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

[stevenash]

James Taillon is ruled out for the 2020 season regardless of if and when MLB starts.
Damn, the Pirates can't win for losing.
Taillon has filthy stuff would love to see what he could do if he stayed helathy for a full season.

[jrgum3]

James Taillon is ruled out for the 2020 season regardless of if and when MLB starts.
Damn, the Pirates can't win for losing.
Taillon has filthy stuff would love to see what he could do if he stayed helathy for a full season.

Yeah that sucks he was one of the lone bright spots for the Pirates...

[EmpireMaker]

Phillies reliever Seranthony Dominguez has battled elbow problems for some time now, so this doesn’t come as much of a surprise. Still, it’s disappointing to learn that doctors have recommended he undergo Tommy John surgery, according to Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Dominguez is still weighing his options at the moment. There’s some uncertainty in the underlying test results, it seems, so Dominguez is holding out hope that rest and rehabilitation will offer an alternative path back. Per Lauber, the right-hander plans to pursue further testing once a second Spring Training begins.
Even if Dominguez had a change of heart, it may be tough for him to get the work done at this point. He’s back home in the Dominican Republic and travel isn’t exactly straightforward. And scheduling a non-essential procedure such as TJS during the coronavirus pandemic may or may not be possible. (Several pitchers have managed, though circumstances are changing daily.)
The ulnar collateral ligament has long proved problematic for the 25-year-old. He tried a PRP treatment and rehabilitation course last year but ultimately made only 27 appearances and didn’t return to action after hitting the injured list in early June. While he showed some promise this spring, Dominguez ultimately suffered a setback. The postponement of the 2020 season leaves additional time for further rehab efforts, though it’s fair to wonder whether he’ll finally be able to get over the hump without an invasive treatment.

[Cross]

Taillon was going to be a stud, tough luck for the Bucs.

[ApricotSinner32]

Phillies reliever Seranthony Dominguez has battled elbow problems for some time now, so this doesn’t come as much of a surprise. Still, it’s disappointing to learn that doctors have recommended he undergo Tommy John surgery, according to Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Dominguez is still weighing his options at the moment. There’s some uncertainty in the underlying test results, it seems, so Dominguez is holding out hope that rest and rehabilitation will offer an alternative path back. Per Lauber, the right-hander plans to pursue further testing once a second Spring Training begins.
Even if Dominguez had a change of heart, it may be tough for him to get the work done at this point. He’s back home in the Dominican Republic and travel isn’t exactly straightforward. And scheduling a non-essential procedure such as TJS during the coronavirus pandemic may or may not be possible. (Several pitchers have managed, though circumstances are changing daily.)
The ulnar collateral ligament has long proved problematic for the 25-year-old. He tried a PRP treatment and rehabilitation course last year but ultimately made only 27 appearances and didn’t return to action after hitting the injured list in early June. While he showed some promise this spring, Dominguez ultimately suffered a setback. The postponement of the 2020 season leaves additional time for further rehab efforts, though it’s fair to wonder whether he’ll finally be able to get over the hump without an invasive treatment.

[koz-man]

Tom Brady move adds new wrinkle to Boston-Tampa Bay rivalry


With quarterback Tom Brady deciding to leave New England after 20 seasons for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, it got us to thinking of a unique sports rivalry that has been brewing in recent years between the Boston-area professional sports teams and the folks from down South.

In Brady’s four career starts against the Buccaneers, the Patriots went 4-0, outscoring Tampa Bay 105-24. The plus-20.3 average point difference is his highest against any single opponent he has started against.

In the Buccaneers' 1976 inaugural season, they “clinched” an 0-14 season with a 31-14 loss at home to the Patriots on Dec. 12. Tampa Bay led 14-7 at halftime but gave up 24 second-half points en route to becoming the first team to play a 14-game season without a win or tie.


Bill Belichick’s first game as Patriots coach came against the Buccaneers on Sept. 3, 2000. The Buccaneers didn’t give up an offensive touchdown until just more than three minutes remained in the fourth quarter and hung on for a 21-16 victory. New England would finish 5-11 that season while Tampa Bay went 10-6 and lost in the wild-card round.
The Tampa Bay-Boston rivalry has been heated in other pro sports. Look no further than the matchups between the Rays and Red Sox.

• Aug. 29, 2000: Pedro Martínez hits Gerald Williams in the arm with a pitch. Williams takes a couple of steps toward first base, but then sprints and charges the mound, starting a bench-clearing brawl. The melee doesn't bother Martínez, who ends up pitching a one-hit shutout.
• May 5, 2002: Trot Nixon’s bat “slips” out of his hands and flies past Rays pitcher Ryan Rupe, who had plunked Nomar Garciaparra and Shea Hillenbrand earlier in the game.
• April 24, 2005: Rays starter Lance Carter throws behind Manny Ramírez, who actually drills a home run in the same at-bat. Carter then throws a pitch over the head of David Ortíz, which empties the benches.
• March 27, 2006: Julián Tavárez is suspended 10 games for fighting with Joey Gathright during a spring training game.
• June 5, 2008: James Shields throws at Coco Crisp, who had slid hard into Akinori Iwamura while trying to steal second base the previous day. Crisp charges the mound and with both players almost connecting on punches, the benches cleared.
  July 29, 2013: The rivalry extends to Twitter as the Rays' feed tweets “Dear @RedSox scoreboard operator -- your standings are wrong. Yours truly, @Raysbaseball.” To which the Red Sox respond, “Don’t worry @raysbaseball we look forward to seeing you in Tampa in September for our home games at the Trop.”
  • May 25, 2014: Yunel Escobar, Sean Rodriguez and Jonny Gomes are ejected when benches clear after Escobar steals third base with a five-run lead.
    May 30, 2014: David Ortíz gets hit by a pitch from David Price. Later in the game, both benches clear after Mike Carp is hit by a pitch from Price, and Red Sox bench coach Torey Lovullo is ejected. Ortiz said after the game, “First at-bat of the season against him, he drilled me,” Ortiz said. “That means it’s a war. It’s on. Next time he hits me, he better bring the gloves on. I have no respect for him no more.”
    • July 27, 2014: Ortíz drills a home run off Chris Archer, tosses his bat and takes his time around the bases. Archer says after the game Ortíz “feels like he’s bigger than the game.” To which Ortíz responds, “Whatever, dude. There’s always going to be comments out there. He’s not the right guy to be saying that, I don’t think. He’s got two days in the league, [shouldn’t] be [expletive] and complaining about [expletive] like that.”
      
      
      The two teams have met in the postseason, with each winning once. First, the Rays won a dramatic seven-game ALCS in 2008 to advance to their first World Series. Tampa Bay nearly blew a 3-1 series lead, losing Games 5 and 6 before winning Game 7 when David Price came out of the bullpen to preserve the 3-1 win. In 2013, the Red Sox exacted revenge with a 3-1 series victory in the ALDS. Boston would go on to win the World Series for the third time since 2004.
    • 
      On the ice, the Boston Bruins-Tampa Bay Lightning rivalry has been on fire lately. Shortly before the NHL paused its season because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Lightning beat the Bruins 5-3 on March 7 in a game that saw the teams combine for 94 minutes in penalties, including a fight between Chris Wagner (Bruins) and Barclay Goodrow (Lightning) that happened right after they got out of the penalty box after serving minors for unsportsmanlike conduct.
    
    The teams have twice met in the playoffs. In 2011, they faced off in a seven-game Eastern Conference finals series. In a dramatic Game 7, Steven Stamkos left the game initially after taking a puck to the face. He would return with a full face shield with gauze shoved up his nose and two black eyes. In a tense game, the only goal was scored at 12:27 of the third period when Nathan Horton tipped in a pass from David Krejci past Lightning goalie Dwayne Roloson. Boston hung on for the 1-0 win to advance to its first Stanley Cup final since 1990.
    In the second round of the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs, the Lightning took care of business against the Bruins in five games, winning four straight after dropping the series opener. The highlight of the series came in Game 4 when Boston’s Brad Marchand appeared to lick the face of Ryan Callahan and was not penalized in the game or disciplined by the league. After a controversial score-tying goal by Stamkos, the Lightning would win in overtime on Dan Girardi’s goal.
    Although Brady and the Buccaneers won’t face the Patriots in 2020 -- unless they reach the Super Bowl -- there has been enough acrimony in other sports to show that this rivalry between cities roughly 1,300 miles apart might be reaching new heights.
    
  
  

[batt33]

James Taillon is ruled out for the 2020 season regardless of if and when MLB starts.
Damn, the Pirates can't win for losing.
Taillon has filthy stuff would love to see what he could do if he stayed helathy for a full season.

another blow for the pirates....

[deadphish]

so what sports will be played this year eventually...tennis, bowling, billiards maybe?

[JMobile]

Padres need to lock up Tatis to a 7-10 year contract.

I do agree with that.

[EmpireMaker]

Burly backstop-turned-DH Evan Gattis confirmed that his playing career is now finished in an appearance on the 755 Is Real Podcast with The Athletic’s David O’Brien and Eric O’Flaherty (audio link; profanity warning). The 33-year-old says he’s “done playing” professionally.
This news was obviously expected. Gattis did not play in 2019 after wrapping up his tenure with the Astros. Last we heard, he was not seeking playing opportunities. His productivity waned in 2018, though surely Gattis would’ve caught on somewhere had he pursued a deal.
It’s sad to see Gattis depart the scene. His mythical emergence with the Braves as something of an everyman Paul Bunyan is one of the most interesting tales of contemporary baseball. After battling mental health issues and taking a prolonged detour, Gattis improbably returned to the game and carved out a six-year MLB career, slashing .248/.300/.476 with 139 career long balls.
While the main plot points of his personal story were already known, it’s quite another thing to hear Gattis humbly and thoughtfully narrate his epic tale. The above-linked podcast is highly recommended listening.

[BigSpoon]

so what sports will be played this year eventually...tennis, bowling, billiards maybe?

UFC probably, they seem motivated to do it regardless of the health risks.

[deadphish]

UFC probably, they seem motivated to do it regardless of the health risks.

what countries will get on board w/that?

[koz-man]

MLB veterans get $4,775 daily for 60 days during virus stoppage

NEW YORK -- Gerrit Cole, Mike Trout and other veteran major leaguers will receive $4,775 per day in advance pay for the first 60 days of the season during the stoppage caused by the new coronavirus, a total of $286,500.

That's just 2.5% of the $36 million salary that the New York Yankees pitcher and Los Angeles Angels outfielder were scheduled to earn each day -- $193,548 -- during the 186-day season.

The daily total was obtained by The Associated Press after it was confirmed by Major League Baseball and the players' association following their agreement last week on how to proceed during the stoppage.

Less veteran players receive smaller amounts specified in the agreement: $16,500, $30,000 or $60,000, depending on the contract.

MLB has delayed Opening Day until mid-May at the earliest, and it remains unclear when or if the season will start.

Under the terms of the deal, teams are combining to give $170 million in advance pay to players on 40-man rosters, injured lists and outright assignments to the minor leagues. The payments will be made in equal installments on the normal payroll schedule and do not have to be repaid is the season is scrapped. They cover from March 26 through May 24 or whenever the season starts, whichever is earlier.

Money is being split into four classes based on contract status. Young players not yet eligible for salary arbitration have what baseball calls split contracts, with different salaries depending on whether the player is in the major leagues or in the minors.

Payments to the more senior players were determined by accounting for the less senior players, then dividing the remainder among players with so-called straight salaries -- the same amount in the majors and minors.
A player receives $275 daily if his salary while in the minors is $46,000 to $91,799, a group that includes highly touted rookies such as Boston Red Sox infielder Bobby Dalbec and Atlanta Braves outfielder Cristian Pache.

Those with salaries in the minors from $91,800 to $149,999, a group that has signed at least their second big league contract, get $500 daily. Those players include well-regarded rookies such as Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Gavin Lux and Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Brendan McKay.

Players with salaries in the minors of $150,000 or more receive $1,000 daily, among them 2019 NL Rookie of the Year Pete Alonso of the New York Mets, 2019 AL Rookie of the Year Yordan Alvarez of the Houston Astros and 2018 AL Rookie of the Year Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels.

Those with single salaries get the $4,775 a day. By agreeing to a long-term contract in January, Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert moved up to that category.

Projected over a full 186-day season, the payments would work out to salaries of $888,150, $186,000, $93,000 and $51,150.
Players with straight salaries had the right to opt out of the advance payments, but none did in order to simplify the process, the players' association said Tuesday

[stevenash]

UFC probably, they seem motivated to do it regardless of the health risks.

Yes but with no fans.

[JAKEPEAVY21]

James Taillon is ruled out for the 2020 season regardless of if and when MLB starts.
Damn, the Pirates can't win for losing.
Taillon has filthy stuff would love to see what he could do if he stayed helathy for a full season.

The Chris Archer trade where they gave up Austin Meadows and Tyler Glasnow set them back a lot.

[Chi_archie]

James Taillon is ruled out for the 2020 season regardless of if and when MLB starts.
Damn, the Pirates can't win for losing.
Taillon has filthy stuff would love to see what he could do if he stayed helathy for a full season.

hes very talented

[JMobile]

Those salaries are still good.

[batt33]

frick id take that salary...

[jrgum3]

The Chris Archer trade where they gave up Austin Meadows and Tyler Glasnow set them back a lot.

Yep I'd definitely agree that the Bucs got fleeced in that trade since Meadows and Glasnow are going to continue to get better and Archer seems to have reached his peak.

[EmpireMaker]

What began as a backup plan has increasingly turned into an apparent inevitability as the coronavirus pandemic continues to grow. If MLB is able to get a 2020 season off the ground at all, it’s likely to be played initially in empty stadiums, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
Just days ago, reporting indicated that the league and union contemplated a return with fans on hand. But that came with a caveat: the agreement gave commissioner Rob Manfred flexibility to launch the season sans spectators (and/or at neutral sites) if circumstances warrant.
As Sherman explains, there’s a growing belief within the game that Manfred will indeed have to find creative solutions to re-start play. The logistics inherent to staging a typical ballgame — stadium workers, public transportation, fans packing stands, etc. — are wholly incompatible with social distancing measures.
Flexibility will surely be the name of the game. Toronto has already announced restrictions that would seem to preclude a typical MLB contest through June 30. Other cities (and/or states and federal governments) will extend or add limitations on gatherings. Even if attendance becomes possible in some jurisdictions, uniformity is unlikely for some time.
Even playing without fans could prove challenging. Consider the difficulties facing Asian leagues that are attempting that feat at present, with halting progress. But it’s surely better than nothing. As Sherman explains, both the league and the players recognize their common interest in getting some revenue flowing again. And we could all stand to see new ballgames, even if only on a screen.
Sherman also highlights another factor at play: the role of the minor leagues. That’s important in its own right, particularly given the typically meager wages paid to minor-league players and the broader battle between MLB and MiLB over the future of the farm system. All of the logistical challenges facing the majors will be multiplied — and without the same revenue potential to support herculean efforts to stage games.
The issue also ties into a key element of a potentially jam-packed regular season: the need for extra MLB players. As Sherman explains, we might see 30-man active rosters. But there’ll be a need for constant supplementation — just as ever, but perhaps even moreso now with the possibility of a shortened second Spring Training and condensed schedule. Developing prospects, keeping depth players available, and managing the 40-man roster for the short and long-term will be more complicated than ever. And it’ll all take place without the underlying structure of a typical minor-league season, at least for some time.
Perhaps some creative solutions will help make this all possible. Sherman floats the concept of upper-minors players participating in some sort of modified instructional league format, where they’d prepare to join the MLB roster as needed. I’ll go ahead and float my own idea: the temporary addition of a few 40-man roster spots that could be used on veteran players. That way, teams could field rosters without forcing up youngsters prematurely or risking prospects to open needed roster space. And it would limit the amount of roster churn — in particular, players moving between different organizations — which could be an important tactic for helping to limit the possibility of disease transmission.
Manfred will face innumerable foreseeable difficulties. Beyond that, there’s broad uncertainty — in all directions. Perhaps some as-yet-unknown development will ultimately brighten the outlook. For now, we can only wait, hope, and do our part to ease the burden on public health systems and our own communities.

[Cross]

It’s not looking good for 2020 baseball. Tennis and golf cancelling big events today.

[koz-man]

AJ Hinch, Jeff Luhnow suspensions fulfilled in 2020 even if MLB season canceled

Former Houston Astros manager AJ Hinch and ex-Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow will fulfill their one-season suspensions for the team's sign-stealing scandal even if no baseball is played in 2020, sources told ESPN's Buster Olney on Thursday.
Hinch and Luhnow were given the one-year bans and subsequently fired in January following an investigation by Major League Baseball that confirmed the Astros had cheated by using a camera-based sign-stealing system during the regular season and playoffs of their World Series-winning 2017 season and during part of the 2018 regular season.
According to the wording from commissioner Rob Manfred's decision, both punishments end "following the completion of the 2020 World Series."
Sources told Olney that, because the suspensions are tied to the end of the 2020 postseason rather than a specific number of games, MLB will view Luhnow and Hinch as having served their discipline this year.

[Chi_archie]

AJ Hinch, Jeff Luhnow suspensions fulfilled in 2020 even if MLB season canceled


Former Houston Astros manager AJ Hinch and ex-Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow will fulfill their one-season suspensions for the team's sign-stealing scandal even if no baseball is played in 2020, sources told ESPN's Buster Olney on Thursday.
Hinch and Luhnow were given the one-year bans and subsequently fired in January following an investigation by Major League Baseball that confirmed the Astros had cheated by using a camera-based sign-stealing system during the regular season and playoffs of their World Series-winning 2017 season and during part of the 2018 regular season.
According to the wording from commissioner Rob Manfred's decision, both punishments end "following the completion of the 2020 World Series."
Sources told Olney that, because the suspensions are tied to the end of the 2020 postseason rather than a specific number of games, MLB will view Luhnow and Hinch as having served their discipline this year.

ha i bet they love it

[mr. leisure]

AJ Hinch, Jeff Luhnow suspensions fulfilled in 2020 even if MLB season canceled


Former Houston Astros manager AJ Hinch and ex-Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow will fulfill their one-season suspensions for the team's sign-stealing scandal even if no baseball is played in 2020, sources told ESPN's Buster Olney on Thursday.
Hinch and Luhnow were given the one-year bans and subsequently fired in January following an investigation by Major League Baseball that confirmed the Astros had cheated by using a camera-based sign-stealing system during the regular season and playoffs of their World Series-winning 2017 season and during part of the 2018 regular season.
According to the wording from commissioner Rob Manfred's decision, both punishments end "following the completion of the 2020 World Series."
Sources told Olney that, because the suspensions are tied to the end of the 2020 postseason rather than a specific number of games, MLB will view Luhnow and Hinch as having served their discipline this year.

That doesn`t seem right .

[stevenash]

Just read an interesting piece on each teams greatest first basmen in their history.

Braves - Freddie Freeman
Red Sox- Jimmie Foxx
Marlins - Jeff Conine

[deadphish]

Yep I'd definitely agree that the Bucs got fleeced in that trade since Meadows and Glasnow are going to continue to get better and Archer seems to have reached his peak.

not quite on the level of Hershel Walker trade...but it was really bad

[Otters27]

So no MLB this year?

When they gonna make the call

[BigSpoon]

AJ Hinch, Jeff Luhnow suspensions fulfilled in 2020 even if MLB season canceled


Former Houston Astros manager AJ Hinch and ex-Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow will fulfill their one-season suspensions for the team's sign-stealing scandal even if no baseball is played in 2020, sources told ESPN's Buster Olney on Thursday.
Hinch and Luhnow were given the one-year bans and subsequently fired in January following an investigation by Major League Baseball that confirmed the Astros had cheated by using a camera-based sign-stealing system during the regular season and playoffs of their World Series-winning 2017 season and during part of the 2018 regular season.
According to the wording from commissioner Rob Manfred's decision, both punishments end "following the completion of the 2020 World Series."
Sources told Olney that, because the suspensions are tied to the end of the 2020 postseason rather than a specific number of games, MLB will view Luhnow and Hinch as having served their discipline this year.

They got off way too easy here.

[JMobile]

So no MLB this year?

When they gonna make the call

This sucks if so. Was looking forward to a NL West showdown.

[Stallion]

I can see a shorter season, maybe like 50 games.

[batt33]

AJ Hinch, Jeff Luhnow suspensions fulfilled in 2020 even if MLB season canceled


Former Houston Astros manager AJ Hinch and ex-Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow will fulfill their one-season suspensions for the team's sign-stealing scandal even if no baseball is played in 2020, sources told ESPN's Buster Olney on Thursday.
Hinch and Luhnow were given the one-year bans and subsequently fired in January following an investigation by Major League Baseball that confirmed the Astros had cheated by using a camera-based sign-stealing system during the regular season and playoffs of their World Series-winning 2017 season and during part of the 2018 regular season.
According to the wording from commissioner Rob Manfred's decision, both punishments end "following the completion of the 2020 World Series."
Sources told Olney that, because the suspensions are tied to the end of the 2020 postseason rather than a specific number of games, MLB will view Luhnow and Hinch as having served their discipline this year.

just got to shake your head..

[EmpireMaker]

There isn’t much doubt that the White Sox’s Luis Robert and the Angels’ Jo Adell are the two best outfield prospects in baseball. The prospect gurus at Baseball America, MLB.com and FanGraphs all rank the two that way, and they also place them among the top farmhands in baseball no matter the position. Robert (No. 2 overall at BA, No. 3 at MLB.com and No. 7 at FanGraphs) holds a small edge over Adell (No. 3 at BA, No. 6 at MLB.com and No. 4 at FanGraphs) at two of the three outlets, but they’re lumped so close together that the difference is negligible.
The Cuba-born Robert has already landed a pair of lucrative contracts during his time in professional baseball. Now 22 years old, Robert joined the White Sox in 2017 for a $26MM signing bonus. Robert has since destroyed minor league pitching, including during a 2019 campaign in which he earned his first promotion to Triple-A ball. He batted .297/.341/.634 (136 wRC+) with 16 home runs in 223 plate appearances at that level, though his strikeout and walk rates were below average (24.7% K, 4.9% BB). Robert’s production was enough to convince the White Sox to make yet another sizable investment in him. This past January, they inked Robert to a six-year, $50MM guarantee – a record for a player with no major league service time (the move has gone over quite well). The deal paved the way for Robert to begin as the White Sox’s center fielder in 2020, if a season actually happens.
Adell, meanwhile, probably won’t open 2020 on the Angels’ roster, but it might not be long before he forces his way up and takes the reins in right field. He may be able to play all three outfield spots, but the team already has Justin Upton in left and pretty good player named Mike Trout in center. Before Adell gets to Anaheim, the soon-to-be 21-year-old – who became an Angel when they chose him 10th overall in 2017 – will likely have to improve his production in Triple-A. Adell had little to no success there last season, hitting .264/.321/.355 (67 wRC+) with no homers, a 32.6 percent strikeout rate and a 7.6 walk rate over 132 PA, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that he has been extraordinarily productive in the minors. It was only a year ago, for instance, that Adell returned from early season hamstring and ankle injuries to bat .308/.390/.553 (173 wRC+) across 182 PA in Double-A, thereby earning a promotion.

[jrgum3]

I can see a shorter season, maybe like 50 games.

I think the fans would definitely love that since every game would be more meaningful especially division matchups. At this point, I'll take any amount of games because things aren't looking good for sports returning this year.

[BigSpoon]

50 games is way too little, not even a decent amount of games for the NBA or NHL let alone MLB.

[ApricotSinner32]

Yo bcats are you there? I gotta talk to you...