[batt33]

Padres on a slump too. Can never beat the Dodgers.

Giants forgot how to win.

[JMobile]

Kershaw all over the Padres.

[yisman]

Posey finally having surgery. He had played a few games after the Giants said he needed it.

[batt33]

Posey finally having surgery. He had played a few games after the Giants said he needed it.

About time......

[EmpireMaker]

Injured Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson will be eligible to go on August trade waivers if he embarks on a rehab assignment, but “it appears unlikely” that’s going to happen, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet tweets. Donaldson has been out since the end of May with a calf strain, which has stopped the out-of-contention Blue Jays from dealing him as he closes in on free agency. If Toronto’s unable to trade Donaldson this month, it’ll have to keep him through season’s end and then decide before the market opens whether to issue the soon-to-be 33-year-old a qualifying offer (worth $17.4MM last winter). Donaldson was among the majors’ best players as recently as last year, which suggests the Blue Jays will tender him a QO, though multiple DL stints this season have limited him to 36 games and an unspectacular .234/.333/.423 line in 159 plate appearances.
More from around the game…

• First baseman/outfielder Matt Holliday went without a contract until July 28, when the Rockies signed him to a minor league pact, but he did garner offers before then. It seems the 38-year-old held off on signing because he wanted to join a team with which he had a “personal connection,” Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes. With that in mind, Holliday said Friday he’d have been open to offers from the Rockies, Cardinals, and perhaps the Yankees – all teams he has played for – as well as certain other unnamed clubs. After a brief and highly successful run at the Triple-A level with the Rockies, Holliday’s back in Colorado, which selected his contract Thursday. On Saturday, in his fifth at-bat of the year, Holliday victimized the Cardinals with a pinch-hit, 448-foot blast to give the Rockies a 1-0 lead. The Rox ended up rolling to a 9-1 win to climb within a half-game of the Cards for the NL’s top wild-card spot.
• Texas will have to decide after the season whether to exercise left-hander Martin Perez’s $7.5MM option for 2019 or buy him out for $750K. Even though $7.5MM isn’t a bank-breaking number and the Rangers are hard up for pitching, Perez is not making a strong case to stick with the club, Jeff Wilson of the Star-Telegram observes. Perez gave up four earned runs in five innings during a loss to the Giants on Saturday, raising his ERA to 6.95 over 68 2/3 frames this year. Because of Perez’s struggles, it’s possible the Rangers will take a page from the Rays’ book and use an “opener” in front of him in his next scheduled outing, per Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. In doing so, they’d hope to mitigate Perez’s issues against the top of teams’ lineups, as Grant explains in his piece.
• Conversely, Cubs lefty Cole Hamels – one of Perez’s former teammates – is making a real argument for his employer to pick up his option after the season, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times points out. At $20MM, Hamels’ price tag is far higher than Perez’s, but the former has pitched like someone worthy of an exorbitant salary since the Cubs acquired him from Texas last month. The Cubs have won all five of Hamels’ starts, during which he has totaled 34 innings of .79 ERA ball and posted 30 strikeouts against eight walks. With the NL Central-leading Cubs primed to play into October, Hamels will have time to keep stating his case to remain in Chicago, and he seems hopeful the union will continue. “That’s obviously something that I know [team president] Theo [Epstein] and the ownership and I think [manager Joe] Maddon will have to think about,” Hamels told Wittenmyer in regards to his option. “My job is to obviously make them think a little bit harder.” In the event the Cubs decline Hamels’ option, they’ll walk away scot-free from his $6MM buyout – which Texas will have to pay.

[BigSpoon]

Injured Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson will be eligible to go on August trade waivers if he embarks on a rehab assignment, but “it appears unlikely” that’s going to happen, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet tweets. Donaldson has been out since the end of May with a calf strain, which has stopped the out-of-contention Blue Jays from dealing him as he closes in on free agency. If Toronto’s unable to trade Donaldson this month, it’ll have to keep him through season’s end and then decide before the market opens whether to issue the soon-to-be 33-year-old a qualifying offer (worth $17.4MM last winter). Donaldson was among the majors’ best players as recently as last year, which suggests the Blue Jays will tender him a QO, though multiple DL stints this season have limited him to 36 games and an unspectacular .234/.333/.423 line in 159 plate appearances.
More from around the game…

• First baseman/outfielder Matt Holliday went without a contract until July 28, when the Rockies signed him to a minor league pact, but he did garner offers before then. It seems the 38-year-old held off on signing because he wanted to join a team with which he had a “personal connection,” Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes. With that in mind, Holliday said Friday he’d have been open to offers from the Rockies, Cardinals, and perhaps the Yankees – all teams he has played for – as well as certain other unnamed clubs. After a brief and highly successful run at the Triple-A level with the Rockies, Holliday’s back in Colorado, which selected his contract Thursday. On Saturday, in his fifth at-bat of the year, Holliday victimized the Cardinals with a pinch-hit, 448-foot blast to give the Rockies a 1-0 lead. The Rox ended up rolling to a 9-1 win to climb within a half-game of the Cards for the NL’s top wild-card spot.
• Texas will have to decide after the season whether to exercise left-hander Martin Perez’s $7.5MM option for 2019 or buy him out for $750K. Even though $7.5MM isn’t a bank-breaking number and the Rangers are hard up for pitching, Perez is not making a strong case to stick with the club, Jeff Wilson of the Star-Telegram observes. Perez gave up four earned runs in five innings during a loss to the Giants on Saturday, raising his ERA to 6.95 over 68 2/3 frames this year. Because of Perez’s struggles, it’s possible the Rangers will take a page from the Rays’ book and use an “opener” in front of him in his next scheduled outing, per Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. In doing so, they’d hope to mitigate Perez’s issues against the top of teams’ lineups, as Grant explains in his piece.
• Conversely, Cubs lefty Cole Hamels – one of Perez’s former teammates – is making a real argument for his employer to pick up his option after the season, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times points out. At $20MM, Hamels’ price tag is far higher than Perez’s, but the former has pitched like someone worthy of an exorbitant salary since the Cubs acquired him from Texas last month. The Cubs have won all five of Hamels’ starts, during which he has totaled 34 innings of .79 ERA ball and posted 30 strikeouts against eight walks. With the NL Central-leading Cubs primed to play into October, Hamels will have time to keep stating his case to remain in Chicago, and he seems hopeful the union will continue. “That’s obviously something that I know [team president] Theo [Epstein] and the ownership and I think [manager Joe] Maddon will have to think about,” Hamels told Wittenmyer in regards to his option. “My job is to obviously make them think a little bit harder.” In the event the Cubs decline Hamels’ option, they’ll walk away scot-free from his $6MM buyout – which Texas will have to pay.

Jays missed the boat on trading Donaldson last year, could have gotten a decent package of prospects for him. Can see the Jays not even tendering a QO to him. Horrible asset management.

[jrgum3]

Posey finally having surgery. He had played a few games after the Giants said he needed it.

I think next year I won't draft Posey so highly even in the 2 Catcher league that I got him in. I'm a Giants fan and I love Posey but he's clearly not worth a high draft pick in fantasy anymore. It will be interesting to see how he bounces back from this surgery which will probably keep him out til after the start of next season.

[Chi_archie]

Jays missed the boat on trading Donaldson last year, could have gotten a decent package of prospects for him. Can see the Jays not even tendering a QO to him. Horrible asset management.

Yep, held on too long

[JAKEPEAVY21]

Jays missed the boat on trading Donaldson last year, could have gotten a decent package of prospects for him. Can see the Jays not even tendering a QO to him. Horrible asset management.

they gambled and lost,it happens sometimes.

[Otters27]

Josh Donaldson a good dude. Guy signed lots of Autographs at a game once

[koz-man]

"If I can throw the ball like that, I know I can get anybody out. I'm one of the best starting pitchers in the league, and I truly believe that. It's that belief that will keep me moving forward, and continue having success from here on out." —Yankees starter Sonny Gray, after his strong start in Saturday's win over Baltimore.

Aaron Boone said he'll likely go back to the bullpen after this start. Gray added that he's ready for whatever role will help the team win.

[Cross]

Dodgers almost blew another one, what a mess in the bullpen.

[JMobile]

Dodgers almost blew another one, what a mess in the bullpen.

Jensen must still have an injury.

[ApricotSinner32]

Good afternoon gentlemen.

[yisman]

Homer Bailey is making $21 million this season and will make $23 million next season.

Third straight season with an ERA over 6.

The Reds have a 1-17 record in Bailey's starts this season.

[BigSpoon]

Homer Bailey is making $21 million this season and will make $23 million next season.

Third straight season with an ERA over 6.

The Reds have a 1-17 record in Bailey's starts this season.

That 6 year, $105M contract the Reds signed him to is probably the worst pitcher contract in history. Even worse than the Barry Zito, Mike Hampton or Matt Cain ones.

[EmpireMaker]

• Jeff Samardzija will get a second opinion on his bothersome throwing shoulder, The Athletic’s Andrew Baggarly reports (Twitter link). Samardzija has been out of action since mid-July with shoulder inflammation, and he most recently suffered a setback in his rehab process. Shoulder issues also required Samardzija to serve another DL stint earlier in the year, and given the lack of time remaining in the season, the Giants could very well decide to simply shut the right-hander down. The injuries have surely contributed to Samardzija’s poor numbers (6.25 ERA over 44 2/3 IP) in what has become a lost season for the veteran.
• There aren’t many past instances of a catcher undergoing hip labrum surgery, as Fangraphs’ Jay Jaffe explores, so the Giants can’t really be sure of what to expect from Buster Posey going forward after the longtime star returns from his imminent procedure. Undergoing this surgery could certainly help Posey regain some of his power, though since he’s entering his age-32 season, Posey might be due for something of a natural decline in any case. The Giants can’t explore a full-time move to first base for Posey due to Brandon Belt’s presence, and because Posey’s defense behind the plate is such a big plus for the team, Jaffe explains.
• The long-term answer for the Giants at catcher, of course, looks to be second overall pick Joey Bart. In a subscription-only piece for The Athletic, Baggarly looks at the prospect’s first pro season, which has already been an impactful one. Bart has already been promoted to low-A ball, and has a combined .306/.367/.589 slash line over 199 PA at the rookie league and low-A levels. It wouldn’t be a shock to see San Francisco aggressively promote Bart in 2019, given that Posey himself took a quick route to the majors (drafted fifth overall in 2008, made his big league debut in 2009). If Bart keeps up his progress, it will be interesting to see how the Giants manage the situation, given that Posey and Belt are both signed to big-money contracts through the 2021 campaign.

[ApricotSinner32]

Homer bailey is a meme at this point.

[Cross]

How is Homer Bailey still in that rotation?

[Otters27]

Hard to find quality starters. Time to give AAA guys a chance if you are Cincinnati

[BarkingToad]

4 doubles for MVP candidate Matt Carpenter yesterday.

[jrgum3]

I just picked up Danny Jansen from the Blue Jays to replace Posey at one of my 2 Catcher positions. Hopefully the Jays give him some serious playing time down the stretch since they're not going anywhere.

[cincinnatikid513]

Homer Bailey is making $21 million this season and will make $23 million next season.

Third straight season with an ERA over 6.

The Reds have a 1-17 record in Bailey's starts this season.

gotta love guaranteed contracts

[Chi_archie]

Homer Fukin Bailey, what a shit show

[koz-man]

How is Homer Bailey still in that rotation?

Agree.

[batt33]

• Jeff Samardzija will get a second opinion on his bothersome throwing shoulder, The Athletic’s Andrew Baggarly reports (Twitter link). Samardzija has been out of action since mid-July with shoulder inflammation, and he most recently suffered a setback in his rehab process. Shoulder issues also required Samardzija to serve another DL stint earlier in the year, and given the lack of time remaining in the season, the Giants could very well decide to simply shut the right-hander down. The injuries have surely contributed to Samardzija’s poor numbers (6.25 ERA over 44 2/3 IP) in what has become a lost season for the veteran.
• There aren’t many past instances of a catcher undergoing hip labrum surgery, as Fangraphs’ Jay Jaffe explores, so the Giants can’t really be sure of what to expect from Buster Posey going forward after the longtime star returns from his imminent procedure. Undergoing this surgery could certainly help Posey regain some of his power, though since he’s entering his age-32 season, Posey might be due for something of a natural decline in any case. The Giants can’t explore a full-time move to first base for Posey due to Brandon Belt’s presence, and because Posey’s defense behind the plate is such a big plus for the team, Jaffe explains.
• The long-term answer for the Giants at catcher, of course, looks to be second overall pick Joey Bart. In a subscription-only piece for The Athletic, Baggarly looks at the prospect’s first pro season, which has already been an impactful one. Bart has already been promoted to low-A ball, and has a combined .306/.367/.589 slash line over 199 PA at the rookie league and low-A levels. It wouldn’t be a shock to see San Francisco aggressively promote Bart in 2019, given that Posey himself took a quick route to the majors (drafted fifth overall in 2008, made his big league debut in 2009). If Bart keeps up his progress, it will be interesting to see how the Giants manage the situation, given that Posey and Belt are both signed to big-money contracts through the 2021 campaign.

Jeff samardzija has been a flop since he signed, every once in awhile he would have a good start but never has been able to put them together.

[BigSpoon]

I just picked up Danny Jansen from the Blue Jays to replace Posey at one of my 2 Catcher positions. Hopefully the Jays give him some serious playing time down the stretch since they're not going anywhere.

He's been the everyday starting catcher ever since they called him up. Russ Martin has been playing mostly at 3B since Jansen's arrived.

[yisman]

so Phillies want Jose Bautista for free and the Mets are asking for a player in return. They're at an impasse.

[JMobile]

What happened to Jay Bruce?

[batt33]

Reds 1-17 when homer Bailey takes the mound..... yikes

[EmpireMaker]

Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram runs through some potential September call-ups for the Rangers, listing outfielder Scott Heineman, left-hander Brady Feigl and veteran right-hander Chris Tillman as potential options who are not on the 40-man roster. Per Wilson, the Rangers are intrigued by Tillman as a potential piece for the 2019 rotation, and a September call-up would serve as an audition of sorts. Tillman hasn’t had any big league success since 2016 and has missed time with a groin injury since signing a minor league deal with the Rangers. However, he has a fairly lengthy MLB track record, and the Rangers are thin on upper-level pitching depth. At the very least, Tillman could be a candidate to head to Spring Training as a non-roster invitee in 2019, though perhaps with a strong September showing the team would consider a guaranteed deal.
Here’s more from the AL West…

• Fernando Rodney doesn’t know what the Athletics’ plans for him are as pertains to the 2019 season, but the league’s leading arrow-shooter made clear to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle last week that he has every intention of playing. Whether the A’s exercise a $4.25MM club option on Rodney remains to be seen, but the 41-year-old right-hander has certainly given his new team plenty of reason to consider retaining him. Rodney has fired off eight scoreless innings with a 7-to-2 K/BB ratio since being acquired in exchange for young righty Dakota Chalmers earlier this month. As Slusser notes, he’s four saves shy of Francisco Cordero’s all-time record for a Dominican-born player. Rodney is keenly aware of that fact, acknowledging that he’d hoped to set the record with the Twins and still has his sights set on doing so in the future.
• Angels pitcher/DH Shohei Ohtani seems to be chomping at the bit to make his next major-league start after a long layoff following the diagnosis of a UCL strain. As Jeff Fletcher of the Southern California News Group reports on Twitter, the prized 24-year-old feels he’s ready to go after throwing fifty pitches today in a simulated game. While skipper Mike Scioscia indicated that Ohtani’s stuff is crisp, the club is surely prioritizing the long-term in deciding how to proceed. This campaign won’t end in a postseason appearance, after all, and Ohtani’s right arm is of critical importance to the Halos’ hopes in 2019 and beyond.
• Corey Brock of The Athletic takes a look at the rise of Edwin Diaz to one of the game’s elite closers (subscription required). Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto, manager Scott Servais, bullpen coach Brian DeLunas and first base coach Chris Prieto are among those to weigh in on Diaz’s ascension from a prospect who never appeared on a major Top 100 list to the second-fastest player ever to reach 100 big league saves. As Dipoto recalls, there was a fair bit of internal debate in his first offseason as GM with the team about whether to develop Diaz as a starter or a reliever. It was eventually decided to see how Diaz’s stuff would play in shorter stints and, if things didn’t go well, to then transition him back to the Majors. Diaz uncorked a 101 mph fastball on his first pitch out of the Double-A bullpen, per Dipoto, and the right-hander’s ensuing dominance made the organization’s decision fairly straightforward. Brock also chats with Astros manager A.J. Hinch and a few of Diaz’s teammates about his emergence as one of the game’s premier relievers.
• In other Seattle pitching news, the Mariners have placed southpaw Marco Gonzales on the 10-day DL with a cervical neck muscle strain, per a club announcement. He’ll be replaced on the active roster by outfielder Guillermo Heredia. As Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times writes, it’s still not clear how the M’s will address the newly opened rotation hole. While it’s possible southpaw James Paxton will be ready to go in time to take the ball on Wednesday, when Gonzales had been scheduled to start, that would mean moving up his schedule. It’s certainly not an optimal situation for a Seattle club that is trying to catch up to the division-leading Astros and Athletics. Gonzales entered the month of August with a strong 3.37 ERA, but has faded of late. He coughed up eight earned runs in just three innings in his most recent start and has seen his earned-run average climb all the way to 4.32. It has been a compelling season for the 26-year-old, regardless, but as Divish explains the southpaw may be wearing down now that he has reached 145 2/3 frames on the year — a significant workload for a pitcher who has been limited by injuries for most of the past three campaigns.

[ApricotSinner32]

Just got some cardio in good morning gentlemen.

[cincinnatikid513]

that al central is a joke besides the indians, when will somebody other than cle win the al central 2025

[koz-man]

What happened to Jay Bruce?

With the Mets...

News: Bruce will start at first base and bat fifth Sunday against the Nationals, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports. (Sun Aug 26)


Spin: Playing time looked to be a concern for Bruce when he returned from the 10-day disabled list Friday, but he'll draw his third straight start to close out the series. After making the first two of his starts at his familiar right-field spot, Bruce will step in at first base for a resting Wilmer Flores in the matinee. The Mets' outfield will become more crowded once Brandon Nimmo (finger) is reinstated from the DL on Monday, so it remains difficult to envision Bruce hanging onto a full-time role throughout September.

[El Nino]

Reds 1-17 when homer Bailey takes the mound..... yikes

What a waste of $$$