caulfield12

Or add the likes of Stroman, Bauer or Clevinger and move him back to #4, which is his most likely spot on a dominant, playoff or World Series contending starting rotation.

Hook and slider....hooks and ladders (or is it chutes and ladders, lol?), a really nice combination mixed with a 92-95 MPH fastball. Already six K's in four hitless innings. Yeah, it's the Royals, and they're a fastball first hitting team, but they're still a legit big league line-up and Dunning's pretty close to dominating with 6 k's already.

Yeah, but he was completely off balance at least twice that at-bat...that's why you fail 7 times out of 10 and it's still considered a success. Still get the feeling they're going to explode for a crooked number sometime in the next 2-3 innings. Whatever happens, let's try not to face that damned Staumont again. He's nasty.

Mendick's swing getting too big in recent days. Just needed the short, compact, two strikes swing to RF. Well, not getting a veteran for Mendick isn't so important now with Madrigal back...although a Schoop or Dietrich or whoever would have been a nice addition. And don't forget YOLMER/GATORADE BATH.

They're not trading Robert F/OR Bieber...no way.

Keeping James McCann around SOMEHOW is looking more and more attractive. It's such an interesting argument, but you can cut what, $20 million from next year's budget by letting guys like Rodon go, along with those on expiring contracts or options like EE, Gio G, Mazara, Leury Garcia, Fry, etc. Robert got himself out there. Let's go Mendick! Need to start to put this game a bit closer to out of reach instead of letting the Royals hang around....which turned out not so well yesterday.

Two higher priced arbitration years of control (of course, he's missing a ton of time in 2020 already) vs. Kopech's, what, 5 years? It's definitely an interesting, high risk/high reward move for both organizations. Will believe it when it happens. But it is ONE full season more of control, which is much more appealing than the Lynn deal, since it gets your right to the heart of the competitive window in the 2022, and maybe the White Sox are feeling more confident now with Dunning holding his own...or that Kopech is better suited as a reliever than a starter, no real way to know what the thinking is behind the scenes as he sits out 2020.

Hey, Hoynsie: If the Indians were going to trade Mike Clevinger – I believe they will for the right haul – what would be a fair return? – Carl, Cocoa Beach, Fla. Hey, Carl: The logical return would have to include offense, perhaps an established, productive outfielder. But Chris Antonetti and Mike Chernoff would have to factor in what kind of salary they’d be bringing on. In the pandemic season, I can’t see them taking on a whole lot of salary because of the financial hit all teams have taken by not having fans in the stands and playing a shortened season. I think it would be difficult for the Indians to make a trade involving Clevinger by Monday’s deadline. He’ll have two years of control left after this season. It’s not like their main goal is to dump salary. They’d have to get a significant return to help them this season and in the future. Scouting the future right now is difficult, based on what is going on at most secondary training sites and the fact that there is no minor-league season. If they’re going to trade Clevinger, it might be more productive to do it in the offseason. https://www.cleveland.com/tribe/2020/08/what-can-the-cleveland-indians-get-for-mike-clevinger-hey-hoynsie.html

Engel and Kopech for Clevinger is the rumor? I don't get why CLE would want to acquire yet another defense-first, offensively challenged player, but clearly the trade is "damaged goods" on both sides and highly risky for both GM's, in a way. The rumor out of CLE is that Clevinger has really struggled pitching through situations where he's feeling ouchy or not 100%, which is yet another reason they're a bit more open to dealing him (besides financially) despite his really stout numbers last year, along with the whole "lying to the team" issue over COVID.

Thought Robert's ball was going out on that swing...just didn't quite get it on the sweet spot or extended. Hudler arguing that Moncada being held out "because he doesn't play well in day games." Nice aggressive early count swing by Nick Madrigal, btw.

Our biggest fastball pitcher against the best fastball hitting team in the big leagues...not a total shocker Burdi struggled. And is Moncada ever going to be close to 100% this year?

Your what hurts?

Roy Oswalt/Billy Wagner?

Not bad. 12-3 and now 10 out of last 11 games. Three way tie for 1st at 20-12.

1. LAD 63 2. CWS 62 3. SDP 61

Probably extra power from accidentally swallowing all that Red Man or Skoal....

Abreu is really doing a great job of driving fastballs with authority to RCF this year...shades of The Carlos Quentin.

Danny Duffy, 10 consecutive starts with 5 hits or less....on quite a run. Team record for KC is 11, happened back in 1973.

White Sox 8-0 vs. left-handed starters so far this season, fwiw.

Rex Hudler hammering Lopez on the lack of movement on his pitches, particularly the FB. Pointing out the obvious observation that the Royals are the best fastball hitting team in the league and near the bottom against breaking pitches.

Lopez needs to be throwing 96-100 out of the bullpen. Throwing 92-95 as a starter is just so ordinary right now in the big leagues.

Engel looking like the "bad" but comfortably .304 OBP version of himself we've come to know and be largely indifferent to. Except for his hustle and defensive play.

Mendick showing he's not going to give up his position very easily, and rightfully so.

LUIS ROBERT STARRING AS LA PANTERA. Coming to a theatre near you. That pitch was straight, elevated, perfect place for him to drive. Could have just as easily been an Eloy Jimenez swing to RCF.

Duffy has 4th best BAA in MLB despite having only a 92-95 MPH heater...would be a great acquisition for our missing rotation member, but that's just so unlikely to happen within the division.