HARVEY TROUBLE
Matt Harvey wasn’t right all season long. It was painful to watch. We all know that. It was ultimately determined that he needed thoracic outlet syndrome surgery, a procedure that comes with a 4-6 month timeframe for recovery… if there aren’t any setbacks of course (more on that below). Harvey had the surgery, and according to his agent (Scott Boras), he should be ready to rock by Spring Training. "This is not like a Tommy John, where you have a ligament issue. It's really about relief of nerve compression. So you get a little bit more of a higher probability rate on those kinds of things." Harvey had the surgery and immediately felt a “big relief” and he is about a month away from reporting to Newport Beach to continue his rehab.
While the Boras/Harvey camp is expressing full confidence, it should be pointed out that this is a significant procedure. Recent arms who underwent the procedure late in their careers include Josh Beckett and Chris Carpenter. Neither of them returned to prominence. The most successful example of a pitcher returning from the procedure is Chris Young who has gone 26-24 with a 4.06 ERA in three season since the operation. If that brings you the warm and fuzzies with Harvey…
ROSS TROUBLE
Tyson Ross has been a total mess all season long. One setback after another he’s dealt with (shoulder, ankle). He made one start on Opening Day, and that was it. It all comes down to this. The righty of the Padres had a completely lost season, and now his future is in doubt. Ross will undergo thoracic outlet syndrome surgery, just like Mr. Harvey. At one time this was a great arm. Given an entirely lost season in 2016, all the issues with walks, and the fact that he is so heavily reliant on the slider, Ross is someone that I won’t be recommending in 2017 unless you grab him with your last pick and have a DL spot you can slot him on to when the inevitable setback occurs.
RICHARDS UPDATE
Garrett Richards threw 55 pitches in an instructional league game Thursday as he attempts to work his way back from a UCL injury. Richards threw his last fastball Thursday at 96 mph, and over four innings he allowed one run while walking none and striking out five. It was thought, when the injury occurred, that Richards would need Tommy John surgery. That’s still possible at this point, but he hopes that the rest and treatment he’s had to this point will allow him to avoid going under the knife. He will visit with the doctors to determine the next step, but it’s a more hopeful situation now than it has been in months with the former dominating righty.
STRASBURG UPDTE
Stephen Strasburg will not be allowed to participate in the NLCS as Nats’ manager Dusty Baker said that “it would be a miracle” if he were to appear if the Nats were to advance. Strasburg, out with an elbow issue, felt renewed discomfort in his elbow during his last throwing session and it would be a “miracle” if he throws another meaningful pitch this season.
The guy cannot be trusted, at all. Since returning from Tommy John surgery he’s thrown 159.1, 183, 215, 127.1 and 147.2 innings. That’s one time in five years with 185 innings pitched. That’s two times in five years with 160 innings pitched. Over his last five seasons he’s averaged 166 innings – though he’s only reached that number twice in five years. You can take him as your ace next season. I want no part of that.
JAYS SET THEIR ALCS ROTATION
The Jays will start the following four pitchers in Games 1-4 of the ALCS: Marco Estrada, J.A. Happ, Marcus Stroman and Aaron Sanchez.
They think Francisco Liriano (head injury) will be able to return if the side session he throws Thursday goes off without a hitch.
They think that Devon Travis (knee) she be on the active roster as well.
QUALIFYING OFFERS NEXT SEASON
Next year the qualifying offer for free agents will be $17.2 million, a significant rise over the $15.8 million the offer was in 2016.
A qualifying offer can be extended to a free agent by his old team. The player can accept the one-year qualifying offer or they can turn it down. If they turn it down the team that they sign with owes a draft pick, their top unprotected pick, to the team the player is leaving (the top-10 picks in the Entry Draft are exempt, so if a team that signs the player had the #4 pick they would retain that and then have to forfeit their next best selection). Some of the top options who could receive that offer this offseason are: Yoenis Cespedes, Edwin Encarnacion, Kenley Jansen, Jose Bautista, Mark Trumbo and Dexter Fowler. If a player was traded in-season, like Aroldis Chapman, he cannot be extended a qualifying offer.
Ray Flowers can be heard Monday/Tuesday and Thursday/Friday, 8 PM EDT, Wednesday 7 PM EDT on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio (Sirius 210, XM 87). You can also hear Ray Sunday nights at 9 PM EDT PM on the channel talking fantasy sports. Follow Ray’s work at Fantasy Alarm and on Twitter (@baseballguys).