| | | | Wednesday, August 30, 2023 | | The big news Tuesday wasn't anything that happened on the diamond. It was that the Angels decided to take their ball and go home, putting impending free agents Lucas Giolito, Hunter Renfroe, Randal Grichuk, Reynaldo Lopez and Matt Moore on waivers. If you're thinking that's common practice, well, it used to be back when a player needed to clear waivers to be moved after the trade deadline. But there are no post-deadline trades anymore. These players are free to be picked up by any team, with first priority going to the worst record, which means the decision could have major implications on the playoff race. Other notable players are reported to be on waivers as well, such as Harrison Bader and Mike Clevinger, but the Angels' maneuver is flagrantly anti-competitive. Suffice it to say that if somebody tried this in your Fantasy league, they wouldn't be invited back next year. | | | | What does this mean for Ohtani? | | You also have to wonder if it might hasten Shohei Ohtani's decision to pack it in for the year. He's an impending free agent, after all, and already playing with a torn UCL in his right elbow. Why risk more for a team that's disinvested in winning? Also on the health front, Bo Bichette (quadriceps) became the second high-profile shortstop in as many days to go on the IL, following Matt McLain (oblique). Fortunately, there's a potentially high-end replacement available in one-third of CBS Sports leagues still: Royce Lewis, who homered for the fifth time in seven games Tuesday. Adam Duvall likewise continued his power surge with his seventh home run in nine games. There won't be any concerns about his playing time moving forward with Jarren Duran needing season-ending surgery on his toe. | | The real question with that Duran injury is if it can free up playing time for recent call-up Ceddanne Rafaela, who so far has yet to appear as a starter. There's still time for late-season call-ups to emerge in Fantasy, as Kyle Harrison did with his 11-strikeout performance Monday, and we haven't seen the last of them either with rosters set to expand Friday. Here are some noteworthy prospects who could potentially still get the call. | | | | 14 'dare to dream' prospect call ups | | In this week's prospect report, Scott White took a deeper dive and explored 14 players who would make us the happiest if they were called up for September. These are big names with the chance to make an immediate impact. You can find them all here. Let's break down the top 5: | | 1. Jackson Holliday, SS, Orioles | 2022 stats: .297 BA (64 AB), 1 HR, 4 SB, .911 OPS, 25 BB, 12 K
2023 stats: .332 BA (385 AB), 10 HR, 21 SB, .974 OPS, 83 BB, 96 K | | The No. 1 pick in last year's draft has cruised to Double-A as a 19-year-old, with basically no letup in production along the way. Pairing him with Gunnar Henderson on the left side of the infield would solve the Jorge Mateo/Ramon Urias issue the Orioles are having. | | 2. Jackson Chourio, OF, Brewers | 2022 stats: .288 BA (400 AB), 20 HR, 16 SB, .880 OPS, 32 BB, 118 K
2023 stats: .280 BA (443 AB), 19 HR, 34 SB, .799 OPS, 34 BB, 95 K | | Chourio's loud tools rocketed him up prospect lists last year, and already at 19, he's developing the skills to match, striking out less than 20 percent of the time at Double-A. The Brewers are attempting to hold off the Cubs in the NL Central with Tyrone Taylor occupying one of their three outfield spots. | | 3. Junior Caminero, 3B, Rays | 2022 stats: .314 BA (239 AB), 11 HR, 12 SB, .882 OPS, 23 BB, 43 K
2023 stats: .327 BA (401 AB), 25 HR, 5 SB, .966 OPS, 36 BB, 92 K | | This year's big prospect riser is primarily a third baseman but has also seen time at shortstop, where the Rays have an unexpected opening both for right now and potentially the long haul. Even if they decide Caminero isn't up to the challenge defensively, the 20-year-old could bolster a lineup that's slipped a bit in the second half. | | 4. Jordan Lawlar, SS, Diamondbacks | 2022 stats: .303 BA (389 AB), 16 HR, 39 SB, .910 OPS, 57 BB, 115 K
2023 stats: .267 BA (393 AB), 17 HR, 35 SB, .846 OPS, 54 BB, 98 K | | Lawlar would be less of a stretch than the three ahead of him given that he's 21 and has spent some time at Triple-A, and he would help to resolve the debacle that has been third base for the Diamondbacks (presumably by bumping Geraldo Perdomo there). He's recovered from a slow start to hit .309 with a .946 OPS in his last 61 games. | | 5. Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF, Cubs | 2022 stats: .312 BA (423 AB), 16 HR, 32 SB, .896 OPS, 36 BB, 102 K
2023 stats: .279 BA (390 AB), 18 HR, 34 SB, .876 OPS, 43 BB, 110 K | | The 21-year-old is enough of a defensive standout in center to send Cody Bellinger to first base full-time, and he plays with the sort of infectious energy that's invaluable during the stretch run. The offensive profile isn't quite as strong as the minor-league numbers, but there are clearly tools to work with. | | | | News and Notes | | Julio Rodriguez was scratched Tuesday with left foot soreness.Jorge Soler exited with right hip tightness.Gavin Williams was removed with right knee soreness.George Kirby was scratched due to an illness. Luke Weaver started in his place.Matt McLain is without a clear timetable, but the Reds are hopeful he'll play again this season. Apparently, the Blue Jays are open to using Vladimir Guerrero at third base late in games following the injury to Matt Chapman. I doubt he'd make 20 appearances there to qualify next season but perhaps he can pick up five for this year. Yandy Diaz returned to the Rays lineup after missing two games with soreness in his left forearm.Chase Silseth was placed on the 7-day concussion IL. He was hit in the head on a throw from his teammate Trey Cabbage this past weekend.Byron Buxton and Alex Kirilloff will begin rehab assignments with Triple-A on Wednesday. Ranger Suarez is on track to return to the Phillies rotation Sunday against the Brewers. He's 52% rostered.Jake Fraley began a rehab assignment Tuesday at Triple-A. He's been out since August 5 with a stress fracture in his fourth toe.Lars Nootbaar is also starting a rehab assignment with Triple-A on Wednesday and could be activated as soon as Friday.Marcus Stroman has been cleared to begin doing light activities. He's been out since early August with fractured rib cartilage. It sounded like Red Sox prospect Ceddanne Rafaela was going to be in the lineup Tuesday and then it turned out he wasn't.Brendan Rodgers has missed two straight due to an illness.Carlos Santana has missed two straight with a sprained ankle.The Astros activated Michael Brantley and optioned Corey Julks back to Triple-A. Brantley immediately started in LF Tuesday, batting sixth in their lineup. Yainer Diaz was in the lineup as the catcher. Jarren Duran has been diagnosed with turf toe and will undergo season-ending surgery on Wednesday.Dallas Keuchel will re-enter the Twins' rotation after Bailey Ober was optioned to Triple-A on Monday.Remember the name? Chris Paddack will begin a rehab assignment at Single-A on September 6. Paddack is now on the Twins and recovering from TJ surgery he had in May of last year.The Yankees released Josh Donaldson Tuesday and will be responsible for an $8 million buyout of his 2024 club option. | | | | | | | | Fantasy Football Today Draft-A-Thon | | Pick Six | Tune in TONIGHT to prep your fantasy league and help end childhood cancer. CBS Sport’s 7th annual Fantasy Football Today Draft-a-Thon supporting St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital is live on YouTube from 4 - 10 PM ET.
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