Ray

Maybin to the Astros. Reports saying that they've also kept in touch with the Tigers about Verlander.

Eduardo Nunez makes 100% sense to target in the offseason. He's overachieving right now, but he can still be a solid everyday guy in the event of Travis/Tulo going down.

Vladdy's avg no higher than Bichette. Hitting .342 vs. Bo who's hitting .338

No Donaldson. No Smoak. Might be a rough game.

Borucki promoted to AAA apparently. Listed as the starter for Buffalo for August 31st: http://www.milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t422

What an idiot. His teammate just died driving drunk in the offseason. He should know better. $65 million contract, yet can't get cab or Uber.

Nate Pearson vs. Hillsboro:

Hoskins 11th HR in 18 games. Kids insane. Also, Votto walked 5 times today. Saw 43 pitches. We're watching an all-time great hitter right now.

Pearson definitely has the best potential out of all them. Reason I didn't mention him is because he's further down the pipeline then the rest, but he could move through the system pretty quick as a JuCo guy. Worst case scenario, the kids fastball will make him a solid 'pen arm. Best case scenario, he's Justin Verlander. Borucki another fantastic outing: 7IP 2H 0ER 0BB 7K. Drops his AA ERA to 1.94 in 7 starts. I hope we get to see a start or two out of him in September.

Farm is definitely position player heavy right now. Not that that's a bad thing. Working out well for the Astros and Cubs. Between SRF, Pannone, Zeuch, Harris, Borucki and Greene, one or two of them has to pan out to be a capable starter. Maybe not an ace, but a mid-bottom of the rotation type.

Another good night for Reese McGuire: 2-for-4 with a home run

5 years is a good sweet spot. They were offering Edwin $80 million over 4 years + a $20 million team option for a 5th and Edwin was a year older. I can't imagine they don't talk extension for JD this offseason unless JD shuts them off and is dead set on testing free agency.

My bold prediction is that we end up extending JD for 5-6 years this offseason. $25-27.5 million AAV. I think Josh takes the offer knowing he'll have to go against Machado and Harper in free agency. If he can get his $100 million + deal this offseason, I bet he takes it.

DJ Neal just had a 5 hit game. 5-for-6.

Should really try to move Morales this season, even if we have to eat some cash. Pearce should be the primary DH next season.

I had literally just typed this same thing word for word just as you did.

Danny Jansen just went yard for his 2nd AAA home run.

I'd like to give Kacy Clemens some love on here since not many people talk about him. I've had the chance to see him live in Vancouver a couple times now, and I'll say that he never concedes an AB. Very smart hitter. I'm not saying he's Joey Votto, but that's sort of the vibe I get off him. Very smooth and effortless swing as well, and his pitch recognition and eye is off the charts. He can square up fastballs really well and doesn't get fooled by breaking stuff that easy. His AB's were one of the few that stuck out to me no matter what the result. Not extraordinary power, but the potential is definitely there in the future. Runs deceptively well for a guy his size and plays a good enough glove from what I've seen. I understand that as a 1B, his bat has to play exceptionally well for him to be considered an impact guy, but I'd definitely keep an eye out on him. Cavan Biggio has also had a power surge out of nowhere. 11HR in Hi-A this season, although the K-rate issue is real. But it's cool to think that our potential infield of the future could be comprised of sons of prominent major leaguers Vlad at 3B Bo at SS Biggio at 2B Clemens at 1B Biggio is least likely to stick as a regular, but could be a capable backup. Warmoth at short seems likely, and Bo to 2B.

McGuire has been really good in AA. His power is starting to show. Coming into this season, he hit 5 home runs total in his MiLB career. He's already matched his career total in HR in 25 games in AA.

Devers is clowning major league pitching thus far. Through 21 games: .350/.416/.700 with a 185 OPS+ and 8HR. K-rate isn't anything absurd, and he's walking more than he was in the minors. Kids a beast.

Vladdy Jr.'s MiLB career thus far: 164 games played. .298/.395/.454 with a .858 OPS, 97BB, 90K, 16HR and 23SB Kid has more walks than strikeouts, and he doesn't turn 19 until next March. Insane.

Jose Ramirez deserves more love. Having another fantastic season: .312/.365/.540. 4th lowest K-rate in the AL with 11.1% and on track for a 5+ WAR season. Better than his last. Indians locked him up to an extremely team friendly deal in the offseason too. $26 million over 5 years with 2 team options that'll take him through his age 30 season. Peanuts.

Cespedes' contract is a good comp. I'd offer him around $27.5 million/yr for 5 years in the offseason and see how he responds to that. Machado and Harper being on the market the same year definitely hurts him. But by all accounts, it seems like he likes being in Toronto and I think he has a good relationship with the front office as well. This would be so much easier if we didn't have Tulo's contract on the books.

Connor Panas has been doing incredibly well recently. Last 30 days: .353/.431/.627 with 6 HR. 10% BB-rate and 18% K-rate. Went 3-5 with a HR and a double today.

Ryan Borucki dominating Trenton: