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

[stevenash]

^^

Beltre is probably a 1st ballot HOFer.

I like having Moreland as an insurance policy, hopefully he starts hitting more. They are saying Hosmer is trying to get back in 2-3 weeks. I don't realistically see that happening but holding out a bit of hope.

The past decade I ate, slept, and shit KC Royals.
Sill do.

Those 2014-2015 pennant teams were loaded with dirt dogs.
They would not stay down for whatever reasons.
Hosmer is one of the guys that can recover from a broken leg in two weeks.

Sal Perez too, Perez has been banged up so much behind the plate it was ridiculous, but he just kept putting on the gear.
Moose to now with the Reds.

Alex Gordon another one that would not miss a game for shit.....

If Hosmer says he'll be good to go in two weeks, I believe him, he's a freak of nature when it comes to healing.

[JAKEPEAVY21]

These Padres are dirt dogs as well...grinders that all love playing baseball. Very happy with the collection of talent and personalities that Preller has put together.

[JMobile]

I'm taking the Giants today. Paddack is running out of gas early

[JAKEPEAVY21]

I'm taking the Giants today. Paddack is running out of gas early

I'd fade Paddack until further notice as well.

[EmpireMaker]

Yankees southpaw James Paxton will go the next couple days without throwing after feeling soreness following Wednesday’s session, manager Aaron Boone told WFAN (via Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News). It’s unclear how much longer Paxton will be sidelined from the flexor strain that sent him to the IL on Aug. 21, but as Ackert notes, time is running out for him to return – at least to the Yankees’ rotation – during the regular season. Paxton’s problems, both in terms of injury and performance, are among the reasons the Yankees’ starting staff has disappointed this year. Although the 31-year-old dealt with his share of injuries in prior seasons, he typically fared well when healthy. In 2020, though, Paxton has stumbled to a 6.64 ERA over five starts and 20 1/3 innings.

• Rays manager Kevin Cash hasn’t ruled out regular-season returns for third baseman Yandy Diaz or catcher Mike Zunino, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times tweets. Diaz went to the IL on Sept. 1 with a right hamstring strain, while Zunino has been down since Aug. 29 with a strained oblique. Diaz has been a major on-base threat with a .307/.427/.386 line in 138 plate appearances, whereas Zunino has gone through a second straight horrible season on offense (.133/.235/.383 with 29 strikeouts in 68 PA).
• The Phillies expect outfielder/designated hitter Jay Bruce to return this month, Matt Breen of the Philadelphia Inquirer relays. Bruce has been on the IL twice with quad problems going back to August, and his most recent placement came Sept. 6. He was a good power source before then with a .225/.276/.578 line and six home runs in 76 plate appearances. Meanwhile, Philly’s hopeful that left-handed reliever Jose Alvarez will make it back if they earn a playoff spot. Alvarez threw 6 1/3 innings of one-run ball before taking a 105 mph line drive off the groin on Aug. 20.
• Reds left-hander Wade Miley “took a step back today” in his recovery from shoulder troubles, manager David Bell announced (Twitter links via C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic). Consequently, the Reds don’t expect Miley back this weekend. He last took the mound Aug. 27. The news is better for outfielder Nick Senzel, who Bell said is “pretty close” to coming back. Senzel hasn’t played since Aug. 14, but the Reds haven’t disclosed a reason for his absence.
• Cardinals righty Johan Oviedo is in COVID-19 quarantine, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Oviedo hasn’t tested positive for the illness, but he was exposed to someone who did. As a result, the Cardinals – whose season was halted for a couple weeks last month because of the virus – are taking a cautious approach. They placed Oviedo on the IL on Thursday. It seems righty Carlos Martinez will take over in the Cardinals’ rotation for Oviedo, a 22-year-old rookie who has put up a 4.66 ERA/4.26 FIP in his first four starts and 19 1/3 innings in the bigs.

[jrgum3]

Giants finally cooled down by a good Padres team. It was bound to happen but now it will be interesting to see whether they can get the bats going again and at least salvage a split in this key 4 game series with the Friars.

[batt33]

Giants finally cooled down by a good Padres team. It was bound to happen but now it will be interesting to see whether they can get the bats going again and at least salvage a split in this key 4 game series hiwith the Friars.

Ever wishful... Hoping for the same thing!

[stevenash]

Whit had himself a three hit night, KC bangs out 11 runs on 13 hits.
Whit ain't Tatis, he's the next level down, but he's still a stud.
Now if Mondesi can start raking again, and as much as I am loving the new ownership for the love of God just come out and say "we thought Matt Harvey had some arm left but we were sadly mistaken" and cut his ass and tell him if he wants to pitch he can get a gig here in the Independent Atlantic League where the baseball for minor leagues is actually good.

The big story tonight was rookie starting pitcher Brady Singer who tossed a gem.
8 inning of one hit ball, and that hit was a seeing eye 32 hop single through the infield.

[BigSpoon]

Giants released Pablo Sandoval yesterday.

[stevenash]

Giants released Pablo Sandoval yesterday.

Too bad, everybody likes the Kung Fu Pando.
One of the most like likeable players of my generation.

[Otters27]

When is Lester pitching again. I want to fade him

[JAKEPEAVY21]

Giants finally cooled down by a good Padres team. It was bound to happen but now it will be interesting to see whether they can get the bats going again and at least salvage a split in this key 4 game series with the Friars.

I'd be disappointed if the Pads didn't win at least 2 of the next 3.

Never been a fan of Kapler at all but he deserves to be in the discussion for manager of the year. He's done a tremendous job with a team a lot of pundits thought would be the worst in baseball.

[Chi_archie]

I'd be disappointed if the Pads didn't win at least 2 of the next 3.

Never been a fan of Kapler at all but he deserves to be in the discussion for manager of the year. He's done a tremendous job with a team a lot of pundits thought would be the worst in baseball.

good luck

[stevenash]

I'd be disappointed if the Pads didn't win at least 2 of the next 3.

Never been a fan of Kapler at all but he deserves to be in the discussion for manager of the year. He's done a tremendous job with a team a lot of pundits thought would be the worst in baseball.

I have nothing against Gabe, I can take him or leave him, here's the thing about Gabe he reminds me of Steve Lyons they're cut from the same mold mentally.
That and Gabe is a gym rat.

[koz-man]

Tampa Bay Rays first in MLB modern history to start all lefties

The Tampa Bay Rays hold the lead in the American League East, but three losses in their last four games have them looking for some answers.
On Friday night, in an effort to get right, the Rays opted to go all left.


Manager Kevin Cash batted nine left-handers in his order against Boston Red Sox right-hander Andrew Triggs, the first time that has happened in the majors in the modern era (since 1900), according to ESPN Stats & Information.
Triggs, a 31-year-old claimed off waivers from the San Francisco Giants last month, is 0-1 with a 6.00 ERA for Boston this season.

[stevenash]

Tampa Bay Rays first in MLB modern history to start all lefties


The Tampa Bay Rays hold the lead in the American League East, but three losses in their last four games have them looking for some answers.
On Friday night, in an effort to get right, the Rays opted to go all left.


Manager Kevin Cash batted nine left-handers in his order against Boston Red Sox right-hander Andrew Triggs, the first time that has happened in the majors in the modern era (since 1900), according to ESPN Stats & Information.
Triggs, a 31-year-old claimed off waivers from the San Francisco Giants last month, is 0-1 with a 6.00 ERA for Boston this season.

That's the very reason why I said from the get go "don't sell the Rays offense short, that unit they put together isn't as weak as people are making them out to be"

I thought going in the Rays offense was severely underrated, and looks like they were, and the starting pitching was severely overrated, and it was. So far any way.

As a unit so far this season the starters have been smack dab in the middle of the pack when you compare all the metrics of all 30 teams.
In case you are wondering depending on what metrics you favor, the Rays starting pitching staff ranks between 12th and 18th out of the 30 MLB teams.

They are winning with defense and hitting, and it's rare that a legit championship team wins with offense and defense, rather than starting pitching. I have to commend the Rays relief pitching staff they are doing a good job cleaning up the starters.
Not for nothing in case you are wondering if you look at all the relevant pitching metrics the two best relief staffs in MLB to date this season are Oakland and Toronto

I mentioned the defense, here's a stat I did not know about the Rays defense so far.
I learned this while farting around with some databases earlier.
The four regular starters for the Rays have given up 65 total runs of which 64 of them are earned runs.
That's mind boggling, that the Rays defense has cost their teams core starters just one run in 30 games (starts to be specific)

Here's the basic stats for the Rays core starters.
The very definition of the word mediocre.
Two thing that can be said, Snell is the only one with a better than league average in ERA but gives up an ungodly amount of home runs and Glasnow even though he is what I thought he was and that is mediocre his strikeout ratio is off the charts, but he gives up and ungodly amount of walks (over 4 per nine)

Any-hoo, here are the regular starters basic stats.
This is what mediocre looks like fellas.

Name	W	L	ERA	GS	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	SO
Blake Snell	3	1	3.74	8	33.2	29	14	8	12	45
Ryan Yarbrough	0	3	4.31	8	39.2	41	19	5	10	27
Tyler Glasnow	2	1	4.35	8	39.1	30	19	6	18	66
Charlie Morton	1	2	4.94	6	23.2	25	13	3	7	24

[Cross]

Lester night tonight, hope he gets it together.

[Stallion]

Kevin Cash is a thinker.

[stevenash]

[QUOTE=Stallion;29699447]Kevin Cash is a thinker.[/QUOTEAll successful managers usually are former catchers, the list is endless, Berra, Ned Yost, Scioscia, Brenley, Girardi, the aforementioned
Kevin Cash, and on and on and on.....

Oh even though he never played MLB baseball guess what position Joe Maddon played in the minor leagues.
You guessed it, he was a catcher.

I was a catcher/DH in scholastic baseball.
Catcher are wicked smart, goofy, but smart.
Know why?
The catchers have to think every pitch, not just the upcoming pitch, but the pitch and pitches to follow.
The catcher is to the baseball team what the QB is to the football team.
Catchers usually get migraines from thinking too much, sometimes catching leads to goofiness.
Today's fun fact.
The catcher is the only position player that plays the game in foul territory.
But you guys knew that.

Next time anyone asks you "What's the matter with your pal Nasher"?
"Nasher? He, OK, he used to be a catcher, he's just goofy from thinking too much"

[EmpireMaker]

Athletics right-hander Daulton Jefferies will make his major league debut with a start in Game 1 of a doubleheader against the Rangers on Saturday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle tweets. Jefferies is already on the A’s 40-man roster, so they won’t have to make a corresponding move in that regard.
Jefferies, a California native who attended UC Berkeley, is in his fifth season with the A’s organization. The club spent the 37th overall pick on Jefferies in 2016, but his progress was slowed the next season when he underwent Tommy John surgery. Jefferies rebounded in 2019, though, with 79 innings of 3.42 ERA ball and great strikeout and walk numbers (10.6 K/9 versus 1.0 BB/9) between the High-A and Double-A levels. The 25-year-old is now the A’s fourth-ranked prospect at Baseball America and their No. 6 farmhand at FanGraphs.
It remains to be seen whether Jefferies will last with the A’s beyond their Saturday doubleheader, but he may stick around with an impressive performance. The A’s are running away with the AL West, but their rotation certainly hasn’t offered elite production so far. Sean Manaea, Jesus Luzardo and Chris Bassitt have been their best starters in a rotation that hasn’t gotten a lot from Frankie Montas, Mike Fiers or trade deadline acquisition Mike Minor.

[jrgum3]

I'd be disappointed if the Pads didn't win at least 2 of the next 3.

Never been a fan of Kapler at all but he deserves to be in the discussion for manager of the year. He's done a tremendous job with a team a lot of pundits thought would be the worst in baseball.

Too bad Covid struck the Giants and cancelled the next 2 games. I was looking forward to seeing how the series turned out because I think the Giants had a shot at taking tonights game with Cueto on the bump and possibly one of the other two games but now I just hope they can stay healthy. I agree Kapler has done a good job after many fans blasted him early on in the season after he squandered so many leads with inept managing. I think the jury is out on him but he's done a decent job with this team especially since they really weren't supposed to contend.

[Otters27]

White Sox with a nice 4 spot cimeback

[JAKEPEAVY21]

Too bad Covid struck the Giants and cancelled the next 2 games. I was looking forward to seeing how the series turned out because I think the Giants had a shot at taking tonights game with Cueto on the bump and possibly one of the other two games but now I just hope they can stay healthy. I agree Kapler has done a good job after many fans blasted him early on in the season after he squandered so many leads with inept managing. I think the jury is out on him but he's done a decent job with this team especially since they really weren't supposed to contend.

Hopefully Covid didn't spread and we can get back to playing a in a couple of days.

[Chi_archie]

White Sox with a nice 4 spot cimeback

Big win for them

[batt33]

Too bad Covid struck the Giants and cancelled the next 2 games. I was looking forward to seeing how the series turned out because I think the Giants had a shot at taking tonights game with Cueto on the bump and possibly one of the other two games but now I just hope they can stay healthy. I agree Kapler has done a good job after many fans blasted him early on in the season after he squandered so many leads with inept managing. I think the jury is out on him but he's done a decent job with this team especially since they really weren't supposed to contend.

Figures covid would come back for a quick Second I thought it may have to do something with the smoke from the wildfires

[BigSpoon]

Ugh, Jays got destroyed 18-1 last night and the Raptors lost Game 7. Sad.

[stevenash]

Ugh, Jays got destroyed 18-1 last night and the Raptors lost Game 7. Sad.

Not if you are a Rays or Celtic fan you aren't sad.

I'm joking I am not being a wise ass on purpose lol

That's sports and being a sports fan for 'ya, the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.

[Cross]

Crazy all these superstars struggling. Yelich, KB, and Baez all striking out a ton.

[Stallion]

The Raptors losing was heartbreaking.

[stevenash]

Crazy all these superstars struggling. Yelich, KB, and Baez all striking out a ton.

And the K ratios for the pitchers are through the roof.
A strike out for a batter is the worst, least productive at bat known to man.
Worse than grounding into a DP if you ask me.

There is only one player this season that's been a bigger disappointment that Yelich and that is JD Martines.

There are 53 players that have struck out 40 or more times so far this season.

Here is that list.

Name	Team	G	PA	H	HR	R	RBI	BB	SO	AVG
Miguel Sano	Twins	41	158	33	10	27	21	17	66	0.236
Keston Hiura	Brewers	42	183	36	11	25	25	11	61	0.224
Joey Gallo	Rangers	42	169	26	8	18	21	26	60	0.184
Javier Baez	Cubs	45	179	33	6	20	19	7	60	0.196
Jorge Soler	Royals	39	159	32	8	16	22	17	55	0.235
Renato Nunez	Orioles	41	175	40	10	25	24	12	55	0.252
Luis Robert	White Sox	42	171	40	11	27	27	14	55	0.26
Adalberto Mondesi	Royals	45	174	34	3	18	12	7	54	0.207
Ryan McMahon	Rockies	37	143	27	7	17	19	15	54	0.216
Matt Chapman	Athletics	37	152	33	10	22	25	8	54	0.232
Willy Adames	Rays	41	153	39	5	22	15	18	54	0.289
Evan White	Mariners	38	142	23	5	12	20	12	53	0.18
Kyle Schwarber	Cubs	45	171	30	10	24	21	21	53	0.203
Christian Yelich	Brewers	40	174	30	9	29	19	29	53	0.208
Trent Grisham	Padres	46	200	47	8	32	19	21	52	0.269
Matt Olson	Athletics	43	183	31	13	24	36	28	50	0.2
Ian Happ	Cubs	45	180	43	12	23	26	26	50	0.283
Dansby Swanson	Braves	45	199	54	7	43	26	18	50	0.303
Mike Yastrzemski	Giants	45	198	49	9	35	31	26	49	0.29
Eugenio Suarez	Reds	44	176	31	12	23	28	22	48	0.204
Pete Alonso	Mets	43	186	36	11	25	26	20	48	0.226
Yoan Moncada	White Sox	36	163	35	5	19	20	19	48	0.248
Rafael Devers	Red Sox	43	184	48	10	26	31	11	48	0.281
Fernando Tatis Jr.	Padres	46	207	54	15	46	40	23	48	0.303
Nicholas Castellanos	Reds	45	182	38	12	31	28	17	47	0.238
Kyle Lewis	Mariners	43	182	47	9	32	23	24	47	0.299
Franmil Reyes	Indians	44	179	49	8	25	25	16	47	0.304
Max Muncy	Dodgers	44	193	31	10	26	21	31	46	0.199
Josh Bell	Pirates	40	162	32	5	16	16	15	46	0.224
Cesar Hernandez	Indians	44	201	46	2	22	13	19	46	0.257
Brian Anderson	Marlins	41	159	36	5	17	21	18	46	0.267
Marcell Ozuna	Braves	45	198	55	14	28	41	26	46	0.322
Willson Contreras	Cubs	44	170	37	5	30	20	15	45	0.255
Trevor Story	Rockies	43	193	51	10	35	24	21	45	0.297
Teoscar Hernandez	Blue Jays	39	159	45	14	27	27	12	45	0.308
Nelson Cruz	Twins	43	173	50	15	30	31	19	45	0.333
Brandon Lowe	Rays	42	170	38	11	29	29	19	44	0.259
J.T. Realmuto	Phillies	40	166	40	11	31	30	14	44	0.274
Mike Trout	Angels	41	185	47	16	38	39	25	44	0.303
Ramon Laureano	Athletics	39	168	30	5	21	18	21	43	0.222
Mark Canha	Athletics	42	177	34	3	23	22	27	43	0.246
Cavan Biggio	Blue Jays	44	198	42	6	31	21	28	43	0.253
Shohei Ohtani	Angels	38	150	25	5	17	20	18	42	0.189
J.D. Martinez	Red Sox	40	172	32	4	15	18	17	42	0.211
Rhys Hoskins	Phillies	40	179	37	10	34	26	29	42	0.255
Eloy Jimenez	White Sox	42	175	47	12	22	33	9	42	0.285
Wil Myers	Padres	42	169	45	11	28	31	14	42	0.294
Jonathan Villar	- - -	40	167	36	2	11	11	15	41	0.24
Adam Duvall	Braves	43	146	35	13	27	29	9	41	0.261
Bryan Reynolds	Pirates	38	147	23	3	18	12	16	40	0.177
Yasmani Grandal	White Sox	33	142	30	6	19	21	22	40	0.254
Chris Taylor	Dodgers	42	159	35	3	23	18	21	40	0.259
Luke Voit	Yankees	41	167	43	16	32	36	14	40	0.285

[JMobile]

I wonder how the Giants and Padres are going to make up the games

[Cross]

Bryant would be on the list without injuries.

[EmpireMaker]

If an early exit from Spencer Howard wasn’t worrisome enough for the Phillies, they’re now sweating a potentially even more costly injury. Catcher J.T. Realmuto felt “hip discomfort” while running the bases in the eighth inning of Saturday’s 12-6 win over the Marlins, manager Joe Girardi told The Athletic’s Meghan Montemurro and other reporters.
Realmuto was still able to field his position in the bottom half of the inning but was replaced by a pinch-hitter in the top of the ninth. Realmuto will be re-examined tomorrow, and given the circumstances, it could be that the Phils were just being cautious in removing a star player in the final inning of a one-sided game.
Needless to say, of course, losing Realmuto for any stretch of time would be a huge blow to a Philadelphia team that is trying to lock down (at minimum) a playoff berth and still has hopes of catching the Braves for first place in the NL East. Realmuto has been his usual outstanding self, entering tonight’s game with 11 home runs and a .274/.361/.541 slash line over his first 166 plate appearances. Realmuto’s .903 OPS represents a career best, with the obvious caveat that a “career best” has an asterisk in this shortened season.
Andrew Knapp is the Phillies’ backup catcher, and none of the three backstops at their alternate training site (Henri Lartigue, Rafael Marchan, Logan O’Hoppe) have any MLB experience. In the worst-case scenario of a Realmuto IL trip, it seems like the Phillies would be very likely to sign a veteran catcher to act as Knapp’s backup.

[jrgum3]

I wonder how the Giants and Padres are going to make up the games

You can probably expect the teams to get the games in as part of scheduled double headers. They haven't announced anything yet but that's the most obvious solution with the teams sharing the same off day and finishing the season against each other.

[Chi_archie]

You can probably expect the teams to get the games in as part of scheduled double headers. They haven't announced anything yet but that's the most obvious solution with the teams sharing the same off day and finishing the season against each other.

Yeah it's gonna be a squeeze