Gästebuch » an, Pryor and Gordon are the only players worth rosterin

Jonathan Lucroy is one of baseballs best catchers. Still, this hasnt been the easiest of weeks for the 2016 All-Star. On Saturday, the 30-year-old was traded from the Milwaukee Brewers to the Cleveland Indians -- a deal Lucroy rejected (the Indians were on his no-trade list) amid concerns he wouldnt get enough time behind the plate in 2017. I have to look out for me and my family, he says. I know Cleveland fans are mad at me right now, but my decision had zero to do with the quality of their team. On Monday, Lucroy was moved to the Texas Rangers with reliever Jeremy Jeffress as part of a deadline trade that included several minor league prospects. Here, Lucroy discusses the failed Cleveland deal and the moments before and after his trade to the Rangers -- a move he hopes will deliver him to his first playoff appearance in five years.When youre traded, youre never sure what to expect. Id never been dealt before, so this was a new experience for me. After our game on Saturday, against the Pirates, I was called into an office. Something was going down. The general manager, David Stearns, told me Id been traded. David said he couldnt say who got me because medical stuff needed to be cleared before it could be announced. I figured it must be a team that wasnt on my no-trade list, just because of everything that goes into that. Based on what Id seen online and what I heard from my agent, I knew the Mets, Indians, Dodgers and Rangers had shown interest. Cleveland was the only one of those teams on my no-trade list, so I ruled that out.It was already pretty clear there wasnt going to be much of a future for me in Milwaukee. Theyre in rebuilding mode, and they wouldnt want to pay to keep me there. I had a team option for 2017, and then that was it. Its the reality of the situation. I grew up in the organization, spent nearly 10 years with it. I love the fans, but this is all part of the game. You hear -- baseballs a business -- but it really is. They were figuring out their roster for the future, and I wanted to win now. Thats the landscape, and its something you have to deal with. So I got the news I was traded, and I was excited to know where I would play next. I knew itd be a competitive situation. I like being part of something bigger, like a cog in an engine. In Milwaukee, I didnt feel part of that because we werent winning. With a trade, Id be on a team that was working toward the playoffs.My agent, Doug Rogalski, found out it was the Indians that traded for me. I was surprised, but I wanted to keep an open mind. Great team. Competitive team. Theres a real chance to win. Doug called Chris Antonetti, the Indians president. There was one thing we wanted to know: What was my future with the Indians? We knew Cleveland already had a good catcher, Yan Gomes, whos injured right now. Hes getting paid more than me, and hes younger than me. We knew theyd probably want him catching almost every day next year. Heck, if I were the general manager in Cleveland, Id want Gomes catching every day.We were right. Antonetti told Doug that the Indians couldnt make any promises on me catching next season. There was no way theyd drop the team option, either, because Im pretty inexpensive in 2017. I dont blame them. I would have been mostly at first base and designated hitter. In the end, that was the deal killer. Doug called me. He said, Youre not going there.Cleveland fans dont like that part, but its nothing against them. It wasnt personal. If anything, I have even more respect for the Indians because of Antonettis honesty. He could have lied to my agent and said Id play catcher every day next season. But he didnt. He told the truth. Im thankful for that. My decision not to go to Cleveland had nothing to do with the team, but it had everything to do with my future in this game. It was an economic decision. Period. I have to look out for my familys best interests and my interests as a catcher whod be going into 2018 not having played my position the previous year. I am a catcher. Ive been catching since I was 12 years old. I love being behind the plate, being involved in the game from that perspective. I love every part of that. Im not changing positions for anybody. I dont care who it is. My value is as a catcher, and I know it.So we blocked the trade. And then we waited.Things werent dead. I knew I could still be moved. I was in a good position. If I were traded, it would be to a team that was in the playoff race. That was obvious. Doug knew there would be teams that would try to re-engage with the Brewers. I was hoping the Rangers were still interested. Dallas was our No. 1 target. My wife is from Louisiana, I went to college in Louisiana, and we still live in that state, so this was really close to home for us. If we could pick a perfect spot to go as a family, and for competitive baseball, the Dallas area was the place. They know their sports in Texas. Great fans. Great facilities. Great team. We have a lot of friends there. We were hoping the Rangers were still interested.My manager, Craig Counsell, put me in as a pinch hitter on Sunday. It was a day before the trade deadline, and no one knew if I was wearing a Brewers uniform for the last time. I got a standing ovation, and it meant a lot to me. I dug into the batters box, and I was in limbo. I figured if this is my last at-bat here, its my last at-bat. If not, well see what happens. I flied out. It wasnt much of a storybook ending.Afterward I felt a little sad, a little excited. Honestly, I was scared because I didnt know what was going to happen next. I was thinking about my wife, Sarah, and our young daughter, Ellia. If I got traded, how would it impact them? How would we get our stuff to our new city? Theyd be by themselves, sorting things out, and I wouldnt be there to help. But I had to keep going like nothing was going to change in our lives. My general manager had told me I wasnt going to be dealt unless the team liked what it was getting in return. They werent just going to give me away.I decided to take a flight out of Chicago for San Diego, because thats where the Brewers were playing next. It was Monday, just before the trade deadline. If I wasnt traded, Id have to be in San Diego, ready to go. I was in a parking lot at OHare International Airport when Doug called. It was 2:50 p.m. Central time. Ten minutes before the deadline. Doug said Ken Rosenthal tweeted that Id been traded to the Rangers. I was totally calm about it. I said, Ill stay here and wait for confirmation from David. Five minutes later, I got the call. It was really straightforward: Hey, we just traded you to the Rangers. Its official. I left Chicago and headed for Miller Park.I called my wife and told her what was happening. Shed been a nervous wreck leading up to this point, and now I heard the excitement in her voice. I called my parents. I called my agent. Jon Daniels, the Rangers general manager, called me and said he was glad I was joining the team. Less than an hour earlier, I didnt know what was happening, and now I wound up getting traded to the team with the best record in the American League. You can say anything you want about what Ive said in the past about wanting to get traded to a winner and then blocking the trade to Cleveland. Well, guess what? I did get traded to a winner.Finally, I got back to Milwaukee and went into the Brewers clubhouse. I grabbed some catchers equipment. It was royal colored. I grabbed some spikes that matched, and I got some clothes. The Brewers would have to box up the rest of my locker and ship it to me. David knew I was at the park, so he came down and met me at one of the stadiums entrances. We shook hands. Then I was gone. I went home, kissed my wife, grabbed some more clothes. My daughter was off playing with friends, but I had to leave. Texas was playing in Baltimore on Tuesday, and I had to get to the airport. I kissed my wife again and said, Ill see you in a couple weeks. Thats the life of a baseball player.The last time I was in a playoff race was 2014, but we fell apart in mid-August and blew it. The last time I was in the playoffs was 2011, my first full season as a major leaguer. I still remember Mark Kotsay, one of our veterans, standing up and telling us we didnt understand how hard it was to make it to the playoffs. He told us that guys played their entire careers without making it to the postseason. He said it might not happen for any of us again. I heard that, and I was like, Cmon. No way thats happening. I thought we could go every year. I was spoiled. I was also dead wrong. I learned a lesson from that. Dont take things for granted.Texas made a sacrifice to bring me in. They gave up some good prospects. By making that sacrifice, theyre telling me they need me here to win. When a players on a team, wherever it is, you want to have that wanted and needed feeling. It makes you feel like youre part of something. We arent in the playoffs yet, but we have all the pieces. Im already falling in love with this roster. We have two players in our lineup who are Hall of Fame guys: Adrian Beltre and Carlos Beltran. Those two dudes are unbelievable. Im honored to play with them, and I know Im going to be a better baseball player being around them. Ive only played on the road for Texas, but I cant wait to play a home game.When I step to the plate there, Im going to take it all in. Im going to take all of this in. I know I had nothing to do with the Rangers getting to where they are now, but I want to have a lot to do with finishing the job. Balenciaga Sneakers Sale Australia . -- Teemu Selanne scored the first goal of his 22nd NHL season, and the Anaheim Ducks extended the best start in franchise history with their fifth straight victory, 3-2 over the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night. Balenciaga Sneakers Online Shop . The 20-year-old Pelicans big man glanced up and smiled widely at the well-wishers -- a fitting end to a day he wont soon forget. Davis responded to his selection earlier in the day as a Western Conference All-Star with 26 points and 10 rebounds, and the New Orleans Pelicans overcame a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves 98-91 on Friday night. http://www.wholesalebalenciagaaustralia.com/ . On Tuesday, Ottawa placed forward Cory Conacher and defenceman Joe Corvo on waivers as trade rumours swirl around the Senators. Balenciaga Sneakers Cheap Australia . The Clippers were angry about blowing a big lead; the Kings didnt like being in that kind of hole and nearly digging themselves out only to lose. Balenciaga Sneakers Australia .C. at the helm of the top team in the Eastern Conference. His tenure as the GM in Vancouver was all too brief. Though he led the Canucks to what was then a franchise record-shattering campaign in just his second season, Nonis was gone and replaced one year later. The NFLs annual cut day has come and gone, which means its time to examine the inevitable fantasy impact of 704 players being sent to the open market.At least from a fantasy perspective, the Ravens release of veteran Justin Forsett was Saturdays biggest surprise. After spending the first six years of his career bouncing around the league, Forsett settled in as the Ravens lead back in 2014 and went on to finish eighth among running backs in fantasy points. Prior to going down with a season-ending broken arm last season, Forsett had been on the field for two-thirds of Baltimores snaps and had been handling a larger share of the offensive touches than he did in 2014. An underrated and effective back throughout his career, Forsetts 4.9 yards per carry ranks third among 125 backs with at least 200 carries since he entered the league.ESPNs Jamison Hensley has suggested that Forsett, who turns 31 in October, could be re-signed by the Ravens later this week, but the teams decision to cut him loose makes it highly unlikely that hell remain the clubs workhorse. In fact, with Terrance West emerging and Javorius Allen productive in the pass game, its likely hed be no more than one part of a committee attack.Even if Forsett does return, West is the short-term back to own in fantasy. A bust after being selected in the third round by Cleveland back in 2014, the 25-year-old has enjoyed an improbable resurgence this offseason and is now the favorite to start for Baltimore. The 5-foot-10, 225-pound back paced Baltimore with 25 carries for 101 yards and two scores during the preseason. More of an early-down, between-the-tackles back, West managed only 15 catches during his time in Cleveland and Tennessee. Hell certainly be spelled by Allen on passing downs. Allen struggled badly as a rusher as a rookie last season, but he racked up 353 yards and two scores on 45 receptions. The USC product should be owned in PPR formats.The one player I didnt mention is intriguing rookie Kenneth Dixon. The fourth-rounder out of Louisiana Tech is recovering from a torn MCL and is expected to miss the first two weeks of the season. Once he returns, however, Dixon will immediately become a threat for Baltimores lead back gig. Hes worth stashing in leagues with deep benches or IR slots.Forsetts release stole the headlines on Saturday, but there were a few other moves that are sure to have a fantasy impact this season.The Patriots cut running backs Tyler Gaffney and Joey Iosefa. This locks in LeGarrette Blount as the Patriots primary early-down and goal-line back. Blount has been extremely cheap in fantasy drafts this offseason, but hell be squarely in the RB2 conversation in non-PPR leagues once New England returns home after a tough Week 1 trip to Arizona. James White should be fully owned in PPR formats as Dion Lewis replacement in the passing game. Undrafted rookie and converted wide receiver D.J. Foster is a must own in the deepest of PPR leagues and in dynasty. If White stumbles or goes down, Foster will jump into the PPR flex conversation.The Giants cut running back Andre Williams. Orleans Darkwa is expected to operate as Rashad Jennings primary backup, with Shane Vereen handling passing-down duties. Rookie Paul Perkins didnt emerge during the preseason but remains an intriguing stash in very deep leagues. Jennings, meanwhile, will be a solid RB2 to start the season.The Ravens cut WRs Keenan Reynolds, Daniel Brown and Jeremy Butler. That leaves Baltimore with five receivers, which suggests the team is confident in the health of Breshad Perriman. The 2015 first-round pick figures to open the season with a minimal role, but its only a matter of time before hes pushing Steve Smith, Mike Wallace and Kamar Aiken for a major role. Rookie Chris Moore also made the team.The Jets waived TE Jace Amaro. The 2014 second-round pick was an intriguing fit in Chan Gaileys spread attack, but he simply wasnt good enough to stick. Amaro is only 24 years old and has upside as a pass-catching tight end, but he may never see an opportunity as good as the one in New York this season.?The Patriots cut 2013 second-round pick Aaron Dobson, which positions split end Malcolm Mitchell for a significant rookie-season role. Once back to full health, Mitchell will push Chris Hogan for snaps opposite Julian Edelman. Mitchell lookedd terrific prior to an elbow injury in his preseason debut and is now worth considering in the last few rounds of your draft.dddddddddddd Theres chatter that New England could add a wide receiver this week, however, so this is a fluid situation.Rookies Robby Anderson, Jalin Marshall and Charone Peake all made the Jets 53-man roster. New York had four wide receivers on the field on 51 percent of pass plays last season, which easily led the NFL (the league average is 5 percent). Brandon Marshall, Eric Decker and Quincy Enunwa are locked in as the top three receivers, and 2015 second-round pick Devin Smith (PUP) is expected back later this season, but at least one of the three rookies figure to play a major role out of the gate. Kenbrell Thompkins, who was cut on Saturday, averaged a massive 39 snaps per game as the teams No. 4 receiver last year. Anderson, who paced the NFL with 264 receiving yards and three touchdown catches during the preseason, should be your first add.Jacquizz Rodgers, a good blocker and competent receiver, was cut by Chicago, which decided to roll with three tailbacks. This move is good news for Jeremy Langfords early-season snap volume, but I remain pessimistic about his ability to produce efficiently. KaDeem Carey and rookie Jordan Howard also made the team and are fine bench stashes.The Titans cut WR Justin Hunter, RB Bishop Sankey and RB Dexter McCluster. The trio combined to play 806 snaps last season. McClusters release is the biggest surprise as he was expected to contribute on passing downs behind big men DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry. The move will allow a few extra targets for both remaining backs, which adds to their fantasy appeal. Antonio Andrews beat out Sankey and David Cobb for the No. 3 gig. Hunter never panned out and inevitably lost out to Harry Douglas, Andre Johnson and Tre McBride this season.The Chargers waived RB Gus Johnson. This one may not seem too relevant, but its notable because it locks in Kenneth Farrow as San Diegos No. 3 back. Farrow was an undrafted free-agent signing following Aprils draft and Branden Olivers season-ending injury has positioned him for potential relevance as a rookie. Farrow is 5-foot-10, 218 pounds with terrific short-area quickness and is a capable blocker and receiver. Stash him in dynasty and be ready to pounce in all formats in the event of an injury to Melvin Gordon or Danny Woodhead.Bills WR Dezmin Lewis, Bengals WR Jake Kumerow and Lions WR TJ Jones each generated some hype during OTAs, but all three were waived on Saturday. This is a reminder to monitor, but not overreact to, puff pieces before the pads are on. Each player could land on a practice squad, so those of you in deep dynasty leagues should keep an eye on their situations.The Browns wide receiver overhaul is complete after they cut loose Taylor Gabriel, Marlon Moore and Darius Jennings. The trio combined to play 775 snaps last season. Cleveland will open the season with Corey Coleman, Terrelle Pryor and Andrew Hawkins as its top three receivers. Rookies Rashard Higgins, Ricardo Louis and Jordan Payton add depth and Josh Gordon will return in Week 5. Coleman, Pryor and Gordon are the only players worth rostering in 12-team, 16-man-roster leagues.The Broncos released Mark Sanchez, who is expected to sign with the Cowboys. Trevor Siemian will start for Denver in Week 1 and first-round pick Paxton Lynch is likely to make a few starts later this season. This is a quarterback situation to avoid in all but leagues that start two at the position. Sanchez, meanwhile, will hold the clipboard for Dak Prescott while Tony Romo recovers from his back injury.The 49ers cut five wide receivers and traded for Rod Streater. The 49ers have Blaine Gabbert at quarterback and will face arguably the leagues toughest schedule this season. This is obviously a passing game to avoid.Finally, here are a few players who were cut but should be monitored in case they land in a favorable situation during the next week of transactions: Thompkins, WR Keshawn Martin, RB Kerwynn Williams, WR Keyarris Garrett, RB Ronnie Hillman, Cecil Shorts III, Stevan Ridley, Jhurell Pressley, WR Kenny Bell, RB Peyton Barber and RB Brandon Wilds. ' ' '