As the early stages of the 2024 second half continue, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:
1. IKF MRI:
Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. remained out of the lineup yesterday after being struck in the hand by a pitch over the weekend, and they’re now dealing with a second key injury in the lineup. Manager John Schneider told reporters (including Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet) that infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa “felt something” in his knee during pregame workouts yesterday, causing the club to scratch the 29-year-old from the lineup and send him for an MRI. Results and further details are expected later today.
Kiner-Falefa has, somewhat surprisingly, been the Jays’ best hitter aside from Guerrero this year, with a strong .292/.338/.420 slash line (117 wRC+). The infielder is striking out just 13.2% of the time, a career-low, and has shown a surprising amount of pop. Kiner-Falefa has slugged seven home runs in 281 trips to the plate this year, just one dinger shy of his career-best. That high-water mark came during the 2021 season and took him a whopping 677 trips to the plate, leaving him poised to shatter that personal best with ease in the second half. This offensive uptick has come in conjunction with Kiner-Falefa’s typical steady glove all around the infield, leaving him as one of the club’s most valuable players. Ernie Clement, Spencer Horwitz, and Davis Schneider are the top options to fill in around the infield with Kiner-Falefa and Guerrero ailing.
2. Series Preview: Orioles @ Mariners:
Two AL clubs with somewhat tenuous holds on the lead in their respective division races will meet today for a three-game set that could shake up the standings ahead of the trade deadline. The 53-31 Orioles, mere percentage points ahead of the 54-32 Yankees, are set to head to the Pacific Northwest to take on the 47-39 Mariners, who sit just three games ahead of the surging Astros for control of the AL West. The series will kick off at 6:40pm local time with a duel between talented young right-handers George Kirby (3.35 ERA) and Grayson Rodriguez (3.72 ERA).
The Orioles have not announced who they’ll send to the mound opposite Logan Gilbert (2.72 ERA) in Game 2 or Bryce Miller (3.88 ERA) in the series finale at this point, though ace Corbin Burnes (2.28 ERA) could return during the series after spending a few games on the paternity list. It’s possible that third start could go to right-hander Dean Kremer (4.32 ERA), who has been on the IL since late May with a triceps strain but could make his next start in the majors, according to MLB.com’s Injury Tracker. Kremer made his third rehab start at the Triple-A level on June 27.
3. MLBTR Chat Today:
We’re now less than a month away from the July 30 trade deadline, and teams around the league have begun to tip their hands regarding their plans for the summer. If you have any questions about the upcoming deadline or your team’s direction with the All-Star break just over the horizon, MLBTR’s Steve Adams will host a chat with readers at 1pm CT. You can click here to ask a question in advance, and that same link will allow you to join in on the chat once it begins or read the transcript after it is completed.
Is MLBTR going to put out a list of Top 50 trade candidates this summer like they do every year around the trade deadline?
@VottoisafutureHOF18
All the teams are in the playoff run, though.
I know which means it could be an uneventful deadline
They’re probably waiting until the ASB to see who’s actually going to sell
True I was just curious if they were going to do it this year
@VottoisafutureHOF18
Yankees, Dodgers, O’s and Guardians and Phillies will be selling. None of them are doing well this year.
/s
Spot on. Another couple weeks until ASB should add a handful of sellers beyond the obvious(WSox/Oak/Col/Mia/Angels/Det/Tampa always ready on the fly even if few games over)
Underachievers like Cubs/Tor/Cincy are the interesting ones that may deal bigger names to reshape somewhat paper tiger rosters.
Is Colorado an obvious seller? They’re obviously out of contention. But I think a lot of people would be surprised if they actually sold.
Toronto is an obvious seller. But the question is the extent to which they sell.
Cubs and Reds are interesting as they are not in a competitive spot but their rosters are mostly controlled players. Would they move contracts for decent performers controlled beyond this year when they are teams on the ascent? Are there contracts they’d like to get out of that might actually be movable in a seller’s market? Bellinger maybe? That would be a very difficult trade to pull off.
Happ or Suzuki little overpaid, but not egregious where they can have better shot to dump some $ to reallocate next offseason. Bellinger likely opts in, so clubs probably don’t want to risk paying him 2.5yrs for 65mil if he can’t at least closely resemble his ’23 season (the outlier?)during July.
Cincy needs reliable SP-not banking on “prospects”. Maybe need for need with Seattle or club lacking consistent offense.
Do you think the Reds would actually buy for next year when the deadline looks like a seller’s market?
Votto, looks like you answered your own question when you said “Like they do every year…”
Paleobros, No he didn’t. He was asking if they’re doing it again this year, like they have done in previous years… Nothing is given.
I would be shocked if they didn’t. Those kinds of articles are the driving force of this website.
Os fan. Looking forward to following this Seattle series. These 2 teams faced off 6x last year with half going extra innings. Both squads get after it each playing with that want to/win at all costs/whatever it takes approach. Fun! Can’t wait.
O’s will probably get the sweep given how the M’s offense has been especially pathetic lately (hoping for a reverse jinx here!).
Hmm. O’s hitting vs M’s pitching. I’m thinking advantage Seattle.
Also, curious to see Austin Voth in action. In early 2022 before there was any inkling Birds were good, he came up huge. Coach Hyde didn’t have a #5 so he went bullpen by committee using AV as the SP. He took to the bump and showed up.
Voth has been solid. A good middle innings guy, but not someone I’ve wanted to see in high leverage situations.
Good start to the series for the Orioles. You all seem to have the Mariners’ number this season!
Good to hear Vith is contributing
What a game last night. If I was the O’s POBO, I’d just might consider extending Rodriguez before Rutschman. Maybe?
I think that’s a fair argument at this point!
Says something about their pitching that SEA can have the lowest team AVG (.218) in MLB, 5th fewest runs and most strikeouts by a lot (37), and still be at the top of the division.
RunDMC
Also says something about the importance of batting average and looking at adjusted stats
Mariners are 21st with a 94 wRC+. A below average, but not bad, hitting team
Or is this a team with no power from the right or the left side.
Big problem is their best player is not hitting this year. If he has a big second half then they could be dangerous.
Huge series this week. I am simultaneously optimistic and ready to be hurt again
“This offensive uptick has come in conjunction with Kiner-Falefa’s typical steady glove all around the infield…”
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Defensively he’s solid at 3B, but nowhere else.
He’s +2 DRS at SS (in few innings), +4 DRS at 2nd, and +6 DRS at 3rd this season
He’s 1 Out Above Average at SS, and 2 OAA at 2nd and 3rd this year so far.
Typical steady glove all around the infield is a pretty accurate descriptor.
I watched him play two years at SS. Sometimes fielding metrics don’t properly register strengths and weaknesses. He was generating positive metrics at short for the Yankees but he was very erratic, especially on throws. They eventually pulled him off the position. His best position defensively is 3B. He can hold it down there if he has enough bat. Considering he had an 81 OPS+ for the six prior seasons (same with both the Rangers and Yankees), I’m questioning his new-found higher offense. Buyer beware.
That’s why they described it as “tenuous.” The lead is there but it isn’t strong!
Teoscar for Votto trade? Of course the dodgers would have to kick in some $US….
I love that MLBTR can run up a bullet point that says “IKF MRI” and everyone knows what it means.
You: IKR LOL