Here’s the latest on a few National League teams:
- Pending free-agent reliever Adam Ottavino hopes to stay with the Rockies, but the two sides have not discussed a new contract, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reports. Ottavino has been a solid reliever for most of his Rockies tenure, which began in 2012, but he has especially effective in 2018. Playing his age-32 season, Ottavino has logged a superb 2.08 ERA with 13.15 K/9 against 4.15 BB/9 across 65 innings, and that production may price him out of Colorado. With Wade Davis, Bryan Shaw, Jake McGee and Mike Dunn set to make a combined $42MM in 2019, the Rockies already have significant money tied up next year’s bullpen. Unfortunately for the Rockies, that big-money quartet has been a colossal disappointment this season.
- The Cubs placed outfielder Jason Heyward (right hamstring) on the disabled list Friday, and his absence appears likely to affect their infield picture, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times explains. Given that third baseman Kris Bryant is capable of playing the outfield, he may see quite a bit of time in the grass during Heyward’s absence, per Wittenmyer. That would open up the hot corner for middle infielder Javier Baez, while Addison Russell would handle shortstop and Daniel Murphy would stay at second base. Heyward, meanwhile, may miss the majority of September, Wittenmyer suggests. After a rough stretch from 2016-17, Heyward has posted something of a bounce-back season this year, having hit .275/.342/.399 (100 wRC+) with 2.2 fWAR in 451 plate appearances.
- Dodgers reliever Erik Goeddel is done for the season, Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times tweets. Goeddel was only able to take the mound twice last month, most recently on Aug. 15, because of right elbow issues. A late-May waiver pickup from Seattle, Goeddel did good work over 29 1/3 innings with LA this year, recording a 3.38 ERA ball with 35 strikeouts against 15 walks.
Luckily the Dodgers were aggressive in the trade deadline and got some good relief pitching…
They were aggressive to get the best player on the trade market.
Axford was not a good pick up
He’ll be a great pickup if he never picks up a baseball.
Wow never knew Ottavino played for the cardinals. Wouldn’t mind seeing him play for them next season.
Some Cards fan…. he was a starter back then
Ottavino’s slider might be the best pitch in all of baseball. So much movement.
The under-achieving quartet of Dunn, McGee, Shaw and sometimes Davis may ultimately cost the Rockies a playoff spot. Add Chris Rusin to that list and Ottavino also makes me nervous. But you have to go with the options that are available. It should be a great September scramble for the N.L. West title. The Dodgers, Dbacks and Rockies meet each other often this month.
David Bote should be playing over Russell. They could then platoon the outfield vs lefties and rights. Everyday players : C willson, 1B rizzo, RF Bryant, SS Baez, 3B Bote and maybe 2B Murphy. Then righties = Happ in CF schwarber in LF. Lefties = zo in LF almora in CF.
Bote has had a couple of big hits, but is otherwise nothing special. His stats are trending down and his defense is nothing to write home about. His future is an MLB bench and shouldn’t be getting playing time over anyone.
His defense isnt anything special says the guy who doesn’t watch
And how would you describe Russell
Thank you! Bote is a fair to nice bench guy, although I think you downplay his defense a little bit, but at that he is not the defensive player Russell or Baez is. His big hits have been enormous, but as a fairly regular player he has trended downward (or to be fair, leveled off).
The guy that is really worrying me is Almora, He probably hasn’t even had a good at bat since the all star break. He habitually swings early in the count, has been terrible in situation spots, a poor hunter when needed and just not making good contact. Once he started getting that little extra playing time, he slumped badly. It worries me as once the playoffs get going I think Maddon will do what he did last year and glue Happ to the bench.
Bote played pretty much full time in August and hit .187. Had on base of .244. Struck out 25 times v 4 walks.
Happ needs to be glued to a bench. Aside from his one weekly homerrun, the guy does nothing. For the life of me, I don’t understand what this organization sees in this kid.
Agreed
How about he hit 24 home runs his rookie year. He upped his on base percentage in his second year. He plays CF, LF, 2B and fill in 3B. Switch hits and is fast. He has a great work ethic.
He’s a young player give him some time to develop. Not everyone is Mookie Betts.
Heyward going down for any time is obviously a defensive loss. But their depth can never be understated enough. So many guys can fill in in many ways. But the glove will be sorely missed.
I heard in Michelle’s report that she’s going to play shortstop for the <<<<<Brewers Monday vs the Cubs….. ,,,? She gots su much money PlayStation money…..retirement after game and live long Time … com !!!!