![MLB: San Diego Padres at Cleveland Guardians](https://i0.wp.com/www.clevelandsports.today/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/usa_today_23785908.0.jpg?ssl=1)
News and Notes for Friday, July 26th, 2024
The Guardians offense remained MIA, making an unfortunate hanging slider to Javy Baez from Gavin Williams a moot point in a 3-0 loss.
Good news: Gavin Williams went six innings and gave up six hits, two walks and struck out nine, Pedro Avila had two scoreless and Peter Strzelecki had a scoreless ninth. Jose Ramirez had a double and a walk and Jhonkensy Noel and Josh Naylor also both doubled.
Beyond that, it was extremely frustrating to watch every Guardians hitter continuing to chase bad pitches and put up feeble at-bats. After the game, Stephen Vogt said the team is not in a funk. I realize he’s got Pollyanna-style positivity, but feels like it might be more beneficial to admit the team is in a funk. They’ll get out of it, but the funk – it be funking.
Take a look at how Jose’s Hall of Fame Chase is looking:
José Ramírez is 31 years, 10 months, and 11 days old. Here are how his numbers compare to Hall of Fame third baseman Scott Rolen at exactly the same age:
Ramirez: 1,434 hits, 240 home runs, 128 wRC+, 48.4 fWAR.
Rolen: 1,427 hits, 250 home runs, 130 wRC+, 53.9 fWAR.— David Laurila (@DavidLaurilaQA) July 25, 2024
Cade Smith is cool:
Cade Smith sat 91 mph when he entered the #Guardians org. He now sits 96.
He’s a top 5 RP in MLB. He has the highest 4S zone rate & 99th pct extension.
Why is Smith’s release point misleading? And how is the Guardians velo development so good?
Tease & full video below. pic.twitter.com/x0UDVc72RA
— Lance Brozdowski (@LanceBroz) July 24, 2024
This was a great article from FanGraphs’ Davey Andrews on why line drive rates aren’t sticky.
Don’t miss out on two new Disgusting Baseball Podcast episodes! First, Around the Corner with Brian Hemminger and Zack F as they talk Guardians’ prospects. Second, Nicole and myself preview the Guardians’ Trade Deadline.
Chris Antonetti said the usual platitudes about the trade deadline and players like Kyle Manzardo and Triston McKenzie. Seems like they’ll get something at the deadline, who knows what?
Around MLB:
Dylan Cease threw a no-hitter.
Deyvison De Los Santos is headed to Miami as the Diamondbacks acquire A.J. Puk in the opening salvo of trade deadline week.
Full deal:
Arizona Diamondbacks receive: left-handed reliever A.J. Puk.
Miami Marlins receive: CIF Deyvison De Los Santos and CF Andrew Pintar.
Deal is done. Diamondbacks get the bullpen arm they’ve been seeking.
And trade season is officially on.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 26, 2024
The Mariners acquired Randy Arozarena from the Rays for two 45 FV’s and a PTBNL.
#Rays get minor-leaguers OF Aidan Smith and RHP Brody Hopkins plus a PTBNL from #Mariners for Arozarena
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) July 26, 2024