From Jon Morosi at MLB.com ...

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How intriguing is the trade market for third basemen right now?

Consider this: The Indians have the best production at the position in the Majors this year, thanks to Jose Ramirez's historic season. With 22 home runs, he is on pace to eclipse Adrian Beltre's single-season Major League record (48) among third basemen 25 and younger.

Yet the Tribe is among the teams considering the acquisition of a third baseman.

How is that possible? Well, if the Indians land Manny Machado, Ramirez can move across the diamond to second base -- his best defensive position, and where Jason Kipnis has a .610 OPS this season.

Machado has a trade market unto himself, because of his power (18 home runs, .925 OPS) and defensive versatility. The Orioles' three-time All-Star is the best player available at both third base and shortstop. If the O's act decisively in their trade conversations, they'll draw multiple compelling offers for Machado; if they wait until shortly before the non-waiver Trade Deadline to establish a clear direction, they could stifle the activity on third basemen around the Majors.

The D-backs' interest in Machado goes back to last offseason, and sources told MLB.com this week the sides have been in contact about a possible trade at least once since Opening Day. The Braves have yet to seriously pursue Machado, but they have the prospects to entice the Orioles. Atlanta also leads the National League East and has shown no sign of fading, giving new general manager Alex Anthopoulos plenty of motivation to make the sort of bold moves for which he was known in Toronto.

Along with Machado, one future Hall of Famer (Beltre) and two recent All-Stars (Mike Moustakas and Josh Donaldson) are available at third base. All four are free agents after the season, increasing the chances that trades will occur.

Beltre has a full no-trade clause, and it remains unclear if he'd waive it for the chance to play on a contender. Beltre, 39, has yet to win a World Series ring. A trade in the coming weeks could represent his last chance at one.

Crucially, Beltre is playing well enough that teams are interested. He's batting .302 and is revered for his clubhouse influence. At least some within the Indians organization would like to acquire Beltre, particularly given his history playing for Cleveland manager Terry Francona during his one season in Boston.

The Phillies also have interest in Beltre, sources say, as much for his professionalism as his production. The Phils have the youngest group of position players in the Majors, and team officials see long-term value in Beltre's influence on an emerging core. Plus, the recent injury to J.P. Crawford has opened up more at-bats on the infield.

Moustakas isn't on track to equal last year's Royals record-setting home run pace, but his OPS+ is nearly identical to where it was in 2017. Improved health also has allowed Moustakas to return to his high defensive standard, according to Kansas City manager Ned Yost. Moustakas is a 2015 World Series champion who is regarded as an excellent teammate and is on a priced-to-move team-friendly contract. Especially after the Royals traded reliever Kelvin Herrera and outfielder Jon Jay, it will be a major surprise if Moustakas isn't dealt.

Donaldson is a different case: His lack of playing time due to multiple injuries (only 36 games this year) is creating uncertainty in the minds of suitors about the 2015 American League MVP Award winner. Teams will want to see Donaldson play every day for multiple weeks before investing prospects and money in acquiring him, and he's running out of time to do so.

In fact, it's possible that Donaldson could clear August trade waivers if he's still on the disabled list then, by virtue of his $23 million salary. As a result, we still could be two months away from a Donaldson trade.

One more name to monitor: Matt Duffy of Tampa Bay. While there hasn't been much national buzz surrounding his season, Duffy is having a career offensive year. He also is in his salary arbitration years. Given the Rays' precedent, they'll be open-minded if a strong offer comes.

This season, though, Tampa Bay may find the supply of third basemen is simply too great to receive the right return for Duffy. At the 2018 Trade Deadline, there's no corner of the market quite like this.

Jon Paul Morosi is a reporter for MLB.com and MLB Network

If we really wanted to go for it we could trade for Britton and Machado.

I know the team likes Britton, rumors of us asking about him last year. He was returned from his Achilles injury and looks back to normal. 4.1 IP, 5 K, no runs.

But both Britton and Machado are free agents at end of year. Miller, Allen & Brantley are too. Wouldn’t set us up for future but would make a serious run at a ring this year.

Back to the article on Clevinger and it points to something we see all the time when we watch the games. Clevinger and Bauer have become quite the buddies constantly hanging and talking in the dugout. You have to love it because few study pitching like Bauer. Working out pretty darn well.

In addition, they were showing a new guy hanging with Clev and Bauer the last game. Bieber.

Hillbilly wrote:If we really wanted to go for it we could trade for Britton and Machado.

I know the team likes Britton, rumors of us asking about him last year. He was returned from his Achilles injury and looks back to normal. 4.1 IP, 5 K, no runs.

But both Britton and Machado are free agents at end of year. Miller, Allen & Brantley are too. Wouldn’t set us up for future but would make a serious run at a ring this year.

That interview with Antonetti wasn't surprising when he said they look to get guys who they can keep under control. He used Smith though as an example of and exception to that - but basically said that was because they were desperate and had exhausted the controllable options.

So you never know.

I guess I've given up hope that Danny Salazar could learn from Bauer. Salazar seems to be a perfect role model for how a pitcher should NOT spend his winter vacation

Hoping Bieber can be that #5 for us and Salazar can slot into the bullpen at this point.

Bieber seems to have the pitching talent and the mental toughness to be a very very good back of the rotation starter.

Salazar's stuff fits the bullpen. But assuming that he's someday physically able to do something more than throw long toss, does have reliever's mindset? I can imagine him panicking if he's trying to hold a narrow lead in the 7th or 8th.

Sometimes guys mentalities change though in a short bullpen stint. Perhaps just reaching back and heaving would be sufficiently mindless for him to thrive in it. Never know until you try.

I was watching an interview with Chris Sale and he said he'd love to go back to closing some day (believe it or not). He just loved the rush of coming into tight spots with adrenaline flowing and firing away.

How did José Ramírez become one of the best players in baseball? Having few (if any) weaknesses helps

By T.J. Zuppe 1h ago 1

It​ didn’t take​ long for José Ramírez​ to spot the man​ he was waiting​ for. His target​ had​ barely entered​ the clubhouse​​ before the boisterous infielder began to beckon.

“Plut-ko! Plut-ko!” Ramírez shouted, nearly dragging Adam Plutko from across the room by his pitching arm.

Did he find something in a scouting report he just had to see? Was he desperately seeking Pluto’s Netflix login info so he could watch the latest episode of “Evil Genius?”

The answer, if you’ve spent any time reading The Athletic the past two seasons, wasn’t all that difficult to decipher. Ramírez craved a rematch against the right-handed pitcher in a Mario Kart race, a way of seeking retribution for their showdown earlier this week.

Ramírez selected Bowser. Plutko picked Mario.

After several minutes of intense glances and rapid joystick movement, Plutko crossed the finish line first. Ramírez, who often emerges victorious in most of his races against teammates, clubhouse staff and anyone else who dares to challenge him, finished in third place.

He connected on a fist bump with the starter, reset the arcade machine and walked back over his locker, defeated but dignified.

The stroll of shame after a clubhouse loss is rare for Ramírez. The Mario Kart result demonstrated an atypical moment of weakness for the talented third baseman, a visual that was quickly overshadowed by his three-run homer in the first inning Wednesday afternoon, just more than two hours after his morning loss to Plutko.

That’s a hell of a way to take out your frustrations.

On the field, however, Ramírez hasn’t taken many recent personal losses. Somehow, the 25-year-old third baseman has found a way to improve upon his All-Star season of 2017, displaying more power and higher hard-hit rates than ever before. His .291/.391/.611 slash line, 22 homers and rare combination of skills have him positioned as the second-most valuable player in baseball, at least if you go by wins above replacement over at FanGraphs.

In fact, if you’re looking for anything to criticize Ramírez for this season, not being the historically great Mike Trout might be your only strong argument. If you need more proof, examine where he ranks among his peers.

Wins above replacement: 2nd (4.8)
Isolated power: 3rd (.320)
Weighed runs created plus: 5th (168)

In simpler terms, that means only two hitters have demonstrated more raw power than Ramírez this season. And overall, just four qualified hitters have created offense at a higher rate than the switch-hitter.

Those that don’t watch Ramírez on a nightly basis might wonder how the 5-foot-9 infielder has blossomed to become one of the game’s best position players. Everyone has their theories.

“I think Jose never gives away an at-bat,” Chris Antonetti said. “Every single at-bat that he’s up there, he is competing and finding a way to try to get a pitch to hit and hit it hard somewhere.”

His teammates also have their reasoning, among them, the question: How do you pitch to a man with few holes in his swing?

That thought offers the most intriguing deep dive possibilities. Think of it this way — if you were tasked with finding what Ramírez was bad at, how far would you have to dig?

Has the increased power led to more strikeouts?
I mean, yes, but understand that the one percent increase — yes, his punchouts went from 10.7 percent last year to 11.8 percent this season — still leaves Ramírez with one of the lowest strikeout rates in baseball.

To this point, just nine hitters are more difficult to strikeout than the Tribe switch-hitter in 2018. And it’s not just about strikeouts. Ramírez has the 27th-lowest chase rate among qualified hitters — as in, he doesn’t frequently swing at pitches outside the zone, according to FanGraphs — and just nine hitters swing through pitches at a lower rate.

When you combine that with an elite power profile, a rising hard-hit rate and a career-high 14 percent walk rate — oh that’s right, just 13 hitters have walked at a higher rate than Ramírez this year — you get a hitter who makes you throw it in the strike zone or is happy to take his base.

Does he have a noticeable hole in his swing for pitchers to attack?
The answer for right-handed pitchers is … pray.

If you attempt to bury it down in, he’ll demolish it. Ramírez essentially owns the inner-third of the plate. And the middle. And the outer third. Anything in or off the plate offers much better success, but as we already covered, he just isn’t chasing much outside the zone.



To give you a better idea, here is Ramírez’s slugging heat map against right-handers since the start of the 2017 season. If you’re unfamiliar with heat maps, here’s a tip — red is good.


In a smaller sample size, left-handers might have an easier time on the inner-third, but in this case, if you miss in off the dish, he’s demonstrated an ability to pull the hands in and drive the offering. If you attempt to toss one down and in, you might find some success, but you better not miss anywhere over the plate.


The saving grace for southpaws is Ramírez hasn’t demonstrated as much power as a right-handed hitter, but that’s not to say he’s an easier out. His career batting average splits are more favorable hitting right-handed, so even if he’s not torching the lefties like the righties, he’s certainly not any easier to retire.

Does he struggle against any particular pitch type?
Ah-ha! Finally something Ramírez doesn’t excel at: hitting breaking balls.

This year, he’s posted a .740 slugging against all fastball types, but against curves and sliders, he’s posted a .224 average and .367 slugging. Noteworthy, right? Maybe! … Until you realize the league is hitting .210 against breaking balls this year, slugging at a .348 clip.

So, despite it being one of the first real things we can say is a weakness, he’s still better than average. Cross that off the list.

Can he be shifted?
In previous years, Ramírez’s ability to spray the ball to all fields made it difficult to craft a defensive game plan against him. That has changed a bit this year, as Ramírez owns a 56 percent pull rate, knocking balls to the opposite field at an 18 percent clip. Both are the biggest outliers of his career.

2016: 39 percent pull rate
2017: 46.3 percent pull rate
2018: 56.3 percent pull rate

With nearly 70 percent of his grounders being pulled, teams are shifting against Ramírez more frequently this season, according to MLB Statcast. To show how infield shifts (defined as a team placing three infielders on either side of second base) have worked against Ramírez this year, let’s compare his average in the shift (minus the strikeouts) to his average facing a more traditional defense.

Shift: .329
Traditional: .341

Well, there you have it. Improvement. Shift away!

In all seriousness, the shift has limited his batting average on ground balls in 2018. He’s hitting just .229 on grounders this year compared to .276 over the previous two seasons, according to Statcast. So, if Ramírez continues to pull the ball at a high rate, the shift, in theory, should be a way of suppressing his batting average a bit.

Then again, if he continues to pull more thunderous balls in the air, the impact of the infield shifting will likely be pretty minimal.

Is his production meaningful?
I would argue that all production, at least on some level, is meaningful, but if you focus on his win probability added — the amount he contributes offensively to his team’s chances of winning — Ramírez ranks ninth in baseball.

WPA isn’t necessarily predictive, but it does tell us, based on the timing of his plate appearances, how impactful his positive or negative outcomes are.

He’s already contributed more win probability to this season than he did over the entire 2017 campaign, and he’s well over halfway to toppling his career-high WPA from 2016.

But he doesn’t have elite speed.
You’re correct. According to Statcast’s sprint speed metric, Ramírez is tied for 16th among third baseman this year (27.5 feet per second).

Still, he finds a way to impact the game on the bases. He’s collected 10 steals this year and has drastically improved upon last year’s average base-running performance — really, the only area where he wasn’t above average — by delivering baseball’s seventh-highest value on the base paths this year, according to FanGraphs’ BsR metric.

And the defense?
After finishing as a Gold Glove finalist at third last year, Ramírez has been credited with eight defensive run saved, second-highest among third baseman this year, and also ranks second in ultimate zone rating.

Yes, both of those metrics can get noisy over less than half a season, but the early returns deliver nothing unexpected from the slick-fielding infielder.

So …
We’re really no closer to finding a legitimate weakness in Ramírez’s game than when we began, a fact that opposing teams already understand — unless you consider his .189 average against lefties … on the road … in 37 at-bats to be a weakness.

In fact, the young infielder has managed to get better in certain areas, things like his power, base-running and ability to keep his helmet on his head (he’s lost his lid just five times this year, according to The Athletic helmet reporter, Zack Meisel), taking a page out of Trout’s you can always improve playbook.

“Some of the skills that we had seen in the Minor Leagues with him — just a good ability to put the ball in play, manage the strike zone, when he swings, he very rarely misses — those same attributes are now playing out at the major-league level with more power behind it,” Antonetti said. “So now, not only is he putting those balls in play, but he’s hitting balls hard somewhere.”

And somehow, he’s still raising his own ceiling, all while seeking his next Mario Kart opponent.

— Reported from Cleveland

Q&A: Rajai Davis on cartwheels, special occasions and the art of distracting pitchers and stealing bases

By T.J. Zuppe 3h ago 2
As​ Juan Minaya released​ his 94​ mph fastball, Rajai Davis​ gripped his bat​ and began to​ slide​ his body​ toward the​​ incoming offering. But instead of darting toward the invisible box above home plate, the pitch began to carry in the direction of Davis’ shoulder.

In the blink of an eye, the heater connected with the Chief Wahoo logo above Davis’ left elbow protection, sending the veteran outfielder spinning in the opposite direction. But as Davis rotated to his right, his right arm touched the dirt, launching him heels over head in an impressive cartwheel dismount.

Truly, there aren’t many ways to make a hit-by-pitch look graceful, but Davis found the rare exception earlier this week.

“I only use that during special occasions,” Davis told The Athletic through a few patented Rajai chuckles. “That happened to be a special occasion. I don’t know what the occasion was, but it was special.”


Rajai Davis only uses his cartwheel skills on special occasions. (David Richard/USA Today Sports)
In addition to his extraordinary display of agility this week, we’ve also seen Davis continue to serve as one of baseball’s best base-stealers. Despite filling the role of a part-timer, the 37-year-old has swiped 14 bases in 17 attempts, maintaining his near-elite sprint speed of 29.4 feet per second, the 14th-fastest average sprint speed recorded this year by MLB Statcast.

Of course, there’s no ignoring that his overall offensive contributions have dipped in the past two years, but his ability to create value on the base paths is something he greatly values and has certainly helped keep his big-league career alive.

This weekend, The Athletic took a few minutes to chat with the veteran outfielder about the art of pitcher disruption and successfully stealing bags.

The other day, Rick Manning had pointed out on the television broadcast how, when you were at first base earlier this week, you had positioned your body to get in the way of the throw from the pitcher. It eventually enabled you to advance to second on a pickoff attempt because of it. How did you pick up on little veteran tricks like that?

Just being aware. Paying attention to the game, you know? Just using your head a little bit. I guess some people call it science, physics. It’s going to be tough to catch balls when you do certain things. I like to make it tough. I guess you have to have the courage to do that and know how. And then you just do it. In front of everybody.

I’m guessing you’ve picked up on a number of ways to gain an advantage on the bases over the years — beyond just using your speed. How vital are those little tips and tricks?

I think just getting on base is enough to disrupt a little bit. They know that I’m quick. I’m going. I think that’s the reputation. That’s what I wanted to create when I was young in the minor leagues. That’s something that I’ve worked extremely hard on and have had a lot of help along the way. Coming up with the Pirates organization, Gary Redus, Tony Beasley, Rickey Henderson, a lot of mentors, a lot guys that helped me along the way with little things here and there. I was just able to keep running.

I would imagine there’s a lot to think about when you reach first base — even before deciding to steal. For example, if a left-handed hitter is up, they might want to maintain the hole between first and second by having the first baseman hold you on, things like that. How much is going through your head when you get on base?

Well, I just try to eliminate all that. I try to. If it’s a good situation, I feel it’s a good situation to get in scoring position. I think I can score easier from second than I can from first. I think he can knock me in easier from second than he can from first. But I like to have the favor in my corner as opposed to the defense. If I like my chances, I like to be committed to going until they shut me out. If they give me an opportunity, then I’ll go.

Are you a better base-stealer now than when you were younger?

I just know a little bit more. I know when I have it in my first couple of steps. I know when it’s going to be close. I know when it’s one I can pimp. I don’t know if you can tell I’m pimping it or not, but in my head I am sometimes (laughs). Even then, I make sure. I don’t want to get caught celebrating too early. I just think it’s a lot of paying attention to the game, a lot of experience and just doing it over and over. The big leagues, I’ve stolen a lot of bases. I stole over 200 before I even got to the big leagues. There’s a lot that has gone into me doing it.

Base-stealing is a bit of a lost art form for various reasons. Mostly, teams don’t want to risk giving away outs on the bases. Do you appreciate being one of the few that still masters it?

Absolutely. That is definitely something that has helped keep me in the game. There’s definitely an art to it. That’s something that’s important. It helps the team more, personally, when you have a guy, a couple guys that can do that. If the pitcher is going to focus on both the hitter and the runner, it’s going to be tough for him to make really quality pitches. That gives us a little bit of an advantage as an offense. We try to keep that in mind. Sometimes it’s better to (stay put) because they’re going to give them a pitch to hit. Or just take the bag.

How much do you love being a disruption, really getting into a pitcher’s head?

Well, then I’ve accomplished my goal, really. I’ve accomplished what I need to do to help the guy that’s hitting behind me. Hopefully he’s getting fastballs down the middle or just balls that can get him into a good hitter’s count. Hopefully he’s ready to hit and smash — because I want to score. That’s the bottom line. I want to score. I can score off a double as easy as I can get to second base on a single.

Is there any particular pitcher that you’ve struggled to get a jump on? Someone that has your number?

I think there are times where they’re a little tougher. (Justin) Verlander is tougher. He’s one of the tougher ones. There are guys who are tougher. You can get anybody — I can — but it’s just picking the right pitch, having the right break, doing it at the right time.

— Reported from Cleveland

Terry Francona will hold his breath as Indians pitchers swing it in St. Louis

Zack Meisel 2h ago
Terry​ Francona told Carlos​ Carrasco not​ to swing. Three innings​ earlier, Carrasco grounded​ into a force out​ and​ his hand​ went numb.

So,​​ the manager instructed his workhorse, who was zeroing in on a complete game, to simply stand in the batter’s box and watch Jorge Lopez’s pitches whiz past him.

Carrasco kept his bat on his shoulder as Lopez fired a 95-mph fastball toward the middle of the plate. Strike one. Two to go.

Not so fast.

Carrasco smacked Lopez’s second offering — another 95-mph heater up and in — into left field for an RBI single. Ah, the rare occasion in which a manager is a bit peeved about his team extending a lead.

Carrasco won’t attempt to extend his hitting streak to two games this week in St. Louis, as he remains sidelined with an elbow contusion. Instead, Mike Clevinger, Corey Kluber and Shane Bieber, come on down.

Clevinger will be well-equipped for the opportunity. He packed one of José Ramírez’s black bats for the trip. He was admiring the piece of lumber before he headed for the team’s charter.

Bieber hasn’t batted since high school, but he stepped into the cages on Sunday afternoon. Kluber owns three hits, including a double, in 21 career at-bats. (He’s also a .500 hitter in the postseason, with a single in two at-bats.) Clevinger is searching for his first hit, though he has only struck out once in four at-bats.

“It’ll be nice to see how it feels to try to revamp a brand new swing,” Bieber told The Athletic. “It’s an exciting opportunity. No expectations there.”

Pitchers are creatures of habit. They swear by their between-start routines. They complete an inning on the mound, retreat to the dugout, decompress and then jog back to the bump.

Having to hit — and having to pay attention to the batting order to know if and when they might hit — can disrupt that rhythm. After each inning he pitches, Kluber mills around the clubhouse and the dugout tunnel to keep moving until the Indians reach two outs. If an inning runs long, he’ll head to the cages to throw to keep his arm loose. On Tuesday, he might find himself at the plate, or on the bases.

“The way I look at it is, say you have an inning where you hit and you get on base and you’re running the bases and you don’t have a chance to come in and rest, so to speak,” Kluber told The Athletic. “It’s the same, to me, as if you’re, say, 20 pitches deep into an inning and there are guys on and you have to really buckle down and you’re a little fatigued already at that point and you have to find a way to manage it. It’s fatigue for different reasons, but we’re all used to having situations where you have to battle through that fatigue and figure out a way to go make pitches. It’s a different cause, but you’ve been in a position where you feel like that, so you know how to try to manage it, at least.”


Corey Kluber stands a triple and a home run away from the career cycle. (Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
As for the hitting element, Kluber embraces the challenge.

“I get a little extra adrenaline going when I hit because it’s so foreign,” he said. “It’s not what you’re used to doing. So, managing that throughout the game is really the only difference. Beforehand, you have five days where you’re in the cage a little bit. I might hit on the field for one day. Tito isn’t big on it because you don’t want guys getting hurt, obviously. That at-bat does matter throughout the course of the game, so you want to go out there and try to do something productive with it, whether it be get a bunt down or move a guy over or something if you have the opportunity. I wouldn’t say that I prepare for it the same way I prepare to pitch, but I think, competitively and because it does matter, we try to put ourselves in the best position we can.”

And when it comes to Carrasco’s preference to swing away rather than take pitches, well, Kluber can understand his rotation mate’s thought process.

“Easier said than done, right?” Kluber said. “You only get a chance to hit a few times a year, you don’t want to just go up there and take. I don’t think (Francona) is a big fan of pitchers hitting because of the whole injury risk, but it’s fun.

“Everybody gets a kick out of it, especially when the game’s going well. Not only did (Carrasco) pitch well, but he had a couple productive at-bats, too. We ended up winning by a few, but those could’ve had an impact on the game, so you still want to try to take it seriously, even if it’s foreign or fun.”


Carlos Carrasco leads the Indians this season in RBI per at-bat. (Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Over the weekend, Francona shared his thoughts with reporters about pitchers hitting, the possibility of a universal designated hitter and more.

Clevinger had a bat in his hands on the field over the weekend. He’ll start the series opener in St. Louis. Will he bunt or swing away?

TF: He might hit, if it calls for it. I mean if there’s a runner at second and we need a hit, he’s not going to bunt, but if they can get a bunt down. … If we need to a pitcher to get a hit to win a game, we’re probably in trouble.

What are your thoughts on pitchers batting versus a universal designated hitter?

TF: You know, I think it should be universal. I think I’ve felt that way for a long time. There’s so much money in the game and it’s so different when you go play interleague, even in the World Series. It’s just not how you play. I think it would be good for baseball to be uniform.

And by uniform, which way would you prefer?

TF: I think the DH. I think people want to see the DH. I’ve been in both leagues and I enjoyed the National League when I was there, but now that I’m over here I think I’d prefer the DH.

Do you hold your breath when your pitchers hit?

TF: Always. Always. They’re doing things they’re not used to, even running the bases. They’re just not used to doing that during a game. They’re using different muscles, not that they’re not in good shape, but they’re just doing different things. Yeah, we definitely are holding our breath. Carrasco went up there in Milwaukee and I told him, ‘Don’t swing.’ The at-bat before, he hit one off the end and he couldn’t feel his hand for the whole inning. He went up there and whacked a base hit to left field.

You even sent Andrew Miller out there to hit.

TF: To take — and he did a good job of that.

Didn’t you tell Danny Salazar to hit from the opposite side of the batter’s box to protect his arm?

TF: Because I didn’t want him to get hit in his pitching arm. I knew he wasn’t going to get a hit.

You do have some pitchers who can hit a bit.

TF: Some guys can. It amazes me, like, Kluber goes up there and he’ll whack a line drive every once in a while. It amazes me that they can do that. Even if they’re good enough, they haven’t picked up a bat but once or twice a year. It amazes me when they do that. [Adam] Plutko got two bunts down just like he knew what he was doing.”

Do you exhale when you leave a National League park at the end of a series?

TF: Yes. Even just, the games are different, because you’re not used to managing that way. Like, I always tell [Brad Mills] before the game, ‘Don’t let me leave the dugout. If we’re going to double switch, just remind me. Don’t feel like you’re going to get in the way, just make sure you say something to me.’

— Reported from Cleveland

Davis has proved his worth, again. if Zimmer or Allen comes back someday, Rajai should stay ahead of Guyer.

civ ollilavad wrote:Davis has proved his worth, again. if Zimmer or Allen comes back someday, Rajai should stay ahead of Guyer.

I couldn't agree more. I like Guyer, but I like Davis more.

Guyer is only there because of his contract. Too much to eat.

If Naquin or Chisenhall batted right handed I'd dump either of them and note lose any sleep over it.