitching.
Nationals are my dark horse.
Bryce who?Comment -
koz-manSBR Hall of Famer
- 11-21-08
- 7102
#3285Mets' Pete Alonso breaks Aaron Judge's rookie HR record
NEW YORK -- Mets slugger Pete Alonso hit his 53rd home run of the season Saturday night, breaking the MLB rookie record that Yankees star Aaron Judge set in 2017.
Alonso launched a 93 mph fastball on a 1-2 count from Atlanta Braves right-hander Mike Foltynewicz just to the right of straightaway center field. The solo shot gave New York a 3-0 lead in the third inning, which would hold as the final score.
As his 415-foot drive landed in the seats, Alonso raised both arms in triumph while running to first base. Mets teammates came out of the dugout to congratulate him as he rounded the bases, and the crowd of 32,210 at Citi Field gave a standing ovation to a player nicknamed "Polar Bear" during spring training by teammate Todd Frazier.Comment -
BigSpoonSBR MVP
- 11-04-10
- 4113
#3286Joe Maddon won't be back as Cubs manager next season. :https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/...-5-big-seasonsComment -
stevenashModerator
- 01-17-11
- 65641
#3287Joe Maddon won't be back as Cubs manager next season. :https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/...-5-big-seasons
He’s goofy and the game has past him by.Comment -
JMobileSBR Posting Legend
- 08-21-10
- 19074
#3288Joe Maddon won't be back as Cubs manager next season. :https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/...-5-big-seasonsComment -
batt33SBR Hall of Famer
- 12-23-16
- 6035
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hotcrossSBR Hall of Famer
- 08-04-17
- 7934
#3290Giants didn't have any energy left for the last few games. Thought they would make a game of it.Comment
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