The 2021 Major League Baseball Player Chatter, News and Fantasy Thread

[EmpireMaker]

After suffering a small fracture in his left ring finger after being hit by a Julio Urias pitch on September 10, Jake Cronenworth’s status was in question, though the Padres were holding off putting Cronenworth on the injured list. It now looks like the utilityman will return this week for the Padres’ critical series with the Cardinals, San Diego manager Jayce Tingler told The Athletic’s Dennis Lin and other reporters. The versatile Cronenworth has mostly played second base and shortstop this season, and Tingler said that Cronenworth could see action at both positions as well as some first base time.
Between an All-Star appearance this season and a second-place finish in the 2020 NL Rookie Of The Year vote, Cronenworth has emerged as a big force in San Diego’s lineup. Beyond just his multi-positional ability, the 27-year-old has also batted .274/.350/.369 with 24 homers in his first 773 plate appearances at the MLB level, and this season took another step forward by hitting left-handed pitching almost as well as he has performed against right-handers. Though Cronenworth (like pretty many of the Padres) had been in a hitting slump over the last few weeks, he had collected two hits in each of the three games prior to his injury.
More injury updates from around baseball….

• Nelson Cruz left tonight’s game due to a right forearm contusion after being hit by a Tyler Alexander pitch. X-rays were negative on Cruz, and Rays manager Kevin Cash told The Tampa Bay Times’ Marc Topkin (Twitter link) and other reporters that the slugger should be “fully available” for tomorrow’s game against the Tigers. That said, Cruz might not play just for precautionary reasons and because Cash said Cruz might have been due for an off-day even before the minor injury. After being acquired in a July trade with the Twins, Cruz got off to a slow start in Tampa, but has started to heat up again over the last couple of weeks.
• After Shane Baz was scratched from a Triple-A start today, there was speculation that the Rays might give the star pitching prospect his big league debut during this series against Detroit. However, reporter Patrick Kinas tweets that Baz was actually scratched due to back spasms, though the issue might only sideline Baz for a few days. Baz has only continued to impress since making his Triple-A debut earlier this season, as the right-hander has a 1.76 ERA and a very impressive strikeout (36%) and walk (6.2%) rates over 46 innings with the Durham Bulls. MLB Pipeline ranks Baz as the 20th-best prospect in the game, and he stands out as a very intriguing x-factor of a weapon for the Rays heading into the playoffs.
• The Astros placed Jake Odorizzi on the 10-day injured list earlier this week due to a foot injury, and Odorizzi more directly described the issue to reporters (including The Houston Chronicle’s Chandler Rome) as “a mid-foot sprain.” The injury was caused by a “flukey” bad step that forced Odorizzi out of Monday’s game in the second inning. Fortunately, Odorizzi didn’t think the problem was serious, and the right-hander believes he’ll be able to return from the IL when first eligible on September 24.

[Cross]

Nasher, do you live in Minnesota?

[jrgum3]

Jays just keep scoring runs

Yep their offense has always been scary. If they get any pitching besides Ray and Berrios they will be a dangerous team in the postseason assuming they get there.

[stevenash]

^
Should finish in the top five in rookie of the year voting.

Yeah, he's got filthy shit.

Florida boy I think.

[cincinnatikid513]

this blue jays pitcher is nasty

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/Alek_Manoah6?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Alek_ Manoah6</a> is filthy. <a href="https://t.co/try8flKgBR">pic.twitter.com/try8flKgBR</a></p>&mdash; MLB (@MLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1437598017264177152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" >September 14, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[stevenash]

No kidding, that's not a very hot take by your buddy.

That was pretty much my reaction too.
Brandon (his name) laughed, he said "Yeah, that's not really a secret"

He works for the Twins.
He's very good at what he does, we just started up a podcast together.

Here's a tidbit that is not widely known.
Minnesota is trying to get back Odorizzi, but Jake just messed up his foot covering first base, so that's up in the air now.

[Stallion]

If the Jays can get some consistent pitching past Robbie Ray, they could make a run this year.

[Checkerboard]

Jays just keep scoring runs

They're like never mind wild card, we want first place.

[JAKEPEAVY21]

Buddy of mine that works for MLB says they would like to package Myers and Hosmer some how.

Not because they're bad teammates and all, just past their primes is all.

No kidding, that's not a very hot take by your buddy.

The problem is noone wants either of them with their contracts. I think Myers only has one year left. The Padres would have to package some top prospects with Hosmer and/or Myers to potentially get someone to bite.

[stevenash]

[Otters27]

Jays just keep scoring runs

[stevenash]

It's been a brutal couple of months. Interested to see what happens in the offseason.

Buddy of mine that works for MLB says they would like to package Myers and Hosmer some how.

Not because they're bad teammates and all, just past their primes is all.

[JAKEPEAVY21]

I can't believe how far the Padres have fallen.

It's been a brutal couple of months. Interested to see what happens in the offseason.

[stevenash]

If the Cardinals somehow make the Wild Card game I think they'd be the last team the Dodgers would want to face in a one game scenario.

In the AL I wouldn't want to be NYY and have to face Sale

[EmpireMaker]

An arrest warrant was recently issued against Angels infielder Luis Rengifo in his home country of Venezuela, according to reports from local news outlets (h/t to Sam Blum of the Athletic). Authorities allege that Rengifo and certain members of his family falsified divorce papers in order to sell property that jointly belonged to Rengifo and his estranged wife to Rengifo’s sister without his wife’s consent in 2019. Rengifo’s father, sister and an attorney allegedly involved in the process — all of whom remain in Venezuela — have already been arrested, according to reports.
It is presently unknown if/how the allegations will affect Rengifo’s playing status. Blum notes that local reports were also unclear whether the Venezuelan government plans to submit a request to have Rengifo extradited to face charges.
The Angels have declined comment. Rengifo released a statement through a spokesperson, stating “I am aware of the allegations in Venezuela and have hired a new attorney to defend me and my family. Due to the pending legal proceedings and investigation phase in Venezuela, I am not permitted to comment any further on this matter” (via Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times). Rengifo remains on the active roster and got the start at shortstop tonight against the White Sox.

[jrgum3]

If the Cardinals somehow make the Wild Card game I think they'd be the last team the Dodgers would want to face in a one game scenario.

[Cross]

Somebody take out the Cardinals, for gods sake.

[Stallion]

I can't believe how far the Padres have fallen.

[jrgum3]

Padres are done for the season. Wild Card will go to the Cardinals

Starting to look that way with the Pads in a tailspin and the Cardinals playing the best out of all the teams chasing that second wild card spot at the moment.

[stevenash]

The not so amazing Mets.

Another team that I have no use for.

That's what made my 2015 Royals so special.

Think back for a minute and think about the asshole teams with the asshole players KC beat.

(With all due respect to the Jays fans, Bautista was a dickhead)

[JMobile]

Padres are done for the season. Wild Card will go to the Cardinals

[Checkerboard]

Mets just blow chance after chance. Had it in bottom the 10th. Hit into double play

The not so amazing Mets.

[stevenash]

Ryan Braun is the worst.

He's evil

[Otters27]

Mets just blow chance after chance. Had it in bottom the 10th. Hit into double play

[EmpireMaker]

The Padres announced they’ve signed reliever Ross Detwiler to a major league contract. Righty Shaun Anderson was optioned to Triple-A El Paso to clear active roster space. San Diego already had a vacancy on the 40-man roster, so no move was necessary in that regard.
Detwiler had previously spent the entire 2021 campaign with the Marlins, who signed him to a one-year, $850K guarantee over the offseason. The veteran southpaw spent the year as a bullpen option for Miami manager Don Mattingly, working primarily in lower-leverage situations. Detwiler made 46 appearances (including five starts as an opener) and worked 45 1/3 innings of 4.96 ERA ball.
It has been an interesting season for Detwiler, who has revamped his plan of attack. Generally a low-strikeout, ground-ball oriented hurler, he’s tweaked his pitch mix and gotten wildly different results than he has in years past. Detwiler has cut his sinker usage nearly in half in favor of a more four-seam heavy approach. That has resulted in a career-best strikeout rate (28%), with hitters taking a career-high 19.2% of his offerings for called strikes. But it’s come with an accompanying dip in ground balls, as Detwiler has gone from inducing grounders on more than half the balls in play against him between 2019-20 down to 39.7% this season.
With Detwiler nearing free agency anyways, the non-contending Marlins designated him for assignment and released him over the weekend. Miami will remain on the hook for the majority of Detwiler’s remaining salary, with the Friars responsible for paying him only the prorated portion of the league minimum for his final couple weeks of work.
Detwiler signs with San Diego after August 31, so he won’t be eligible for the Padres’ postseason roster if the team makes it to the playoffs. The 35-year-old will get an opportunity to pitch in meaningful games down the stretch, though, as he tries to help the Friars get into the postseason before again reaching free agency this winter.
For the Padres, there’s no real harm in bringing Detwiler aboard. They enter play tonight tied with the Cardinals, half a game behind the Reds for the National League’s final playoff spot. Their season quite obviously hangs in the balance over their final nineteen games, but the pitching staff continues to deal with injuries. Chris Paddack landed on the injured list last night, and Blake Snell left his most recent start early. Detwiler’s not a true rotation option at this stage of his career, but he’s capable of shouldering an inning or two to deepen an overall pitching staff that might have to rely on a few bullpen games down the stretch.

[Cross]

Ryan Braun is the worst.

[stevenash]

Juicer.

And a liar too.

[Stallion]

Juicer.

[BigSpoon]

Ryan Braun announces his retirement, good riddance. Such a prick.

[stevenash]

Think the As going to get left out of the playoffs?

Yeah, the handwriting was on the wall like 4 weeks ago.
It really started when that bonehead Laureano got suspended for being a bonehead.

[Otters27]

Think the As going to get left out of the playoffs?

[Checkerboard]

Good for 'em.

The Jays just hung an eight burger on the Rays.
That team just can't stop hitting.

Making pitchers look like batting practice.

[jrgum3]

Padres rest of the month is a schedule from hell.
After SF, they got to St. Louis this coming weekend for the Cards.
St, Louis, a game back of a WC spot without question the hottest team in the NL
Their playoff chances increased 10 percent in a week, from 3 percent to 13 percent.
Then back to the west coast for SF, and LA.

Yikes.

Yeah their schedule is definitely unkind not to mention they are just in an epic funk. I honestly don't know what to say about them because I thought after the trade deadline they'd make their push and it just didn't happen. They went into a tailspin and never recovered it seems.

[stevenash]

Giants just keep winning and it might be a bad time for the Padres to run into them with the 2nd Wild card spot hanging in the balance.

Padres rest of the month is a schedule from hell.
After SF, they got to St. Louis this coming weekend for the Cards.
St, Louis, a game back of a WC spot without question the hottest team in the NL
Their playoff chances increased 10 percent in a week, from 3 percent to 13 percent.
Then back to the west coast for SF, and LA.

Yikes.

[EmpireMaker]

The Yankees will move Gleyber Torres from shortstop to second base, manager Aaron Boone announced to reporters Monday (Twitter links via Bryan Hoch of MLB.com). The move is designed “to take some pressure off” Torres. Gio Urshela has the day off Monday but will get reps at shortstop down the stretch, beginning tomorrow, with DJ LeMahieu playing third base. Tyler Wade is at short today, with Torres at second.
The Torres decision comes a day after he made his 18th error of the season and his fourth in the past week at shortstop. Defensive metrics are down on Torres’ work as well. Defensive Runs Saved has him at minus-12 on the season, while Statcast’s Outs Above Average pegs him at minus-8.
There’s been talk of moving Torres off shortstop for some time now, but that chatter has picked up considerably since the beginning of the 2020 campaign. Torres made nine errors in just 320 innings at shortstop last season with poor defensive ratings as well. However, the Yankees stuck with him at the position and instead focused their offseason efforts on retaining LeMahieu and finding affordable arms to round out the pitching staff without exceeding the luxury tax.
Torres’ defensive struggles this season had already fueled speculation that the Yankees will be players in the offseason market for shortstop help. Today’s announcement from Boone would seem to cement that likelihood, as the Yankees don’t have an immediate heir-apparent who is knocking down the door to the big leagues. Anthony Volpe has broken out with an enormous season in the minors, but he’s still just 20 years old and has yet to reach Double-A. He could be an option by 2023 or 2024, assuming good health and continued production.
Urshela has limited experience at shortstop and is regarded as a solid defender at third base, but he’s not likely to step up as a long-term option there. He’ll turn 30 next month, making him older than a number of the free-agent shortstops set to hit the market this winter, and his offense has taken a step back in 2021 as well.
Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, Carlos Correa, Trevor Story and Javier Baez are all slated to reach free agency this winter, and it’s certainly feasible that some names will pop up on the trade market as well. The Yankees have about $130MM committed to next year’s payroll, per Roster Resource’s Jason Martinez, and an absolutely enormous arbitration class — headlined by Aaron Judge. Each of Gary Sanchez, Jameson Taillon, Joey Gallo, Chad Green, Urshela, Jordan Montgomery, Wandy Peralta, Luke Voit, Torres, Clint Frazier, Domingo German, Miguel Andujar, Clay Holmes, Jonathan Loaisiga, Lucas Luetge and Wade will be arb-eligible as well.
There will be some non-tenders and trades of players in that group, inevitably, which will lower the cost of that sizable class. The Yankees also managed to duck under the luxury tax in 2021, so they won’t be facing any penalties in 2022 — although with the CBA expiring, we can’t know precisely what the next iteration of the competitive balance tax will even look like. Regardless, it’s hard to envision a scenario where they slide Torres back to shortstop in 2022. It seems quite likely the Yankees will factor prominently into the offseason shortstop market, exploring high-end free agent options, short-term stopgaps for Volpe and creative alternatives on the trade market.
For the time being, the Yanks will hope that the new defensive alignment helps to turn the tides after a dismal 2-8 showing in their past 10 games. They’re currently one game back of the Red Sox and the scorching-hot Blue Jays, who are in a tie in the Wild Card standings. Both the Mariners and the A’s are just two games behind the Yankees.