MLB - NEWS & NOTES

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports that the Phillies have increased their trade offer for Orioles shortstop Manny Machado. The specifics of any potential deal have not been released, obviously, but the Phillies are said to be willing to part with minor league pitching depth from Low-A ball up to Triple-A. Of particular interest are right-handers Adonis Medina (no. 2 prospect in the Phillies’ system) and Sixto Sanchez (no. 1 prospect), though the club appears reluctant to part with the latter.

The asking price will remain high for 26-year-old Machado, who will enter next week’s competition as a four-time All-Star and who is currently slashing a career-high .316/.385/.573 with 23 home runs and a .957 OPS through 403 PA in 2018. He’s due for a big payday when he enters free agency this fall, but until then, the Orioles are expected to try to get whatever they can for their star infielder at the trade deadline this month.

Per Rosenthal, the Dodgers and Yankees are still the favorites for Machado’s services, with the Phillies falling toward the middle of the pack, the Diamondbacks on the fringes, and the Brewers “fading away.” No one team appears to be closing in on a deal, however, and there are still several weeks to go before the July 31 deadline. Jon Heyman of Fancred suggests that the Phillies are also eying Orioles closer Zach Britton as part of a package deal with Machado, with the feeling that they’d like to “make a big splash” as they enter the second half of the season.

 

Cardinals dismiss manager Matheny...

ST. LOUIS -- A managerial tenure that began with four consecutive postseason runs ended abruptly for Mike Matheny on Saturday as the Cardinals announced his dismissal following the club's 8-2 loss to the Reds. Mike Shildt, who had been serving as the club's bench coach, takes over as interim manager.

Hitting coach John Mabry and assistant hitting coach Bill Mueller were also relieved of their duties. The organization will announce replacements for both during a media conference at 11 a.m. CT on Sunday in which principal owner Bill DeWitt Jr. and president of baseball operations John Mozeliak will also offer further explanation for the timing of these changes.

Matheny, who was under contract through 2020, is the first manager dismissed by the Cardinals since Joe Torre was replaced midseason in 1995. That came before DeWitt took over as chairman and chief executive officer.

"Mike Matheny has served the St. Louis Cardinals organization with tremendous dedication and pride, and I am thankful for his service to the Cardinals over the past six and a half seasons," DeWitt Jr. said in a statement released on Saturday night. "On behalf of the entire Cardinals organization, I would like to wish Mike the very best."

 

this changes hourly, bc by Sunday night Buster Olney reported the Phils are near the top of the list to get Machado.

Who the hell knows. Every hour it changes.

 

phils plow a 5-0 lead and lose 2/3 to the Marlins. Only .5 out of first place !

Wow what a first half ! They need at least 4-5 trades for Machado, Moose, Merrifield and bullpen help to really contend the second half. put up or shut up time for their GM.

 

Bryce Harper defeats Kyle Schwarber 19-18 to win the 2018 Home Run Derby...



Bryce Harper, who said he was tired after taking his cuts in the first round, certainly appeared gassed in the final round. So, too, did his dad, who was throwing to him. But Harper caught fire, going on a tear and tying Kyle Schwarber with 18 home runs before time expired in the final round of the 2018 Home Run Derby. Harper unlocked 30 seconds of bonus time by hitting two home runs at least 440 feet. With his second swing in bonus time, Harper homered to straightaway center field for No. 19. He tossed his bat in celebration, grabbed his trophy, then gave it to his dad before he was mobbed on the field by his All-Star teammates.

Harper hit 13 home runs in the first round, eliminating Freddie Freeman and advancing to the semifinals. In the semis, Harper topped Max Muncy 13-12 to advance to the finals. On Schwarber’s side of the bracket, he bested Alex Bregman 16-15, then defeated Rhys Hoskins 21-20.

Harper is the first member of the Nationals (or Expos) to win the Home Run Derby. Harper participated in the 2013 Derby but finished in second place behind Yoenis Céspedes. Harper is also the first left-handed hitter to win the Derby since Prince Fielder in 2012. The only players to win the Derby in their home park are Todd Frazier in 2015 and Ryne Sandberg in 1990.

As a spectator, the 2018 Home Run Derby was tons of fun. The four-minute clock adds a lot of tension and intrigue even to the initial rounds. Seeing teammates cheer and get excited for their teammates in the Derby is really fun. Of course, watching dinger after dinger is cool, too. Can’t wait for next year.

 

"
And in real speak, "Hit the road Jack and don't come back...no more no more no more no more"

 

Might have been the most entertaining home run derby I've ever watched.

 

of course twitter had to ruin the derby with posts of cheating. technically the pitcher has to wait for the ball to land before throwing the next pitcher. Harper's Dad knowing they needed a lot in the finals did not wait and fired in pitches left and right. regardless, still a lot of fun watching.

 

rumors were last night the Phils were landing Machado. Then a reporter from Baltimore squashed the rumors. Now Jon Heyman is reporting he's going to LA.

I told my buddy, im done with the Phils organization. Their whole front office is just talk. Machado this and Machado that. Phils need hitting badly. They have ties to Machado in hopes of signing him long-term. Now LA leads the race, which is almost over to get him? Done. I don't give a shit what happens now if he goes to LA.

 

Rumors are he was lukewarm about signing long term in Philly and why would give up prospects for a rental when your chances of winning it this year likely aren't great?

Phils have one of the best farm systems in the game right now....I wouldn't turn on the team for this.

 

bc their lead man in their front office drafted him and has ties to him. like he couldn't convince him to sign long-term? seriously what's the difference between now and november if the money and term of deal is the same ? to me it's nothing. fucking sign him. if he didn't want to sign now why in the hell would i get him in november when he could help us win now. and bww the phils are after moose, hamels and happ too. they are trying to make a run, so manny was a big part of it. now if it's squash per rumors, i don't give a shit. they had him last night and now he's gone. typical philly bullshit.

 

and this is the first time im seeing anywhere he didn't want to sign long-term in philly. where did u see or hear that from ??

 

Heard it rumored on a radio show this morning. Could be BS.

But I mean he's had the Cubs, Dodgers, and Yankees on the radar for a while......if you're a big league player right now....are you gonna opt to sign with the Phillies over one of them?

 

If I'm a Phils fan....I'm totally cool with standing pat right now and making a run at Machado, Harper, or someone else in what will be a really good free agency class in the offseason provided Machado doesn't sign an extension wherever he goes.

Even with a couple trade the Phillies are probably short on talent to actually make a pennant run.....but the farm is loaded and there's no reason to mortgage it at this point.

 

Yankees pulled out last week. Haven't heard the Cubs name at all in this. It was LA, Philly and Milwaukee.

Phils had a top 5 farm system. Tons of youth. Small stadium for hitters. Buckets of money and only 3 players under contract. new TV deal. top 5 TV market. why wouldn't you sign in philly ?? And the guy who drafted him is in the Phils front office.

 

Cubs were on the radar since March...and probably still would be if Addison Russell's bat didn't pick up the way it has. They don't have a good reason or enough resources to aggressively pursue him any longer so their name fell off.

What I'm saying is with the teams that have been mentioned.....why wouldn't he be lukewarm about signing in Philly when he could drastically increase his world series chances by joining a team already loaded with stars?

True. They have also had manager problems and are a dumpster fire defensively this season. If I'm looking at LA or Philly....I think LA is easily the more popular choice. Just my opinion.

 

Meanwhile... the Orioles are loving the bidding war going on and so is Machado. I wish they would just get this trade done, its old.

My guess is LA.

 

well the who drafted him is in philly, so any close relationships are apparently out the window once he goes to LA. Again, like Will said, im tired on the rumors and posts on FB saying he's going here or there. i don't care now. The moment he goes to anywhere but Philly - the Phils GM will have lost the fanbase ! This is a move he has to make and he almost did or whatever but lost. The fans are not happy to begin with, so this is the final straw ! As for Andy Macphail and their billionaire owner who just wants to win...they can go fuck themselves as all they do is talk. talk out their asses about winning and getting top FA. AJ Happ and Cole Hamels are not top FA's. Machado is. They have the farm to get him and they could sway him to resign here. Now LA once again gets another FA !

 

The rumors have been crazy. Just saw an alert on my phone that a deals been made but the team the deal is with is currently unknown.

 

great-more looking like it's not philly. thank God for the Eagles around here !