The 2020 Major League Baseball Player Chatter, News and Fantasy Thread.

**stevenash** · 11-22-20, 10:11 AM

Originally posted by batt33

Meh, still have to play the game

Arenado is a Gold and Silver Slugger 3B.
He's a beast.

Look at the Yankee infield depth chart if they lose DJ.
If NYY loses DJ it would behoove them to sign Arenado.

There's still many question marks regarding the Yankees, if Boston get healthy in 2021 New York could finish third in the AL East.

**Chi_archie** · 11-22-20, 10:46 AM

let's hope so

**JMobile** · 11-22-20, 01:44 PM

Yonder Alonso just announced his retirement.

**jrgum3** · 11-23-20, 12:05 AM

Originally posted by stevenash

Arenado is a Gold and Silver Slugger 3B.
He's a beast.

Look at the Yankee infield depth chart if they lose DJ.
If NYY loses DJ it would behoove them to sign Arenado.

There's still many question marks regarding the Yankees, if Boston get healthy in 2021 New York could finish third in the AL East.

He would be a great fit for the Yankees but I think they'll address their pitching staff first. At least thats what they need to do first imo.

**EmpireMaker** · 11-23-20, 12:06 AM

The Rays have one clear priority for the offseason, writes MLB Insider Jim Bowden (via Twitter). They’ve let the other 29 teams know: they need catchers. That’s been the case for the Rays most offseasons. Tampa has long been unable to find a long-term solution at the catching position. Rays catchers (Mike Zunino, Michael Perez, and Kevan Smith) finished 25th in the Majors by bWAR in 2020 with -0.3 bWAR. None of the three are currently employed by the Rays, as Perez was selected off waivers by the Pirates, and Zunino and Smith are free agents. Ronaldo Hernandez currently sits atop their depth chart, and while the Rays have high hopes for the slugging 23-year-old, he has yet to appear above High-A. The free agent market isn’t likely to offer a ton of options for the Rays’ price range. Speculatively speaking, if they do go the free agency route, a reunion with Zunino might make the most sense. Other options they could consider include Matt Wieters, Tyler Flowers, Sandy Leon, Robinson Chirinos, and Alex Avila.

Bowden (via Twitter) also enumerates the Royals plan for the winter: acquire a starting pitcher, middle-of-the-order bat, and centerfielder. They also want to improve their overall on-base percentage, notes Bowden. The Royals tied with the Mariners for 25th in the Majors with a .309 OBP. A team 7.8 BB% also tied for 25th in the Majors. To this point, Hunter Dozier (.344 OBP) and Salvador Perez (.353 OBP) were the only Kansas City regulars with an on-base percentage over .330. Outfield prospect Khalil Lee might provide an internal solution. The 22-year-old walked at a rate of 11.9% in Double-A in 2019, and the oganization holds him in high regard.
The Rangers will give Sherten Apostel a look at first base in the lead-up to the season, per Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Apostel has come up as a third baseman, though at 6’4″, 235 lbs, there’s at least a question of whether he’d fare better defensively at first. Still, the Rangers believe he can stick at third, per Wilson. The issue is more that Isiah Kiner-Falefa is fresh off a Gold-Glove-winning season, and in the long-term, top prospect Josh Jung profiles for the hot corner. In the short term, Ronald Guzman could be unseated at first after slashing just .230/.308/.417 over 809 plate appearances the past three seasons. His 0.9 bWAR per 650 plate appearances doesn’t scream stability at first. Apostel, 22 in March, got a cup-of-coffee in 2020, though he’s likely to start the year in Triple-A. If he starts hot, however, the Rangers could make room for him at first.

**Otters27** · 11-23-20, 01:22 AM

Who's baseball Card has the penetrate off on the bottom of the handle

**Chi_archie** · 11-23-20, 09:10 AM

Originally posted by Otters27

Who's baseball Card has the penetrate off on the bottom of the handle

billy ripken jr

it had Fock face on the handle

**Cross** · 11-23-20, 10:50 AM

Classic 89 fleer card.

**stevenash** · 11-23-20, 11:01 AM

Originally posted by Otters27

Who's baseball Card has the penetrate off on the bottom of the handle

I had that card back in the day.
Sold it for a 100 dollar profit.
That's all I was going to make on that card, it wasn't s Ty Cobb mint or something like that, it was just a novelty card.

Somebody stole Bob Costas's Mickey Mantle card he always had in his wallet years ago.
That had to hurt.

**JMobile** · 11-23-20, 01:45 PM

Cubs hire Jed Hoyer.

I'll bet the Cubs go after Bauer also.

**BigSpoon** · 11-23-20, 10:19 PM

Originally posted by Cross

Classic 89 fleer card.

All my cards are worthless during that era. So much mass produced junk during the early to mid 90's.

**jrgum3** · 11-24-20, 01:32 AM

So the Rays are rumored to trade Blake Snell. I bet if they do trade him he'll be thankful deep down that he doesn't have to pitch for them anymore with Kevin Cash not letting him pitch deep into games because the analytics don't support that decision.

**EmpireMaker** · 11-24-20, 02:59 AM

The Braves addressed their rotation when they signed left-hander Drew Smyly to a one-year, $11MM contract last week. But that may not be it for Atlanta, which has “strong interest” in free-agent right-hander Charlie Morton, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com.
Signing in Atlanta would be a full-circle move for Morton, who was a third-round pick of the team in 2002 and someone who made his major league debut with the club in 2008. Morton then moved on to the Pirates and Phillies from 2009-16, but he didn’t turn into a high-end starter until ’17 as a member of the Astros. Since then, Morton has been a terrific regular-season pitcher and a lights-out playoff performer. The 37-year-old owns a 3.34 ERA/3.27 FIP with 10.64 K/9, 2.98 BB/9 and a 48.4 percent groundball rate through 546 1/3 innings over the past four seasons.
Morton has said in the past that he would like to stay on the East Coast, which could benefit the Braves if they do earnestly pursue him in free agency. And even after signing Smyly, there’s still room for at least one more proven rotation acquisition. Along with Smyly, the Braves have Max Fried, Mike Soroka and Ian Anderson as set starters for next year, but there is space for a wily vet like Morton.

**stevenash** · 11-24-20, 09:31 AM

This is just my opinion, Bryant stays with Chicago and Schwarber decides to test the market and leaves the Cubs

**JAKEPEAVY21** · 11-24-20, 09:45 AM

Morton just signed a 1 year deal with Atlanta. Nice pickup.

**stevenash** · 11-24-20, 09:51 AM

Originally posted by JAKEPEAVY21

Morton just signed a 1 year deal with Atlanta. Nice pickup.

Yeah.
Can't have enough arms.

**batt33** · 11-24-20, 10:24 AM

Originally posted by JAKEPEAVY21

Morton just signed a 1 year deal with Atlanta. Nice pickup.

that it is.....wish the Giants would get in the game...

**JAKEPEAVY21** · 11-24-20, 10:28 AM

Originally posted by batt33

that it is.....wish the Giants would get in the game...

I was hoping the Padres would kick the tires on him with Clevinger out for 2021.

Maybe we have enough talented young arms in house to fill the void.

**stevenash** · 11-24-20, 10:31 AM

Originally posted by JAKEPEAVY21

I was hoping the Padres would kick the tires on him with Clevinger out for 2021.

Maybe we have enough talented young arms in house to fill the void.

You're much more in the loop when it comes to all things Padres than I am it seems like that's the way SD's front brass is thinking.
Something along the lines of "we like our pitching let's sure up other areas".....

**JAKEPEAVY21** · 11-24-20, 10:40 AM

Originally posted by stevenash

You're much more in the loop when it comes to all things Padres than I am it seems like that's the way SD's front brass is thinking.
Something along the lines of "we like our pitching let's sure up other areas".....

#1 pitching prospect in MLB, Mackenzie Gore, will likely make his debut next year. Along with Patino, Weathers and a few others, I think some guys will step up.

**stevenash** · 11-24-20, 11:18 AM

Originally posted by JAKEPEAVY21

#1 pitching prospect in MLB, Mackenzie Gore, will likely make his debut next year. Along with Patino, Weathers and a few others, I think some guys will step up.

Here's your very early first edition Padres Zips Projections.

Name	Team	W	L	ERA	GS	G	SV	HLD	IP	H	ER	HR	SO	BB	WHIP	K/9	BB/9	FIP	WAR	RA9-WAR
Chris Paddack	Padres	11	8	3.61	29	29			162	142	65	24	179	36	1.1	9.94	2	3.74	3.3	3.5
Zach Davies	Padres	8	8	3.98	27	27			142.3	143	63	17	99	44	1.31	6.26	2.78	4.41	1.9	2.5
Joey Lucchesi	Padres	9	8	3.97	26	26			138.3	126	61	17	138	48	1.26	8.98	3.12	3.94	2.5	2.4
Mike Clevinger	Padres	11	7	3.66	24	25			137.7	116	56	17	161	52	1.22	10.53	3.4	3.68	3.2	3.5
Dinelson Lamet	Padres	7	7	4.09	22	22			110	90	50	15	139	52	1.29	11.37	4.25	4.07	1.9	1.7
Luis Patino	Padres	8	7	3.86	21	22			98	85	42	8	103	49	1.37	9.46	4.5	3.86	1.9	1.8

**BigSpoon** · 11-24-20, 12:33 PM

Blue Jays should be among the busier clubs this offseason.

**JMobile** · 11-24-20, 02:18 PM

Originally posted by JAKEPEAVY21

Morton just signed a 1 year deal with Atlanta. Nice pickup.

Are the Rays just gonna end up doing a fire sale then?

**koz-man** · 11-24-20, 05:20 PM

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Randy Arozarena detained after domestic violence allegations

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Randy Arozarena has been detained in Mexico's Yucatan state for a situation involving allegations of domestic violence.
The Yucatan state prosecutors' office confirmed Tuesday that Arozarena was detained "for problems relating to his ex-partner.''
He has not been formally charged yet. Mexican law allows a two-day period for prosecutors to decide whether to bring charges. Normally suspects are held in jail pending that decision.
Major League Baseball is looking into the matter, a source told ESPN's Jeff Passan
Arozarena has made no public comment, and it was not clear whether he had a lawyer yet.

**stevenash** · 11-24-20, 05:35 PM

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Randy Arozarena detained after domestic violence allegations

The first question that comes to mind is why?

**Cross** · 11-24-20, 09:21 PM

Can’t teach stupid, Arozarena a good baseball player doesn’t make him good at life.

**jrgum3** · 11-25-20, 12:15 AM

Originally posted by JAKEPEAVY21

Morton just signed a 1 year deal with Atlanta. Nice pickup.

I knew they would address their pitching situation this offseason. Getting Morton was a key pickup for the Braves and will make them a serious contender this year.

**EmpireMaker** · 11-25-20, 04:10 AM

The Mariners entered the rumor mill Monday as a team reportedly interested in acquiring Rays left-hander Blake Snell. Unsurprisingly, though, it would take a significant offer for the Mariners to acquire Snell. The Mariners would need to include any of three of their best young outfielders – Kyle Lewis, Jarred Kelenic or Julio Rodriguez – in order to get a deal done, Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times reports. Lewis is probably out of the question as a trade chip for Seattle, as he just won American League Rookie of the Year honors for 2020. Kelenic and Rodriguez may be off the table, too, considering they’re elite prospects. Nevertheless, you can’t blame the Rays for aiming high. After all, the soon-to-be 28-year-old Snell is a recent AL Cy Young winner (2018) who’s due an affordable $39MM over the next three seasons.

Yankees first baseman Luke Voit has popped up in trade rumors early this offseason, but “that idea does not seem to have generated real traction in the front office,” Bryan Hoch of MLB.com writes. There doesn’t seem to be any reason for the Yankees to trade Voit, who’s coming off a huge year and under affordable control through 2023. Voit slashed .277/.338/.610 with a league-leading 22 home runs over 234 plate appearances in 2020.
Teams in the majors, Nippon Professional Baseball and the Korea Baseball Organization have shown interest in free-agent first baseman/outfielder Eric Thames this offseason, per Jon Morosi of MLB.com. Thames spent the prior four seasons in the majors with the Brewers and Nationals, with whom he combined for a .237/.339/.486 line and 75 home runs in 1,428 plate appearances, but he struggled in Washington last year. Thames was previously a folk hero in Korea before joining the Brewers, even earning the nickname “God” during an incredible run with the KBO’s NC Dinos from 2014-16.
Ex-NFL quarterback and current Mets minor league outfielder Tim Tebow said earlier this month that he hasn’t given up on his baseball career. Neither has Mets president Sandy Alderson, who was at the helm of their front office when they signed Tebow in 2016. Alderson stated Monday that the Mets are hopeful the 33-year-old Tebow will continue pursuing his baseball dream in 2021, per Mollie Walker of the New York Post. “I think that the organization has already benefited significantly from his involvement with the Mets and his pursuit of a baseball career,” said Alderson, who added that “he’s entitled to another shot post-COVID. And I’m happy he’s coming back.”

**stevenash** · 11-25-20, 06:26 AM

Originally posted by jrgum3

I knew they would address their pitching situation this offseason. Getting Morton was a key pickup for the Braves and will make them a serious contender this year.

Braves were serious contenders last season.
They're core is young, they'll be in contention for years to come.

**stevenash** · 11-25-20, 07:26 AM

Kudos to NC Dino’s, your KBL champs.

NC Dino say they can whip the Dodgers in four games straight.

**BigSpoon** · 11-25-20, 10:43 AM

Originally posted by stevenash

Kudos to NC Dino’s, your KBL champs.

NC Dino say they can whip the Dodgers in four games straight.

Pretty cool championship 'trophy' too: https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/n...-sword-trophy/

**Cross** · 11-25-20, 11:08 AM

Braves going to get a title soon.

**Otters27** · 11-25-20, 04:47 PM

Originally posted by stevenash

Kudos to NC Dino’s, your KBL champs.

NC Dino say they can whip the Dodgers in four games straight.

Man Seems like forever ago I watched opening night of that

**JMobile** · 11-25-20, 08:20 PM

Originally posted by Cross

Can’t teach stupid, Arozarena a good baseball player doesn’t make him good at life.

I think this is more of a civil matter. At least in California it would be.

**jrgum3** · 11-25-20, 08:40 PM

Originally posted by stevenash

Kudos to NC Dino’s, your KBL champs.

NC Dino say they can whip the Dodgers in four games straight.

I actually watched a lot of the KBO this year. The Dinos had the best team all year long. Best offense and their pitching was pretty tough too so they deserved to win the championship. I was rooting for the Doosan Bears because I liked Jose Miguel Fernandez but they seemed to run out of gas and the Dinos took advantage of it especially since they only had to play one playoff series.