1
Talk Zone / Re: We're launching a new forum
« on: November 27, 2019, 08:15:18 pm »The current software also poses a greater security risk the longer we use it.
So you're saying you can't keep Mike Fiers from posting here?
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So you're saying you can't keep Mike Fiers from posting here?
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Talk Zone / Re: More controversy
« on: November 27, 2019, 12:25:50 pm »I don't Twitter, so I'll have to take you guys' word for it. I just wish people still spoke in non tweets.
IRL. LOL!!!
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Beer and Queso / Re: Texans 2019
« on: November 22, 2019, 02:35:37 pm »Well shows what I know. I thought they were still on NFL Network. Primetime games still suck as a fan though, Thursday night being the worst.
I thought it was a fairly well accepted model that the NFL makes all decisions by in part filtering them through the affect on TV$.
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Beer and Queso / Re: Texans 2019
« on: November 22, 2019, 12:40:53 pm »Thursday night games are the worst game day experiences there are. Even Monday night is better, and Monday nights are pretty bad. I don’t know why the NFL continues to insist on them when it’s universally hated by players and fans.
Yes you do.
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Talk Zone / Re: 2020 Roster
« on: November 21, 2019, 03:01:42 pm »Tags raises an interesting possibility: Reddick for McCann
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The Astros would have to add more than Reddick (money and/or some other player) to get that done.
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Talk Zone / Re: 2020 Roster
« on: November 21, 2019, 01:31:02 pm »He is, but only making $5M this season.
I was thinking more about what a team would have to give up to get him.
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Talk Zone / Re: 2020 Roster
« on: November 21, 2019, 12:00:12 pm »But the Sox might now make James McCann available via trade. McCann used to catch JV.
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Am I reading it right that he'd be a free agent after the 2020 season?
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Talk Zone / Re: 2020 Roster
« on: November 21, 2019, 11:44:54 am »Mets are sniffing around Chirinos. I hope we sign both catchers.
They won't be signing Grandal who just signed with the White Sox.
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Talk Zone / Re: More controversy
« on: November 16, 2019, 12:57:12 pm »Worse: Crane will be forced to sell to Loria
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And move to London.
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Talk Zone / Re: More controversy
« on: November 14, 2019, 09:25:13 am »Maybe Fiers knows.
His contract expires after next season. I wonder if any team will be willing to sign him?
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Beer and Queso / Re: College Football 2019
« on: November 13, 2019, 06:26:52 pm »Higher than 5? No one.
As long as LSU beats Georgia, the Tide should be in.
My thesis is the committee's worst nightmare is not being able to get them in.
Then they're praying for a Baylor loss.
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Talk Zone / Re: More controversy
« on: November 13, 2019, 08:50:46 am »The Mets and Red Sox may not enjoy a punishment of the perpetrators
Even more ironic. We're the Red Sox fined for basically the same thing in 2017?
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Talk Zone / Re: More controversy
« on: November 13, 2019, 08:49:56 am »They have become the New England Patriots of MLB,
Perfect. This SI writer gives you exactly that. https://www.si.com/mlb/2019/11/13/astros-steal-signs-spygate-videotaping
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Beer and Queso / Re: College Football 2019
« on: November 13, 2019, 08:44:46 am »Who do you think should be ranked ahead of Alabama?
Baylor whose wins at Kansas State and Oklahoma State and at home over Iowa State are better than Alabama's win at A&M. Minnesota's one big win is also better than Alabama's. At this stage of the season I prefer to look at quality of the schedule more than style points and eye test. I'd also not have Georgia at 4. Home loses are killers to me, and Georgia's is awful.
My top 4 would be LSU, Baylor, Minnesota, and Ohio State in that order.
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Talk Zone / Re: The Void (transacations)
« on: November 06, 2019, 08:26:04 am »Yes. His surgery was on sept 16th and the full recovery timeline is 12-14 months. The optimistic timeframe puts him back in play the last week of the season. Which would make no sense. I can’t imagine how tendering him an offer is logical unless they ink home to a multi-year deal.
That said, the Astros saw something in him of some immediate or future value that may have been more than a rental. Maybe multi-year makes sense.
He had that terrific season a few years ago. The Astros obviously didn't know the injury existed prior to the deal for him. I don't think we'll know how the Astros feel about him long term until after the contract situation is done.
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Talk Zone / Re: The Void (transacations)
« on: November 05, 2019, 07:09:03 pm »I'd put Urquidy well over Sanchez. Sanchez might even get non-tendered.
Sanchez may not pitch again until 2021.
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Talk Zone / Re: Cole and Game 5
« on: October 31, 2019, 08:17:30 pm »It seems like it's usually not until their 2nd year back that TJ cases really return to their previous effectiveness, so I don't think I'd count on McCullers being an ace next year. I think he'll be ok, but it's going to take a while for him to regain feel and confidence.
I saw one opinion today refer to one of the Mets pitchers (Wheeler?) as a possible Morton 2.0 project. I expect them to do something like that. They're going to need to pay Springer soon.
In the past week or two he tweeted video of himself pitching off a mound claiming he was hitting 90. I also read somewhere he's finishing rehab soon.
18
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 7, October 30, 2019
« on: October 30, 2019, 08:08:54 pm »May the BBG's take pity on the Astros when batting with RISP.
BBG’s have told me to go fuck myself.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 7, October 30, 2019
« on: October 30, 2019, 04:50:59 pm »
May the BBG's take pity on the Astros when batting with RISP.
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Talk Zone / Re: Tipping pitches
« on: October 30, 2019, 11:33:04 am »Interesting perspective on the information gamesmanship. Clearly, the Astros are talented hitters. But, if they get skunked when their information is cut off and then fail at the classic "see the ball, hit the ball", it appears that might be a weakness on the team construct or players ability to adapt to any circumstance that presents itself.
There are several players who, IMO, lack emotional self-control in important situations. All players fall victim to it on occasion. However the Astros have a few who regularly fall victim to it. Altuve and Correa appear to me to be the biggest culprits. Springer seems to have slowly made progress in that area. That weakness is the separator.
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Talk Zone / Re: Game 7
« on: October 30, 2019, 10:20:25 am »Big moment in the game. You should be critical. His AB was awful.
He went full Everett.
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Talk Zone / Re: WS 2019
« on: October 28, 2019, 12:50:43 pm »The Astros were coming down off the high of the ALCS and fatigue (mental as well as physical) was likely a factor.
I wondered before the WS started if the team was tired. Not only the ALCS slugfest but also the very draining ALDS too. The Astros have generally faced most of the best pitching in baseball with the Rays staff, the Yankees bullpen, and the Nats aces. I wonder if it took the team a couple of games into the WS to recover and get their energy back?
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 5, October 27, 2019
« on: October 27, 2019, 09:13:14 pm »Smoltz referred to Pina as a “young Albert pujols.” Does he have any idea how old Yuli is?
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He knows how old Pujols really is. Everything is relative.
24
Talk Zone / Re: Latest Controversy
« on: October 25, 2019, 02:57:33 pm »So I guess I’ll ask the question.
Do the Astros dump Osuna, either via trade or outright release, in the off-season in an effort to try and right this ship in the face of all that has gone on?
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I expect they'll go back to touting his clean record since joining the Astros and all the work the org has done in the community the past year and a half.
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Talk Zone / Re: Latest Controversy
« on: October 25, 2019, 12:20:49 pm »Which is shocking since the Athletic is a well-reasoned outlet.
Then it's likely there more as clickbait and pay me than anything else.
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Talk Zone / Re: Tipping pitches
« on: October 24, 2019, 07:11:55 pm »I agree 100%. When the Astros were a young, upstart, plucky underdog, they were beloved. But after a few years it's "alright...enough of this". I want the Astros to be the team that everyone is tired of seeing in the World Series.
+1
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Talk Zone / Re: Latest Controversy
« on: October 24, 2019, 04:07:52 pm »I get the feeling the dude hung himself. He clearly told them he did nothing. If he’d have been honest and straight up apologized he probably gets suspended but not fired.
No doubt. I'm sure he was working his ass off to minimize it.
This whole thing still seems bizarre to me. Could he have been the point man on the Osuna deal? Taking the fallout personally and dealing with it in such an immature fashion would fit that to me.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series, Game 2, October 23, 2019
« on: October 24, 2019, 11:19:54 am »And I think two of those hits were infield singles which didn't plate a run. So it's more the equivalent of 6 for 63 (.095)
We were talking about this as a problem all year. They were perfectly mediocre with RISP and 2 outs. To have further regressed against postseason caliber pitching should not be too much of a surprise.
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Talk Zone / Re: Latest Controversy
« on: October 23, 2019, 04:05:15 pm »Or it suggests that he (Luhnow) and/or Crane simply don't care. I'm unfortunately beginning to think that, given that they are still pretending that their bullshit statement about SI never happened.
I've no idea if what either actually thinks about it or whether they're on the same page. I don't think they're pretending it never happened. I just haven't seen anyone press them on the awful original response. And they aren't going to just bring it up on their own.
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Talk Zone / Re: World Series Umpires
« on: October 23, 2019, 01:24:42 pm »I'm still not sure how he missed it. Granted, it was quite loud in MMP, but he was looking squarely at it on the replay, and it was clear as day.
Also how does the third base ump miss it? If he's supposed to be able to call a check swing how can he miss that?
31
Talk Zone / Re: Latest Controversy
« on: October 23, 2019, 12:19:46 pm »I guess it's time to face the fact that Taubman and the PR folks will keep their jobs.
The PR folks aren't on the frontline in this. Taubman certainly is. I think he'll end up gone.
The more I think about what Luhnow said in the interview the more it seems clear to me he's too close to see what's happening. Worrying about intent of the statement is well past its expiration date. The narrative has now been written. As there really is no absolute way to know what anyone is thinking there's no way he can alter the narrative without the accusers first retracting. That's not happening. For now and likely a long time into the future Taubman is a misogynist douche bag whether that's really true or not. I can't see any other baseball org hiring or recruiting him. As long as he's employed "the media" as well as a lot of other public figures (I'm a bit surprised some of the local politicians haven't come out on this yet) will caveat all things Astros as the domestic violence enabling organization. At some point MLB I would imagine will lay that kind of reality at Crane's feet.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 World Series Game 1; October 22, 2019
« on: October 23, 2019, 12:03:26 pm »Probably not but I hate that shit. He do that....the ball better be out of the park.
I think that he thought, "either it's out or I'm out." If Eaton goes all the way to the wall instead of a step short and leaping he probably catches it.
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Talk Zone / Re: Latest Controversy
« on: October 23, 2019, 11:47:56 am »Luhnow's turn to step on a rake: “What we really don’t know is the intent behind the inappropriate comments he made. We may never know that because the person who said them and the people who heard them, at least up to this point, have different perspectives.”
What the fuck is wrong with them?
Seems quite clear he has a serious hard-on for Taubman.
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Talk Zone / Re: Latest Controversy
« on: October 23, 2019, 11:44:32 am »Just a sincere sounding apology would be a huge step in the right direction.
Fucking embarrassing.
At least he said "I apologize" without adding the "if" statements. MLB investigating gives him a complete out on any further comment.
The more I think about Taubman's reported behaviors the more he seems like a stereotypical immature frat boy.
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Talk Zone / Re: WS 2019
« on: October 23, 2019, 09:59:54 am »Springer waking up would certainly help get things going, but Jesus Christ Bregman has been horrific.
Springer did wake up. Bregman was the worst culprit. The ball must look like a BB to him right now. ATEM balls were an issue too. The Nationals seemed to hit everything where we weren't.
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Talk Zone / Re: Latest Controversy
« on: October 22, 2019, 06:11:27 pm »NPR’s David Folkenflik added this:
She has tweeted frequently on DV; he complained about her tweets offering info on DV hotlines when Roberto Osuna appeared in Astros games in 2018
I know of one reporter well known to the Astros that tweeted out the DV hotline number every time Osuna appeared last year, and that is one Alyson Footer.
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This is the kind of depth of information that is useful. Guy's gotta go.
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Talk Zone / Re: WS 2019
« on: October 22, 2019, 01:29:04 pm »I wish the odds weren't so gigantically in our favor. The Nats have been the BTIB since some point in May, I believe. It does appear we have a real advantage defensively and in the bullpen, especially considering we've seen Doolittle a lot--which they can't say about any of our relief arms. Seems to me our advantages play out primarily at the back end of games and series'.
(from Astros.com) Since May 23:
Astros: 73-37, .667, best record in baseball
Nationals: 74-38, .661, second-best record in baseball
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Talk Zone / Re: Latest Controversy
« on: October 22, 2019, 09:47:32 am »Probably were afraid of losing access
If the incident were really that explosive denying access to the reporters would give credence to the notion that the Astros don't value women. Someone in the org is tone deaf as the press release shows, but something like denying access isn't tone deafness. It's much worse. Just like what happened with the Dallas Mavericks a year or so ago the local and national press would not let it go.
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Talk Zone / Re: Latest Controversy
« on: October 22, 2019, 09:36:08 am »Reporters from the Chron have corroborated the story.
Have these reporters said why they didn't write about it?
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Talk Zone / Re: Latest Controversy
« on: October 22, 2019, 09:06:15 am »If it wasn’t to top brass, it was to PR. And any halfway competent PR staffer sees that story and picks up the bat phone to Crane.
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Senior Vice President, Community Relations + Executive Director, Astros Foundation
Senior Vice President, Marketing & Communications
Vice President, Event Sales and Operations
Vice President, Human Resources
Senior Counsel
Every one of these people are women. If they weren't involved in that press release I can imagine they're in Crane's office this morning.
Vice President, Media Relations: His office released the statement. This guy's head could be on the chopping block this morning.
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Talk Zone / Re: Latest Controversy
« on: October 22, 2019, 09:01:02 am »A distinction without a difference, IMO.
Massive difference. Do not let a perpetrator have any more head start on abusing the next person than you possibly can. We teach immediate reporting for that very real issue.
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Talk Zone / Re: Latest Controversy
« on: October 22, 2019, 08:55:37 am »The reporter asked the team for a comment on the story prior to running it. The Astros said "No Comment" Then released that ridiculous press release calling it fake news.....
That's not the same as going straight to Luhnow or Crane that night and reporting the event. Then writing the story. If she wrote first then asked for comment that's not the same.
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Talk Zone / Re: Latest Controversy
« on: October 22, 2019, 08:51:02 am »
I want to know if the SI reporter went to Astros top brass about it before posting the report. We train our staff to report abuse of any kind right away before doing anything else. Don't let a perpetrator have any more time to continue bad behavior than can be helped.
44
Talk Zone / Re: Fuck the Nationals!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
« on: October 21, 2019, 03:29:15 pm »...every game these cocksuckers play is another goose-step on the Indian burial mound of the Montreal Expos...
There might not have ever been a more expressive phrase written on this site.
45
Talk Zone / Re: Rotation Games 4.5.6.7
« on: October 17, 2019, 06:54:28 pm »2 for 2 with that one.
He may have taken the notion of read more post less a little too seriously, but if this is the outcome then others should adhere.
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Talk Zone / Re: Rotation Games 4.5.6.7
« on: October 16, 2019, 04:10:35 pm »Me? I approach each game with fear and ignorance.
You never told us you are an umpire.
47
Talk Zone / Re: Rotation Games 4.5.6.7
« on: October 16, 2019, 12:21:15 pm »I'm hoping Tanaka Tonic is just the thing for what ails Yordan. He can catch up to the fastball and pull the breaking pitch into the upper deck.
I'm going to meditate on these three things: Yordan Alvarez, breaking pitch, and upper deck.
Just make sure you're connecting all three of those things while he's in the batter's box.
49
Talk Zone / Re: Weather report for Game 4
« on: October 15, 2019, 08:53:46 am »I'm not sure who benefits more or less from a rain out. It's certainly logical that moving Grienke/Verlander/Cole all up a game in the series is advantageous, but making a game 7* a kitchen sink/bullpen game would be way too stressful. Of course eliminating a day off between four games should be a disadvantage for the Yankees bullpen, but that cuts both ways and increases the workload on Harris/Osuna/Pressley/Smith.
Game 6 in that scenario is the bullpen day not game 7. Game 7 would still in theory be Cole's on normal rest. A rainout just moves the bullpen game back, if it gets that far.
50
Talk Zone / Re: Sunday’s game
« on: October 14, 2019, 09:46:02 pm »If it is simple as that, I would gladly pay the price. I doubt that is the case though.
Not sure how many follow what Arthur Blank has done with Falcons and events at the MB Stadium in Downtown Atlanta. Cut prices for concessions back to early 90s or even 1980 prices.
prices include $2 for a Coca-Cola in a refillable cup; $2 for a hot dog, a pretzel or popcorn; $3 for waffle fries, a pizza slice or nachos with cheese; and $5 for a Bud Light or a cheeseburger.
While the team saw direct monetary benefits from this innovative approach to food and beverages (in the form of a 16% increase in fan spending on F&B despite a 50% price reduction compared with their last season in the Georgia Dome),
The owners and their bullshit concession prices hit the tipping point for me a long time ago, I just simply refuse to buy food at the stadium any longer. A couple other teams are adopting Blank's Falcon pricing and are all making more money because of it.
As long as the on field product doesn't follow too because damn.
51
Talk Zone / Re: Weather report for Game 4
« on: October 14, 2019, 11:54:51 am »Yes
Had a debate about this topic last night when we saw the weather report.....
Everyone agreed games 4 & 5 are now likely to be played on Thursday/Friday. The question was would they bump back games 6/7 (if needed). The answer is no. If Wednesdays is wiped out it means, 4/5/6/7 are played with no off day in between.
The possibility of 4 straight games could mess with Boone's bullpen usage in games 4 and 5.
52
Talk Zone / Re: was anyone else irritated
« on: October 11, 2019, 03:09:05 pm »However, asking Joe Girardi about the 2017 Yankees 150 times, is not how you keep it interesting.
I was amused considering the outcome of that series, and his growing annoyance at it being mentioned.
53
Talk Zone / Re: Tipping pitches
« on: October 11, 2019, 02:50:27 pm »Regardless, good teams steal signs and there is no rule against it as long as it's not being done outside of the accepted guidelines. Picking up signals from the coaches boxes or while on base is just total gamesmanship.
If you are legally stealing signs, good for you for being smart enough to do it and pulling it off.
Jomboy's got you covered.
54
Talk Zone / Re: ALCS Rotation
« on: October 11, 2019, 02:38:45 pm »Greinke career vs NYY:
15 G, 12 GS, 4-4, 5.05, 71.1 IP, 68 H, 40 ER, 55 K, 27 BB
At old Yankee Stadium:
4 G, 3 GS, 0-2, 8.82, 16.1 IP, 26 H, 16 ER, 13 K, 10 BB
At new Yankee Stadium:
2 G, 2 GS, 0-1, 11.57, 7.0 IP, 7 H, 9 ER, 7 K, 6 BB
Assuming my math is good, his numbers then vs the Yankees away from NY:
9 G, 7 GS, 4-1, 2.81, 48 IP, 35 H, 15 ER, 35 K, 11 BB
Useless information. Nearly all of that was from his time with the Royals, a decade ago and more. His last bad outing against them was in 2011 when he was a Brewer.
In 2013 he went 7 and gave up 2. In 2016 he went 7 and gave up 3.
This year he had the game in New York but also a game in Arizona in April. 7+ IP, 1ER.
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Talk Zone / Re: ALCS Rotation
« on: October 11, 2019, 09:40:12 am »Grienke and how he performs against the Yankees may be the key to the series. I don’t know about his numbers all-time against the Yankees, but his numbers in Yankee Stadium all-time are horrendous. Like, lifetime ERA in Yankee Stadium is over 10 or some crazy number like that. There was a big discussion about this on MLB Radio last week when they were pondering Grienke throwing against the Yankees in game 3 and how bad he’s pitched in that stadium. We may end up being fortunate that he is going game one, but that still potentially leaves him throwing Game 5 in Yankee Stadium.
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His last outing in Yankee stadium was the day he was traded. 5IP, 2H, 2ER, 3BB, 7K. That would be getting it done.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 American League Division Series, Game 5...October 10, 2019
« on: October 10, 2019, 09:17:26 pm »This crew will be insufferable in the Htn-NY series, assuming this result holds
I think it's Buck and Smoltz?
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 American League Division Series, Game 5...October 10, 2019
« on: October 10, 2019, 09:09:56 pm »Well, he's not Dave Roberts, that's for sure. Cash has to manage this way. That's the way his team is built, and getting behind early meant he had to pull out all the stops at every stop. It caught up with him.
I was surprised he switched pitchers given Tucker's a rookie.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 American League Division Series, Game 5...October 10, 2019
« on: October 10, 2019, 09:05:44 pm »Hinch: “We want you to stay.”
Cole is going to be the highest paid pitcher ever and it won't be close.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 American League Division Series, Game 5...October 10, 2019
« on: October 10, 2019, 09:04:07 pm »I thought the same thing. He's got one left, but not a good one.
Which relates back to the managerial discussion in the TZ. Is anyone better than Hinch?
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 American League Division Series, Game 5...October 10, 2019
« on: October 10, 2019, 08:59:48 pm »
Tucker K'd but Hinch going lefty forced Cash to burn his lefty early . Brantley made him pay.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 American League Division Series, Game 5...October 10, 2019
« on: October 10, 2019, 08:33:59 pm »I wonder if pinch hitting for Machete means Cole is done?
Gotta be the case.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 American League Division Series, Game 5...October 10, 2019
« on: October 10, 2019, 08:07:29 pm »63
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 American League Division Series, Game 5...October 10, 2019
« on: October 10, 2019, 06:31:53 pm »
Seems like the plan is to be a base runner not a slugger.
64
As I understand it Kershaw was pretty excellent in the second half. I thought leaving him in to face Soto made sense.
And Jansen really didn't have a very good year, but it is nuts that Kelly stayed in so long.
All these scandalous IBBs make Hinch's policy on them--as someone noted earlier--look especially smart.
It was the 8th inning. He didn't need Kershaw to be the setup man or extended closer. He should have brought Kelly or Maeda in to start the 8th. 2 of the 3 first batters were right handed. If they pitch the way they're capable you go to the 9th with the lead. If he doesn't get Rendon, you bring in the LOOGY Kolarek to face Soto. Afterward you bring in Kelly or Maeda whoever didn't start the inning. At that point you've got the bottom half of their order. If you don't think Jansen can handle that he has no reason to be on the roster.
65
Talk Zone / Re: Postseason schedule / info compilation
« on: October 10, 2019, 09:27:51 am »I got my info off Google this morning. I guess it was out of date.
That the Yankees weren't in prime time should have been your clue.
67
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 American League Division Series, Game 3...Octobrr 7, 2019
« on: October 07, 2019, 08:33:21 pm »
What are the most runs the Astros have scored in a game in Tampa the last 3 years?
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: 2019 American League Division Series, Game 3...Octobrr 7, 2019
« on: October 07, 2019, 01:25:37 pm »Greinke has awoken the Rays' bats.
Batting practice pitches will do that for you.
69
Talk Zone / Re: Choose Wisely
« on: October 01, 2019, 03:15:28 pm »They're going to back the money truck up to Joe Maddon's driveway too.
But that money isn't attached to the luxury tax, right?
70
Talk Zone / Re: Choose Wisely
« on: October 01, 2019, 03:14:57 pm »That would break my heart.
If that happened, next year over just Pujols, Upton, Trout, and Cole their payroll would be nearly $120mil.
Simmons, Cozart, and Calhoun are about another $38mil. And they'd still have to pay another 18 players.
If the Astros sign Cole for similar numbers they might be in the same boat though.
71
Talk Zone / Re: Choose Wisely
« on: October 01, 2019, 02:38:31 pm »I expect them to offer more and I would consider it insane for him to turn it down. I mean, a hundred million dollars or whatever the difference works out to be? That is a tremendous amount of money.
No doubt. I was thinking as much as anything about the insanity of offering such a deal. They need multiple pitchers. Not just one. That contract would put them on the hook for so much money over just 4 players I can't imagine how they'd put together much more a team.
72
Talk Zone / Re: Choose Wisely
« on: October 01, 2019, 02:27:43 pm »The Astros are going to offer Cole a shorter term deal, something like 3 years at $100MM. They're pretty sure he's going to take a longer deal, though, but they will make a not unreasonable offer.
I don't think it's much of stretch to believe the Angels will offer 6 years and $200 mil.
73
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ Angels - 9/29/19
« on: September 29, 2019, 01:58:45 pm »Surprised to see so many starters here. Wonder if lots of them will be taking a seat after the first couple ABs.
Cole going for 20 probably matters here.
74
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ Mariners, September 25, 2019
« on: September 26, 2019, 02:38:16 pm »It was a curve. Up and away? Nola had swung and missed two curves already. It was inside.
Chirinos set up outside and held his glove up to the top of the zone. The video shows that clearly.
75
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ Mariners, September 25, 2019
« on: September 26, 2019, 02:18:25 pm »Soft contact, well located.
He actually missed his spot. Chirinos wanted it up and away. I guess hoping for a pop-up or no swing and called strike? https://www.mlb.com/gameday/astros-vs-mariners/2019/09/25/566448#game_state=final,lock_state=final,game_tab=videos,game=566448
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Talk Zone / Re: Race to the bottom
« on: September 25, 2019, 04:03:50 pm »I don't know that the realize how in-depth Luhnow & Company's plan is. Those that left (Mike Fast) will have an idea, but it seems to me they think it is an easy fix. I don't think there was anything easy about the Astros' rebuild.
Right. Trade your veterans for minor leaguers. Tank and get a few high first round picks. Wait a couple of years then World Series.
The biggest part of what Luhnow and team did was a complete rework of scouting and development. They researched, came to conclusions, then told the scouts and development people what to look for and what to go after. Teams that don't invest heavily in that will fail.
77
Beer and Queso / Re: Texans 2019
« on: September 23, 2019, 11:50:25 am »The Browns, down by a TD, picked the Rams with 2+ minutes remaining and 3 timeouts. They moved down the field and had 1st and goal with all timeouts remaining. They too their 1st timeout on 4th and goal.
Of for BOB to have such calmness in the face of the clock.
They ran a draw play on 4th and 9 earlier in the fourth quarter AFTER they failed to challenge a very obvious defensive pass interference that wasn't called. The Browns head coach had BOB hold his beer last night.
78
Talk Zone / Re: The Mets
« on: September 20, 2019, 10:18:52 am »80
Talk Zone / Re: Imelda
« on: September 18, 2019, 01:24:36 pm »I got it. No surprise there.
Well considering you were there to hear first hand accounts of Magellan discovering the Philippines I'm not surprised you got it.
81
Talk Zone / Re: Imelda
« on: September 18, 2019, 10:48:59 am »Hmm. I thought this was going to be about shoes.
I wonder how many here are too young to get that reference?
82
Talk Zone / Re: Aches and Pains (2019)
« on: September 10, 2019, 10:40:45 pm »
Yelich broke his right kneecap tonight.
83
Game Zone 2019 / Re: A’s @ Astros, September 10, 2019
« on: September 10, 2019, 07:35:19 pm »Maybe they shouldn't shift against these guys. Or at least not with Miley on the bump.
Wasn't a problem for most of the season.
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Talk Zone / Re: Aches and Pains (2019)
« on: September 10, 2019, 09:46:04 am »I'm starting to get cautiously optimistic about seeing LMJ pitch this year.
He tweeted a video of it. He was throwing about 50% effort from that slight downhill angle. It looks like he's on step 1 of phase 2.
85
Beer and Queso / Re: Texans 2019
« on: September 09, 2019, 11:17:12 pm »You're making a lot of assumptions, Cletus.
Not really Homer. Brees picks up another 15 yards with the extra 15 seconds and their kicker doesn’t miss from 40.
86
Beer and Queso / Re: Texans 2019
« on: September 09, 2019, 09:29:01 pm »That's a penalty every time, dickhead.
Stupid fuck. 15 seconds at the end of the first half is 3 points for the Saints. That's enough to have put it out of reach at the end.
87
Beer and Queso / Re: Texans 2019
« on: September 09, 2019, 09:25:13 pm »That throw was unbelievable.
And so was that penalty.
The NFL is just about unwatchable because of shit like that.
Refs tried to give the Texans the game. Texans don't like that.
88
Beer and Queso / Re: Texans 2019
« on: September 09, 2019, 09:11:25 pm »OL, secondary and coaching are all terrible. What year is this again?
Every year, I guess.
Gotta give the new guys a chance to get to know the team. They ought to be good to go by week 8.
89
Beer and Queso / Re: Texans 2019
« on: September 09, 2019, 09:03:22 pm »Nice block, Tunsil
He also held and hands to the face but wasn't flagged so there's that.
90
Beer and Queso / Re: Texans 2019
« on: September 09, 2019, 08:24:17 pm »
Texans haven't needed the help but the refs gave them 15 seconds at the end of the half. Cost the Saints a chance to get closer for the field goal attempt.
92
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: GCL 2019
« on: September 06, 2019, 03:30:07 pm »
Just looking through a few things and noticed catcher Jose Alvarez. He caught 11 of 17 would be base stealers this season. His catching teammates were not even close to this rate. In his first two years he nabbed half of would be thieves. Offensively he seems willing to take a walk, and he also doesn't have a history of high strikeouts. He's 19. Maybe a guy to keep an eye on going forward.
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Talk Zone / Re: Mariners 9/5
« on: September 06, 2019, 12:09:54 pm »This. Though thank God for the expanded rosters. By my count, Cionel, Harris and Devo weren't used last night, and if there's still room on the expanded roster, it wouldn't surprise me to see someone like Armenteros called up (depending on whether he's needed for RR's playoff roster).
Right now he's scheduled to be their starter tonight.
95
Talk Zone / Re: Aches and Pains (2019)
« on: September 03, 2019, 04:47:07 pm »With a neurosurgeon, simple disc surgery is easy.
Amen.
96
Talk Zone / Re: Aches and Pains (2019)
« on: September 03, 2019, 04:02:54 pm »Lumbar discectomy, I assume. Several MLB position players have had the proceedure with varying results upon return, but I can't think of one as young as Correa, Neil Walker was 30, that's as close as I get.
Correa has a ruptured disk?
97
Talk Zone / Re: Reymin Guduan
« on: September 03, 2019, 03:02:31 pm »Frees up a 40-man spot. Could Cristian Javier take that spot? He'll need to be on the 40-man before the Rule 5 draft regardless.
After the season 8 players are scheduled to be free agents so room will be made anyway before December. With the other sorts of roster churning like trades and other DFA's there will be room for those worthy of being added.
98
Talk Zone / Re: RR v. SA game 4
« on: August 30, 2019, 09:04:49 am »Saw him last outing and he was 95 often. Another grouping at 92/93. Maybe a 4-Seamer and a 2-seamer?
This is good. 95 often is not where he was when he was drafted out of Notre Dame two years ago. He was sometimes touching 95 at that time. His knocks were no real out pitch and too many walks. It looks like he's walking about 2 batters a game, but as he's striking out a batter an inning perhaps he's developed a real out pitch.
99
Talk Zone / Re: RR v. SA game 4
« on: August 29, 2019, 09:08:11 pm »Bielak survived through 6
4-0. Perez not throwing now. James is.
How hard was Bielak throwing?
100
Talk Zone / Re: RR v. SA game 4
« on: August 29, 2019, 09:07:21 pm »Cionel Perez sighting. He has been hurt. James starting to move around a little. Not throwing yet.
Super Jack against a new pitcher.
Perez has been pitching in A ball on rehab assignment.
101
Beer and Queso / Re: Roger Angell on "Most Important" Vote of His Lifetime
« on: August 29, 2019, 04:30:02 pm »It blows my mind that you are treating Fox News as if it were a journalistic enterprise of some sort.
I didn't bring up Fox news. I was originally thinking more about print media than tv even though it was tv that spurred the conversation I was referring to.
102
Beer and Queso / Re: Roger Angell on "Most Important" Vote of His Lifetime
« on: August 29, 2019, 04:09:32 pm »It hasn’t hurt FOX’s impact.
What's the most recent polling say about faith in mass media?
That's where they've hurt themselves.
103
Beer and Queso / Re: Roger Angell on "Most Important" Vote of His Lifetime
« on: August 29, 2019, 01:34:26 pm »True. And it undermines the news to put out something like that too quickly so as to give Trump the ability to declare it fake news, so that if and when it gets proved out, it has far less impact or reach. You come at the Trump...
To me this is the most important thing out there. What might be the most brilliant decision the Founders made was guaranteeing a free press. Complete independence from government is beyond vital. When they do their job right they are THE most important check on government. We the people need them and rely on them to be accurate AND complete. When they are the service they provide is immeasurable. When they let other things, like allowing themselves to be in bed with one of the parties, get in the way of the fullness of their job they compromise themselves and end up fucking over their own impact.
104
Talk Zone / Re: Aches and Pains (2019)
« on: August 28, 2019, 04:39:10 pm »If Sanchez is healthy, maybe him
Whenever he comes back from his own injury.
105
Talk Zone / Re: Aches and Pains (2019)
« on: August 28, 2019, 04:26:36 pm »A guy talking about “sharp pain” in his shoulder isn’t someone you’re going to see in the next two months.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Waiting for the MRI and x-ray results right now according to McTag tweet.
106
Talk Zone / Re: Aches and Pains (2019)
« on: August 28, 2019, 04:23:50 pm »Fuck. He is done.
ETA: who takes his innings?
McHugh? Maybe some from Devo. Sneed can go multiple innings.
107
Talk Zone / Re: Aches and Pains (2019)
« on: August 28, 2019, 04:17:49 pm »Sneed was called up.
Can we call him the YoYo?
108
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Fayetteville 2019
« on: August 28, 2019, 03:40:20 pm »Well, here ya go: per Kaplan tweet "Astros minor leaguers assigned to the Arizona Fall League: Forrest Whitley, Jeremy Pena, JJ Matijevic, Colton Shaver, Jojanse Torres, Carlos Sanabria."
Thoughts in short:
Whitley is going in order to throw more innings this generally wasted year.
Pena was previously discussed.
Matijevic also lost a lot of time this season.
Shaver I can only guess is going in order to continue working at catching.
Torres has a big arm. He's old for high-A. The AFL will be a test of his overall stuff.
Sanabria has been one of the closers for CC. No doubt he's going to test him for the leap forward.
If Ivey is going then again another guy that needs innings.
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The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Fayetteville 2019
« on: August 27, 2019, 10:54:03 pm »What do we need to know about him?
High end defender at shortstop and strong arm. Coming out of college his bat was a big question. If he has figured out hitting he could fast track. Keep an eye on what level he starts at next year and how quickly he gets promoted, if he does.
If he's assigned to the AFL this fall then the Astros have a good feeling about his future.
110
Game Zone 2019 / Re: TB v. Astros, August 27, 2019
« on: August 27, 2019, 09:29:51 pm »
Stop scoring. Remember Baltimore.
111
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Fayetteville 2019
« on: August 27, 2019, 09:11:36 pm »
It's time to put Jeremy Pena on your radar. There's a real possibility he's turning the corner offensively.
112
Game Zone 2019 / Re: TB v. Astros, August 27, 2019
« on: August 27, 2019, 08:59:30 pm »He better start stealing bases if he wants a 30-30 season.
Oof.
113
Talk Zone / Re: Cristian Javier
« on: August 26, 2019, 12:03:36 pm »Good control last night with all his stuff. I could not see the numbers but am reporting the answer to my question.
I probably should have added and he has to hit the corners and his spots.... like all mlb pitchers must.
114
Talk Zone / Re: Cristian Javier
« on: August 26, 2019, 11:54:16 am »Mike texted “consistently 95.”
Consistently would be higher that expected. Consistently 95 is not an average fastball. I was under the impression he was more consistently 91-92 and sometimes hitting 95. If he's found or developed something this year then his stock should be seen higher than what those rankings websites report. His off-speed stuff is good enough that playing off 95 regularly would mean to me he could lock up a starting job in the not too distant future. That assumes he throws enough strikes.
115
Talk Zone / Re: Cristian Javier
« on: August 26, 2019, 10:47:22 am »He pitched really well last night (6IP, 2H, 0R, 2BB, 8K), then James and McCurry torpedoed his win.
What do you Bus Riders say about him?
The Astros have had him slowly but surely climb the ladder until this year. He started the year at high-A Fayetteville. His stuff has never been considered more than just pretty good. Any non-internet reports I've ever seen doubted a bit whether he'd develop into a mlb starting pitcher. That info is old though. How hard was he throwing his fastball?
116
Talk Zone / Re: white uniforms
« on: August 24, 2019, 01:29:43 pm »At least it is before labor day. ...... but that is the only good thing about those.
Let me get this straight - Players weekend is to help player's personalities shine so let's make the players totally indistinguishable from each other by putting them in all white or black.
Also who got to decide on hat colors. Saw highlights today and the Cubs were wearing blue hats.
Colored hats so as to not camouflage the baseball.
119
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 8/23 Angels @ AstrosOHGODMYEYES!
« on: August 23, 2019, 08:25:30 pm »Is Yuli's bat painted like a corn cob?
Pineapp!e
120
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 8/23 Angels @ AstrosOHGODMYEYES!
« on: August 23, 2019, 08:25:10 pm »I will happily do my own nicknames going forward, but be warned, it might be a touch offensive.
Cannot be worse than referencing Pam Gardner.
121
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 8/23 Angels @ AstrosOHGODMYEYES!
« on: August 23, 2019, 08:15:50 pm »This players weekend seems like something Pam Gardner would have cooked up.
I think I've just been triggered.
122
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 8/23 Angels @ AstrosOHGODMYEYES!
« on: August 23, 2019, 08:08:15 pm »Springer's uniform/bat combo is next level.
McTag tweeted the bat looks like a light saber.
123
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Corpus Christi 2019
« on: August 23, 2019, 12:43:14 pm »Is that one of the changes made?
Not one that I'd heard, but I think it would help him repeat new mechanics in the short term.
124
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Corpus Christi 2019
« on: August 23, 2019, 11:53:20 am »Haven’t they completely changed his delivery? If so, I can see repeating being difficult, at least at first. Too much thinking going on.
I do not know about maturity but I heard criticism of his mental toughness.
As the video shows he's working from the stretch with no one on base.
125
Talk Zone / Re: Aches and Pains (2019)
« on: August 22, 2019, 07:41:01 pm »This perplexes me. I am no doctor, but I have had herniated discs (L3-L5). Incredibly painful. Sciatic nerve pain. I could not function normally with the pain. They show up on CAT scans or an MRI, and I have had two surgeries, which were easy, immediate fixes. The rehab in 2015 was nothing, and I was almost 70.
WTF is wrong with Carlos and his back? Was this nothing more than stiffness and soreness after a long flight and a panicked rush to the IL?
I read somewhere his MRI came back negative. So yes just stiffness.
Maybe he's a master baiter too.
126
Talk Zone / Re: Aches and Pains (2019)
« on: August 22, 2019, 03:30:09 pm »Unless he hits and creates a nice problem.
If that happens then Straw goes down. That's only if Diaz returns before September.
127
Talk Zone / Re: Tucker In August
« on: August 22, 2019, 01:07:50 pm »It's Mark all right.
Turns out we're master baiters.
Wait. What?
128
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Round Rock 2019
« on: August 22, 2019, 12:32:17 pm »Nope. Super Jack down.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Except that's not the 40-man move.
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Talk Zone / Re: Aches and Pains (2019)
« on: August 22, 2019, 12:30:36 pm »Luhnow said directly that last night spurred them to make a move for more offense.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Hilarious considering his best hitters did nothing. One hit last night between Springer and Chirinos at-bats and the Astros likely win.
130
Talk Zone / Re: Tucker In August
« on: August 22, 2019, 11:55:51 am »There's one way to find out:
Kevin Eshenfelder
Taking strike 3
Bud Selig
Jim Edmonds diving catch
Carlos Zambrano
Tony LaRussa
Pujols
Cubs fans
Cubs fans
Cubs fans
If that doesn't work add 2/3 of major league umpires to the bait.
131
Talk Zone / Re: Tucker In August
« on: August 22, 2019, 11:41:19 am »calm and rational
You're sure that was Mark posting here?
132
Talk Zone / Re: Aches and Pains (2019)
« on: August 22, 2019, 10:53:31 am »
It's worth noting, I think, that Toro is a switch hitter.
133
Talk Zone / Re: Aches and Pains (2019)
« on: August 22, 2019, 10:43:27 am »Kaplan: "It’s worth noting that Toro would’ve been Rule 5 eligible this winter, so the Astros would’ve added him to their 40-man roster in November, if not during this season."
The noteworthy part is that they're doing it now. Doing it in November is SOP as free agents open space and trades can be made. After he acquitted himself well in the AFL last fall he was on the trajectory to be added this winter anyway.
134
Talk Zone / Re: Aches and Pains (2019)
« on: August 22, 2019, 10:31:12 am »If I say "Correa to the 60 day" enough I know it won't be true.
I too am concerned for Correa's health now and in the future.
135
Talk Zone / Re: Aches and Pains (2019)
« on: August 22, 2019, 10:30:08 am »Sure, but at what defensive position?
Gotta be at 3b with Bregman at short.
136
Talk Zone / Re: Aches and Pains (2019)
« on: August 22, 2019, 10:11:08 am »Who did? He has not been in RR that long, but he is hitting .424. He plays 3B, not SS. Does this mean Bregman is going to SS? Is Correa not coming back any time soon? Is Mayfield out? He plays a solid SS but has not hit.
Strange decision.
I can only imagine this is about offensive expectations.
137
Talk Zone / Re: Aches and Pains (2019)
« on: August 22, 2019, 09:56:40 am »I count 41 people on the Astros current 40-man (which does not include McCullers). Is someone else on the 60 day IL that's not reflected on the linked roster? Of course, counting has never been my strong suit.
I think Guduan's suspension temporarily removes him from the 40-man.
138
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Round Rock 2019
« on: August 22, 2019, 09:54:33 am »anyone know what position(s) Toro has been playing? Does he approach the versatility of Rojas?
He's played both 3b and 2b. More 3b than 2b though.
139
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Round Rock 2019
« on: August 22, 2019, 09:52:43 am »Toro called up, according to Kaplan. No corresponding 25 or 40 man move yet.
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Wow. Look up the phrase "meteoric rise" and Toro's face should be there.
140
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Tri-City 2019
« on: August 22, 2019, 09:01:15 am »
Nathan Perry homers and get the MVP in last night's All-Star game.
141
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Tigers at Astros- August 21, 2019
« on: August 21, 2019, 10:34:47 pm »He was one of them, but the loss was not his fault. No one in the middle of the order hit, and the stars did not play like stars. My comment about Yordan was general, and I have felt this way for a couple of weeks or more.
Yeah, I was picking up the notion that you might not be bashful.
142
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Tigers at Astros- August 21, 2019
« on: August 21, 2019, 10:21:17 pm »I am fucking tired of hearing about Yordan’s records. He needs to be consistent and to punish mistakes.
He was the least of the problems tonight.
143
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Tigers at Astros- August 21, 2019
« on: August 21, 2019, 09:35:29 pm »
2-5 hitters 0 for 14 = loss.
144
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Tigers at Astros- August 21, 2019
« on: August 21, 2019, 09:21:52 pm »
2 - 5 hitless.
145
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Tigers at Astros- August 21, 2019
« on: August 21, 2019, 08:46:05 pm »Brantley is on the bench
Correa is on the IL
After Yuli: Chirinos, Marisnick, Mayfield, Straw
Wasting JV
Chirinos is 2-2. Someone needs to wake up A!tuve, Bregman, Alvarez, and Gurriel.
146
Talk Zone / Re: Aches and Pains (2019)
« on: August 21, 2019, 02:42:33 pm »I’m a little disappointed. I was hoping that the Astros would bring Tucker up, stick him at first, put Yuli at third, and put Bregs at ss. (And maybe play a little Tucker in RF as well.) Straw isn’t a shortstop. And the combination of Straw and Altuve is terrible for double plays.
All of this really leads me to question what the Astros think about Tucker. He’s an untouchable prospect. But they won’t bring him up when he is needed.
I wonder if Straw will actually take on the Diaz role rather than Mayfield.
148
Talk Zone / Re: Aches and Pains (2019)
« on: August 21, 2019, 10:16:07 am »So who gets the call with two new members of the IL? Bring up one of the AAAA starters (Framber, Urquidy, etc), or punch Sneed's ticket again for Sanchez, and Straw or maybe Tucker for Correa?
Urquidy started for RR last night so the starters timing fits him. Framber went the day before so he'd be well rested too. I'm expecting Straw for Correa.
149
Talk Zone / Re: Aches and Pains (2019)
« on: August 20, 2019, 11:06:44 pm »Yep, heard that. Hinch took him out because he was hurting. Makes sense now.
WTF. He says he’s been dealing with it for 6-7 starts. So, pre-trade.
150
Talk Zone / Re: Aches and Pains (2019)
« on: August 20, 2019, 10:31:39 pm »
Correa and Sanchez both to the IL. Sanchez with a pec issue hence the reduced velocity tonight.
151
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Tigers at Astros- August 20, 2019
« on: August 20, 2019, 09:15:27 pm »Alright, I gotta hit the sack. Don't fuck this one up.
No worries. You'll be waking up when the 9th starts.
152
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Tigers at Astros- August 20, 2019
« on: August 20, 2019, 09:02:09 pm »The one about him missing hittable pitches. That was a 3-1 fastball, a mediocre one, right down the center of the plate, and he was late getting to it. He should have been right on it.
Not watching but wondering if he was looking curveball.
153
Talk Zone / Re: Aches and Pains (2019)
« on: August 20, 2019, 07:07:17 pm »I have had two back surgeries for herniated discs. Instant cure, and easy rehab. Maybe this offseason he will fix this.
I too have had a discectomy. Modern medicine is a wonderful thing. But if his problem is that, as he gets older, his back musculature can't handle the stress of everyday play...
154
Talk Zone / Re: Aches and Pains (2019)
« on: August 20, 2019, 04:42:50 pm »Correa out of the lineup today and unavailable for comment.
That latter part disturbs me.
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Hinch isn't making me feel better about it.
155
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Tigers at Astros 08/19/2019
« on: August 19, 2019, 08:34:16 pm »Correa afflicted with the dreaded back “discomfort”
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I guess we'll see him next spring.
156
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
« on: August 19, 2019, 02:12:06 pm »Correa is hitting .259/.405/.603 this month. I’ll take that as “cold”.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
I call 2 for his last 23 ice cold.
157
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ A’s, August 18, 2019
« on: August 19, 2019, 01:52:23 pm »I have been playing around with lineups. Catcher and Reddick/Marisnick at the bottom are set. What do y’all think about this:
Springer
Altuve
Yordan
Bregman
Brantley
Correa
Gurriel
Chirinos/Maldonado
Reddick/Marisnick
For me, Yordan is too high. The league's pitchers have adjusted. Until he adjusts back I'd have him at 6 with Gurriel at 5. Bregman and Brantley are red hot. I'd leave them at 3 and 4. Correa is so cold I'd put him at 7.
158
Talk Zone / Re: Lunch today
« on: August 19, 2019, 12:37:23 pm »What's the story?
The creator stayed at, I think the Waldorf in New York, (wherever it was it was a high end hotel) and was struck by the service they provided. He also thought it was great that whenever he said thank you, they always replied "my pleasure." He thought there was no reason why his stores couldn't do the same.
159
Talk Zone / Re: Lunch today
« on: August 19, 2019, 10:59:13 am »CFA does an outstanding job of training customer service. I have tasted better food in other fast food places but I have never had better service than I have had in CFAs. The service impacts how people feel about the food.
Their customer service history story is interesting.
160
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Corpus Christi 2019
« on: August 19, 2019, 10:52:31 am »Have they ruined this guy?
He's probably too young to conclude that, but this appears to be his second lost season in a row.
161
Talk Zone / Re: Aches and Pains (2019)
« on: August 17, 2019, 09:30:54 am »Has anybody heard anything about James recently?
I believe he's headed to Florida to start ramping up his recovery. Still expected back in September.
Peacock should be ready soon.
162
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Intentional Walk Stat
« on: August 16, 2019, 11:06:41 pm »driveling
Slurring your speech on the bus is a no no.
163
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ Athletics, August 15, 2019
« on: August 15, 2019, 10:45:40 pm »
So remember Greinke's first game and Bregman was charged with an error that was changed to a hit? Well the scorer has changed it back to an error tonight.
164
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ Athletics, August 15, 2019
« on: August 15, 2019, 10:05:47 pm »No kidding.
I thought that was a pop up off the bat.
The ball is not juiced.
165
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ Orioles, August 11, 2019
« on: August 11, 2019, 02:18:47 pm »Sir, the internet is no place for rational, well reasoned thoughts.
Or at least the GZ.
166
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 8/9 Astros @ Orioles
« on: August 10, 2019, 09:28:16 am »Feels like it’s time for a Jake/Reddick platoon.
I've been wondering whether one of them will be dealt this winter. Both are free agents after 2020.
167
Game Zone 2019 / Re: 8/9 Astros @ Orioles
« on: August 09, 2019, 10:20:29 pm »
I have wondered what the brain trust sees in Tucker that eyes here do not. Then they parlay Fisher into 3 players and I have to think their wheels are spinning with so much more info than we can imagine. I am left with the thought that i should just accept there is a plan with a high likelihood of success, whatever the plan is.
168
Talk Zone / Re: Playoff Experience
« on: August 09, 2019, 11:28:19 am »Indians bats were cold and there was some review incident in game 2 I cant remember the details. Changed the trajectory of the series.
Also Kluber was hurt pitching game 5.
169
Talk Zone / Re: Off day question
« on: August 09, 2019, 10:30:43 am »Whatever all of that means. I did not bring my slide rule.
Apropos of nothing, last month my father (76 years old) introduced my son (18) to the slide rule he used in high school in the late 50's. My son was in awe.
170
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Round Rock 2019
« on: August 08, 2019, 01:39:26 pm »Welp, 7 of the 10 games were in RR.....but 4 of the 5 home runs were in Iowa or El Paso
2 in El Paso last night. Iowa is more a pitchers park than a hitters park.
Take out last night's 3-4 and over the previous 9 games he's hitting .278 with 3 HR and 11 RBI.
171
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Round Rock 2019
« on: August 08, 2019, 01:37:02 pm »I have been told to discount anything they do on western road trips.
It's like Coors without the humidor.
Urquidy was beaten up but El Paso pitchers gave up 20 runs to the Express.
172
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Whitley
« on: August 08, 2019, 01:31:00 pm »Yes, but he did not, and Luhnow was expecting him in Houston this season.
Right. Rushed.
173
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Whitley
« on: August 08, 2019, 12:18:30 pm »Could be but don’t know. My friend on the scene says he was not ready for AAA.
Going back and looking at the context a bit. Had he gone to FSU instead of signing with Houston Whitley would have been drafted this summer. He would likely be in short-season A-ball or low-A ball right now.
174
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Rockheads @ Astros - Place data here
« on: August 06, 2019, 09:43:22 pm »I beg to differ.
Argue with the score keeper.
176
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Mariners @ Astros, August 3, 2019
« on: August 04, 2019, 09:09:39 am »Always two there are... a master, and an apprentice
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Dude! Read the TZ. They're not the new Yankees.
177
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Mariners @ Astros, August 3, 2019
« on: August 03, 2019, 07:52:12 pm »I still can't believe what we got for Derrick Fisher.
Who misplayed a ball today and had it hit him in the face.
178
Talk Zone / Re: Ex-Astros News 2019
« on: August 02, 2019, 01:43:37 pm »Lucroy DFA to make room for Stassi.
Did Marisnick break him?
179
Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Trade Deadline Talk
« on: August 02, 2019, 10:26:56 am »I am still incredulous that the Astros got Sanchez (and two others) for Fisher.
This.
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The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Top Prospect Lists 2018-2019
« on: August 02, 2019, 10:22:44 am »I’m surprised that Pena hasn’t moved up. I’ve never seen him play, but if he really can field SS, then he seems appealing.
He is an excellent defender. The bat is still questioned. He puts up similar numbers next season and pudnits will take notice.
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Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Trade Deadline Talk
« on: August 01, 2019, 09:49:12 pm »
Urquidy, Abreu, and Straw optioned.
184
Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Trade Deadline Talk
« on: August 01, 2019, 12:50:02 pm »I think it's pretty likely given the lack of available other options. Starting on Sunday the rotation will be Verlander, Greinke, Cole, Miley, 5th.
Convenient that the off days bracketing the short Colorado series allow them to reset the rotation.
185
Game Zone 2019 / Re: New & Improved Astros v. Cleveland 7/31
« on: August 01, 2019, 12:48:49 pm »I would guess Devo goes down because he has options, Straw goes down to make 13 pitchers until Sept. 1.
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All of that is dependent on when James or Peacock or Pressley return.
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The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Round Rock 2019
« on: August 01, 2019, 12:45:42 pm »
Toro gets moved to Round Rock. Effectively replacing Rojas.
187
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Whitley
« on: August 01, 2019, 12:44:52 pm »Whitley moved up to Corpus
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Expected because of his previous performance. I'd guess he finishes the season there.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: New & Improved Astros v. Cleveland 7/31
« on: August 01, 2019, 11:33:47 am »For now, but the assumed returns of James and Peacock loom for Devo and McHugh.
If they go with 13 pitchers then Straw will be sent down.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: New & Improved Astros v. Cleveland 7/31
« on: August 01, 2019, 11:02:36 am »One of the current pitchers is going, seems like the options are Devo or McHugh
Abreu, Sneed, and Urquidy first, right?
191
Game Zone 2019 / Re: New & Improved Astros v. Cleveland 7/31
« on: August 01, 2019, 10:44:32 am »One of the current pitchers is going, seems like the options are Devo or McHugh
So they're definitely going with 12 pitchers?
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Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Trade Deadline Talk
« on: August 01, 2019, 09:37:56 am »To be fair to Luhnow, Martin wasn't injured at the time and the Astros were probably hoping that Martin would be a big addition to the Astros rotation this season.
He may also have a less flattering view of Ray than others do.
193
Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Trade Deadline Talk
« on: August 01, 2019, 09:33:44 am »This Twitter thread full of Greinke stories is well worth the read:
https://twitter.com/pigeonize/status/1156725659919691777?s=21
If I didn't know better I'd guess he's on the spectrum.
194
Game Zone 2019 / Re: New & Improved Astros v. Cleveland 7/31
« on: July 31, 2019, 09:29:05 pm »
Not the way Urquidy wanted his last major league start for a while to go.
195
Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Trade Deadline Talk
« on: July 31, 2019, 09:03:52 pm »
Greinke’s first game should be August 6 against Colorado at home.
196
Game Zone 2019 / Re: New & Improved Astros v. Cleveland 7/31
« on: July 31, 2019, 09:02:05 pm »
Has Sneed had a bad outing for the Astros yet?
197
Game Zone 2019 / Re: New & Improved Astros v. Cleveland 7/31
« on: July 31, 2019, 07:44:11 pm »Chirinos: slider away
Cut and paste that for every AB from here to eternity.
We call that the Biggio.
198
Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Trade Deadline Talk
« on: July 31, 2019, 04:24:34 pm »And you know this how? Are you a friend of his? Or just internet speculation?
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/gerrit-cole
“I’m looking forward to it,” said Cole. “I know what my right is as a player. Once I get six years of service time, my right is to be able to say yes or no to a place I want to play. So I’m excited to be able to exercise that right.”
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Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Trade Deadline Talk
« on: July 31, 2019, 04:06:24 pm »What a day. I was so deflated, then the Greinke bulletin came.
What is the 25 man roster going to look like? Two more years of Greinke pairing with JV. It is a shame Cole has the urge to leave.
Cole has the urge to see the biggest possible dollar signs he can.
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Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Trade Deadline Talk
« on: July 31, 2019, 04:04:55 pm »
Well. Time to sit back, put your feet up, grab a drink, smoke 'em if you got 'em, and survey the damage.
I feel sorry for Urquidy.
I feel sorry for Urquidy.
201
Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Trade Deadline Talk
« on: July 31, 2019, 03:53:14 pm »Admittedly, I only saw two games, but Beer and Alvarez are not in the same universe with the bat. Beer’s ceiling is about like that third baseman we dealt to the Pirates.
His power is well above Moran. In many other ways they are similar.
202
Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Trade Deadline Talk
« on: July 31, 2019, 03:51:52 pm »Didn't Stassi go to the Angels? I don't remember for who anymore.
Haven't seen the return. Could be a PTBNL
203
Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Trade Deadline Talk
« on: July 31, 2019, 03:48:31 pm »
The Sanchez pickup is interesting. He's got one more year before he can be a free agent. I wonder if this says something about Peacock's status?
204
Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Trade Deadline Talk
« on: July 31, 2019, 03:43:09 pm »This seems like a great trade, IMO as Beer and Bukauskas seem marginal to me, Martin is hurt and Rojas might be good, but not a great need for us at the moment.
Beer is looking like a good hitter. But his overall game is VERY similar to Alvarez. It would be tough to have both on the team at the same time.
I'm not sold on Bukauskas. Martin is the big one if he comes back strong. Rojas was blocked here.
205
Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Trade Deadline Talk
« on: July 31, 2019, 03:33:33 pm »traded Beer, Josh Rojas Corbin Martin, Bukaskas and cash
Absolutely not crippling to the future either.
206
Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Trade Deadline Talk
« on: July 31, 2019, 03:23:43 pm »
Should have known something was up. They pulled Greinke after 5 innings, 2 runs and only 82 pitches with the lead.
207
Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Trade Deadline Talk
« on: July 31, 2019, 03:19:58 pm »
Astros get Aaron Sanchez, Joe Biagnini, and Zach Greinke today. Didn't give up Tucker apparently.
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Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Trade Deadline Talk
« on: July 31, 2019, 03:16:43 pm »Greinke?!??!
https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/1156659122210840576
Confirmed. For 4 prospects.
209
Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Trade Deadline Talk
« on: July 31, 2019, 02:51:57 pm »Well, we know Tucker for a couple of them, but he apparently is The Golden Boy.
And when you find out they wanted both Tucker and Fisher?
210
Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Trade Deadline Talk
« on: July 31, 2019, 02:33:17 pm »Could have said this about JV also. If we do not, I will be completely incredulous.
I'll wait until after hearing what was asked.
211
Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Trade Deadline Talk
« on: July 31, 2019, 01:52:35 pm »According to Heyman the Dbacks asked the Yankees for Clint Frazier plus 3 prospects for Robbie Ray. Who is the Astros equivalent for Frazier?
I'd guess Fisher.
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Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Trade Deadline Talk
« on: July 31, 2019, 11:58:16 am »Rosenthal says Maldonado to Houston:
https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/1156609260190674945
(Luhnow heard you, Navin.)
Passan also reporting it.
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Talk Zone / Re: Our info source
« on: July 31, 2019, 11:33:26 am »Calling it a "done deal."
DBacks and Yankees start at noon. If nothing is announced before then can anyone watch the game to see if Ray is in the dugout?
215
Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Trade Deadline Talk
« on: July 31, 2019, 11:26:43 am »
Looks like other teams are making lower level deals. No reports of big splashes yet.
217
Talk Zone / Re: Our info source
« on: July 31, 2019, 11:21:58 am »I know nothing about Ray except he walks too many. He is under club control?
Lucroy is on the IL. No interest in Maldonado?
Lucroy should be coming off the IL today.
218
Talk Zone / Re: Our info source
« on: July 31, 2019, 11:21:35 am »
I'd like Ray and Andrew Chaffin from Arizona.
219
Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Trade Deadline Talk
« on: July 31, 2019, 10:51:58 am »Jon Morosi saying Astros are in active discussions to add a reliever.
My guess list, a #4, that costs less than a a top 8 prospect, and a reliever.
A reliever doesn't really solve any problems. It's a luxury. Adding a starter to eat innings helps the bullpen more than adding another arm does. UNLESS, James and Pressley are going to be out until September.
220
Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Trade Deadline Talk
« on: July 31, 2019, 10:47:41 am »Realist!
I don't know if I'm the realist you need or deserve, but I'm the one you've got.
221
Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Trade Deadline Talk
« on: July 31, 2019, 10:40:16 am »We need some Astros info!
It would be BS unless it's a confirmed deal.
222
Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Trade Deadline Talk
« on: July 31, 2019, 09:50:41 am »Chandler Rome confirms Abreu getting the call.
I wonder if they'll have him start on Friday?
223
Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Trade Deadline Talk
« on: July 31, 2019, 08:57:25 am »A team mom tweet suggests Bryan Abreu is getting called up:
https://twitter.com/jbristolkhou/status/1156446022559817728
Could be a deal, or perhaps IL for Pressley.
That would be odd. He's struggled a bit at AA, and there are more experienced relievers at AAA.
225
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Whitley
« on: July 30, 2019, 06:34:06 pm »
Starting tonight. So far 3IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 6K.
226
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros at Tribe - July 30, 2019
« on: July 30, 2019, 06:31:50 pm »Tucker in the RR lineup playing RF.
They will not telegraph a single thing. I can't imagine sitting him just in case. They'll only pull him if he gets dealt.
227
Talk Zone / Re: Our info source
« on: July 30, 2019, 03:23:16 pm »Man, I hope not. The roster needs some help.
Personally I think adding a quality starting pitcher is all they need. However I believe the other "best" teams in the league are in need of more help than Houston is.
228
Talk Zone / Re: Our info source
« on: July 30, 2019, 03:14:01 pm »To that point:
@TBrownYahoo
Wide net for Astros also includes Ray, among all the others you've heard. The stunner would be if 'Stros don't end up with one of the top-end available SPs.
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I'm beginning to wonder if there's just a plan A, whatever that is? If they don't get it, they don't get it and move on. Could the plan be to fuck the market up enough that none of the contenders make a significant deal?
229
Talk Zone / Re: Our info source
« on: July 30, 2019, 01:46:07 pm »This echoes a Yahoo report
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Amazing. Rosenthal and others have reported the Astros linked to just about every good starting pitcher. The job Luhnow is doing of putting everyone off is incredible. Certainly all of the other post-season contenders are wondering what the Astros are going to do. If this keeps them occupied at all then fantastic.
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Talk Zone / Re: Our info source
« on: July 30, 2019, 12:17:44 pm »No comment on Minor today. Source said that the Astros don't want to "spend any money." Threw in that after this year "Cole is gone."
Boras had already said Cole will go free agent.
231
Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Trade Deadline Talk
« on: July 30, 2019, 11:31:41 am »https://www.newsday.com/sports/columnists/anthony-rieber/mets-defensive-metrics-1.34340685
I had to stop reading after the first paragraph because every sentence was translating in my mind as "Fuck the steM."
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Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Trade Deadline Talk
« on: July 30, 2019, 11:14:10 am »
So far today, from various places I've heard or read, Syndergaard, Wheeler, Minor, Mancini, Ray, and Boyd. The Astros have scouts everywhere, and I believe Luhnow and company are making calls left and right. That's part of creating the smokescreen. He is the master of it.
233
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Whitley
« on: July 29, 2019, 07:54:49 pm »Suspension plus injuries.
I am wondering if one might have in some way led to the other?
234
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Whitley
« on: July 29, 2019, 01:17:40 pm »Class A. Wow.
I wonder how often a player is suspended for as long as he was last year and then comes back seamlessly?
235
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Whitley
« on: July 29, 2019, 01:16:38 pm »What day was this?
7/24. He should be due start again any day.
236
Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Trade Deadline Talk
« on: July 26, 2019, 06:17:34 pm »They want pitching? So do we.
Thought they wanted a hitter. Can you believe anything the pundits write?”
The only thing I believe at this point is that the Astros scout everywhere.
237
Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Trade Deadline Talk
« on: July 26, 2019, 01:15:14 pm »Pretty funny Jacksonian and I are arguing about Fisher as a pinch runner in the context of a Syndergard deal.
Just another reason to love this place.
238
Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Trade Deadline Talk
« on: July 26, 2019, 12:11:06 pm »You don't think McCann would have scored from second?
/kidding/
More to the point I'm not sure Aledmys Diaz scores on that play.
239
Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Trade Deadline Talk
« on: July 26, 2019, 12:03:12 pm »Not a reason to turn down Syndegard.
Crazy really. There are FOUR CFs on this team now. We won the WS with a utility infielder playing LF. I hope Luhnow is not as timid as you think he is.
I think he's demonstrated a desire to hoard talent.
They did. And in game 5 they needed the last guy on the bench, Fisher, to run home very quickly. If the current rules had been in place in 2017 there would have been no Maybin to play in that game. It would have been Fisher and ? after Marisnick's injury. Hence my thought that Luhnow won't want to give up both Tucker and Fisher this season.
240
Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Trade Deadline Talk
« on: July 26, 2019, 10:46:42 am »Not a reason to not trade for Syndergard. Diaz and Álvarez can play LF. Ferguson is in RR. Rojas plays LF too. Make the trade and worry about “what ifs” when they happen. He does not need to keep one of those two if the Mets will trade and want them
Ferguson and Rojas are not on the 40-man, and they don't have Fisher's speed. Diaz and Alvarez are not fast like him either. If either Marisnick or Straw go down Fisher would get the call especially in the post-season.
241
Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Trade Deadline Talk
« on: July 26, 2019, 09:11:51 am »
Highly doubt the Mets would trade one of their biggest stars to the Yankees, talk about a PR nightmare.
Not sure why the Mets would want Framber. The ask would probably be Tucker, Bukauskas and maybe a guy like Fisher or A ball lottery ticket and throw in Kemp for good measure. Now you're close to a deal, I'd say
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i can't see Luhnow giving up both Tucker and Fisher. He's got to keep one for outfield depth in case of injury. I'd do a Tucker/Bukauskus plus Brandon Bielak for him.
242
Talk Zone / Re: Tyler White traded to the Dodgers
« on: July 25, 2019, 04:01:00 pm »You guys are pretty harsh. He is learning a completely new position in AAA and MLB.
Concur. Outfielders don't spend time working on short side armed throws across their bodies. I thought he did a great job there all things considered.
243
Talk Zone / Re: Tyler White traded to the Dodgers
« on: July 25, 2019, 03:13:31 pm »Pitching is hurting in RR.
They recently reactivated Felipe Paulino.
244
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Fayetteville 2019
« on: July 25, 2019, 03:01:50 pm »
It's been a while since I've seen this name mentioned, but put this name in your back pocket for later reference: Jojanse Torres.
RHP hitting upper 90's with developing off-speed stuff.
RHP hitting upper 90's with developing off-speed stuff.
245
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Round Rock 2019
« on: July 25, 2019, 02:02:25 pm »Rojas is very versatile and can hit.
And now the Kemp move moves Rojas closer to a call-up some day.
246
Talk Zone / Re: Tyler White traded to the Dodgers
« on: July 25, 2019, 12:13:49 pm »Right hander Andre Scrubb coming to Houston.
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AA relief pitcher.
247
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Round Rock 2019
« on: July 25, 2019, 08:57:49 am »I've seen him play a few times, and he always seems to have quality ABs and plays respectable defense. But he and Mayfield have the same problem: where are you going to put them?
Oh, one more thing that some folks may be interested in: Apollo 11 lids are available in the Round Rock team store. Or at least they were last night.
Rojas has really taken a solid step forward this year. The Astros are in an interesting position here with the utility players. Diaz and Kemp are out of options. And they are under club control for several more years. Straw has options through 2021 and club control for longer than that. Rojas isn't rule 5 draft eligible until after the 2020 season. The Astros are in a position (assuming all these players continue to be or prove to be mlb worthy) to move one guy out (via free agency or trade) while having another guy ready to take his place. And there are others lower in the system who are on track to be in this position in a few years as well. Another example of the Astros enviable volume of talent.
248
Game Zone 2019 / Re: July 24 v. As
« on: July 24, 2019, 03:34:44 pm »I hope Pressly is ok and pitches the 8th. Olson looms.
Wish granted.
249
Talk Zone / Re: What I hate to hear
« on: July 22, 2019, 09:13:36 pm »Luhnow today: “The current roster can win it all.”
Tough translation: “We don’t need no fucking trade.”
Got to think/hope he merely is posturing before the deadline.
This time of year the translation should be, "blah blah blah."
251
Talk Zone / Re: Our info source
« on: July 22, 2019, 11:21:08 am »from the astros website
Kevin Goldstein joined the Astros on Aug. 31, 2012, and was named Director of Pro Scouting in January 2014.
In addition to consulting with the General Manager on trades, free agent signings and other baseball transactions, Kevin oversees the Astros pro scouting efforts, which includes comprehensive scouting of both minor league and Major League players across the 30 MLB clubs as well as independent leagues and foreign professional leagues.
Front office to front office type conversations if I had to guess.
252
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Rangers @ Astros July 20, 2019
« on: July 20, 2019, 07:58:33 pm »
Straw is doing a good job of trying to convince Luhnow to deal Kemp at the deadline and keep him on the 25 man roster.
253
Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Trade Deadline Talk
« on: July 20, 2019, 10:16:28 am »
So now barring any injuries which of course can’t be predicted (offering frito pie to the BBG’s), the remaining moves are to get Correa and Diaz back, option Straw, pray for Peacock’s health and add at least one pitcher via trade?
255
Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Trade Deadline Talk
« on: July 17, 2019, 06:15:52 pm »Flew by where? Gray is good or at least he was.
A source but now I found out I'm last on the list getting the info. Apparently there were multiple sites throwing out that idea a day before I got it.
256
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros Without Pitchers at Angels, 7/16/19
« on: July 17, 2019, 06:09:34 pm »Ramirez catches a 3-game suspension, Ausmus gets 1. Didn't expect that.
McTag tweet says 3 games because the pitch was high.
257
Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Trade Deadline Talk
« on: July 17, 2019, 04:39:21 pm »If the Astros are going to get Samardzija, I would want another starting pitcher as well. But Samardzija would partly solve the immediate issue.
Hmm. A new name just flew by. Don't rule out Gray in Colorado.
259
Talk Zone / Re: Rondon starts tonight
« on: July 16, 2019, 08:13:51 pm »We really need another starter. I wish Whitley and Bukauskas were further along.
Sneed is having another excellent outing right now.
260
Talk Zone / Re: Rondon starts tonight
« on: July 16, 2019, 12:46:43 pm »Per AJ on radio just now. Armenteros will follow along with Devenski.
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I suppose Valdez will be sent down for Armenteros.
261
Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Trade Deadline Talk
« on: July 16, 2019, 10:03:42 am »
I'm not saying it's going to happen. I'm going to leave this name here: Jeff Samardzija Astros scouts are everywhere, and his spin rate is right up there with Verlander and Cole.
262
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros vs Angels 07-15-2019
« on: July 15, 2019, 10:36:27 pm »Maldonado has apparently been traded, Astros are one of the teams who had been looking into him. Team yet to be named
Rosenthal tweets Cubs.
264
Talk Zone / Re: Tucker
« on: July 15, 2019, 01:27:18 pm »The Athletic reports that Tucker is taking grounders at 1b to increase his versatility:
https://theathletic.com/1077367/2019/07/15/houston-astros-outfield-prospect-kyle-tucker-working-to-increase-his-versatility/
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He's played there twice lately for a total of 3 innings.
265
Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Trade Deadline Talk
« on: July 15, 2019, 07:58:17 am »So glad they didn't get Bailey. My wish list in order of most wanted. Scherzer, Bumgarner, Bauer, Stroman.
As of right now the Nationals are in the postseason so I don't think they'll be dealing their ace.
266
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ Rangers - 7/12
« on: July 12, 2019, 09:21:16 pm »
Harris not sharp at all.
267
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ Rangers - 7/12
« on: July 12, 2019, 09:12:58 pm »Anyone miss Josh Fields?
He was great for the Astros in the World Series.
270
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ Rangers - 7/12
« on: July 12, 2019, 08:43:44 pm »
Come on Big Gravy!
272
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ Rangers - 7/12
« on: July 12, 2019, 08:00:53 pm »How would you say that in Spanish...would that be just “salsa grande”?
I've seen white gravy. I've not seen white salsa.
What's mayo in Spanish?
274
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ Rangers - 7/12
« on: July 12, 2019, 07:33:30 pm »Cole leaves a fastball on the inner third about thigh and Santana hits the ball about 5 miles to right field. 97 MPH meatball.
Hey Cole, STOP FUCKING SUCKING!
2-2
It's be great if he stops throwing it into the clobbering zone.
276
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ Rangers - 7/12
« on: July 12, 2019, 07:25:59 pm »Jesus Fuck, I've never missed Todd Kalas so much as I do right now. He is AWFUL.
Tim Federovich (sp?) behind the dish for the Rangers tonight. Yuli takes 3 straight balls, meeting on the mound by the entire infield.
Jesse Chavez looks like a douchey Lou Diamond Phillips. Pumps strike one in there.
Yuli deep fly to center, gone! Just barely over the wall in dead center!
2-1 Astros
I hope everyone was tuned in.
277
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ Rangers - 7/12
« on: July 12, 2019, 07:13:21 pm »Springer and Altuve strike out, chasing fucking bullshit slop from a guy throwing 90 MPH.
Brantley grounds out 4-3. Good to see that last night's bullshit approach at the plate is still on the table.
Altuve grounded out 5-3, but otherwise your point stands.
278
Talk Zone / Re: Brett Phillips
« on: July 05, 2019, 09:56:20 am »Philips was raking but Hader even at the time was the more important loss. I expect the bus ride archives would validate my memory.
I too was not happy about losing Hader. But his ceiling was still a question. He developed a lot with the Astros and he's showing now what he could have been. That Gomez deal IMO was the real teacher Luhnow needed to be who he is today.
279
Talk Zone / Re: Brett Phillips
« on: July 04, 2019, 03:16:04 pm »I saw Phillips' name in a Round Rock article the other day and was also surprised that he was no longer in the Milwaukee org. For the record, I was disappointed that we were trading him away, but I was obviously over-valuing him.
He was raking at AA at the time of the trade. Hader was not yet what he is today.
280
Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Trade Deadline Talk
« on: July 03, 2019, 05:49:50 pm »Once Brantley and Reddick are gone (whenever that is), are they envisioning Tucker, Alvarez, and Springer as their OF?
The contracts for Brantley, Reddick, and Springer expire after the 2020 season.
282
Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Trade Deadline Talk
« on: July 03, 2019, 10:59:53 am »Why in the world would they not want to keep Springer and Cole?
I don't know motivations. I'm only commenting on what they've done and haven't done.
283
Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Trade Deadline Talk
« on: July 03, 2019, 10:24:54 am »Maybe Cole will leave, but I am not convinced he will. I hasten to add I thought Morton was a lifer too.
It seems to me that guys they want to keep beyond their current contract have already signed. Verlander, Bregman, Altuve vs Cole, Correa, Springer.
284
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Seattle v. Houston; June 29
« on: June 28, 2019, 09:35:07 pm »How do you not fucking send Straw there!!!!!!
Setting up the double play. Gotta keep the streak intact.
285
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Seattle v. Houston; June 29
« on: June 28, 2019, 09:31:15 pm »
2 wild pitches and we're back in the game.
286
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Seattle v. Houston; June 29
« on: June 28, 2019, 09:27:53 pm »I wonder if Straw can play 1st.
I was just thinking they'd be better off with Straw at short than White in the game.
287
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Seattle v. Houston; June 29
« on: June 28, 2019, 09:11:14 pm »"There is no trace of last year's hometown blues in the 2019 offense." - Knoxbanedoodle, June 15, 2019
The Astros have been outscored 38-7 in five home game since that comment.
Each player is trying their best to be THE guy who drives in 10 with each at bat. They will end the season in third place at best.
288
Talk Zone / Re: Aches and Pains (2019)
« on: June 28, 2019, 03:41:57 pm »Good grief.
At least they don't need more than 3 starting pitchers until after the ASB.
289
Talk Zone / Re: Gurriel
« on: June 26, 2019, 10:31:24 am »I read that he was activated yesterday after being on the temporary inactive list. No other detail or reason given.
That list is often used when players have personal reasons for leaving the team.
290
Talk Zone / Re: This losing streak
« on: June 25, 2019, 06:08:50 pm »Curious, how bad is Alvarez defensibly at 1b? An outfield logjam exists with all hands available, unless Luhnow trades someone in a month
The way Hinch rotates players between their positions and DH and the occasional day off if say there is no logjam. And guys in the minors are depth not part of a logjam.
291
Talk Zone / Re: Aches and Pains (2019)
« on: June 25, 2019, 11:03:56 am »
If then the current updated 25-man roster holds to the ASB what happens after the ASB? The Astros play 14 straight after the ASB. That usually means a 13 man staff. The timing of Correa, Diaz, and Smith's returns will dictate how long White stays on the team. After the 14 straight the Astros have 4 off days over the next 15 days beginning July 25. That many days off usually means a 12 man staff. Depending on those 3 guys' return dates White could be carried to the end of July, if not further.
My guess is that one or more of them will not return until the Astros are 10 or more games (around the home series with the Rangers) through that 14 straight. That would put them in a position for Luhnow to maximize his time to make deals that might include White. I think Smith will be the first back. That will push Straw out leaving Bregman alone to play short. When either Correa or Diaz return then James (considering he has options and the least time in the majors) will be sent down to go with the 12 man staff heading toward all of those off days. The last man's return will then be the force behind White's departure.
IMO the result is that Luhnow and Hinch would have done an amazing job of juggling the lineup through July.
My guess is that one or more of them will not return until the Astros are 10 or more games (around the home series with the Rangers) through that 14 straight. That would put them in a position for Luhnow to maximize his time to make deals that might include White. I think Smith will be the first back. That will push Straw out leaving Bregman alone to play short. When either Correa or Diaz return then James (considering he has options and the least time in the majors) will be sent down to go with the 12 man staff heading toward all of those off days. The last man's return will then be the force behind White's departure.
IMO the result is that Luhnow and Hinch would have done an amazing job of juggling the lineup through July.
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Talk Zone / Re: Aches and Pains (2019)
« on: June 25, 2019, 10:42:33 am »2 for 2. Those are indeed the moves.
Given the coming schedule that was too easy.
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The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: DSL Astros 2019
« on: June 24, 2019, 01:25:27 pm »
Three Astros DSL pitchers combined to throw a no-hitter at the DSL A's. 2 unearned runs were scored though thanks to walks and errors.
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Talk Zone / Re: Aches and Pains (2019)
« on: June 24, 2019, 10:51:46 am »Kaplan says that McHugh returns tomorrow, too.
I'd guess Armenteros goes down as well then.
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Talk Zone / Re: Aches and Pains (2019)
« on: June 24, 2019, 10:40:54 am »
Springer returns tomorrow. The Astros play 6 in a row then get about as many off days as games until the ASB. Good bet Guduan gets sent down tomorrow rather than Straw?
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ Yankees, June 22, 2019
« on: June 22, 2019, 08:16:08 pm »
Springer on rehab tonight and the AA Shitbird pitcher walks him twice so far.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ Yankees, June 22, 2019
« on: June 22, 2019, 07:44:31 pm »
Would not have guessed that would happen.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ Yankees, June 22, 2019
« on: June 22, 2019, 07:39:13 pm »Jake, what the fuck are you doing?!
I'd like him to get back to being a professional defender.
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Talk Zone / Re: Les Expos du Tampa Bay?
« on: June 21, 2019, 10:52:00 am »We've discussed this many times, but for anyone who wants my opinion, and you know who you are...I agree with Ty here. The stadium has to be in Hillsborough County, if they want any shot at all at drawing. Personally, I don't think the bridge is that daunting, but for some, it's like a giant wall at the US/Mexico border. Ain't no one never gettin' across.
Evan Drellich is now with the Athletic. He tweeted yesterday that the Rays believe they can go cheaper and build a roofless stadium in St. Pete if they can go to Montreal for the hottest summer months.
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Talk Zone / Re: Aches and Pains (2019)
« on: June 19, 2019, 10:06:58 am »If you had your money on Perez being sent down collect your winnings.
The Astros don't play more than 6 consecutive games between now and the ASB. Going with 12 pitchers makes some sense.
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Talk Zone / Re: Aches and Pains (2019)
« on: June 18, 2019, 08:49:56 pm »But somebody has to go tomorrow. Who's that going to be?
Someone with options.
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Talk Zone / Re: Aches and Pains (2019)
« on: June 18, 2019, 06:50:45 pm »
You're all crazy. If Alvarez is doing fine when either Correa or Diaz return (whoever is last) then White will go. Or after both Correa and Diaz return and Alvarez is doing poorly then Alvarez goes down.
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Talk Zone / Re: Aches and Pains (2019)
« on: June 18, 2019, 04:19:41 pm »Best news I’ve heard all day. The week will be capped off well if I hear he’s going to the pen (I love pen McHugh) and Framber is staying in the rotation.
https://twitter.com/cchooks/status/1140791996006785027
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Talk Zone / Re: Aches and Pains (2019)
« on: June 18, 2019, 03:10:45 pm »It's all about reps, not outs or score.
There's a highlight of one of his strikeouts last night. Filthy curve ball for strike three. Looked like pre-injury quality to me.
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Talk Zone / Re: Ex-Astros News 2019
« on: June 18, 2019, 09:13:33 am »Went to a Skeeters game earlier this summer and got to see him pitch. He still has some swing and miss in him; wasn't he a fireballer when he came up? Because I think his velocity topped out at 93-94.
Yes he was throwing up to 100 when he was younger.
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The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Round Rock 2019
« on: June 17, 2019, 07:09:39 pm »Anyone know if Altuve will be playing tonight?
DH. Could be his last rehab game.
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Beer and Queso / Re: NCAA Div. I Baseball Tournament
« on: June 17, 2019, 06:21:54 pm »
FYI Michigan is on ESPN 2 right now with Astros 3rd pick Jordan Brewer playing in right. Walked and had a nice back up of the center fielder in the first inning so far.
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The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Seth Beer?
« on: June 17, 2019, 04:00:18 pm »Any idea whether Seth Beer might be called up to RR? Has he lived up to his #1 pick status?
He has .303/.983 OPS, 13 HR w/ 55 RBI in 63 games, 26 BB/59 K.
Highly unlikely. He's actually in a slump right now. I would expect him to be in Corpus for most of the rest of the season.
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Talk Zone / Re: Tucker in June
« on: June 16, 2019, 08:17:41 pm »I only watched him with the big club, so I’m sure those who follow the minors have a more informed view than I.
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I thought it was telling that during the off-season Luhnow locked up 4 outfielders through the 2020 season.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: Jays @ Astros 6/15
« on: June 15, 2019, 06:04:45 pm »This team is so fun to follow and root for. It makes the whole tear down, 100 loss seasons, no tv,, move to the AL worth it.
That having won a World Series.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: Jays @ Astros 6/15
« on: June 15, 2019, 03:43:18 pm »Why does Biggio's retired number have a yellow pinwheel on it?
White hits.
I presume it’s the Sunshine Kids.
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The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Minor league call ups
« on: June 15, 2019, 11:49:59 am »The Astros have called up several players from RR over the last few weeks. Alvarez, Stubbs, Straw, Perez, Armenantos and Mayfield are all playing on the big club. Since AAA teams are limited to 25 man rosters, does the Express draw players from Corpus Christi for replacements, or do the have a reserve group to call on, how does that happen?
They pull from any of the levels depending on the need.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: Blue Jays @ Astros, June 14, 2019
« on: June 14, 2019, 09:11:14 pm »If you listen closely you can hear furious crumpling of paper as teams across the AL rewrite their approach to Alvarez.
Any fastballs on the hands yet?
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The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: 2019 Draft
« on: June 14, 2019, 04:42:46 pm »
2)Kessinger and 4)Barber are signed.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: Brewers @ Astros, June 12, 2019
« on: June 14, 2019, 10:05:25 am »Been going on all year. Not selective at all. Except for homers, not punishing the ball. He jams himself quite frequently as he did last night in the 13th with the winning run at second.
On the ESPN feed from the game they showed him in batting practice prior to the game. He was putting a baseball in front of his left foot. It looks like he thinks he's been striding too far in his swing. The ball was put just far enough out to keep his step short.
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Talk Zone / Re: Astros call up Armenteros
« on: June 13, 2019, 03:19:37 pm »Here's the statement on Fisher/Armenteros:
https://twitter.com/MarkBermanFox26/status/1139257780307660800?s=19
Fischer's performance this go around was definitely encouraging (trade value or otherwise).
The Astros play 10 straight starting tomorrow. Afterward they have several off days over about a week's time leading into the all-star break. I wonder if they'll go back to the 12 man staff for that stretch?
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: Brewers @ Astros, June 11, 2019
« on: June 11, 2019, 08:13:17 pm »Got him on high cheese and again on a breaking ball in the dirt. He looked confused. But it's been two at bats..
After the discussion in the TZ I was curious.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: Brewers @ Astros, June 11, 2019
« on: June 11, 2019, 08:10:21 pm »
How have they pitched Alvarez?
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Talk Zone / Re: Alvarez
« on: June 10, 2019, 04:09:33 pm »No LH hitters back-to-back.
This is even more important than ever with the 3 batters for a pitcher rule.
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Talk Zone / Re: Alvarez
« on: June 10, 2019, 12:14:31 pm »Hard in. He will pull breaking balls to RF. Better fool him.
And once he proves he can handle it? Pray?
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The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / DSL Astros 2019
« on: June 10, 2019, 10:46:18 am »
DSL catcher Jonarkys Lopez is doing his best Captain Caveman impersonation. To start the season he has 2 hits, both triples.
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Talk Zone / Re: Alvarez
« on: June 10, 2019, 10:37:45 am »He’ll have to learn to pull his hands in to turn on the hard inside stuff as Mo Alou did better than anyone. Pitching away will play to his current strength. He drives the ball to LF and LCF.
So if you were pitching to him you would go fastballs on the hands and...? Breaking balls at the ankles? Backdoor breaking balls? Changeups somewhere?
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: Orioles at Astros June 9, 2019
« on: June 09, 2019, 02:49:07 pm »
On the other hand the last guy with similar expectations both offensively and defensively who homered in his first major league game was Jon Singleton. So from that perspective the bar could be set pretty low.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: Orioles at Astros June 9, 2019
« on: June 09, 2019, 02:41:23 pm »And he was acquired for a reliever at the deadline, so no comparisons will be made to any hall of famers, of course.
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Not at all. He can throw left-handed.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: Orioles at Astros June 9, 2019
« on: June 09, 2019, 02:28:18 pm »That’s crazy, he doesn’t even play defense.
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Now we’re cooking.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: Orioles at Astros June 9, 2019
« on: June 09, 2019, 02:27:47 pm »I expect 4 MVPs but only because Bregman steals votes in the other seasons.
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The sad thing is there are people out there who are actually believe something like that will happen. And of course if not then he’s a failure.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: Orioles at Astros June 9, 2019
« on: June 09, 2019, 02:20:31 pm »Unrealistic? Legitimate power hitter.
So now over the top hyperbole isn’t allowed in the GZ because of Alvarez?
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: Orioles at Astros June 9, 2019
« on: June 09, 2019, 02:10:09 pm »
Let the wild unrealistic expectations begin!
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Game Zone 2019 / Orioles at Astros June 9, 2019
« on: June 09, 2019, 01:39:08 pm »
First at-bat Alvarez does not homer. He sucks. Send him back down.
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Talk Zone / Re: Alvarez
« on: June 08, 2019, 09:27:46 pm »I like Tyler White. He seems like a good dude. But it is time. Actually, well past time.
I hope he fixes whatever needs fixing.
As Luhnow does not like giving any player away I’m going with the wild card guess. Brantley to the IL.
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Talk Zone / Re: Alvarez
« on: June 08, 2019, 09:24:09 pm »Agree. And I’ll add that I wish he’d been called up when he was a little hotter, as his average has dropped about 50 points or so, though I understand the timing of it all.
At any rate, I’m as anxious to see him as everyone else.
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I think he’s been pressing. He’s been pitched around pretty hard and I think it’s been getting to him.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: Orioles v. Astros 06/07/2019
« on: June 07, 2019, 10:17:04 pm »Yuli with a 1-out single...
First hit by the top four in the lineup tonight. 1-18.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: Orioles v. Astros 06/07/2019
« on: June 07, 2019, 07:49:40 pm »Yes, it was.
I was looking at the Score app and it had Gurriel striking out to end the inning. Bizarre.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: Orioles v. Astros 06/07/2019
« on: June 07, 2019, 07:36:39 pm »Walk, GIDP, popup. Astros go meekly in the 1st
Not a gidp?
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros at FishTossers 06/05/2019
« on: June 06, 2019, 11:48:03 am »If you can turn Straw in to a Marwin type that can play 5-6 different places without a huge down-tick in skill over the normal guy, he's going to be groomed in to the next Marwin.
Straw batting 9th on the big league team is a tremendous weapon.
That's a pretty good Straw-man argument.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros at FishTossers 06/05/2019
« on: June 06, 2019, 10:33:21 am »I missed all the pregame discussion, and most of the sound during the game while I was able to keep my eyes open...has Straw never played SS before? Or has it just been a while? Has he ever played 2B or other infield position in the minors? If not, that's got to be quite the challenge.
Thanks, I'll hang up and listen.
The Astros are trying to make him as versatile as possible. He's got the arm for short, unlike Kemp, so they've been giving him time there in RR as Jim said.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros at FishTossers 06/05/2019
« on: June 05, 2019, 10:16:41 pm »Everything I've seen of him is he's really bad at receiving a pitch. But fair enough, the Astros think he's good enough to promote, so we can't critique.
The point is that if he’s been very good up to now and the only thing that’s changed is being in the bigs then perhaps the problem isn’t a general lack of catching mechanics.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros at FishTossers 06/05/2019
« on: June 05, 2019, 10:06:12 pm »Short has nothing to do with it. Stubbs is just a bad receiver who costs his pitchers strikes with his constant inability to keep his body still.
Everything I’ve ever read from scouts about him is that he’s excellent behind the plate.
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The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: 2019 Draft
« on: June 04, 2019, 04:51:56 pm »
It looks like they think they have a dearth of outfielders at the short season and rookie teams.
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Talk Zone / Re: The crazy play last night
« on: June 04, 2019, 09:36:07 am »I didn't see the play, I'll have to look for a video. But the catcher should NEVER leave the plate uncovered with a runner in scoring position, especially at 3B.
He was half way up the line when the throw crossed the plate. https://www.mlb.com/astros/news/astros-score-with-plate-unoccupied
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros vs SeaHags 06-03-2019
« on: June 03, 2019, 11:24:55 pm »100 feet or so...
The answer must be in magnitudes of pi. Or pie. Really for White it’s the same so...
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros vs SeaHags 06-03-2019
« on: June 03, 2019, 10:18:46 pm »It’s pretty clear Martin is not ready for this level.
Pitching scared.
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The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: 2019 Draft
« on: June 03, 2019, 10:01:16 pm »Are there questions about him remaining at catcher? I’d hope not for a first rounder.
I didn’t see anything about his receiving skills yet.
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The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: 2019 Draft
« on: June 03, 2019, 09:32:27 pm »
College catcher Korey Lee from Cal. The pudnits have him rated much lower. Power arm, power bat. How well will he hit overall and how good is he and can he be behind the plate?
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The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Corpus Christi 2019
« on: June 03, 2019, 08:40:26 pm »
Nick Hernandez has worked his way back to AA.
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The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: 2019 Draft
« on: June 03, 2019, 08:34:49 pm »I'm a tad bit surprised with the percentage of every day players versus pitchers.
That tells you how little high end college pitching there is this year.
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Talk Zone / Re: Alvarez
« on: June 03, 2019, 11:24:42 am »Alvarez has lost 50+ points on his BA and still is hitting .360. .417 was the high water mark, I think.
.184 BA over his last 10 games. Only 10 K's in 38 AB's so he's putting the ball in play.
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Beer and Queso / Re: NCAA Div. I Baseball Tournament
« on: June 01, 2019, 05:49:46 pm »Day one is in the books and the story is the dominance of #3 seeds. Number 3 seeds play number 2 seeds in the first round of the regionals. With two close seeds playing in 16 games, one should expect some upsets, perhaps as many as six or seven; but, this year we had at least twelve #3s beating #2s with one rain-delayed game completing tomorrow morning. Oregon State is the only #1 seed to be upset as the defending National Champs were beaten by #4 Cincinnati 7-6.
Big XII went 3-1 today with #2 Baylor being the only one sent to the loser's bracket as they were defeated by #3 Loyola Marymount 3-1. #1 Texas Tech beat #4 Army 11-2, #3 TCU beat #2 Cal 13-2, and #1 WVU beat #4 Fordham 6-2.
Tomorrow, Baylor plays an elimination game against Omaha. Texas Tech plays Dallas Baptist, TCU plays Arkansas, and West Virginia plays Duke in winner's bracket games. Sixteen teams go home tomorrow as the field will narrow to 48 teams.
You forgot Oklahoma State.
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The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: 2019 Draft
« on: May 28, 2019, 03:36:40 pm »With the 2019 Draft a week away, any thoughts on who the Astros might take? Most of the mocks I've seen have them focused on prep pitchers. For whatever that's worth.
30ish is where most of those sites have a lot of prep pitchers so it makes sense for them to do that. With the Beer pick last year the Astros clearly had their own view of the world as most sites didn't have him in the upper 20's to low 30's. Most had him in the low 40's range. Therefore I won't even begin to guess. 32 is just too far down the draft line.
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Talk Zone / Re: Aches and Pains (2019)
« on: May 27, 2019, 10:33:23 am »Yeah, I agree. Great opportunity for Jack. Hopefully he’ll get to play a little before Altuve is activated.
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Altuve was 1-5 with 2 K’s last night with the Express.
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Talk Zone / Re: Aches and Pains (2019)
« on: May 26, 2019, 08:58:55 am »
McTag says Stubbs is getting called up so I guess Stassi will go to the IL.
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Talk Zone / Re: Alvarez
« on: May 25, 2019, 04:33:21 pm »He is in over his head, more than likely. Interesting to watch how he handles his first adversity.
What do you do when you can no longer out talent your opponent?
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Talk Zone / Re: Aches and Pains (2019)
« on: May 25, 2019, 11:10:54 am »He is having a good year. Theoretically he can play CF, but he is only average in the field, IMO.
I expect him to play when Marisnick doesn't and spell Reddick in right at times.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: BoSox at Houston 05/24/2019
« on: May 24, 2019, 10:36:42 pm »If he is hitting the ball hard, no worries. Can’t tell without watching.
Yep.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: BoSox at Houston 05/24/2019
« on: May 24, 2019, 10:25:31 pm »Hamstring or knee? This is such a shame. He was having an MVP season.
Left hammy.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: BoSox at Houston 05/24/2019
« on: May 24, 2019, 10:25:16 pm »I’d like to know how hard he is hitting his outs. He had a line out to LF last night.
Tonight. Grounded to third on by throwing error. GIDP to third. GIDP to short. And K swinging.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: BoSox at Houston 05/24/2019
« on: May 24, 2019, 10:14:43 pm »So if George needs to go to the IL, things are going to get interesting. They need a spot for Altuve, and they'll need another outfielder. I guess, maybe they could send Rodgers back down to make room for, say, Tucker. But I wonder if White is reaching the end of the road.
They've been pretty clear it's a 13 man pitching staff they want.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: BoSox at Houston 05/24/2019
« on: May 24, 2019, 10:11:34 pm »Altuve's going on a rehab assignment of undetermined length, but it shouldn't be too long. Tucker/Straw/Fisher are all on the 40, Yordan is not.
Alvarez is in a mini-slump, 1 for his last 17 after tonight's game.
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Talk Zone / Re: Jose Urquidy
« on: May 22, 2019, 10:42:53 am »If he pitches like he did last night, the promotion will be deserved.
In Luhnow I trust.
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Talk Zone / Re: Jose Urquidy
« on: May 22, 2019, 09:39:59 am »I worked the RR game with Mike last night, and Urquidy started in Brady Rodgers’ place. Only one game, I know, but he was damned impressive. 6 IP, 3 H, 1 R (earned), 1 BB (HPU screwed him on this), and 12 K. His FB got up to 95, and he had a sharp-breaking slider. He is from Mexico, and no doubt the Bus Ride folks can tell us more. He is worth watching in future appearances.
Alvarez did not play (dammit). Tucker was 2-4 with an impressive RBI double driven hard down the line in LF. Fisher hit a 400+ foot moonshot homer, Straw had two hits and a hard line out to CF. He also made a very good barehand pickup and throw from SS for the final out. Reed even got in the act with a multiple hit game and 3 RBI.
Apropos to nothing, I think Mayfield is a really good player. He plays 3B, SS, and 2B well. Other orgs should want him as a utility player. I wonder if they do.
As I understand it you saw the best Urquidy has to offer. His usual self will typically end up with a line more like what Rodgers would have. Duman's link to the report I think nails down the general consensus. This is a broken record from me but Luhnow wants the Mexican market so I expect that for any pitcher like him Urquidy will be at the top of the promotion list.
I too have thought Mayfield could be a good mlb utility player and thought he would have been picked up in the Rule 5 draft last year. Perhaps this winter he will be if he's not dealt this summer.
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Talk Zone / Re: Aches and Pains (2019)
« on: May 21, 2019, 04:40:57 pm »Who would have thought you’d see both Martin and Rogers before Whitley this year?
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Rodgers has always been a Luhnow favorite.
How good has the pitching been? Right now the highest ERA on the active pitching staff is Devo's 5.60. Everyone else is 4.56 (James) or below. All 5 current starters are below 4.00.
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Talk Zone / Re: Aches and Pains (2019)
« on: May 21, 2019, 04:24:20 pm »Chandler Rome tweet:
Collin McHugh is going on the 10-day injured list with right elbow discomfort. The Astros recalled Brady Rodgers
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That explains why he went from good to shit so quick. Looking at his games logs it seems pretty clear his elbow blew up after pitching in Oakland in mid-April.
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Talk Zone / Re: Alvarez
« on: May 21, 2019, 12:13:59 pm »
Also what a great problem to have. We're only worried about what happens to players 24 and 25 on the roster.
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Talk Zone / Re: Alvarez
« on: May 21, 2019, 12:10:42 pm »Why go to 13? They started the year intending to have a 12-man staff, and they will be just fine without, say, Framber. But they need to improve at 1B/DH. Alvarez should be up in the next few weeks to give them time to evaluate him before the trade deadline. They can make another move if he stumbles.
They're at 13 now. They started with 12 because of all the off days in the first few weeks of the season and didn't need the extra pitcher.
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Talk Zone / Re: Alvarez
« on: May 21, 2019, 11:43:50 am »Righto. Surely Luhnow is having numerous trade conversations now.
If he decides to go with 13 pitchers then Alvarez's chance of a call up will likely depend solely on an injury to a starter. Also Alvarez's opportunities are going to be balanced against the need for a guy like Straw instead. In short, in Luhnow we trust.
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Talk Zone / Re: Alvarez
« on: May 21, 2019, 10:33:23 am »So if you keep Kemp, how do you keep both Alvarez and Tucker? Cannot keep them all.
Neither Alvarez not Tucker will be called up any time soon so that problem doesn't exist right now. The first problem is what move does Luhnow make when Altuve returns from the IL. It does not appear likely that Martin will be sent back down. Does he go with 13 pitchers or 13 position players?
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: White Sox at Astros- May 20, 2019
« on: May 20, 2019, 08:22:41 pm »Our long national nightmare is over!!!!!
The Arlington Rangers organization folded?
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Talk Zone / Re: Aches and Pains (2019)
« on: May 18, 2019, 06:13:44 pm »What is the status on Diaz and his hamstring? White is at first tonight with Yuli at second.
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Grade one strain.
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Talk Zone / Re: Express 5/14
« on: May 14, 2019, 04:24:39 pm »I find it interesting that the write up I read on Alvarez said practically all scouts see him as a first baseman except the Astros, who seem intent on make him an outfielder. I’m glad they are still playing him some at first base because to me that seems like his quickest path to the show. And I’ve given up hope on AJ Reed. If you jettison White you could call him up tonight and he could get all of Tyler’s playing time. That would be enough AB’s to see what he really looks like. The AB’s in the outfield are going to be tougher to come by with Jake and Kemp there.
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I think that's a mis-read on what the Astros are doing. They are trying to maximize any versatility he might have. With the big club they want him to be able to play LF, 1B, and DH not just 1B and DH. The more he can do defensively the more Hinch can mix and match the lineup.
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Talk Zone / Re: Express 5/14
« on: May 14, 2019, 01:35:29 pm »
Luhnow is in attendance apparently. Good time for a chat.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ Tigers, May 12, 2019
« on: May 13, 2019, 09:25:47 pm »Yep, agree. He is popping up a lot of pitches he should drive.
He has a tendency to drop his back shoulder.
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Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Roster (New & Improved)
« on: May 13, 2019, 12:56:23 pm »I know that twitter has discussed the subject ad nauseum, but it just seems like Tyler White is much heavier than he was last season. It could just be that the beard is much bushier so his face seems bigger. Or maybe he just got a baggier uniform. But I wonder if he did gain weight and whether or not that has been part of the problem.
Regardless, it's got to be Kemp over White. White is striking out a ton (34% of all PAs). And he hasn't shown any power this season. I've been a big supporter of White, but he doesn't look good at the plate at all.
Luhnow's made it clear too that position versatility is a high priority. Kemp has that over White all day long.
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The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Fayetteville 2019
« on: May 13, 2019, 09:57:48 am »
Returning from injury, Nick Hernandez has been assigned to Fayetteville.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: Rangers @ Astros, May 12, 2019 Mother's Day Edition
« on: May 12, 2019, 06:40:51 pm »I think he needs to use his other pitches more, but he has to locate them.
His change up seemed fine to me today. I thought certain he’d use it on Andrus.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: Rangers @ Astros, May 12, 2019 Mother's Day Edition
« on: May 12, 2019, 05:43:47 pm »Sigh.
That ball was chin high.
Sometimes I wonder if Devo thinks his 95 mph straight as a string fastball is his best pitch.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: Rangers @ Astros, May 12, 2019 Mother's Day Edition
« on: May 12, 2019, 04:07:29 pm »Well done.
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I thought we were giving credit to his cigar and lack of manual dexterity.
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Talk Zone / Re: MadBum
« on: May 11, 2019, 04:34:13 pm »Are you listening? His no trade list does not mean he’ll veto it. He is setting up a payday for his waiver. I agree keeping some contenders off is strange.
He was limited to 8 I believe so some contenders would have to be left off.
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Talk Zone / Re: MadBum
« on: May 11, 2019, 01:18:55 pm »
So he’ll be with the Twins before the deadline.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: Royals at Astros May 7, 2019
« on: May 08, 2019, 09:20:02 am »So we need two starters
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Looking at the video this morning it looks to me like his mechanics are really fucked up. He's throwing nearly sidearm and his breaking stuff is flat if it moves at all.
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The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Corpus Christi 2019
« on: May 07, 2019, 11:16:34 am »
Chas McCormick going all out.
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Beer and Queso / Re: Game of Thrones Season 8
« on: May 06, 2019, 12:16:43 pm »
The only thing I know about the show is that apparently there is a Starbucks on every corner both in reality and fiction.
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Talk Zone / Re: Alvarez
« on: May 04, 2019, 09:48:29 am »Jacksonian cleared this up for me. He says he starts slow when he changes levels, but this slow start is somewhat aberrational.
Right. His monthly splits don’t show a slow start. He’s never spent a month this bad. Not even when changing levels. This isn’t slow. This is putrid which is why I was presuming your comment about there being something not physical getting in his way was a significant source of his problems.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ Twins - May 2, 2019
« on: May 04, 2019, 09:43:28 am »Luhnow was born and raised in Mexico.
And he is dead set on capturing the Mexican market for the Astros.
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Talk Zone / Re: Alvarez
« on: May 03, 2019, 07:55:53 pm »
Fisher not in the lineup again.
Tucker with another homer early in tonight’s game.
Tucker with another homer early in tonight’s game.
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Talk Zone / Re: Alvarez
« on: May 03, 2019, 04:14:31 pm »Tucker drove in 6 yesterday but still is at .191.
Alvarez .402
Unrelated and perhaps interesting only to me. Tucker (Jan 97) is only 5 months older than Alvarez (June 97). Who in turn is only 3 months older than Whitley (Sept 97).
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Talk Zone / Re: Red Ass
« on: May 01, 2019, 09:12:08 am »I think it was Tim Redding.
I thought his was Dumbass.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ Twins - April 29, 2019
« on: April 30, 2019, 06:38:38 pm »If they can cut bait on J.D. Martinez, they sure as hell can do it to Tyler White.
I would imagine that factors into the cautious approach.
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Talk Zone / Re: Last nite
« on: April 30, 2019, 04:21:21 pm »Cold weather? A late night the night before? Some kind of gypsy curse?
As of right now they've played the most difficult schedule in baseball. 24 of the 29 games against teams with records currently above .500. The first and second place teams in the east and central, and all but the worst team in the west. And the 5 games against a losing team was the A's, a divisional opponent. Maybe they're just a little worn out?
Oh, and more games on the road than at home.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ Twins - April 29, 2019
« on: April 29, 2019, 09:14:55 pm »
Altuve, Bregman, and Gurriel have slumped pretty badly.
397
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Indians @ Astros - April 28, 2019
« on: April 28, 2019, 08:46:58 pm »Then there is the big sign in CF that reads "Safety's Tacos". I've never eaten at "Safety's".
Well they’re not going to give free advertising to Torchy’s.
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Talk Zone / Re: Armenteros
« on: April 27, 2019, 09:29:45 am »I worked with Capps last night, and Armenteros pitched, He was reasonably effective, and struck put 7 in 4.1 IP, but I was surprised (maybe I just do not know enough) by his lack of velocity. His FB sat at 90-91, and he threw a lot of 81-83 changeups and sliders. The change up was his most effective pitch. Bus Riders, did he once throw harder than this?
That’s right on the money. It also shows why he hasn’t been considered a good but not top prospect.
400
Talk Zone / Re: 1st Place, Fish-slingers, and the schedule so far...
« on: April 25, 2019, 10:00:06 pm »And only two of those were against a team above .500.
Only one.
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Talk Zone / Re: Alvarez
« on: April 25, 2019, 04:42:28 pm »For those who know, I know he has been a slow starter all along, but when does the hitting usually kick in?
He has to be frustrated still being in AAA.
The idea of him being a slow starter is something of a misnomer. He starts slow at a new level not just every season. This is something else. I don't recall him being this bad this long at any point in his career.
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Talk Zone / Re: Alvarez
« on: April 25, 2019, 09:04:57 am »
This article makes it pretty clear Luhnow's in no hurry, and that he expects some measure of versatility.
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The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Corpus Christi 2019
« on: April 23, 2019, 06:50:47 pm »
Abreu with the early season promotion.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ Rangers - April 19, 2019
« on: April 19, 2019, 10:19:31 pm »
A lesser pitcher should not throw Gallo a fastball.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ Rangers - April 19, 2019
« on: April 19, 2019, 09:00:24 pm »Fair enough. I would not have had White on he roster to begin with. I don’t think he’s consistently a big league player.
I’m with you there. I think that if they do decide to designate him it’ll be Straw who gets the call.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ Rangers - April 19, 2019
« on: April 19, 2019, 08:49:42 pm »He's at 31 ABs for the season.
Interesting to see if they get him more ABs in the next 2 series.
At the end of the day in Luhnow I trust.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ Rangers - April 19, 2019
« on: April 19, 2019, 08:45:52 pm »I don’t see replacing White as “rushing” anything. Someone has o DH. It doesn’t have to be White.
I would call replacing him in April rushing. His history suggests he’s a better hitter than he’s demonstrating right now. That said I don’t think he’ll be on the team come July.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ Rangers - April 19, 2019
« on: April 19, 2019, 08:34:26 pm »No one wants a player rushed. But Luhnow has also been clear that they are not sacrificing wins in 2019 for what *might* happen six years from now. This isn’t 2013 anymore. The Astros are in a position few teams, or GMs, ever find themselves in. He knows that.
That’s it. He’s not costing them wins. They’re scoring plenty of runs. So there won’t be a rush. If they go to 13 pitchers I’d imagine he’s gone though.
409
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ Rangers - April 19, 2019
« on: April 19, 2019, 08:25:17 pm »Hilariously. I was discussing the Rangers with a female friend of mine (who also likes the Astros, but is a Rangers fan first). She was telling me that their fucking shitshow of a TV broadcast declared that Andrus's slow start was because they were mowing the grass differently than last season, and his recent hot streak is because he has "gotten used to" the new mowing pattern.
Prove them wrong.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ Rangers - April 19, 2019
« on: April 19, 2019, 08:23:27 pm »Fuck “the clock”. This isn’t a team in rebuild mode. If a player can help he needs to be here. Period.
I think Luhnow’s history is pretty clear. He won’t rush to make a change as long as the offense is scoring rus.
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The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Quad Cities 2019
« on: April 18, 2019, 08:36:29 am »
A look at a major early season challenge for the River Bandits.
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Talk Zone / Re: Beltran told Paxton
« on: April 17, 2019, 09:15:34 pm »He was my coach. You would know this if you had read The 27th Out.
Most people aren’t familiar with ancient texts residing in the most obscure locations.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @A’s, April16, 2019
« on: April 16, 2019, 10:28:00 pm »B4:
Semien grounds out 6-3
Chapman...full up...grounds out 5-3
Davis...full count...strikes out looking
8-0 Astros
Thanks for doing pbp.
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Beer and Queso / Re: The Last Jedi [spoiler alert]
« on: April 16, 2019, 04:40:20 pm »
One of my contemporaneous guesses - because Rey's parents being a couple of drunk, junk traders was a little jarring after the build up from Ep VII - was that Kylo was lying just to piss her off and draw her in. Regardless of what Johnson intended (considering he shredded pretty much everything else, one assumes his intention was the no-nothing parents thing to be true too), this is the easy fix. It can be done with a single line of dialog...from Luke's force ghost.
They need to show us why she's instantly better at anything she touches than anyone else who may have years of training / experience. The list of examples is endless, but she:
- flew the Falcon like she'd been born to it (eh? oh)
- fixed the Falcon when Han couldn't
- bested Kylo in Jedi mind control
- bested Kylo in a light sabre fight (Kylo was injured by a blast from Chewie's bowcaster)
- bested Luke in a light sabre fight
- resisted the dark side (somehow) when even Luke couldn't first time
- bested Snoke's guards in the throne room fight, including saving Kylo's ass
- blasted Tie fighters out of the air from the Falcon, including a three-for-one shot with her first fucking shot
Seriously. It's annoying. She has no arc, even through two movies. She appeared from nowhere and proceeded simply to succeed at anything and everything to which she turned her hand. She has never failed and her only emotional challenge has been the loss of Solo, who she barely knew and got over instantly after being consoled by Solo's ex-wife. Again, Marvel has kicked the shit out of Lucasfilm when it comes to nuanced and challenged female characters.
To me they should have gone right down the middle with this trilogy. Simple, fulfilling fanboy expectation continuation/conclusion of the Skywalker family saga. Then used the Star Wars stories to expand and push the envelope of the story telling of this universe. But, you're right. Without a coherent story arc pre-planned and ready for execution, ala Marvel, it's a mess. This would have to be something future execs and producers look at as to how to avoid a disaster in this type of movie making (add the DCEU as well) especially as compared to Marvel.
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Beer and Queso / Re: The Last Jedi [spoiler alert]
« on: April 16, 2019, 04:34:18 pm »JJ: there’s more to come on Rey’s parents
/HadesGodFuckingDammit.gif
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The consequences of completely fucking up the franchise with a single movie.
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Talk Zone / Re: Beltran told Paxton
« on: April 15, 2019, 10:11:19 am »Always some excuse
Well, he also admitted, "That being said, I also didn't throw the ball very well. I was over the middle of the plate too much even when there were guys not on second base, so I need to be better at that as well."
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Talk Zone / Re: Tucker
« on: April 15, 2019, 10:07:48 am »More than mere performance issues.
I hope maturity does not continue to elude him much longer.
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Talk Zone / Re: Tucker
« on: April 14, 2019, 09:49:48 am »The bloom is coming off the Tucker rose according to some.
Sometimes I find this kind of thing perplexing. Had he gone to college this year would have been his first full season of pro ball. Last year's high college draftees are in high-A or at best AA right now.
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros @ Mariners, April 12, 2019
« on: April 12, 2019, 11:33:37 pm »Top 7
Alaniz (RHP) pitching, MLB debut
Former Astros farmhand.
420
Beer and Queso / Re: The Last Jedi [spoiler alert]
« on: April 12, 2019, 04:43:44 pm »It's still Rian Johnson, right? So, considering he Retconned virtually the entire Star Wars universe in TLJ - notably ignoring most of the intentionally dangling plot threads from TFW - it stands to reason that he doesn't feel the need to follow straight on from the last movie (or any of them).
Abrams is helming this one.
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Beer and Queso / Re: The Last Jedi [spoiler alert]
« on: April 12, 2019, 02:30:32 pm »
It also said it was the "end of the saga", which is weird, because I thought the last movie pretty much killed it.
Star Wars, Episode IX: The Search For More Money
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Beer and Queso / Re: The Last Jedi [spoiler alert]
« on: April 12, 2019, 01:35:44 pm »
The next movie's peek just surfaced from Star Wars celebration. The title will be The Rise of Skywalker. Spoilers, maybe.
If I understood correctly what I saw it's more like Retcon of Last Jedi.
Oh, and Palpatine is back.
If I understood correctly what I saw it's more like Retcon of Last Jedi.
Oh, and Palpatine is back.
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Talk Zone / Re: Tom Hamilton
« on: April 11, 2019, 12:33:13 pm »The players that provide the offense were very high draft picks and would have done well in any organization. On the pitching side there are people like McHugh and Morton who have dramatically improved by coaching and development, but I can't think of someone on the offensive side like that. I can also think about Singleton, JD Davis, AJ Reed, who seem stuck at the AAA level.
I am curious to see whether the change to Marisnick's stance will carry improved hitting through the entire season. He's always been good for about a month's worth of hot streak. He's hitting well now so we'll see if he's doing well come the end of May.
424
Talk Zone / Re: Cuban players/Trump/stupidity
« on: April 08, 2019, 02:52:43 pm »The embargo still is in effect. Obama lifted travel restrictions but not the embargo.
I wish I understood the law better. The Obama administration was negotiating for something illegal? There has to be many more nuances to this than just what the article has.
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Talk Zone / Re: Cuban players/Trump/stupidity
« on: April 08, 2019, 02:44:03 pm »https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/trump-administration-cancels-mlb-deal-with-cuba/2019/04/08/99c7d9be-5a2f-11e9-842d-7d3ed7eb3957_story.html?utm_term=.6d57f4071d45
Seems senseless, but I'm no expert on this stuff.
Really?. It's hard for me to think of Cuban ball players as equal to those being trafficked.
"...Cuban government and trade with it was illegal under current law."
Is this part true?
426
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Round Rock 2019
« on: April 08, 2019, 12:41:38 pm »Myles Straw started at SS and I am convinced that he belongs in the OF. Throws were tentative with 1 E and another safe st first due to the weak throw. Nothing like the OF cannon i saw last year.
The conversion to utility player is still on. Today is Straw's third start at short stop in five games.
427
Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros at Rangers, April 1, 2019
« on: April 02, 2019, 04:09:23 pm »Eliminating Odor was the play of the game.
In his AB he was ahead 2-0 and Peacock got him to ground sharply into the shift. When Altuve couldn't come up with the ball cleanly to throw him out my buddy said what I was feeling: "uh oh. This is bad."
Erasing Odor on the steal set things right in a hurry.
Do we now call him The DeOdorizer?
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Game Zone 2019 / Re: Astros at Rangers, April 1, 2019
« on: April 02, 2019, 03:44:33 pm »Eliminating Odor was the play of the game.
In his AB he was ahead 2-0 and Peacock got him to ground sharply into the shift. When Altuve couldn't come up with the ball cleanly to throw him out my buddy said what I was feeling: "uh oh. This is bad."
Erasing Odor on the steal set things right in a hurry.
Eliminating Odor is always a good thing.
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The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Corpus Christi 2019
« on: April 01, 2019, 09:45:44 am »I'm sure it's been mentioned somewhere in the Bus Ride before but I just noticed that Tim Purpura is the President/Treasurer of the Texas League.
He's been in an executive in several minor league organizations since leaving the Astros.
431
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Corpus Christi 2019
« on: March 28, 2019, 08:42:48 am »Looks like the Hooks have posted their 2019 roster.
Pitchers: Brett Adcock, Brandon Bailey, Brandon Bielak, JB Bukauskas, Jose Hernandez, Tyler Ivey, Carson LaRue, Ronel Blanco, Justin Ferrell, Colin McKee, Erasmo Pinales, Kit Scheetz, Gabriel Valdez.
Catchers: Lorenzo Quintana, Chuckie Robinson.
Infield: JJ Matijevic (who is apparently moving to 1B), Odvaldo Duarte, Anibal Sierra, Abraham Toro.
Outfield: Josh Rojas, Ronnie Dawson, Stephen Wrenn, Chas McCormick, Carmen Benedetti.
I'm wondering if Scheetz is here rather than Round Rock because he's likely to pick up more innings here than there.
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The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Quad Cities 2019
« on: March 28, 2019, 08:39:47 am »Looks like the River Bandits have announced their 2019 roster.
Pitching staff: Humberto Castellanos, Willy Collado, Brett Conine, Devin Conn, Brett Daniels, Shawn Dubin, Tanner Duncan, RJ Freure, Luis Garcia, Austin Hansen, Mark Moclair, Nivaldo Rodriguez, Matt Ruppenthal, Jairo Solis (7-day DL).
Catchers: Ruben Castro (7-day DL), Cesar Salazar, Alex Holderbach, Oscar Campos.
Infield: Scott Schreiber, David Hensley, Jeremy Pena, Trey Dawson, Enmanuel Valdez.
Outfield: Jonathan Lacroix, Marty Costes, Ross Adolph, Andy Pineda, Alex McKinna (7-day DL).
Solis is there for listing purposes, but of course he won't see any action this season.
433
Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Roster (New & Improved)
« on: March 23, 2019, 03:29:38 pm »Might be versatility - Framber can give them a start if they need it.
I suspect it’s more about being able to go multiple innings.
434
Talk Zone / Re: Team Payroll 2019
« on: March 22, 2019, 11:29:19 am »Should* I don't think it always works that way, in practice.
Do. It works exactly as each player wants it to.
435
Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Roster (New & Improved)
« on: March 19, 2019, 12:13:09 pm »Cuts #4 of the spring:
Fisher, Perez, Straw, Alvarez, Emanuel, Mayfield, McCurry, Tanielu, Toro.
The Perez move implies things are looking good for Reymin Guduan.
It may also imply Perez being sent back to the rotation rotation.
436
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: 2019 Rule 5 Draft
« on: March 07, 2019, 03:51:04 pm »Guys who'll either be traded or on the 40-man roster come draft day in December: Yordan Alvarez, Abraham Toro, Ronnie Dawson, Brandon Bailey.
I could also make the case for some additional pitchers beyond Bailey to force their way into serious consideration depending on how they progress in 2019.
Given a good year I'd bet one or both of Adcock and Hartman would be put on the 40-man.
437
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: 2019 Rule 5 Draft
« on: March 07, 2019, 08:50:07 am »Seems like Bostick and Toro might need decisions, too.
Bostick has been through the draft already and was not taken. He'll have to make strides this year to be considered.
438
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: 2019 Rule 5 Draft
« on: March 06, 2019, 03:55:37 pm »I would expect someone to take a chance on Alvarez.
Barring a disasterous season no one will have the chance.
439
Talk Zone / Re: Baseball Analyst Jessica Mendoza Makes History, Draws Sexist Backlash
« on: March 06, 2019, 08:33:12 am »ESPN has already said she will continue, but I’m curious how they address her role. Will she work any Mets games?
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If seen it noted that ARod is also contracted to the Yankees as a consultant and yet...
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Beer and Queso / Re: Roger Angell on "Most Important" Vote of His Lifetime
« on: February 27, 2019, 12:56:57 pm »Yeah, all the election fraud/payoff stuff was transferred from Mueller to SDNY.
So there's an active investigation with SDNY? Or did they not pick it up?
441
Beer and Queso / Re: Roger Angell on "Most Important" Vote of His Lifetime
« on: February 27, 2019, 09:41:39 am »Cohen has receipts for election fraud and tax fraud. If nothing else, this is justification to subpoena Trump’s financial records.
That confuses me. Wouldn't this have been part of Mueller's work?
442
Talk Zone / Re: Bryce Harper
« on: February 26, 2019, 04:38:22 pm »443
Talk Zone / Re: Astros OF Defense
« on: February 18, 2019, 03:08:41 pm »While I am a huge fan of Michael Bourn, you wouldn't count Beltran? Or did he not have enough time in 2004 to count?
Beltran was exceptional as well. I asked the question because I couldn't think of an obvious answer.
444
Talk Zone / Re: Astros OF Defense
« on: February 18, 2019, 02:45:58 pm »I always loved Wily Tavares in CF.
My first thought was who was better than Michael Bourn?
445
Talk Zone / Re: Astros OF Defense
« on: February 18, 2019, 02:39:19 pm »
Best all-time Astros center field defender?
446
Talk Zone / Re: Changes to the game coming this year??
« on: February 08, 2019, 09:18:27 pm »Joke half a century old?
Coach, we need verification on this.
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New tangled things are not his forte.
447
Talk Zone / Re: Changes to the game coming this year??
« on: February 06, 2019, 11:20:33 am »People who measures these things, say there has been insignificant increase in commercial time since the 80s. The actual game is taking about 30 minutes longer on average.
Grant Brisbee's comparison (which I've posted before) is the most interesting, but doesn't give a clear answer.
Well, he really does. Time between pitches where nothing happened was 2/3 of the entire difference between the two game times.
448
Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Roster (New & Improved)
« on: February 01, 2019, 11:33:50 am »Stats are interesting to me also, and I try to understand the new ones before calling BS on them (OPS, are you listening?). Stats give a detailed description of what a player has done in the past thus far and help in the impossible task of predicting the future. I am not anti-stat.
What I have no patience with, which occasioned my latest “who gives a fuck,” is the tendency of some to excuse current failure with stats showing past successful performance. That is the coach in me. If my DH, whose sole job is to hit, consistently fails to hit and drive in runs when the team needs them, I do not want to hear from him (or his apologists) “Yeah but my (insert stat) is equal to or better than (insert some great player). I want my players to produce them the team needs them and I am not comforted by their past achievements. White in the ALCS is my most recent reminder of this.
And Carl Everett. Too soon?
449
Talk Zone / Re: Grass 27, Artificial Turf 3
« on: January 31, 2019, 06:54:11 pm »I like the fact the Rangers signed Asdrubal Cabrera, so we can call him Ass-dribble.
Rainjizz Assdribble on the carpet.
450
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Re: Top Prospect Lists 2018-2019
« on: January 30, 2019, 09:45:01 am »The more I've seen players in the minors and read what is written about them, the less I read. While Callis seems like a good guy, he's basically a tout from my race track days whose aim isn't to lead me to put money on a prospect, but to get real excited to read his next reviews. I'll be real happy and surprised if JBB is throwing 98 with a knockout slider.
If he's working out of the bullpen you'll see it. If he's starting you'll see the high end slider paired with a 93-95 fastball.
451
Beer and Queso / Re: The Last Jedi [spoiler alert]
« on: January 18, 2019, 11:48:11 am »Some people see the “Darth Plagueis the Wise” scene that way. It’s a fair theory, but I don’t subscribe to it myself.
I'd have to hear it from Lucas as his intention to believe it.
452
Beer and Queso / Re: The Last Jedi [spoiler alert]
« on: January 18, 2019, 11:31:38 am »I believe the implications were that Palpatine manipulated midichlorians to, essentially, breed Anakin.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
When was that implied within the movies?
453
Beer and Queso / Re: The Last Jedi [spoiler alert]
« on: January 18, 2019, 10:42:32 am »The alternative - that it's only passed down through birth - puts us in a chicken-egg conundrum.
However, there's a creepy, bordering on blasphemous, element in Ep I that hints at Anakin being sired by the Force in some sort of immaculate conception. That explains the origin of the Skywalker Force lineage, but not of all the existing Jedi. So...yeah. No idea.
Lucas did have Obi Wan imply that because Anakin had the force then Luke had the force. But did not talk about that being the only way. Obi Wan had it. No talk of passing it down to him. 1000 generations of Jedi. That wasn't just some incestuous group.
This is really DisneyLucasFilm wanting to separate Star Wars from Skywalker.
454
Beer and Queso / Re: The Last Jedi [spoiler alert]
« on: January 18, 2019, 10:22:38 am »I’m in the camp that doesn’t think he has anything to do with the other trilogy. I think it was Johnson putting theme ahead of story again (the Force is eternal, it doesn’t belong to the Skywalker clan or the Jedi, and it can emerge where you least expect it). It was, of course, hamfisted. And it actually pisses me off because I thought the ending on the Falcon was perfect.
I thought Lucas made it perfectly clear in the original movie that anyone can have force powers.
455
Beer and Queso / Re: The Last Jedi [spoiler alert]
« on: January 18, 2019, 09:39:35 am »
The casino part was heavy-handed in every way possible. It seems clear to me now that the schtable boy (thank you, BeerFest) is going to be the feature of Johnson’s upcoming trilogy.
I still don't understand why schtable boy (love that) was shoved at us so hard.
456
Beer and Queso / Re: The Last Jedi [spoiler alert]
« on: January 17, 2019, 07:14:57 pm »Assuming that Ben doesn't make it to the end of IX, then there aren't any Skywalkers left, right? So the next trilogy isn't "Star Wars" it's "A Star Wars Story" a la Rogue One and Solo.
Jeez this is just a clusterfuck. Again, it's not like they haven't seen how to do it...Marvel! Iron Man 1, 2 & 3 was Iron Man, separate and distinct from the Avengers 1 - 4, yet still connected. They can have Solo stories and Rey and Finn stories and whatever the fuck they like, but having a numbered trilogy that's not part of the main story line - they Skywalker story line - is just bonkers.
Maybe they just don’t want to understand that the family story is what made it what it is.
457
Beer and Queso / Re: The Last Jedi [spoiler alert]
« on: January 17, 2019, 04:10:59 pm »I think Abrams would be wrong to backtrack on Ben being a true villain. I’m not interested in a redemption arc for him. But this question (and the Luke debate) are part of why I like what TLJ did with the Skywalker story.
The one's I read, and now can't find, were about Luke and the whole let go of the past theme. As in we're going to use him to market the hell out of 9 and see if we can generate more revenue.
458
Beer and Queso / Re: The Last Jedi [spoiler alert]
« on: January 17, 2019, 04:06:19 pm »and don't try to think of the times in the entire saga when being able to hyperspace through something to destroy it might have been useful...
Wait. Wha...? Looks up old quotes, "Without precise calculations we could fly right through a supernova..." Son.of.a.bitch.
459
Beer and Queso / Re: The Last Jedi [spoiler alert]
« on: January 17, 2019, 03:41:34 pm »If you break it down, every character in this movie is handled badly:
Rey - becomes a Jedi (and beats Luke) without training, parental intrigue blown up
Kylo - ascends to the most powerful position in the galaxy while behaving like a spoiled child (oh, wait, that rings true)
Snoak - killed wastefully and stupidly (Boba Snoak?)
Leia - blown up for no reason, turned into Mary Poppins, then spends half the movie in a coma
Luke - see earlier comments
Poe - dashing pilot turned into flailing insubordinate
Finn - turned into comic relief / romantic distraction
Hux - turned into screeching fool / comic relief
Chewie - was he even in the movie?
Ackbar - off'd in such a manner as most missed it when it happened
Phasma - can't decide if she was more wasted in this movie or the previous one
Maz Kanata - shoehorned into the plot, by video, to deliver a cheesy joke
Added characters:
Holdo - see earlier comments
Rose - see earlier comments
Porgs and those fish-looking cleaning women - WTF?
del Toro - ok, this is always a good move
Force-enabled stable boy - see, no training required
Every man is in one of four pots: Asshole (thanks Luke), Comic relief (I see you too Hux), Useless (we covered them), or bad (Kylo and Snoke).
That leaves us with the white women: 3 good, 1 bad.
Rey - so bad ass that she can train herself to be a Jedi, resist Kylo, able to move a small avalanche, redeem Luke, save the ancient Jedi texts, and show up in time to get everyone safely off the planet. Leia - Matron extraordinaire. No advanced force training that we know of yet can Mary Poppins her way out of space to safety, go into a coma and still be the Resistance figurehead, then when revived is the only one to be able to control Poe, get everyone to the planet, and act as conduit for Luke to appear. Holdo - Will of iron, able to take command during Leia's coma, keep the Resistance from being obliterated and plan the escape to the planet while having to fend off Poe, and be the grand martyr for the Resistance. TL;DR - 3 good white women did no wrong while being the only good (vs. evil) characters necessary to the plot.
Phasma - bad white woman gets very little screen time, also useless to the plot. There's a lot going on here. But in the fight scene she needlessly gets her helmet broken. (IMO, the better effect would have been to have her die with her armor completely intact). One consequence is that we're reminded she's white. And what happens to bad white women? I know Finn didn't technically kill her (she fell), but the one black male character beat her to the point that she was vulnerable. They could have just as easily had Rose kill her to save Finn which would tie in to the romance angle later in the movie.
Also I didn't expect nor want the movie to hit me over the head with any political agenda. Not that I care which side of the aisle anyone sits, but am I the only one who noticed Holdo destroyed the RIGHT wing of the First Order ship?
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Beer and Queso / Re: The Last Jedi [spoiler alert]
« on: January 17, 2019, 01:17:47 pm »The way you describe him, he's not much different from a young Han Solo. I don't see any racism/pandering in that casting, especially as Oscar Isaac was somewhat of an "it" dude at the time, coming off Inside Llewyn Davis, A Most Violent Year and Ex Machina.
He's your only Hispanic actor, and his character wasn't like that in 7.
As you noted part of Rose's role was to pander to an Asian audience. That's insulting if not racist. Too, as you note she's useless to the primary plot. They have one African actress (voice for CGI). She's given minimal time on screen and only related to the useless subplot. One African actor. Let's start him off as comic relief and then send him too on the useless subplot.
Every actor of color is useless to plot resolution.
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Beer and Queso / Re: The Last Jedi [spoiler alert]
« on: January 17, 2019, 12:45:27 pm »Story-wise, Holdo's role in the plot should have gone to Ackbar, but instead we're introduced to a new character out of the blue to whom we have no emotional attachment. She spends her time being a dick to Poe - who we do have an emotional attachment to - seemingly for absolutely no reason whatsoever. Her withholding of the escape plan from Poe, while other officers (as we find out later) and the unconscious Leia all seem to already know, sets off Poe on his own to try save the fleet.
Poe's effort in this regard ends up with Finn and Rose going to Canto Bight in what becomes one of the most unliked sequences of the movie. I won't dredge up all that again, but Finn's and Rose's efforts end up going absolutely nowhere and Holdo's plan goes forward with a shrug from Poe once he finds out what it is. So Rose and Canto Bight and Maz Kanata's cameo and del Toro and Phasma's cameo and the horse-thingies and Justin Theroux' cameo and Warrick Davis' cameo and Joseph Gordon-Levitt's cameo was all completely irrelevant and only came about because Holdo is a shitty manager.
Now, I don't think all of that rises to the level of racism or misandry, but it's clearly pandering and it's awful movie-making.
Poe is the stereotypical Hispanic male who acts first and thinks second and usually makes things worse because of it. He only needed a Three Amigos costume to round out the character.
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Beer and Queso / Re: The Last Jedi [spoiler alert]
« on: January 17, 2019, 12:41:09 pm »Your opinion is racist/misandrist or your opinion is that the movie is racist/misandrist? Either way, don't stop.
The movie.
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Beer and Queso / Re: The Last Jedi [spoiler alert]
« on: January 16, 2019, 09:44:22 pm »IMO, it’s because Ben is fundamentally bad. Anakin was a troubled but good person. Ben has attachments to family, etc., but deep down he’s rotten. Even the worst people might love their mothers. Not every conflicted soul is a good soul. Luke tells Leia (and Ben himself) as much.
I think Abrams would be wrong to backtrack on Ben being a true villain. I’m not interested in a redemption arc for him. But this question (and the Luke debate) are part of why I like what TLJ did with the Skywalker story.
I'm going to stop here and just agree to disagree. My view of the movie is particularly extreme (racist/misandrist) and don't want to get any more agitated about a franchise I've left.
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Beer and Queso / Re: The Last Jedi [spoiler alert]
« on: January 16, 2019, 08:02:02 pm »You mean when he saw the destruction of the galactic order and everything he had devoted his life to, and then didn’t actually try to kill him even though he should have?
It’s a tragic recursion. It’s a lot like Anakin having a disturbing vision of Padmé’s death in EIII and, in trying to prevent it, causing it to happen. Just one of those things that happens to the Skywalker boys.
That’s episode 5. After barely surviving and not giving in, he evolves and becomes the better man in 6.
Episode 8 Luke only works if he had killed Vader then somehow escaped from the Emperor and left in the shuttle just as the DS II blows up.
Episode 6 Luke learned that resisting the dark impulses is the path to peace even in the face of utter destruction. It’s just not reasonable that 6 Luke would “instinctively” ignite his lightsaber when sensing the dark side in Ben. Especially when we know from episode 7 that despite years of dark side training Ben was still feeling the pull of the light side. If Luke senses the dark how could he have not sensed the conflict and as with Vader appealed relentlessly to his light side.
If the rumors of JJ backtracking 8 in episode 9 are true fans of 8 are going to be disappointed.
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Beer and Queso / Re: The Last Jedi [spoiler alert]
« on: January 16, 2019, 06:48:27 pm »From risking the whole galaxy because he saw a sliver of good in Vader (and being right) to killing Ben Solo in his sleep because he’s a bit naughty (and being so wrong he created the new worst person)?
Not to mention having to be heavily goaded into action as a young man when the most evil being in the galaxy appears to be moments from killing everyone he loves.
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Beer and Queso / Re: The Last Jedi [spoiler alert]
« on: January 16, 2019, 03:57:22 pm »I felt very much the same after watching The Last Jedi. IMO it was just an incoherent buzzkill of a plot.
My feelings about it were quite a bit stronger.
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Beer and Queso / Re: The Last Jedi [spoiler alert]
« on: January 16, 2019, 03:32:56 pm »Financially Solo suffered the most from the complete lack of momentum leading up to it.
Complete mismanagement (starting with the choice to do an origin story) being middle and end.
Thre movie itself was ok/ nothing special.
I enjoyed sulking Lando the most.
I really just have no desire to see it so I'll take your word for it.
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Beer and Queso / Re: The Last Jedi [spoiler alert]
« on: January 16, 2019, 02:19:53 pm »I assume this calculation did not include merchandising and other licensing.
It was their SEC filing I think and actually it was a net decrease from the previous year. Their only property to do so.
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Beer and Queso / Re: The Last Jedi [spoiler alert]
« on: January 16, 2019, 12:34:33 pm »Solo was extremely "Meh" too. I think they made a mistake laying out the one-a-year timetable without the scripts mostly in place. Last Jedi and Solo both had to be re-made / re-written on the fly, which rarely results in anything other than something that is, at best, acceptable.
There's a ton more to it than that. LucasFilm leadership is awful.
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Beer and Queso / Re: The Last Jedi [spoiler alert]
« on: January 16, 2019, 12:23:48 pm »Things that don't age well...
Russian plot to destroy the movie aside, the internet is rife with scathing critiques of the movie: the plot points, tonal message and basic cinematography. Even the use of equipment comes in for justifiable criticism (with a bonus dissection of the throne room fight). Having watched the movie again (once), and viewed some of the critique, the movie holds up about as well as my quote above.
Apparently Star Wars was the only Disney property to lose money last year. The movie was that bad.
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Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Roster (New & Improved)
« on: January 07, 2019, 10:56:15 am »These guys were apparently not the centerpieces, but solid lower-level performers who fill needed roster slots ... Manea in Fayetteville gives Nathan Perry more time to develop, and Adolph probably lands in QC where there is plenty of space.
Meanwhile, Bohanek was aging out but has a decent glove and good make-up ... he might get a look at AA or even AAA with the Mets (though I really have no idea what their system looks like). Regardless, I wish him well.
Another thing I find interesting about this trade is that Davis isn't out of options. Had they kept him he'd be in AAA again, providing depth. Luhnow must have felt that a) the odds of the Astros really needing him were quite low (I think he'd be right about that) and b) this was a higher than expected end offer for Davis.
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Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Roster (New & Improved)
« on: January 06, 2019, 01:48:45 pm »From Chandler:
The Astros traded J.D. Davis and Cody Bohanek to the Mets for minor leaguers Ross Adolph, Luis Santana and Scott Manea.
And:
Luis Santana is a second baseman who was ranked No. 24 in MLBPipeline's Top 30 Mets prospects. Scott Manea is a catcher who was a Single-A All Star last season. Ross Adolph is a 2018 draftee, outfielder, who was his team MVP in short season ball.
My knee jerk reaction is that this is very intriguing, in a good way.
473
Beer and Queso / Re: Roger Angell on "Most Important" Vote of His Lifetime
« on: January 05, 2019, 07:16:48 pm »There is plenty of economic theory and real world evidence that raising marginal tax rates gooses the economy; and zero evidence that cutting taxes on the wealthy does the same and decades of evidence to the opposite.
See also wage, minimum.
I suppose I could have looked it up and posted it: https://www.jfklibrary.org/asset-viewer/archives/JFKWHA/1962/JFKWHA-148/JFKWHA-148
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Beer and Queso / Re: Roger Angell on "Most Important" Vote of His Lifetime
« on: January 05, 2019, 06:24:56 pm »For what it's worth, in the 1950s - when the U.S. built a middle class that turned it into an economic powerhouse the likes of which the world has never seen - the top rate was 91%. According to the linked article, the 1950s top rate would kick in at the equivalent of $1.7mm individual / $3.4mm couple in 2015 dollars. Maybe that's $2mm / $4mm in now dollars.
I would like to see someone with a strong view of US tax history discuss this with regard to the volume of deductions that no longer exist.
Alternatively i recall hearing an economic speech by JFK in 62 advocating for reducing the tax rate to improve economic health. At least that's how I remember it.
475
Beer and Queso / Re: College Football 2018
« on: December 30, 2018, 07:39:04 pm »My outside impression:
2. The bowl debacle showed a severe lack of coaching.
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My impression was he didn't recruit well. I was at the bowl game and it sure looked like they were outclassed at every position.
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Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Roster
« on: December 20, 2018, 11:31:13 am »The reason this is huge is because you're losing McHugh to the starting rotation. So Houston is losing two bullpen arms this offseason. Do they need to sign an arm? Not necessarily, but it does mean Peacock is now going to be depended upon more often as a bullpen arm aka 2017. Maybe Rondon and Harris as well. Use a young arm in the long relief man role and you don't need to panic... just yet. Maybe at the trading deadline though. Hence why you need payroll flexibility.
They do have several younger guys with major league bullpen time. I don't know how much Luhnow wants to depend on them.
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Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Roster
« on: December 19, 2018, 04:43:46 pm »Similar arsenal, but not similar in spin rate I think. Meaning McCullers is nasty. Just ask Martin Maldonado. But Bukuakas could be a more "in the strikezone" pitcher if he develops a change that is living on the zone for a good while. McCuller's curveball just explodes, Bukaukas' curve just dips. But it's about strikezone command for a starter, so I think you have a good enough candidate with JBB.
Just to set the record straight. Bukauskus throws a slider. And it's a very good one. He could be in a major league bullpen next year with just the fastball/slider. It is the lack of higher quality third and fourth pitch that will keep him out of a rotation.
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Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Roster
« on: December 19, 2018, 03:21:40 pm »What they want they've made plain to all the MLB, yet clubs still come a'calling. They don't have to trade him and other teams can do like the Braves, Mets, and Dodgers and just walk away. It's allowed on both fronts.
Well, they keep calling because he's a talented player. But they also don't like hearing what the Marlins want.
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Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Roster
« on: December 19, 2018, 02:58:26 pm »LA Dodgers were willing to offer Verdugo. The sticking point was Marlins asking for Cody Bellinger to be added to the deal. Dodgers walked away.
If they want two highest level prospects in trade then they'll have to offer Realmuto arbitration in 2 years to get any kind of prospect out of him.
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Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Roster
« on: December 19, 2018, 02:32:30 pm »You're taking my candidate for closer on my rebuilding team. Do you understand what we're trying to do here in Miami (some people often question if *we* understand what we're trying to do, so there is that). I'm willing to listen for Realmuto, but don't ask for useful major leaguers off my team other than Realmuto. Are you trying to get me run out on a rail here in Miami? You're not happy with just Realmuto? Darn!
James/Bukaukas/Tucker and we have a deal and if you want Conley, at least have the decency to add in Dean Deetz.
The reality is that if any of the rumored teams had offered a top prospect like Tucker a deal would already be done. And those teams do have a least one like Tucker.
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Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Roster
« on: December 19, 2018, 02:25:08 pm »Moran - JD Davis (push)
Musgrove > Bukaukas (AA) because of major league tenure
Feliz > Martin (AA) because of major league experience
Fisher and Stassi are roster fillers for me at this point and I'll listen, maybe I can work them in.
But you're not getting away from sending me Tucker. Re-work your deal because I'm asking for Tucker/Bukaukas/Davis and possibly if you still want I'll take Stassi.
Click
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Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Roster
« on: December 19, 2018, 02:23:12 pm »Basically the Cole trade 2.0?
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That equivalent is something like Valdez, Davis, Fisher, and Solomon.
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Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Roster
« on: December 19, 2018, 01:20:07 pm »How about trying to get Adam Conley included in the deal with Realmuto? Dude had a nice season after being moved into the bullpen. Watching him pitch...kind of reminds me of Andrew Miller.
If I'm convinced he can be a useful member of the bullpen I'd switch Solomon for Armenteros. James/Armenteros/Marisnick/Stassi for Realmuto/Conley.
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Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Roster
« on: December 19, 2018, 12:46:09 pm »Gimme Tucker instead of Solomon in this deal and I'm in. Deal? Marisnick comes home to Miami. Too funny, they traded him away to Houston, so thy name is Boomerang.
Tucker/James is more than I gave up for Verlander. No deal.
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Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Roster
« on: December 19, 2018, 12:37:07 pm »All great comments, love reading them all! Now, if you want to offer me (I'm the Marlins) a counter-offer, go right ahead I'm listening. Including me hanging up on you because you're not serious in your offer.
Josh James, Peter Solomon, Marisnick, and Stassi.
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Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Roster
« on: December 19, 2018, 12:21:03 pm »Yes, and by all accounts they want more in this deal. The Marlins didn’t “win” their other deals and are feeling pressure ton”win” this one because he is their final piece they can trade.
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As if the Marlins control the players they are offered.
They'll hang onto him until they get a deal they can live with. But to have any real hope of higher level prospects they have to deal him this winter. If they wait until July they could get a similar return, but they run the injury risk gauntlet to get there.
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Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Roster
« on: December 19, 2018, 11:53:55 am »So now that we know that the Miami Marlins are in conversation with the Houston Astros again and that they (the Marlins) know you can't center a deal around "Run" Forrest "Run" Whitley, what if they (the Marlins) said to the Astros they wanted the following:
Kyle Tucker (OF), J.B. Bukauskas (RHP), Max Stassi (C), and Tony Kemp (LF)
Would you (not asking would the Astros, I'm asking would *you*) do this trade? I have not heard anything about asking price but suffice it to say since the Marlins have asked for good to really good major league talent from previous suitors (Bellinger, Acuna, Conforto, et. al.), methinks you're going to have to mix prospects with young talent for them. Are they asking too much in my trade scenario?
Based on what I've read and seen that's more than they got for Yelich.
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Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Roster
« on: December 19, 2018, 11:22:14 am »
With the Brantley signing made official today the Astros have replaced the 3 spots/players they lost to free agency. Diaz for Gonzalez, Chirinos for McCann/Maldonado, and Brantley for Gattis.
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Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Roster
« on: December 18, 2018, 03:40:15 pm »Bregman just twittered --- Big News Coming Soon
Realmuto?
Kluber?
Usually when Bregman tweets it's about him or something he's doing.
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Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Roster
« on: December 18, 2018, 02:51:52 pm »MLB network's Ken Rosenthal had fun with numbers:
a five year blind comparison between two free agents this offseason
Player A .283 Avg / .343 OBP / .502 Slugging / 127 OPS+
Player B .311 Avg / .371 OBP / .475 Slugging / 127 OPS+
Pretty close. The only difference, durability in the last five years of Player A and B. If you watch the MLB Network, you'll know who these players are.
Harper and Brantley?
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Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Roster
« on: December 18, 2018, 02:40:13 pm »Now that Noe has re-emerged, I feel obliged to tell him about this “TLDR” movement on the internet and how it might give some of us an option to read a synopsis before investing time that might be better spent reading War and Peace if we aren’t interested in a post’s particular subject matter.
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I find Noe's posts to be brilliant and more on point than anything else here. I'm not talking about the content (sorry Noe). Sometimes I agree and sometimes I don't. But. You have to spend time reading. Which in turn leads to a decreased likelihood of posting. TLDR: Noe encourages us to read more and post less.
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Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Roster
« on: December 18, 2018, 12:22:13 pm »but everyone who purports to know sassy Miami wants to trade Realmuto, before Christmas if possible.
On a side note, Thursday marks the one year anniversary of the Astros trading Preston Tucker to a NL East team.
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Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Roster
« on: December 18, 2018, 11:20:08 am »Realmuto is such a star.
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Tucker is a better prospect than anyone they got back in the Yelich deal last year.
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Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Roster
« on: December 18, 2018, 09:40:31 am »With Verlander and Cole free agents after next season, 2019 has to be the "all in it to win it" year for the Astros.
That's not to say that the Astros' window closes after this season, but the kick ass rotation that the Astros are enjoying might not be around and will require significant retooling.
The window is now. But Luhnow also has to try to have a competitive team on the field every year. Thinking about this then I would not be surprised if he did not add a starting pitcher, or at least one who would take on a lot of innings. Getting the young arms major league time would set them up to be the rotation after Verlander and Cole are gone. In other words I wouldn't put anything past Luhnow.
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Talk Zone / Re: Talk me off the ledge
« on: December 13, 2018, 04:30:09 pm »James continues on the path,
There is audio on astros.com where Strom discusses James's weaknesses including that he goes all out on every pitch and ends up wearing out after about 50 pitches. He wanted him to learn from Verlander how to put it on cruise control and only gun the accelerator when necessary in order to consistently last longer. (I know, TWSS). So, if he's hitting 95 or so consistently in his outings this spring then we'll know he's learning that lesson.
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Talk Zone / Re: Talk me off the ledge
« on: December 13, 2018, 04:25:15 pm »Framber throws consistent strikes.
Framber's strike rate is low compared to the rest of the staff last year. He walked 24 in 37 innings. The high walk rate has always been his nemesis.
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Talk Zone / Re: Talk me off the ledge
« on: December 13, 2018, 01:10:50 pm »All I see so far is an offseason going very badly.
Keuchel and Marwin are good as gone - at least that was expected.
Morton's departure is a crucial blow and the alternatives in the market for the rotation are dwindling rapidly.
Chirinos does nothing to reassure me at the catcher situation, and I didn't consider Stassi's audition for the full-time gig a success.
We just lost two decent prospects to Rule 5.
Convince me this offseason is going better than I think, because it seems pretty damn bleak so far.
FTR
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Talk Zone / Re: 2019 Roster
« on: December 12, 2018, 02:52:24 pm »Which would surprise you more, Luhnow surrendering the 2nd round draft pick to get a premium catcher, or Luhnow surrendering Kyle Tucker to get a premium catcher?
Are you really comparing Grandal to Realmuto?
Regardless, Luhnow has dealt top prospects. He has not forfeited draft picks.
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Talk Zone / Re: Garrett Stubbs
« on: December 12, 2018, 01:53:21 pm »Much has been said and written about the Astros (among other teams) coveting J.T. Realmuto. Understood, appreciated and I think it would be great too. But the cost seems to be really high and many teams are slowly backing away from overpaying for the stud catcher. I really don't know if the Miami Marlins are serious about a trade or more concerned about fan reaction to yet another trade of a young very good player for something less than a great haul. In Miami, you need all the fans you can get... removing the funky monument from left centerfield was a step in the right direction. So my real gut feeling is that Miami isn't really interested in trading Realmuto until they establish for the fandom that they will only accept major league ready prospects... and more than just one... many and perhaps a good young player already in the bigs. So they are trying to prove something to overturn what they did last year with Stanton, Ozuna, and Yelitch. Fans and media alike did not think Miami did well in making those trades last year, especially the Yelitch trade. So I believe the Realmuto trade is directly affected by what happened last year and as the great baseball rock group "The Who" once opined "We won't get fooled again".
Bottomline, the Astros should not get sucked into the vortex of overpaying just because the Marlins need a great trade to make themselves fell better about themselves.
So one guy I'm looking forward to seeing this season in Round Rock is Garrett Stubbs. I've seen him play in some games and also some Spring Training games and I thought he looked really good. He has a good eye from what I've seen of him, never swinging at everything thrown. He makes pitchers throw him his pitch, meaning he works counts really well and when he gets his pitch, he puts good swings on the ball. The translates to a lot of line drives. As a left handed bat, he has a much more refined swing than Kyle Tucker, but he doesn't really hit with the uppercut (launch angle?) to get a lot of balls in the air. So he doesn't have a homerun swing per se, but man he hits the ball hard. As far as catching is concerned, he has a lean body type, so he's not in the same league as Buster Posey in body type, but he could fill out more if needed but I fear that would wear on his catching ability as it did for Posey who is now being considered for a move to first base. Stubbs has a very athletic build even though he's only 5'10" (again, think Posey) and runs well. I saw him once run down the third base line with all the equipment on to chase a foul ball that the third baseman was not going to get. He got there with his speed and that told me he's an athlete as much as a catcher. Pitch framing and calling a game... I don't know where he rates. I guess our Bus Ride folks can provide those scouting repots for us. But right now I think a combo of Stassi and Stubbs for the future is a good thing. Which will be the starter and which will be the backup is anyones guess, but in terms of what works for Houston's offense, Stubbs is a great fit. I thought the Astros lost a lot with McCann's injury last year. Stassi did well defensively and somewhat offensively, but he was not the patient hitter that McCann was who works pitchers into hitter counts. McCann just could not hit the pitches as well as he was used to so that became a hole in the lineup for almost the entire year.
Would it be wise to give Stubbs a chance at this part of the lineup next year? I dunno, hence why I figure he'll be in Round Rock and it's Charinos and Stassi to start the season, but do I believe Stubbs might get his chance next year? Yes I do. Like Tony Kemp providing that much needed solution at the bottom of the lineup last year (kind of negating the hole that was the lineup occupied by the catcher), be on the look out for Stubbs being the answer to some problems the Astros might encounter during the season at the bottom of the lineup.
BTW - Stubbs was included in the trade for Bryce Harper last year and sometimes it's not that you are traded because you're a bust but because somebody wants you. So let's see what happens with the young man, it's time to get him into the mix for the Astros.
In the astros.com article linked in the 2019 Roster thread Hinch calls him a promising prospect. His defense is supposedly top notch with excellent mechanics and good arm but not a cannon.