Jimcanuck

The f*** you talking about. Caribou is the best, not even close.

Didn't see it posted, but Nico Hoerner 1st 2018 draftee to the big leagues. Nico Hoerner, SS, Cubs. Dealing with a rash of injuries at shortstop and a playoff outlook that's anything but guaranteed, the Cubs called up and immediately insert him into the starting lineup. The 2018 first rounder answered decisively, going 3-for-5 with a triple and four RBI, leading the Cubs to a 10-2 win over San Diego as "Nico, Nico!" chants grew louder at Petco Park. Hoerner missed two months this year with a broken wrist and was slated to make up some of those at-bats in the Arizona Fall League. Instead, he looks like Chicago's answer at shortstop for the foreseeable future, as Javier Baez, Addison Russell and Dixon Machado contend with injuries. While the decision to elevate Hoerner seemed somewhat surprising -- he has just 337 career minor league ABs, none of which are above Double-A -- the results Monday night were not. The Stanford product can put the ball in play, as evident by his .284/.344/.399 line with Double-A Tennessee this year. He now finds himself in the middle of a competitive NL playoff race. Chicago is four games back of St. Louis in the NL Central, but is two games clear of the Brewers for the second Wild Card spot. The D-backs (2.5 GB), Phillies (3 GB) and Mets (4 GB) are still within striking distance.

Possible Alford is banged up from the collision with the wall the other day.

Early results are good. Mets need to be on speed dial in case they want to double down this offseason.

Was really hoping to go from last place to championship in a year, and yes, Cole was a beast this week.

Pirates moving Cole, Glasnow, and Meadows in one year is just soul destroying

Not normally, but he is well rested.

Hey BTS, Hendricks got pushed off a day to tomorrow. Gonna be close on the K's. I need an SB or two

Even odds is right, pretty damn close. Evenly suxxxx though

We can expect Pearson to be like McKay next season, but better.

Always go with your sports gut.

Ya well its kinda in response to the guy that said the chance is zero, ok?

By Kyle Glaser on September 4, 2019 Julio Rodriguez played 17 games in the high Class A California League to end the year. That was all he needed to become the talk of the circuit. Rodriguez, the Mariners’ touted 18-year-old outfield prospect, hit .462 with a .514 on-base percentage and .738 slugging percentage over the final three weeks of the season for high Class A Modesto. Promoted from low Class A West Virginia on Aug. 15 to replace fellow top prospect Jarred Kelenic after Kelenic was promoted to Double-A, Rodriguez went 4-for-5 in his Modesto debut and never stopped hitting. He notched six doubles, three triples and two home runs, scored 13 runs, drove in 19 and altogether recorded multiple hits in more than half (nine of 17) of his games. Even though it was a small sample size, nothing was small about the impression Rodriguez made. Listed at 6-foot-3, 180 pounds but really closer to 6-foot-4, 230 pounds, Rodriguez’s blend of youth, physicality and performance left observers resorting to metaphor. "He’s a monster,” Visalia manager Shawn Roof said. "I don’t know what it says he’s listed at but when he stands on deck, he’s huge. And he flies. He ran really well. He’s an above-average runner, plays the game hard and seems to have a lot of bat speed.” Rodriguez, the Mariners’ No. 2 prospect, was already highly regarded after signing for $1.75 million as an international free agent in 2017 and tearing up the low Class A South Atlantic League in his full-season debut this year. His stint in the Cal League, however, brought him a new level of acclaim from not only scouts and opposing managers, but fellow players. "We were up in Stockton the second-to-last series and he had a five-hit game,” Modesto manager Denny Hocking said, "Their third baseman just looked at me and goes, ‘He’s just the greatest baseball player I’ve ever seen in my life.’” Rodriguez’s physical skill set was significant, but his positive first impression goes beyond just his tools. On the mental side, he showed the ability to make adjustments within an at-bat and took a mature approach at the plate beyond his years. In terms of personality, Rodriguez is already fluent in English and kept a constant smile on his face, energizing his teammates in the clubhouse as well as on the field. For Hocking, that was as impressive as any of Rodriguez’s on-field feats. "It was a lot of fun watching him walk into that clubhouse with a smile from day one and keep that smile on his face,” Hocking said. "He walked right in and interacted with the guys, and I think energized most of the guys. "Just approach, happiness, fun to be around, his demeanor never changed. When people talk about him they talk about his skill set, but also how much he loves the game and what a big brother he is to some of the Latin kids as well.” Opponents didn’t quite get the same look at Rodriguez. All they saw was a teenaged physical specimen destroying their pitchers, one they’d enjoy watching if he wasn’t causing them so much pain. "Just his presence in the box, he has a different look, a different build to him,” Roof said. "There are guys who come around and play in this league that look like big leaguers. He looks like a big leaguer.”

Can we just agree there is a non-zero chance the Jays sign a big name free agent this off season?

Sure, never a bad idea to grab a couple of versatile free agents to either keep or trade deadline bait, whatever makes sense come July

Spanky always wins those battles

I suspect part of the issue is the cost disparity between cost controlled players and free market contracts. The bottom line calculus favours rostering cost controlled guys over veterans that will cost $4-5 million more each for just an additional win or two (or be an entirely sunk cost). Part of the solution should be to increase the pay of players under control. Is it still $500K for the first 3 years or something? This would adjust the calculus so teams are more apt to sign veterans and keep the borderline prospect types on the farm for more 'seasoning'.

I really like Franco but not trade him for an established superstar like Belly? Nutso

Jon: What is Cody Bellinger’s value in a dynasty league? I’m looking to compete next year and push in some future depth for present value. Wander Franco + David Dahl + Domingo Santana too low for an initial offer? Brad Johnson: I suppose it depends on league depth. I’d have Wander ahead of Bellinger in my 20+ teamers. So this does seem possible. If it’s a 12 teamer, then you probably have no chance at Bellinger Thoughts?

BA top 100 update: Pearson, 7 (!) Groshans, 38 That's it for the Jays. SWR just outside I would expect.

My team has been good lately, a month ago was out of the playoffs, finished in 3rd. I'm sure you are nervous

Hoping for a good day today and move into 3rd. Would rather do battle with BTS

Yes, without engaging in hyperbole.

It may well be Skaggs' 100% responsibility. But no one should be saying that at this point, before the facts are known.

You are wrong. People with chemical dependencies are not necessarily acting rationally. When illegal actions by others contribute to the death of an addicted person, you cannot ascribe 100% responsibility to that person, either legal or personal. This is a baseball thread and I wasn't going to respond, except for your last line above.