OMNICHATTER for Monday, May 23, 2022

These 5 MLB Breakouts Are (Probably) For Real

J.P. Crawford, Seattle Mariners
The aforementioned established major leaguer, J.P. Crawford graduated as a prospect during the 2018 season. Known for his consistent presence on defensive highlight reels, Crawford’s glove made up the lion’s share of his value as a big leaguer. Coming into the 2022 season, however, Crawford’s offensive output had been on a three-year incline, netting wRC+ marks of 87, 95 and 103 over the past three seasons. That alone earned him a five-year extension.

While Crawford has always shown an above-average skill set when it comes to avoiding strikeouts and drawing walks, with rates near or better than the league average three years running, the best mark he had mustered in weighted on-base average (wOBA) was ...

Look Good, Feel Good, Play Good. Smell Good?

Although a baseball field is perhaps the last place people would expect to smell like concoctions of flowers, fruits and tree oils, the players have their reasons. Among the most cited: They don’t want to smell bad when they sweat, and the emotions attached to their colognes and perfumes — special occasions, a specific frame of mind, positive vibes — are helpful reminders during tense competitions.

“These guys are all physically capable,” said San Francisco Giants Manager Gabe Kapler, 46, who was on the receiving end when the former star slugger Manny Ramirez sprayed cologne on his teammates before games when they were on the Boston Red Sox.

“They’re all plenty athletic, plenty strong, plenty talented to have success on the ...

JOEY VOTTO IS THE GREATEST REDS PLAYER OF ALL TIME

And then there’s this, perhaps the single best argument in favor of Votto as a baseball legend. Over the course of his career, he’s led the National League in on-base percentage (OBP) seven times. The list of players in baseball history who have led their league in OBP at least seven times over the course of their career: Ted Williams, Babe Ruth, Barry Bonds, Rogers Hornsby, Ty Cobb, Votto. That’s it. Even better, Votto led the league in OBP for four consecutive seasons, from 2010 to 2013. In the entirety of baseball history, only three other players have ever done that: Hall of Famers Hornsby, Williams, and Wade Boggs.

Some of you might be thinking, Big deal. All he does is walk. Back in 2013, after Votto had already won a National ...

Yankees, White Sox benches clear after Josh Donaldson calls Tim Anderson ‘Jackie’ Robinson

“He made a racist comment, Donaldson, and that’s all I’m gonna say,” La Russa said.

Anderson later revealed what Donaldson said to him, telling reporters that the Yankees third baseman called him “Jackie Robinson” on multiple occasions throughout the game.

He just made a disrespectful comment,” Anderson said. “Basically was trying to call me Jackie Robinson, like ‘what’s up Jackie?’ I don’t play like that. I don’t really play at all. I wasn’t really gonna bother nobody today. But he made the comment, and it was disrespectful. I don’t think it was called for.”

Anderson then said that Donaldson called him Jackie “the first time he got on” and later repeated it.

“I spared him that time, and then it happened again,” Anderson continued.

...Read More...

RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: May 21, 2022 at 10:20 PM | 55 comment(s)
  Beats: josh donaldson, tim anderson

Seattle Mariners sign Justin Upton

Looking to boost their lineup, the Seattle Mariners signed veteran slugger Justin Upton to a one-year contract Saturday.

Upton, a four-time All-Star, was released by the Los Angeles Angels on April 8 heading into the final season of a $106 million, five-year guaranteed contract. Seattle must pay him only a prorated share of the $700,000 major league minimum.

The 34-year-old Upton batted .211 with 17 home runs, 41 RBI and a .705 OPS in 89 games for the Angels last season.

The top pick in the 2005 amateur draft, Upton is a .262 career hitter with 324 homers, 1,000 RBI, 151 stolen bases and an .814 OPS in 15 major league seasons with Arizona, Atlanta, San Diego, Detroit and the Angels. He has won three Silver Slugger Awards.

The ...

Adley Rutschman, MLB’s No. 1 prospect, called up to O’s

After years of anticipation and weeks of speculation, Adley Rutschman has arrived.

The Orioles on Saturday promoted baseball’s top overall prospect, setting the stage for one of the most anticipated big league debuts in recent memory and marking a milestone in the franchise’s rebuilding efforts. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 Draft, he’s been ranked one of baseball’s top two prospects since the summer of 2020 and is currently No. 1.

Rutschman is in the Orioles starting lineup Saturday against the Rays, batting sixth and catching right-hander Kyle Bradish.

“I’d say about as excited as I can be right now,” Rutschman said at Oriole Park on Saturday afternoon. “I mean, this is probably about the coolest thing, the coolest moment ...

Roger Angell, Who Wrote About Baseball With Passion, Dies at 101

Roger Angell, the elegant and thoughtful baseball writer who was widely considered among the best America has produced, died on Friday at his home in Manhattan. He was 101.

The cause was congestive heart failure, his wife, Margaret Moorman, said.

Mr. Angell’s voice was original because he wrote more like a fan than a sports journalist, loading his articles with inventive imagery.

The Boston Red Sox catcher Carlton Fisk came out of his crouch, Mr. Angell wrote, like “an aluminum extension ladder stretching for the house eaves.” The Baltimore Oriole relief pitcher Dick Hall pitched “with an awkward, sidewise motion that suggests a man feeling under his bed for a lost collar stud.” Mr. Angell (pronounced angel) described Willie ...

Sports teams love crypto. What happens when their sponsor strikes out?

The Nationals signed a five-year, $38.15 million deal this winter to promote Terra and received all the money up front. The internal debate, according to multiple people with knowledge of the discussions, is centered on whether the organization should honor its agreement with Terra and keep the company’s name on its luxury club behind home plate, where “Terra” is stripped across every seat, and elsewhere in the stadium.

As the fallout from Terra’s crash continues, the Nationals’ predicament highlights the potential pitfalls for athletes, teams and leagues that have tethered their brands to the volatile digital currency.

The terms of the Nationals’ contract with Terra include naming rights to its premier club, signage around ...

Sports Venues Create Quiet Refuge for Fans with Sensory Needs

Installed in time for a trial run on Opening Day, designers of what is called a “sensory nook” say the space was created for neurodivergent guests—those with autism or ADHD, for example—but is free for anyone like Burns who needs to step away from the action. It’s portable and features an overhead light that shines when the nook is powered on. A tactile board lights up with stars. And it can vibrate if needed for a calming effect.

“People really appreciate that it’s there,” said Eric Petersen, who is director of ticket services for the Mets and chairman of the team’s Accessibility and Disability Alliance. “They’re just grateful to have a space for their family member to go to in case they need to get away for a second.”

At times, people ...

Chris Paddack’s medical red flag killed Mets-Padres deal

Now it can be told. The Mets-Padres deal was canceled after Mets doctors raised a red flag over right-hander Chris Paddack’s medicals. They look correct now, as Paddack had Tommy John surgery Wednesday and will be out for the Twins until next year.

The original proposed deal had Paddack, Eric Hosmer and reliever Emilio Pagan going to the Mets for Dom Smith, and enough money going to the Mets where it was a $25 million hit for them to cover the four years remaining on Hosmer’s deal. Mets people decided that if Paddack had to miss more than a year, it wasn’t worth it. Though Hosmer is killing it for the Padres (.336), the Mets’ plan was to deal Hosmer in a second trade that was being discussed simultaneously, anyway.

That makes ...

WEEKEND OMNICHATTER for May 20-22, 2022

Former Giants fan-favorite infielder Joe Panik retires from MLB

Joe Panik, who joined Brandon Crawford and Brandon Belt to form one of baseball’s best infields in the middle of the last decade, confirmed to NBC Sports Bay Area that his playing days are over. Panik said he’s loving spending time with his wife, Brittany, and his seventh-month old daughter Mikayla, the couple’s first child.

“I feel very blessed for the career I have had and what I was able to accomplish,” Panik said via text. “Was literally a dream come true.”

Panik noted how many great people he met during his decade in professional baseball and said he was “truly blessed for being able to be raised a Giant.” The news of his retirement was first reported by Jon Heyman of the New York Post.

The Giants surprised some in the industry ...

Cardinals To Promote Nolan Gorman, Matthew Liberatore; Tyler O’Neill to IL

The Cardinals are set to promote top prospects Nolan Gorman and Matthew Liberatore heading into this weekend’s series against the Pirates, reports Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (Twitter links).

According to Goold, Gorman will be in tomorrow’s starting lineup at second base. That figures to be his primary role moving forward, with Gold Glove second baseman Tommy Edman kicked to the other side of the bag. Edman has been excellent this season, but the Cards haven’t gotten much production out of their shortstops. Paul DeJong struggled enough the team optioned him to Triple-A Memphis last week, seemingly setting the stage for a forthcoming Gorman promotion.

That’s not to say the Cardinals hastily promoted Gorman to ...

New York Mets’ Max Scherzer out 6-8 weeks with oblique strain

New York Mets right-hander Max Scherzer is expected to miss six to eight weeks after suffering a “moderate to high grade” oblique strain during Wednesday night’s start against the St. Louis Cardinals, the team announced Thursday.

Scherzer removed himself from the game with two outs in the sixth inning after feeling soreness on his left side with the hope of preventing a more serious injury.

“Just felt a zing on my left side and just knew I was done,” Scherzer said Wednesday. “When I felt it, I just knew there’s no way you can throw another pitch, so just get out of there.”

Zach Davies’ estranged wife says MLB pitcher ghosted her for a year

The estranged wife of pitcher Zach Davies detailed the apparent dissolution of their marriage in a raw Instagram post, alleging the Arizona Diamondbacks starter has not spoken to her in over a year.

In the message shared Monday, Megan explained how their marriage began to crumble, stating her husband “cut off all communication” and later “blocked” her.

“In 2021 my world as I knew it completely fell apart,” she began. “My husband cut off all communication from me while I was back home in Arizona and he was in another state. He sent a text message at 6am in the morning and then blocked me.”

Megan then alleges that she had to “file for divorce without even having a single conversation with the person [she] built a life ...

OMNICHATTER for Thursday, May 19, 2022

Yankees Cut Prospect Accused of Stealing From Teammates, per Report

Yankees prospect Jake Sanford was cut from the organization last Thursday after it was revealed the former third round pick was allegedly stealing equipment from his teammates in order to sell it.

NJ.com reported that Sanford “repeatedly hounded” his teammates to give him their bats, gloves and other equipment. Sometimes, he just took it from their lockers without their consent.

On top of stealing from his teammates, Sanford also was accused of scamming fans online by selling autographed equipment but then never actually sending it….

Sanford was picked in the third round of the 2019 MLB draft out of Western Kentucky by New York, and he was given a $597,500 signing bonus. He played for three minor league teams in 2019 and ’21. He ...

MLB, Not the NBA, Needs Its Own Separate In-Season Tournament

I’m surprised the powers that be haven’t kicked the tires on this yet (though I’m far from the first person to pitch it). You would think Rob Manfred would take an easy win anywhere he could get one right now. And it really is just that, at least from the fan’s perspective.

Implementing a cup competition would open up the possibility of seeing the game’s prospects in MLB parks, playing against MLB players, and help start their hype train when they’re usually out of sight and out of mind for the casual fan. Conversely, it would bring MLB teams to iconic minor league parks. Imagine, say, a matchup between the Boston Red Sox and Durham Bulls at Durham Bulls Athletic Park, home of the Blue Monster. The novelty factor of seeing the ...

Juan Soto trade rumors: Nationals may be ‘motivated’ to trade outfielder

Would trading Juan Soto be the start of a long National nightmare?

Even though the 23-year-old Soto is under team control for two more seasons, the outfielder’s time in a Nationals uniform may be coming to an end sooner than you’d think.

ESPN’s Buster Olney, citing rival MLB executives, reports that the “Nationals might well be compelled — and motivated — to move Soto this summer.”

Likely fueling the Soto trade speculation is the offseason rumor that he turned down a $350 million contract extension with the team. Soto is represented by super agent Scott Boras, and Boras clients routinely opt for free agency rather than signing extensions.

The Blue Jays and the Padres were named as two potential suitors for Soto’s talents, though ...

Which Young Players Should Be Next To Sign Long-Term Deals?

Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Toronto Blue Jays: Eight years, $174 million
Vladito is making nearly $8 million this year and not in a family hurting for financial resources, so he has a reasonable risk profile to try to wait out free agency and grab a monster deal then. But that doesn’t mean the Blue Jays shouldn’t at least try; it will be a shame if his stay in Toronto is already half over.

While Guerrero’s offensive numbers have come back down since last year’s Triple Crown run, the disappearance of run scoring around the league makes the drop look far more significant than it actually is. In rest-of-career value, ZiPS has him fourth in baseball among hitters, and none of the top three are gettable….

Julio Rodríguez, Seattle ...

OMNICHATTER for Wednesday, May 18, 2022

Matt Harvey suspended 60 games by MLB for distributing oxycodone

Right-hander Matt Harvey has been suspended 60 games for distributing a drug of abuse under Major League Baseball’s drug program.

Harvey, who is currently with the Baltimore Orioles’ Triple-A affiliate, said he provided oxycodone to late Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs.

Harvey’s admission in federal court came during the trial of Eric Kay, who was convicted on two felony counts of distributing the deadly drug fentanyl that ultimately lead to Skaggs’ death. During the trial, Harvey said he used cocaine and that he both gave and received oxycodone from Skaggs.

Why aren’t the Oakland A’s trying harder to fill their stadium?

Sub required.

If you really take a look at what’s different for the A’s right now compared to other low points in their history, what’s curious is what the team is not doing to try and get butts in the seats. It’s that lack of action that inspires some to wonder if this isn’t the plot of a popular baseball movie, where the team wants it to look like baseball can never work in Oakland, so that they can leave Oakland and get a new park elsewhere.

“I know some people think it’s ‘Major League,’ but it’s not,” A’s president Dave Kaval said. “We wouldn’t be spending $2 million a month trying to get our waterfront ballpark approved if we weren’t serious about staying in Oakland.”

The question is whether the way ...

OMNICHATTER for Tuesday, May 17, 2022

FBI Corruption Probe Into Anaheim Mayor Sidhu Stalls the Angel Stadium Sale

California Attorney General Rob Bonta is calling for a 60-day pause on the Angel Stadium land sale –  as the FBI is taking a hard look at Anaheim Mayor Harry Sidhu for public corruption allegations.

The “FBI learned that the City of Anaheim was tightly controlled by a small cadre of individuals, including SIDHU, a particular member of the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce, and others,” reads a Thursday affidavit from FBI agent Brian Adkins in Bonta’s court filing.

Sidhu’s attorney, Paul Meyer, declined to comment, saying it would “premature” at this stage to do so, in a Monday text message.

According to the affidavit, Adkins apparently wiretapped the cell phones of people close to Sidhu, capturing conversations and messages ...

Adam Jones: My Next Chapter

As an older guy, I honestly wasn’t ready for the level that teams practice at in Japan. In America, we work our tails off during spring training, and then when the season gets rolling, it’s basically all about the games. But in Japan, every day, every practice, is like the most focused spring training practice of the year.

There’s no fooling around. It’s all about getting better. Pitchers are doing fielding practice three or four times a week … in July. Infielders are taking thousands of ground balls even during the later part of the season. It’s baserunning drills, bunting practice, and on and on. Everything is all about trying to reach perfection when it comes to every element of the game.

So what I’d been watching ...

OMNICHATTER for Monday, May 16, 2022

Struggling Kansas City Royals fire hitting coach Terry Bradshaw, promote Alec Zumwalt to role

The Royals fired hitting coach Terry Bradshaw and promoted Alec Zumwalt to fill his role Monday in a shakeup of the coaching staff that they hope will wake up one of the worst offenses in the majors this season.

The Royals have scored 118 runs through their first 32 games, better only than the Tigers, Orioles and White Sox, and their 21 home runs trail only the Tigers and Red Sox for the worst total in the big leagues.

The Royals began the day 12-20 and 6½ games behind the Twins in the AL Central.

“Baseball is constantly shifting and we have to continue to self-evaluate and make sure we’re giving our players everything they need to be successful at the highest levels,” Royals general manager J.J. Picollo said in a statement. “Our ...

Why the Rockies hired Sterling Monfort as one of the majors’ youngest pro scouting directors

“It’s not like he was given this opportunity because of who he was (in relation to Dick) — it’s because he was the right person to get the opportunity, period,” Rosenthal said. “Like the old saying in baseball goes, ‘You can’t trick scouts.’ He did it the right way, in their eyes.

“He cut his teeth, he worked his butt off, he scouted across the country, he came early and he stayed late. Schmidt and our guys truly believe in him as an evaluator.”

A graduate of Eaton High School, where he won two Class 3A state titles, and Arizona State University, where he played club ball, Monfort worked on the Coors Field grounds crew while in college. He began his baseball career as a coaching intern with the rookie-league Grand ...