Jason Heyward was placed on the 15-Day DL by the Braves yesterday, with a broken jaw. It was announced later that he would miss the remainder of the 2013 season. His availability for the postseason will be determined at a later date, according to reports. The Braves have outfield depth in Jordan Schafer, as he's hitting .276/.304/.401 this season, with 3 home runs and 15 RBI. Although Schafer will be an average replacement, Jason Heyward posted a WAR of 3.0, as the Braves will highly miss the right fielder whose slash line is well above Schafer's with .253/.347/.423. Another option for the Braves is placing Evan Gattis in left field, BJ Upton in center, and Justin Upton in right. Gattis would be such an improvement hitting- wise over any utility player. But, he needs to improve his fielding in left before he can become the every day left fielder. Obviously, Heyward will be highly missed, and the Braves only have until August 31st to acquire a new outfielder via trade. But, they are in a comfortable position in the National League East, and aren't light-hitting at all. If every team was to lose Heyward, I believe the Braves would be one of the teams that wouldn't hurt as much, due to their depth and hitting.
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Woah, did I just read that correctly? Daisuke Matsuzaka "Dice-K", has been signed by the New York Mets, just two days after he was granted his release by the Cleveland Indians from Triple-A. Matsuzaka will start tomorrow against the heavy-hitting Tigers. Matsuzaka last appeared in the big leagues for the Red Sox in 2012, where he started 11 games and posted a horrific 1-7 record to go along with an 8.28 ERA. This season, however, pitching in the Indians minor league system, Matsuzaka posted a 3.92 ERA in 19 starts. Indians manager Terry Francona stated that Dice-K was an "average Triple-A pitcher" and "wouldn't be able to get back to the bigs." The Mets obviously thought differently on that. Honestly, I have no idea how Matsuzaka will perform in the big apple. I think he's a low-risk, high-reward type of player for the Mets. They just decided to roll the dice. 29 year old Roger Bernadina has found a new home, after being released by the Washington Nationals earlier in the week. The outfielder will join the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday, as they have picked up Bernadina. Bernadina was linke to the Phillies since his release, as they have needed urgent outfield help, paticarally in center, where Ben Revere used to loom prior to his injury. Bernadina, who made his MLB debut on June 29, 2008, has a career three slash line of .243/.310/.360 and an OPS of .670. This season his average is at a career low .178. He adds 2 homers, 6 RBI, and 3 stolen bases to his season resumé, in which he has played in 85 games. The Phillies have optioned Michael Martinez to Triple-A to make room for Bernadina, who will provide depth in the Phils outfield. Red Sox pitcher Ryan Dempster was suspended by the MLB on Tuesday, for his actions on Sunday Night Baseball. Dempster had hit Alex Rodriguez by a pitch, which the MLB considered "on purpose." He was suspended five games, and, unless he appeals, will be eligable to return on August 27. Joe Girardi was fined for his arguement with home plate umpire Brian O'Nora, following Rodriguez's hit by pitch. In other "suspension-like news," Stephen Strasburg will not be suspended for his actions against the Atlanta Braves on Saturday. He "lost control" in the second inning of his start, by throwing three wild pitches. He then hit Braves outfielder Justin Upton with a pitch. Strasburg threw his first complete game shutout of his career prior to this start. Red Sox top prospect is here. Xander Bogaerts, the shortstop, is making his MLB debut today. Bogaerts, 20, has been a very hyped player, and he is finally getting to show what he's got as a major leaguer. Bogaerts, in 60 games at Triple-A Pawtucket, has a .284/.369/.453 three slash line, which includes a .822 OPS. The raw numbers also are outstanding. He has 9 homers and 32 RBI for Pawtucket, but has 15 HR and 67 RBI on the season, where he played in Double-A and Triple-A. The question is, however, where will Bogaerts fit in to the Red Sox lineup? May people thought that Bogaerts would play third, especially when Will Middlebrooks was hurt, but he only had 10 games of minor league experience there. Then Middlebrooks recovered, and recovered his position at the hot corner. Bogaerts' natural position, shortstop, is currently held by Stephen Drew, who hits in the bottom in the Sox lineup, and has a .248 average. I believe he'll take Drew's spot, at least for the time being, due to the fact that Bogaerts has spent most of his time there. Wherever he fits in, Bogaerts will be a huge boost to the Red Sox lineup. His exciting future is beginning, and the light of talent is blinding us all. Good luck to him as well, as he begins his career as a major leaguer. |
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