Archives for August 2016

Diamondbacks Release Josh Collmenter

By Connor Byrne | August 7, 2016 at 1:07pm CDT

The Diamondbacks have released right-hander Josh Collmenter, reports FanRag Sports’ Jack Magruder (Twitter link). Collmenter had been in limbo since the Diamondbacks designated him for assignment July 30, but he’s now free to search for another opportunity elsewhere.

Collmenter picked up 200 appearances and 75 starts with Arizona, which selected him in the 15th round of the 2007 draft, and compiled a terrific ERA (3.54) to go with 6.28 K/9 against 2.14 BB/9 in 659 1/3 innings. He has also logged two seasons, 2011 and 2014, with at least 154 1/3 innings and a sub-3.50 ERA. Collmenter began 2015 as the Diamondbacks’ Opening Day starter before eventually shifting to a bullpen role, and he posted a solid 3.79 ERA across 121 frames and somewhat offset a below-average K/9 (4.69) with a 1.79 BB/9. The 30-year-old hasn’t been nearly as successful at preventing runs (4.84 ERA) or limiting walks (4.43 BB/9) in 22 1/3 innings this season, though he has generated ground balls at a 47.7 percent rate – a marked increase over his career 36 percent average.

Collmenter, who was on a $1.85MM club option with Arizona this year, could catch on with a different team for a prorated portion of the league minimum.

Braves Claim Chaz Roe From Orioles

By Connor Byrne | August 7, 2016 at 12:42pm CDT

The Braves have claimed right-hander Chaz Roe off waivers from the Orioles, according to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com (Twitter link).

Roe, whom Baltimore designated for assignment July 29, threw 9 2/3 innings with the club this season and allowed four earned runs on seven walks, also posting 11 strikeouts. Roe played a larger role for last year’s Orioles, with whom he amassed 41 1/3 frames, pitched to a 4.14 ERA, induced ground balls at a 52.1 percent clip, and logged solid strikeout (8.27) and walk rates (3.7) per nine innings. The 29-year-old previously saw major league action with the Diamondbacks and Yankees.

Injury Notes: Gray, Rasmus, Peralta

By Connor Byrne | August 7, 2016 at 12:26pm CDT

The latest injury news from around the majors:

The Athletics’ Sonny Gray is headed to the disabled list for the second time in 2016, this time because of a right forearm strain, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle was among those to report (on Twitter). Gray’s roster spot will go to fellow righty Chris Smith, who has spent the season with Triple-A Nashville (updated depth chart). This latest injury continues a season to forget for the A’s – who have set a franchise record with 25 DL uses (Twitter link via Slusser) – and Gray, who posted a solid start (five innings, five hits and two earned runs allowed) against the Cubs on Saturday. Unfortunately, though, he had to depart after 72 pitches because of forearm discomfort. Gray previously hit the DL in May with a strained right trapezius and has compiled a shockingly ineffective 5.74 ERA in 116 innings this season. A significant home run spike is largely behind Gray’s bloated ERA. Entering the year, he had logged back-to-back full seasons of ace-like production for Oakland.
The Diamondbacks have placed outfielder David Peralta on the DL with right wrist inflammation and recalled Socrates Brito from Triple-A Reno, tweets Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic (updated depth chart). This is the third DL stint of the year for Peralta, and two have come as a result of right wrist troubles. Perhaps thanks in part to his injury problems, Peralta has hit an underwhelming .251/.295/.433 with four home runs in 183 plate appearances this year. He was an integral part of the D-backs’ offense from 2014-15, slashing an outstanding .301/.351/.492 with 25 homers in 865 PAs.
The Astros have sent outfielder Colby Rasmus to the DL because of a cyst in his right ear and recalled Tony Kemp from Triple-A Fresno, per Angel Verdejo Jr. of the Houston Chronicle (updated depth chart). Rasmus, who has tumbled backward since a sizzling start and is currently amid a 3-for-66 slump since July 2, has batted a woeful .211/.286/.352 with 12 home runs in 368 plate appearances. He hit a much better .238/.314/.475 with 28 HRs across 485 trips to the dish last year, leading the Astros to extend him a $15.8MM qualifying offer in the offseason. Rasmus accepted that offer, but it’s fair to say Houston won’t tender him another QO (if they’re still around in the next collective bargaining agreement) during the upcoming winter.

Braves Designate Brandon Snyder For Assignment

By Connor Byrne | August 7, 2016 at 11:52am CDT

The Braves have designated infielder/outfielder Brandon Snyder for assignment, reports David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Twitter link). Right-hander Madison Younginer will come up from Triple-A Gwinnett to take Snyder’s place on the Braves’ roster.

Snyder, 29, garnered 34 plate appearances for the Braves prior to Sunday and hit .182/.206/.515 with two home runs. He previously saw action with the Orioles, who selected him 13th overall in the 2005 draft, Rangers and Red Sox. Snyder has collected 192 big league PAs and slashed .232/.272/.420 with seven long balls. Across 12 minor league seasons and 3,902 PAs, he owns a .273/.336/.436 line.

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Deadline, Yankees, Phillies, Pirates

By Connor Byrne | August 7, 2016 at 8:45am CDT

This week’s spin around the baseball blogosphere:

Clubhouse Corner’s Bernie Pleskoff, a former pro scout, analyzes eight teams’ non-waiver trade deadline moves and how they’ll affect the two pennant races.
Chin Music Baseball points out that the Yankees’ choice to deal elite relievers Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman could set the stage for a historic World Series matchup between the Indians and Cubs.
North Shore Nine profiles Pirates star left fielder Starling Marte’s journey to the majors and projects what’s in store for his future.
Call To The Pen asks if the Astros rushed premier prospect Alex Bregman to the majors.
Off The Bench forecasts the second-half AL East race.
SaberBallBlog explains how the Yankees won the deadline.
Jays Journal sees the Blue Jays at this year’s deadline winners.
Baseball Docs has the Dodgers acquiring White Sox ace Chris Sale during the offseason.
Pirates Breakdown delves into center fielder Andrew McCutchen’s difficult 2016.
Outside Pitch MLB doesn’t expect Mets deadline acquisition Jay Bruce to provide much.
Yanks Go Yard wants the Yankees to get rid of second baseman Starlin Castro.
Philliedelphia looks at the ramifications of the Phillies’ decision not to trade right-hander Jeremy Hellickson.
A’s Farm interviews Triple-A Nashville manager Steve Scarsone.
Brew Crew Fever praises Rangers catcher Jonathan Lucroy for his terrific Brewers career.
Camden Depot writes that Phillies president Andy MacPhail’s fingerprints are still all over the Orioles’ roster.
Shutdown Inning scoffs at the notion that Rangers ace Yu Darvish is in decline.
Inside the ’Zona scrutinizes the Diamondbacks’ deadline strategy.
The Runner Sports applauds the Astros’ deadline approach.
Pinstriped Prospects discusses a couple of the newest members of the Yankees’ farm system and shares video footage.
LA Dodger Report (links here) offers differing takes on the Dodgers’ demotion of outfielder Yasiel Puig.
Super Two Sports explains why the Phillies should trade for Puig.
TPOP isn’t pleased with the way the Pirates handled the deadline.
Now On Deck suggests some rule changes for Major League Baseball.
MLB Sweet Spot presents its post-deadline power rankings.
Baseball Hot Corner focuses on this year’s rookie of the year candidates.
Motor City Bengals evaluates the Tigers’ bullpen.
Think Blue Planning Committee reviews five of the worst trades in Dodgers history.
Rum Bunter believes the Pirates should use the money they saved in trading left-hander Francisco Liriano to bolster their bullpen.
Sports Heaven credits the Yankees for selling at the deadline.
TomahawkTake has an educational piece on waiver trading.
isportsweb breaks down the Phillies’ expectations for August.
Everything Bluebirds regards shortstop Troy Tulowitzki’s leadership as one of the keys to the Blue Jays’ success.
Halo Headquarters wonders what lies ahead in left field for the Angels.
The Ranger Report argues that the Rangers’ deadline splashes don’t make them instant contenders.
MLB451 revisits several current managers’ playing careers.

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MLBTR Originals

By Connor Byrne | August 7, 2016 at 8:06am CDT

Here’s a recap of the original analysis MLBTR offered this week:

With another month of the 2016 campaign in the rearview mirror, Tim Dierkes updated his free agent power rankings for the upcoming offseason. The top 10 consists of eight position players and two relievers, further illustrating the weakness of the winter’s starting pitching market.
The passing of the non-waiver trade deadline doesn’t mean the fun is over, which Steve Adams pointed out in listing the 20 likeliest players to end up dealt this month.
In this week’s “Knocking Down the Door” feature, Jason Martinez looks at prospects from the Cardinals, Indians, Yankees, Phillies and Mariners. All five players mentioned are making serious cases for major league promotions.

Yankees To Hold Press Conference With Alex Rodriguez

By Tim Dierkes | August 7, 2016 at 12:18am CDT

The Yankees will hold a press conference with Alex Rodriguez Sunday at 11am eastern time, according to an announcement from the team. The reason for the press conference is unknown. Rodriguez, 41, has limped to a .204/.252/.356 line in 234 plate appearances this year as the team’s designated hitter. He currently ranks fourth all-time with 696 career home runs. Though A-Rod is owed $20MM next year, it’s fair to speculate whether his time with the Yankees is coming to an end.

Tigers Send Jordan Zimmermann Back To DL

By Connor Byrne | August 6, 2016 at 10:12pm CDT

To cap off an injury-plagued Saturday, the Tigers have placed right-hander Jordan Zimmemann on the disabled list with an aggravation of his neck strain and recalled left-hander Kyle Ryan from Triple-A Toledo, tweets Jason Beck of MLB.com (John Wagner of the Toledo Blade first reported Zimmermann would head to the DL). The loss of Zimmermann is the second notable one of the day for Detroit, whose starting third baseman, Nick Castellanos, suffered a fractured left hand in the team’s 6-5 win over the Mets.

Zimmermann had just returned from the DL to make a start Thursday after that neck strain kept him out for all of July. The big-money offseason investment lasted a mere 1 2/3 innings in that start, a 6-3 loss to the White Sox, and allowed six earned runs on six hits and two walks. Zimmermann now has a 7.30 ERA across his past 49 1/3 innings and a 4.44 mark through 97 1/3 frames this year, and ERA indicators like FIP (3.91), xFIP (4.66) and SIERA (4.66) haven’t been enamored of his performance.

The Tigers could fill Zimmermann’s void in the rotation with lefty Daniel Norris, who Beck notes will rejoin the club Tuesday. Norris, who sat out most of July because of a right oblique strain, has thrown 13 1/3 innings and made three starts with the Tigers this year and given up 17 hits and seven earned runs. On the plus side, Norris has struck out 16 against just three walks. In 73 1/3 frames with Toledo this season, the 23-year-old has compiled a lofty ERA (4.54), though he has posted quality strikeout and walk rates (9.45 and 3.44 per nine, respectively) and a 2.55 FIP.

If playoff-contending Detroit does bring up Norris to work out of its rotation, he’ll join Justin Verlander, Michael Fulmer, Matt Boyd and Anibal Sanchez in its quintet of starters. Verlander and Fulmer have been excellent this year, while Boyd has fared well over the past month and Sanchez’s performance has improved of late.

Nick Castellanos Fractures Left Hand

By Connor Byrne | August 6, 2016 at 9:52pm CDT

9:52pm: The Tigers expect Castellanos to miss a minimum of four weeks, according to manager Brad Ausmus (Twitter link via Beck). As a result, Castellanos will go to the DL and McGehee will take his place on the Tigers’ roster, tweets Beck.

9:16pm: The Tigers anticipate a three- to four-week absence for Castellanos, reports FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal (Twitter link). Toledo pulled McGehee out of its lineup in the wake of Castellanos’ injury, per Jason Beck of MLB.com, so it appears he’ll head to Detroit.

8:23pm: In what could be a blow to the Tigers’ playoff hopes, third baseman Nick Castellanos left the team’s game against the Mets on Saturday with a non-displaced fracture of the fifth metacarpal of his left hand, tweets Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press. Castellanos sustained the injury when Mets righty Logan Verrett hit him in the hand with a fifth-inning pitch.

Castellanos, 24, has cooled down offensively over the past couple months, but he has still slashed an easily above-average .286/.331/.500 with 18 home runs in 432 plate appearances. Those numbers represent a breakout for the formerly well-regarded prospect, who hit .254/.304/.407 in a combined 1,174 PAs from 2014-15. Castellanos also struggled mightily at third in each of those seasons, which has continued this year. Among FanGraphs’ 20 qualifying third basemen, Castellanos ranks 18th in Ultimate Zone Rating (minus-6.8) and dead last in Defensive Runs Saved (minus-10). Still, given his nearly league-minimum salary of $536,500, Castellanos’ work at the dish this year has provided the postseason-contending Tigers significant surplus value.

While it’s unknown how much time Castellanos will miss, a stint on the disabled list seems like a strong possibility. That would leave the Tigers with Mike Aviles and Andrew Romine as fill-in options on their 25-man roster, and they also have longtime major leaguer Casey McGehee in Triple-A Toledo, as their depth chart shows. Castellanos is far superior to the three of them, though, and the fact that he’s now hurt after the non-waiver trade deadline passed only adds to Detroit’s misfortune. If the Tigers search for third base help via the trade market this month, it’s worth noting that the Athletics’ Danny Valencia rates highly on MLBTR’s Steve Adams’ list of the top 20 August trade candidates.

Central Notes: Pirates, Tribe, Napoli, Cardinals

By Connor Byrne | August 6, 2016 at 8:09pm CDT

The Pirates have taken plenty of flak since sending left-hander Francisco Liriano and a pair of prospects – outfielder Harold Ramirez and catcher Reese McGuire – to the Blue Jays on Monday for right-hander Drew Hutchison. General manager Neal Huntington explained the Bucs’ thinking Saturday, telling Travis Sawchik of the Pittsburgh-Tribune Review, “Our primary motivation was to acquire Drew Hutchison. … Instead, it came out that we moved two prospects to move Liriano’s contract. Now I can’t tell you that wasn’t a part of the motivation, but the primary motivation was to acquire a quality pitcher.” The 25-year-old Hutchison has spent the vast majority of the season in the minors and owns a below-average 4.92 ERA in 406 1/3 major league innings, but he has recorded a solid 15.1 K-BB percentage and is controllable through 2018. The Pirates were particularly mindful of the latter factor upon acquiring him. “Mediocre pitching is getting paid a lot of money. As we look forward, whether it’s the trade market or free agent market, the challenge of acquiring quality, controllable, productive starting pitching … is hard to do,” said Huntington. As for Liriano, Huntington expects him to do well “where hitters are unfamiliar with him, in a new environment, with new scouting reports,” but the GM believes the opposition in the National League became too accustomed to the 32-year-old.

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