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

[Otters27]

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

[stevenash]

Ryan Braun is the worst.

He's evil

[Checkerboard]

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

The not so amazing Mets.

[JMobile]

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

[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)

[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.

[Stallion]

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

[Cross]

Somebody take out the Cardinals, for gods sake.

[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.

[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.

[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

[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]

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.

[Otters27]

Jays just keep scoring runs

[stevenash]

[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.

[Checkerboard]

Jays just keep scoring runs

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

[Stallion]

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

[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.

[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]

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

Yeah, he's got filthy shit.

Florida boy I think.

[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.

[Cross]

Nasher, do you live in Minnesota?

[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.

[stevenash]

If the post season started today.

[stevenash]

Nasher, do you live in Minnesota?

No, my buddy does. He's in the Twins communications department.

Together we started a podcast, once a week thing, he knows more baseball than I do, most anyone I know too.
I supply some baseball analytical input, but I'm mainly the IT (internet etc.) guy.

Initially we all met online, I think in 2002, Brandon was 18 then but he's been involved since he was 12, I was like 28 back then.
About four years ago we decided to go into business, the sports business is lucrative these days, but with more money comes more competition.

I'm in Connecticut. I could have had a job with our Atlantic League minor league team, but the pay is awful, and my full time job would suffer if I worked that part time.

My other baseball buddy lives outside of Houston, he works for the Astros.
We really don't stay in touch that more (Bobby)

[Otters27]

Astros starting to roll a bit now

[stevenash]

*
I loathe them,

[JAKEPEAVY21]

Who will win NL MVP?

A bit worried Harper might steal it from tatis.

[stevenash]

Who will win NL MVP?

A bit worried Harper might steal it from tatis.

I have several go to sources, for questions like yours I go to Fan Graphs, they emphasize WAR.
I not much of a Harper fan, and my heart would like to see Tatis win it, slight edge to Harper.

The most astounding number, and it's maybe once every three years you see this high a number for defensive WAR,
take a look at your boy Jake, Jake.
I knew he could pick it, but you don't often see defensive WAR numbers 15 and above.
Very impressive.

These are your top 20 in the NL (overall WAR)

Name	Team	G	PA	AVG	OBP		HR	SLG		R	RBI	SB		BB%	K%		Off	Def	WAR
Bryce Harper	PHI	125	532	0.314	0.428		33	0.627		92	77	13		16.00%	21.40%		49.1	-4.4	6.2
Fernando Tatis Jr.	SDP	115	485	0.287	0.373		39	0.632		95	91	25		12.00%	27.00%		47.8	-4.7	5.9
Trea Turner	- - -	133	580	0.317	0.366		22	0.508		91	62	29		6.40%	17.20%		29.5	7.3	5.6
Juan Soto	WSN	135	578	0.314	0.457		25	0.527		98	85	9		20.80%	14.40%		40.7	-6.5	5.3
Max Muncy	LAD	129	536	0.256	0.375		34	0.546		89	86	2		14.20%	19.80%		34.1	-2.3	4.9
Bryan Reynolds	PIT	143	588	0.299	0.384		23	0.514		83	86	5		11.10%	18.40%		31.9	-2.1	4.9
Brandon Crawford	SFG	123	486	0.297	0.372		20	0.515		67	80	10		10.50%	19.30%		23.1	6.9	4.6
J.T. Realmuto	PHI	119	479	0.267	0.353		15	0.443		59	64	11		10.00%	23.60%		12.9	15	4.4
Jake Cronenworth	SDP	137	584	0.272	0.35		20	0.467		90	64	4		8.90%	14.40%		17.3	6.3	4.3
Freddie Freeman	ATL	144	627	0.296	0.391		30	0.511		108	78	8		12.60%	15.30%		33.3	-12	4.2
Nick Castellanos	CIN	124	524	0.31	0.365		29	0.569		84	82	2		6.70%	21.20%		29.4	-5.6	4.1
Tyler O'Neill	STL	121	469	0.281	0.35		26	0.526		71	61	12		7.20%	32.20%		24.6	0.8	4.1
Paul Goldschmidt	STL	142	613	0.288	0.359		26	0.493		85	86	12		10.00%	20.10%		27.3	-7	4
Mookie Betts	LAD	107	480	0.275	0.379		21	0.512		83	53	10		12.70%	15.20%		24.6	-1	3.9
Ozzie Albies	ATL	141	617	0.258	0.316		28	0.489		91	94	17		7.60%	18.50%		15	3.7	3.9
Justin Turner	LAD	136	557	0.28	0.366		25	0.476		78	81	2		10.20%	16.70%		20.5	-0.7	3.8
Kris Bryant	- - -	130	528	0.272	0.358		25	0.504		82	67	9		10.40%	23.50%		26.1	-5.5	3.8
Jonathan India	CIN	136	566	0.27	0.375		20	0.46		86	66	10		11.10%	23.10%		15.9	3.4	3.8
Manny Machado	SDP	138	582	0.274	0.344		24	0.481		83	93	12		9.80%	16.50%		12.2	6.3	3.8
Nolan Arenado	STL	141	594	0.256	0.311		32	0.503		72	99	2		7.20%	14.60%		10.4	6.7	3.6
Javier Baez	- - -	125	496	0.263	0.315		31	0.511		74	83	17		4.80%	33.70%		15	4.4	3.6

[Stallion]

Harper is about +360 to win it.

[JMobile]

Fernando Tatis for MVP over everybody else. His defense is the difference.

[stevenash]

Fernando Tatis for MVP over everybody else. His defense is the difference.

Actually they're pretty much even.
However that's comparing apples to oranges.

[JAKEPEAVY21]

I have several go to sources, for questions like yours I go to Fan Graphs, they emphasize WAR.
I not much of a Harper fan, and my heart would like to see Tatis win it, slight edge to Harper.

The most astounding number, and it's maybe once every three years you see this high a number for defensive WAR,
take a look at your boy Jake, Jake.
I knew he could pick it, but you don't often see defensive WAR numbers 15 and above.
Very impressive.

These are your top 20 in the NL (overall WAR)

Name	Team	G	PA	AVG	OBP		HR	SLG		R	RBI	SB		BB%	K%		Off	Def	WAR
Bryce Harper	PHI	125	532	0.314	0.428		33	0.627		92	77	13		16.00%	21.40%		49.1	-4.4	6.2
Fernando Tatis Jr.	SDP	115	485	0.287	0.373		39	0.632		95	91	25		12.00%	27.00%		47.8	-4.7	5.9
Trea Turner	- - -	133	580	0.317	0.366		22	0.508		91	62	29		6.40%	17.20%		29.5	7.3	5.6
Juan Soto	WSN	135	578	0.314	0.457		25	0.527		98	85	9		20.80%	14.40%		40.7	-6.5	5.3
Max Muncy	LAD	129	536	0.256	0.375		34	0.546		89	86	2		14.20%	19.80%		34.1	-2.3	4.9
Bryan Reynolds	PIT	143	588	0.299	0.384		23	0.514		83	86	5		11.10%	18.40%		31.9	-2.1	4.9
Brandon Crawford	SFG	123	486	0.297	0.372		20	0.515		67	80	10		10.50%	19.30%		23.1	6.9	4.6
J.T. Realmuto	PHI	119	479	0.267	0.353		15	0.443		59	64	11		10.00%	23.60%		12.9	15	4.4
Jake Cronenworth	SDP	137	584	0.272	0.35		20	0.467		90	64	4		8.90%	14.40%		17.3	6.3	4.3
Freddie Freeman	ATL	144	627	0.296	0.391		30	0.511		108	78	8		12.60%	15.30%		33.3	-12	4.2
Nick Castellanos	CIN	124	524	0.31	0.365		29	0.569		84	82	2		6.70%	21.20%		29.4	-5.6	4.1
Tyler O'Neill	STL	121	469	0.281	0.35		26	0.526		71	61	12		7.20%	32.20%		24.6	0.8	4.1
Paul Goldschmidt	STL	142	613	0.288	0.359		26	0.493		85	86	12		10.00%	20.10%		27.3	-7	4
Mookie Betts	LAD	107	480	0.275	0.379		21	0.512		83	53	10		12.70%	15.20%		24.6	-1	3.9
Ozzie Albies	ATL	141	617	0.258	0.316		28	0.489		91	94	17		7.60%	18.50%		15	3.7	3.9
Justin Turner	LAD	136	557	0.28	0.366		25	0.476		78	81	2		10.20%	16.70%		20.5	-0.7	3.8
Kris Bryant	- - -	130	528	0.272	0.358		25	0.504		82	67	9		10.40%	23.50%		26.1	-5.5	3.8
Jonathan India	CIN	136	566	0.27	0.375		20	0.46		86	66	10		11.10%	23.10%		15.9	3.4	3.8
Manny Machado	SDP	138	582	0.274	0.344		24	0.481		83	93	12		9.80%	16.50%		12.2	6.3	3.8
Nolan Arenado	STL	141	594	0.256	0.311		32	0.503		72	99	2		7.20%	14.60%		10.4	6.7	3.6
Javier Baez	- - -	125	496	0.263	0.315		31	0.511		74	83	17		4.80%	33.70%		15	4.4	3.6

It's neck and neck, I might throw some money on Harper +300ish just in case. I have a feeling Harper is going to win it with the east coast bias coupled with the Padres collapse. I'd love to be wrong.

[Otters27]

Baumgarder had a no hitter going