Roto Snips

[Edwards Kings]

A different kind of snip.

I have looked to filter my players so that I would avoid:

1) Anyone coming off an injury that management even called serious.
2) Anyone coming off an injury that management considered "not serious" like:
a. Hamstring
b. Oblique
c. Shoulder
d. Elbow
e. Wrist
f. Ankle
3) Anyone who has missed more than three games during spring training with one of the above "not serious" injuries.
4) Anyone punched in the face by their own daughter.
5) Anyone who since last season signed a large, long-term contract (in excess of $30m over at least three years).
6) I was going to add pitchers who threw 30% or more sliders last year, but it was redundant since they are already included in either 1) or 2) above.
7) Any player who is in "the best shape of their lives".
8) Any pitcher who "bulked up" (added more than 5 lbs of muscle).

After all of that, my filters left me with three middle relievers and six back-up catchers. Ty Wigginton had made the list, but then he was cut.

[Edwards Kings]

I don't post often, but I was surprised no one commented on this one.

Joe Saunders said Sunday that he's currently dealing with the "dead arm" phase of spring training.

The veteran southpaw still feels confident, noting that the Rangers know full well what he's capable of. He's currently battling with Colby Lewis and a host of other candidates to begin the season as the fifth starter in the Rangers rotation.

Did I miss something? When was the last time this guy had a live arm?

"Angels released RHP Joe Blanton.
Blanton did little to make a case for a rotation spot, so it was just a matter of whether the Angels were willing to eat his remaining salary to let him go. Ultimately, they were. The Angels will absorb his $7.5 million salary for this season and a $1 million buyout on his 2015 option to cut him loose. He'll surely get an opportunity elsewhere now that he can be had at the major league minimum, but we're not expecting much. "

Look no further Texas. A perfect complement to Saunders. Never can have too many "live" arms.

Never mind. They got Scott Baker instead.

[headhunters]

when nolan ryan started running the rangers he pretty much made it his mission to get and teach strong pitching. about 2-3 years ago he started getting pushed out by the genius - daniels. about 2 years ago the rangers pitching looked solid. nolan is gone- how does that pitching look? Pretty sure daniels is smart enough to lay the blame on ryan. If he is really smart- he will fix the problem.

[Outlaw]

Matt Moore tested his elbow by throwing Monday.
Rays manager Joe Maddon said that he "did OK," but that really doesn't tell us much of anything. He could have another throwing session Tuesday before deciding whether to undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery.

This is great information...lol... not

Let me see, if I can throw on Tuesday I don't need TJ surgery, if I cant throw on tuesday then maybe I do... He gone!

[DOUGHBOYS]

'Jean Segura played shortstop Wednesday for the first time since taking a bat to the face over the weekend.

Segura needed stitches for a deep gash around his right eye after teammate Ryan Braun accidentally clocked him with his bat Saturday while doing his usual warmup swings at the top of the Miller Park dugout steps. Segura played a half-inning of shortstop Wednesday at Busch Stadium and also doubled. He should start on Thursday night in Cincinnati. '

I don't know about you, but I am getting a kick out of Roto World and other outlets saying, 'While doing his USUAL warmups at the top of the dugout steps'.
This seemingly makes it Segura's fault for not being heads up to Braun's warm up tactics.
There was a cartoon, once, I can't remember which one. An obnoxious kid would flail his arms while walking towards folks and say, "I'm swinging my arms, if anybody happens to get in the way, it's not my fault!"

At what age were we told not to swing a bat near the dugout, seven, eight?
And Ryan Braun gets a pass.
Funny stuff.
But in a way, Segura is to blame.
This could have happened previously, but Segura was hitting well and always batted in front of Braun.
That'll teach him for under performing

[Edwards Kings]

That is funny, Dan!

Rank these dangers:

1) Boating with Robert Wagner
2) Hunting with Dick Cheney
3) Batting behind Ryan Braun

[Edwards Kings]

"Dodgers activated LHP Clayton Kershaw from the 15-day disabled list.
He's back. Kershaw missed all of April with a strained teres major muscle in his upper left back, but he'll make his return in a start Tuesday night against the Nationals. The Dodgers and fantasy owners will have to hope that there will be no more bumps in the road."

He's baaaaack!

Maybe the worm is finally turning.

[DOUGHBOYS]

"Dan Uggla is in Tuesday's lineup against the Cardinals.
Uggla, who is currently in a 3-for-31 slump, sat in favor of Ramiro Pena on Monday"

It is kind of Roto World to refer to this as a 'slump'.
To the rest of us, this is just simply, Dan Uggla.

[NorCalAtlFan]

or they could at least quantify the "slump" to show a truer representation as to how far uggla has fallen. something like, uggla is currently in a 214 for 1071 slump that shows no signs of coming out of but robert cox jr is too big an idiot to do anything about it

[Atlas]

Uggla 3 for 31?
How can you tell its a slump?

[Captain Hook]

paging Tommy La Stella to a white courtesy telephone ....

[Edwards Kings]

"Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson said after Monday's game that Addison Reed is still his closer.
Reed blew his second save of the season and took the loss Monday after giving up home runs to Danny Espinosa and Kevin Frandsen in the ninth inning, but Gibson isn't ready to make a change. "There's no controversy here. He's our closer, and he's done a hell of a job for us," said Gibson. "You can forget that. It didn't work out for us tonight, and it [stinks]." Reed owns a 5.03 ERA in 20 appearances this season and has allowed six home runs in just 19 2/3 innings. His secondary numbers, including a 23/4 K/BB ratio, have been solid, but he can't afford many more hiccups."

If a 5.03 ERA is doing a hell of a job, then my pitching staff would just delight Gibson.

I wonder what Gibson said instead of "...and it [stinks]."

Options:

1) and it is a gosh, darn shame.
2) and it certainly could have been better.
3) and it is not like I don't love him like a son.
4) and it SUCKS.

[DOUGHBOYS]

'Pirates prospect OF Gregory Polanco had yet another monster game on Tuesday, going 4-for-4 with a double, triple and three RBI for Triple-A Indianapolis.
After falling into a mini-slump (1-for-14) over the weekend, Polanco is 6-for-8 with two doubles, home run, triple and six RBI in his last two games. The 22-year-old leads the International League in most offensive categories including batting average (.378), on-base percentage (.439), slugging (.622), total bases (92), triples (five), runs scored (28) and RBI (35). At this point, it’s clear that the Pirates will wait until at least June to promote Polanco after the Super Two cutoff has passed.'

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

If this kid performs for the Pirates, anything like has has at AAA, Pirates fans will remember all the winnable games the Pirates could have had in April and May if they would have simply promoted this kid after spring training.
The money and fan interest at the gates to watch Polanco and a winning Pirates team may have offset the money saved by not bringing him up because of Super Two.
The Pirates are 16-22, 8 1/2 games behind in their division.
Only the Astros, Cubs, and Diamondbacks are further from first place.
Pirates fans are being treated to the likes of Tabata, Snider, and Harrison in Right Field.
While playing the position, these three have accounted for a .246 batting average with two homers and one stolen base.
At a Super 2 price, the Pirates may have cost themselves any chance at a pennant. That money could have easily been made up by fan interest and asses in the seats in watching a contender.
Instead, the Pirates were satisfied in being short sighted about dollars and fan patronage.
After making the playoffs last year, they seemingly pretended that last year was a mirage.
A message that should never be sent to fans of a team.
Most teams reload when making the playoffs.
The Pirates retreated.

[jaybvl]

Mets outright Kyle Farnsworth to Triple-A

The Mets have outrighted reliever Kyle Farnsworth to Triple-A.
Farnsworth is expected to refuse the assignment, which would make him a free-agent. He's not happy about the move, and has stated that he wants to sign with a club that plays the Mets frequently. Through 19 games, Farnsworth has posted a 3.18 ERA.

Mets might be serious contenders if this pans out, lol

[Rog]

Matt Adams - 1B - Cardinals

Matt Adams went 0-for-4 on Thursday to drop his average to .299.
It's the first time his average has been under .300 since the second game of the season. Adams is hitting .244 with no homers and a 9/1 K/BB ratio this month. If this keeps up for much longer, the Cardinals will have to think about calling up Oscar Taveras for right field and shifting Allen Craig back to first base.
May 15 - 5:16 PM


Is this guy a bigger fan of taveras or just a matt adams hater?

what is Allen Craig's line
YEAR G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB K SB CS GDP BA OBP SLG OPS
2014 38 149 15 33 7 1 4 16 11 32 0 0 5 .221 .278 .362 .640

[Edwards Kings]

"Indians optioned RHP Danny Salazar to Triple-A Columbus.
Salazar entered the season with plenty of promise following last year's impressive rookie campaign, but this year his velocity has been down and he posted a 5.53 ERA over his first eight starts. He'll get another chance at some point, but the Indians want him to work on things in the minors for now. The Tribe hasn't announced who will replace him in the rotation, but Trevor Bauer is an obvious candidate."

One of the bigger surprises for me. I was very high on this guy going in and was upset I never could land him on either of my teams.

[DOUGHBOYS]

'
Snapping an 0-for-23 skid, Jarrod Saltalamacchia had a four-hit game Friday against the Giants.
That's more hits he had in his previous 36 at-bats since May 3. Salty had a strong April, but he never figured to hit for average while playing half of his games in Marlins Stadium. Tonight bumped him back up to .273 from .242, but he won't stay there.'

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Looks like this was written by a guy who sees Salty as a threat to run off with his wife.
I've seen Miami's field accused of being ugly and taking away homers.
And, they're right, especially the ugly part.
Now, it appears it takes away batting average too.
By the way, Miami is 4th in baseball in batting average and hits.296 at home, .229 on the road.
Miami's home batting average is second in baseball. Second to the Rockies ridiculous .349 home batting average.
Salty hits .348 at home. .169 on the road.
A little thought and a little research before writing always helps.

[jaybvl]

Rafael Furcal resumes basketball activities
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com

[Hells Satans]

Phillies outfield prospect Cord Sandberg went 2-for-5 with a triple and a double for Short Season-A Williamsport on Tuesday.
Sandberg, the Phillies third round pick in the 2013 draft and the son of Hall of Famer Ryne, has the potential to hit 20-plus home runs while hitting .280. He is raw, as is common with multi-sport athletes coming out of high school. He has at least three years before he has a chance to see the major leagues, but hopefully the Phillies won't trade him for the son of Ivan de Jesus



Cool story, bro. Would be even cooler if he was, in fact, Ryne Sandberg's son, which he is not.

[Edwards Kings]

Phillies outfield prospect Cord Sandberg went 2-for-5 with a triple and a double for Short Season-A Williamsport on Tuesday.
Sandberg, the Phillies third round pick in the 2013 draft and the son of Hall of Famer Ryne, has the potential to hit 20-plus home runs while hitting .280. He is raw, as is common with multi-sport athletes coming out of high school. He has at least three years before he has a chance to see the major leagues, but hopefully the Phillies won't trade him for the son of Ivan de Jesus



Cool story, bro. Would be even cooler if he was, in fact, Ryne Sandberg's son, which he is not.

[Edwards Kings]

"Marlins signed RHP Brad Penny to a minor league contract.
Penny will receive a prorated $800,000 if he makes the big league roster with a chance for more in incentives. Penny was released by the Royals during spring training after he gave up seven runs on 13 hits and a walk over his first four innings. He posted a 6.11 ERA over 28 relief innings for the Giants in 2012 before sitting out the 2013 season. "

Miami Marlins GM Dan Jennings: I have had it with this washed up talent! Cut Slowy! Cut Wolf! We will replace them with young blood!

Nameless lacky: OK....ummm...who?

Jennings: Cy Young!

Lacky: Dead.

Jennings: Mordecai "Three-Finger" Brown

Lacky: Dead.

Jennings: Scott Baker!

Lacky: Dead but signed with Texas. Bedard?

Jennings: Oh God no! And he is selling peanuts in Tampa. Ummmm...Brad Penny?

Lacky: He is available...but....

Jennings: Sign him up!

[GetALife]

Phillies outfield prospect Cord Sandberg went 2-for-5 with a triple and a double for Short Season-A Williamsport on Tuesday.
Sandberg, the Phillies third round pick in the 2013 draft and the son of Hall of Famer Ryne, has the potential to hit 20-plus home runs while hitting .280. He is raw, as is common with multi-sport athletes coming out of high school. He has at least three years before he has a chance to see the major leagues, but hopefully the Phillies won't trade him for the son of Ivan de Jesus



Cool story, bro. Would be even cooler if he was, in fact, Ryne Sandberg's son, which he is not.

That image is just part of the accumulation of events that yield "terminal madness of the end times".

[DOUGHBOYS]

Ryan Ludwick is not in the Reds starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Yankees.
It's just a routine day off for the veteran slugger who is hitting .265/.324/.400 with six homers and 26 RBI on the year. Chris Heisey will draw the start in his place in left field and hit seventh against Brandon McCarthy

This is just lazy writing. It assumes that Ludwick is entitled to the starting position and that he is being given a rest.
Coming on the heels of five days of rest, it's not the case.
If the writer had read his own stats, instead of just printing them, he'd realize that Ludwick is a corner outfielder with just six homers in a home run hitting ball park.
Ludwick's 'day off' is more like an underachieving employee being called by his boss and told not to come to work that day.



Brandon Belt returned to the Giants lineup on Sunday, going 0-for-5 in a victory over the Marlins.
Belt was the victim of playing in the spacious confines of Marlins Park, absolutely crushing a pair of balls that were hauled in on the warning track. He has struggled to find his groove since returning from the disabled list, hitting just .143/.244/.472 with a homer, four RBI and 10 strikeouts in 35 at-bats.

RotoWorld's love affair with Belt continues. They've blamed Giants Management. They've blamed the Giants ball park. They've blamed bad luck with injury. Now, it's the opposing ball park.
They're Belt's staunchest supporter and contribute regularly to the 'Save the Baby Giraffes' foundation.



Anthony Rizzo hit a pair of homers to plate three of the Cubs' four runs on Friday.
Rizzo had his second two-homer game of the year, and he's up to 22 homers in 349 at-bats overall. Last year, he hit 23 homers in 606 at-bats. It probably should be noted that he had 40 doubles last year and just 15 so far this year, but we're not complaining.

Why do the doubles need to be noted?
Did last year's homers turn to doubles?
Did this year's doubles turn to homers?
I get the notion that it is a negative in what is supposed to be a positive update.
After all, Rizzo is no Brandon Belt.

[Edwards Kings]

"A minor league baseball manager in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, has done his part to spread prostate cancer awareness - he had a prostate cancer exam before a field packed with baseball fans.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans' general manager Andy Milovich stuck his head out of the press box to sing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" during the 7th inning stretch while a doctor below and out-of-sight performed the screening.

Milovich agreed to have the exam in support of a 10-year-old girl suffering from brain cancer if her Facebook page got 10,000 "likes." That number was reached Monday.

The team has held several events to help raise funds for the girl."

Was the song really "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" or "Moon River"? Nice sentiment but not sure about the execution...



Hey Doc! Ever do any time?

[Edwards Kings]

"Rays designated LHP Erik Bedard for assignment.
Bedard registered a 4.76 ERA and 1.49 WHIP in 15 starts and two relief appearances for Tampa Bay. The 35-year-old southpaw was dumped Monday to open up a roster spot for Joel Peralta, who was activated from the disabled list in a corresponding roster move."

And suddenly somewhere and for no known particular reason, GlennerationX feels a disturbance in the force and sheds a tear....