Ray’s Ramblings: Nothing Happening

Brian Dozier is still up for sale by the Twins. Due just $15 million the next two seasons, Dozier has been linked to the Cardinals, Dodgers and Nationals of late. However, there’s a report that the Cardinals aren’t actively persuing Dozier, while the Nationals are also just kicking the tires. A consistent run producer coming off his best season with a relatively bargain level contract, the Twins will have to be careful not to ask for too much in return for Dozier if they are indeed interested in moving him.

The Athletics are listening to offers for Jed Lowrie. They may not find anyone on the other end of the phone. Lowrie stinks. He’s moderately talented, but the 32 year old simply cannot stay on the field, and that’s what really matters. The last two years he’s appeared in 153 games with 11 homers, one steal, 57 RBI and 65 runs scored. Only twice in nine years has he appeared in 100 big league games.

Cat attacks fully grown man acting like a six year old.

Seth Lugo will pitch for the Puerto Rican team in the World Baseball Classic. With all the Mets talent on the bump we pretty much relegate Lugo to the dumpster, but he had a rather impressive rookie season with a 2.67 ERA and 1.09 WHIP over 17 games. The 6.33 K/9 doesn’t intrigue though, ditto the poor 2.14 K/BB ratio. He will begin the year in the bullpen, but with seemingly ever Mets’ arm a potential health risk I’m sure we will see him at some point starting games.

Trevor Plouffe is a 30 year old, moderate offensive performer. A career .247 hitter with a .308 OBP and .420 SLG, Plouffe does have a strong track record against lefties with a .809 OPS, while his work against righties suffers (.697). That might be why he’s still looking for work, that and the mere 84 games he played last season because of intercostal and oblique injuries. Sounds like the Red Sox are interested given that they currently are planning on Mitch Moreland and Pablo Sandoval starting at the corners.  

I simply cannot believe this is true.

Mallex Smith appeared in only five games in Puerto Rican Winter League after having a recurrence of strained oblique. I saw recurrence because his effort in the Mexican League in October was also cut short by the same injury. As a rookie last season he hit .238 with a .316 OBP as he missed about two and a half months with a broken thumb. He did steal 16 bases in just 215 plate appearances, and with the dearth of stolen bases in the majors anymore he’s someone to keep an eye on late in mixed leagues if he wins a job in spring.

Man saves carcharodon carcharias from the beach.

The Yankees are interested in Jose Quintana. We knew that. Now comes word that they might also be in the market to add David Robertson in a deal. Robertson is due $25 million the next two seasons and his performance dipped in 2016, so the return for his services would likely be small unless a team were to pick up the salary. He did win five games while saving 37, but the 3.47 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 4.62 BB/9 rate all marked Robertson as a guy struggling to hold on to the 9^th inning gig. The Yankees already have Aroldis Chapman and Dellin Betances so it’s not like they need another arm with closing experience (they also have Tyler Clippard who has worked many a 9^th inning as well).

Yes, it happened. We released the 2017 MLB Fantasy Alarm Draft Guide. I know it’s only 2016, but you need something to read if you don’t have anyone to share the holiday with. You might need something to read if you hate the people you’re spending the holiday with (I know you are out there). You might want to give your significant other a special gift? Maybe you should just reward yourself for a good year? Whatever the reason, the Guide is available right now! For more, check out this description of the Guide and why it is so amazing this season. It will end up being our best effort yet, no doubt... and it’s available right now.