Quote of the Week
“ One of my wildest days in baseball. I was sitting at home on my couch at 2 o’clock, and at 6:30 I was walking in the clubhouse. ”
– Jose Bautista, on signing with the Mets
This Week in Baseball
How Do You Spell Relief...
The Seattle Mariners and Tampa Bay Rays pulled off the first big trade of the season. Closer Alex Colome and outfielder Denard Span should help bolster the surprisingly contending Mariners team that has succeeded despite a slew of injuries. Seattle GM Jerry DiPoto has established quite a reputation for making trades with over 60 since he took the helm. He says, "It's not an addiction. I can quit whenever I want. I just need one more."
Finger-Licking Bad...
May continues to be tough on the New York Mets. Their ace starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard was put on the disabled list with an injured finger and Steven Matz also suffered an injury to a finger that made him have to leave his last start early. With the way this Mets season has turned south, don't be surprised if the fans resort to using the middle finger.
Designating the Designated Hitter...
In a somewhat surprise move, the Boston Red Sox have designated Hanley Ramirez for assignment to make room for Dustin Pedroia's return from injury. Ramirez's recent cold streak and complicated financial situation seem to be the explanation for the move. His contract contains a $22MM mutual option that would vest if he accumulated even 497 plate appearances this season. That is a very expensive vest.
Start Spreading the Boos...
Former New York Mayor and current attorney for President Donald Trump, Rudy Giuliani, was at a game between the New York Yankees and the Houston Astros on Memorial Day when the PA announcer noted his presence at the stadium and wished him a happy birthday. The ensuing boos were deafening. Which was a surprising move by Yankees fans because he's not a current member of the team.
Short Circuited...
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred says a technology-based strike zone is progressing and could soon be used to call balls and strikes rather than umpires. Normally it's kind of terrifying to think of robots taking over, but it would be nice to see umpires who were actually self-aware.
On the Air
“ Goldschmidt may be ruminating over his at bats on a nightly basis... In his own emotional humidor. ”
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Episode 67: Coffee Explosions; Mariners Get Alex Colome; Hanley Ramirez Gone; Jose Altuve Streak; Bumgarner, Kershaw Return; Roseanne Barr; Kim Kardashian
First and foremost, after stating last week that Jerry Dipoto had no arrows in his quiver to make a trade, the Seattle GM pulls the trigger and lands Alex Colome and Denard Span. Well played, Jerry. Well played. Episode 67 …
Going Deep
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Who is the real Sonny Gray?
Will the real Sonny Gray please stand up? Is it the pitcher who carried a perfect game into the fifth inning, not even allowing a run until the eighth against Kansas City? Or is it the guy who totally imploded …
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Is Odubel Herrera a Legit MVP Candidate?
Every new baseball season brings surprises, and the 2018 Phillies have been one of most suprising teams in the league. Not many people around MLB, or even in Philadelphia, expected this year’s team to compete, but they have. The lineup is one …
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Five Under-Performing Hitters to Buy Now
For years, my strength in fantasy baseball has been cobbling together quality pitching staffs and identifying good pitchers before the rest of the market. On the other side of the coin, my teams have been consistently lacking on offense! This …
Off Base
