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I dunno about that. His breakdowns have never really had any hard-hitting analysis and were always more about pointing out things in funny ways while never taking anything or anyone too seriously.
Then hold a celebratory parade with 10,000 trash can drummers leading the way.
Umpires are sort of a missing opinion right now. Anything heard by the hitter or opposing team was heard by at least four umpires. Have any weighed in on this?
Every club has a monitor like that with two people sitting at it (one a MLB rep) to watch replays to help decide if a review request is needed. It's not suspicious, it's normal. Notice the two chairs?
Astros fans deserve better, too, though — because the logo on their hat doesn’t stand for Brandon Taubman or for Roberto Osuna, or for the people who would excuse their actions in the name of success. Women affected by violence have a right to say that the the team is theirs, that these people aren’t allowed to take their team from them or dictate what they must accept in order to appreciate it.
The logo doesn’t stand for some front-office toad who proudly traded for a bad man who then played well; someday they’ll be gone and you’ll still be here. It stands for memories shared over lazy summer afternoons and tense fall evenings. It stands for a father teaching his daughter to hold a bat just like Bagwell or Altuve, for a mother bonding with her son over the team she grew up loving, for women who love sports or work in sports standing in their place and not having to apologize for it, explain it, or justify it to anyone.
The wins and losses will pass; the shared history will not. The Brandon Taubmans and Roberto Osunas don’t own the game; you do.
It stands for you, not them.
Stubby Clapp is one of the all-time baseball names, kind of like Razor Shines.
Returning my '98 NLCS tickets is possibly my low point in Astros fandom.
Shaver grew up catching and was recruited to BYU as a catcher but was primarily a DH in college because he was blocked by older catchers on the Cougars’ roster.
“I really like it back there. I like how you’re always engaged in each and every pitch,” Shaver said. “That’s always been my first love as a position.”
They haven't publicly entertained that notion, have they? Based on this rehab protocol from Dr. James Andrews (last page) he's on step 0 or 1 (depending on how you count it being halfway up the mound) of a minimum 12 steps before he even starts throwing breaking balls, and another minimum three steps beyond that before starting 15-pitch simulated games. And this probably represents the best case scenario.
The Astros really need Good Framber to show up tonight.
Just saw that he was DFA'd. As said before, should be sent to the nearest jail.
How about finally jettisoning Brady Rogers? Why in the world is he on the 40 man roster?
I'd guess Fisher.
Could be but don’t know. My friend on the scene says he was not ready for AAA.
It starts with defense. According to Baseball Info Solutions, the Astros’ defense has saved nearly 100 more runs than Detroit’s has, hinting at the huge run-prevention boost Boyd could get in Houston. Drill down deeper, and we could see the Astros’ vaunted pitching brain trust get even more out of Boyd’s excellent stuff. A fastball-slider pitcher, Boyd’s allowed opponents to hit a respectable .252 with a .456 slugging average against his four-seamer this year. If the Astros can coax more movement out of that fastball while offering the security blanket of excellent outfield defense, we could see Boyd throw more frequent heaters with serious ride on them, resulting in more harmless fly outs and more swings and misses, if all goes according to plan.
The Astros need to hire Beltran away from the Yankees.
Why are you so certain that Cole will leave? You think someone will throw crazy money at him? Or some other reason?
I am not suggesting Boyd is worth Tucker, but if Tucker is not available for a top of the rotation pitcher, what is the plan for him?
Out of curiosity...is this contest the *only* way to get beer?
Not sure if this should go here or the bus ride but...
The triumphant return of Felipe Paulino??? Astros have signed him and he's headed to RR, yes THAT Felipe Paulino who debuted 10+ years ago. He's been with the Skeeters most recently
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Only a Yankee deals in absolutes.
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I was cool with it, especially as they Back to the Futured themselves into the earlier movies which was fun (even Dark World). Of course, not undoing the snap back to its origin - thus saving Stark's daughter - meant that they created a whole heap of heartache and trouble for the snapped and unsnapped alike.
Imagine coming back after 5 years - not having aged a second - and trying to piece your life back together that you didn't know had been gone! Imagine getting back friends, family, husbands, wives, kids, when you are 5 years older and have moved on to make a new life for yourself without them! How many of the unsnapped killed themselves in grief and horror at surviving? How many of the snapped will kill themselves because they cannot deal with where their world is now? How is Spider-Man: Homecoming going to deal with all this?*
* By the looks of the trailer, not at all, which is the tangled web they weave when first they practice to time travel.
Wait, Pressley's marrying one of your high school classmates?
Sounds like you're channeling a recent article from The Athletic.
One of the themes in various pieces written about the Astros is the information they make available to the players.
Actionable information in corporate-ese.
JV was impressed and bought into it.
The hitters get reports on opponents and themselves. As much as they want or think they can handle.
Giles apparently turned his self-flagellated nose up at the info they tried to give him. He didn't buy in. Buying in isn't a guarantee for success, but it seems foolhardy not to do so.
And I don't care if they were drafted by Branch Rickey. Every player in the organization stands to benefit, including #'s 4, 27, 2, and 1.
I’m assuming you’ll be Spider-Noir. I would insist on it!
If you haven’t yet, you’re going to want to watch Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
Not only is it a rollickingly good Marvel movie, you need to see it before you see Endgame. Especially, the mid- and post-credit scenes. Specifically, the post-credit scene is both absolutely hilarious and absolutely pivotal to how Endgame is purported to play out.
Also, Marvel finally figured out how to cram the last Hollywood Chris (Pine) into the MCU.
I REALLY like Cole. I REALLY don’t like a 6 year deal. If he has another great year this year, he may get it but I’m not sure I’d want the Astros to be the takers. Problem is, I’m not sure he takes an extension that does not push the time out. Here’s to hoping the Astros brass work their magic...
When we’re 60 years old and they call us up for the 25-year anniversary of the 2017 World Series team, and we’re out there in our khakis, I’ll hopefully be out there in my velcro New Balance shoes, pants are sagging, some 15-year-old polo shirt that’s sunbleached, wearing our World Series rings and they’re like two sizes too big because I’m all skin and bones, hopefully, that’s something I’m looking forward to.
Instead of worrying about the luxury tax and future extensions, I’d rather celebrate the fact that Jim Crane and Lunhow are willing to do what it takes to keep the core of a great baseball team together. Kudos to them for getting extensions done with Altuve, Bregman, Verlander, and Pressly.
Re: CM, cudos for the meta casting of Ben Mendelsson (sp?) as Tulos, because our brains are already completely conditioned to see him as the villain. It was a little jarring getting an origin story (actually 2) this deep into it, but I recognize there’s no way they could have introduced anyone as powerful as Danvers before the end because we’d all wonder where she was.
Rosenthal says the Astros are talking extensions with Verlander and Cole:
https://theathletic.com/882118/2019/03/22/rosenthal-the-astros-want-to-extend-verlander-and-cole-harper-on-choosing-philly-more-notes/
If the team really is pursuing extensions, they've clearly decided that the analytics think it's a good idea too.
Toronto starts the (relatively minor but still a more than welcome step in the right direction) revolution.
https://theathletic.com/872732/2019/03/17/blue-jays-ready-to-embrace-change-finalizing-minor-league-pay-increase-of-more-than-50-percent/
https://theathletic.com/873079/2019/03/17/blue-jays-do-the-right-thing-on-minor-league-salaries-but-acknowledge-more-is-needed/
The pay raises will not catapult Toronto farmhands into fancy condos or upscale restaurants. And baseball has much left to do to improve the lives of minor-league players, many of whom will still work for wages that put them below the poverty line while living in cramped quarters and enduring long bus rides, acknowledged Mike Murov, the Jays’ director of baseball operations. “It’s not something we wanted to do overly publicly because we’re not solving all of the issues with minor-league baseball,” Murov said in an interview. “We’re not going to toot our own horn when there are significant challenges that remain. Until you get comprehensive reform regarding facilities, wellness, travel, all of those things, there are going to be significant challenges.”
But Murov stressed that the pay increases are a natural progression from the Jays’ investments in other resources for minor-league players – high-performance medical and mental support; a greater emphasis on a healthy diet through staff nutritionists and better clubhouse food; and improved facilities (weight rooms, for example, and the major construction, now in its nascent stage, for new training quarters in Dunedin).
Who here has been to a Skeeters game? Is it fun?
Without having put a lot of thought into it, this seems counter-intuitive to me, what with more question marks in the rotation this year than last. All for it, though.
Best all-time Astros center field defender?
To the contrary, Bauer said that the arbitration hearing was fine until the last ten minutes which he described as “character assassination.” He’s a fairly precious guy but if I were an employer I would work hard to avoid instilling such feelings. Credit to the Astros for being professional.
Hunter Pence runs like a mime struggling to open a parasol in an electrical storm, but he's an All-Star.
You'd think Dave Campo would be available.
I would love JV to stay, but my fear is he'll go to LA.
I'm mildly surprised that Garrett Stubbs isn't on the list. Okay, more than mildly.
I was sincerely hoping for Home of the 12th Overtime
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Highly recommend the new Coen brothers anthology on Netflix.
Allow me to make the case
Age: 28
6 time All Star
5 Gold Gloves
2 Silver Sluggers
1 WS MVP
I live in KC and while not a fan, the entire community loves this guy. He is a quality backstop and 35million left on his contract until 2021. Could be a package with Merrifield as well -- but not imperative.
Had major injury to his MCL accidental suit case fall last year and still had 27 HRs and 80 rbis
I am hoping for
Salvy Perez - C
Goldy - 1B
Happ - SP - Solid FA 3rd Starter Pitcher
Sort out Outfield Summer trade deadline...
Congrats to the Aggies for finally taking the win the officials gift-wrapped for them over and over.
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If Marwin is not back next year, and I have to think he won't be (which I hate), you need some guys that can play several positions. White (1B, 3B), Kemp, (LF, 2B) fill some of Marwin's backup spots. I don't know of another guy that can do what Marwin does with the offensive production he does. Most "utility" guys aren't big producers. One of Luhnow's first acquisitions.
FYI Jim, a "movie" is a collection of still frames strung together a shown a speed to recreate the effect of movement. Also, it's in color.
I first read that as Les Miles. I need help.
We're getting so old. I could've sworn Pence was just crushing the ball in Kissimmee and gunning to make the OD roster. Such a fun player to watch, maddening and exciting all at once. And two WS rings on top of that $125 mil. Good for him.
While we're talking retirements: check out this video of what'll surely be Joe Mauer's last appearance.
What is the Honda key?
Only able to get SRO.
I think Gattis will be on the roster.
I like the way you think.
So much for those manager of the year awards...
Brian McTaggart @brianmctaggart 13m ago
Fresno manager Rodney Linares, Fresno hitting coach Darryl Robinson, Buies Creek manager Morgan Ensberg and Corpus Christi developmental coach Mycal Jones aren't being retained by the Astros for 2019.
See also Teoscar Hernandez. Pretty clear they felt set in the outfield and were willing to use their depth to shore up other areas.
What I like most about Rondon is his apparent calm.
This is probably Cabrera'd (although I couldn't find it in the thread), but I did read a pretty interesting article about Osuna, and the history of the Astros WRT domestic violence, in the dead-tree San Antonio Express-News last Sunday (not yesterday). I've googled and I can't seem to find it.
I'm pretty sure it was written by Brian T. Smith and almost certainly it appeared in the Chronicle (which is owned by Hearst, same as SA paper).
Apparently, the Astros (via Astros wives') had a relationship with a battered women's shelter when McLane was owner. This ended when Crane decided to focus Astros charitable giving on inner-city youth.
They also talked with the executive VP for a battered women's charity (wish I could remember the name) and she said that zero tolerance policies can unintentionally provoke greater abuse (since the abuser has nothing to lose once they've crossed the line once), and they oppose zero tolerance as an organization.
The article also mentioned past Astro domestic violence incidents like Lugo and Cesar Cedeño. It was a really good read-wish I could find it.
I think it’s because Hader’s tweets were from 6-7 years ago - when he was 17,18 and not yet drafted even.
Yesterday he also mentioned Straw would get some work at middle IF to make him a more valuable ML roster piece in the future. Talked about Reed, Davis being blocked despite being ML-ready (Reed is ML ready?) and gave me the impression they may need to move on this off-season.
Astros equipment manager Dennis Laborio approached Wagner in the clubhouse.
“Drayton wants the ball,” Laborio said to Wagner, referring to Astros owner Drayton McLane, who was in attendance at Yankee Stadium that night.
“Well he’s not getting the ball,” Wagner told him.
Another musing of the insane:
Love how the governor doesn't even have the nads to protect the reputation of his citizens from the Cult of Dear Leader.
If he ends up making it big on another team it will be bitters wheat.
Fast guy Miles Straw went 5x5 with three runs scored and his 31st stolen base of the season. He ranks 1st in the Texas League in hits and runs, 2nd in batting average, and 3rd in OBP.
Colitis? Crohns? Diverticulitis? Peritonitis? Or maybe he just ate some bad seafood.
Sigh. Marisnick is not on this team because of hitting.
Giles has pitched in 12 games, hes given up runs in 3 and hits in 4 of his appearances. Of the 3 hes given up run(s) in, the first came with a 4 run lead, he gave up 1. The second came with the astros trailing 2-1 and he gave up 1. And last night was obviously a shitty night for him but I think were maybe a little to harsh on him
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Fisher's current role is placeholder for Tucker. Jake is the 4th outfielder. Straw is a quality defender as well. One thing Jake does that Straw does not is hit for power.
From the bullpen perspective you're talking about multiple changes. You would have to remove at least 2 pitchers from the bullpen permanently and add no more than one. I don't see 2 guys to remove. I see one, Sipp, especially because he's not good, and his contract expires at the end of the season.
Gattis is a free agent after this season. Maybe he can be traded. But what team would want him? And who would replace him? Davis, maybe? I don't believe Luhnow wants more than one rookie position player on the team at a time. I don't know that Tucker is ready either.
Also, can changes wait? Right now they're in the post-season. Even with the holes the offense is able to score 5 or more a night.
Jones has responded to the promotion by hitting 7 doubles and a homer in 44 ABs.
Also killing it....Myles Straw has a .545 OBP and 11 stolen bases in his first 15 games.
.
Then who replaces Marisnick? That would make a heck of a defensive outfield.
Worth every penny. Hope its OK with Keuchel.
Is there not a YouTube app for Apple TV? I know my Roku has one.
I would not expect him until late in the season, maybe even September, unless there is a massive implosion among the incumbents.
If true, that's really dumb. If not true, that's really dumb.
Can confirm @Buster_ESPN report. Forrest Whitley suspended for 50 games. Source tells me Whitley was at an out of state college baseball game as a fan after his season was over and was given an unknown stimulant by a friend in order to help keep him awake on his long drive home.
Speak of the Devil. Luhnow says Reed showed up in good shape.
The change from 2011 to 2012 is stark.
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The necessity of carving out stage time for a bunch of pols who probably couldn't name four Astros was, by far, the worst part of the Victory Parade.
What if Luhnow had selected Appel over Correa in 2012?
Speaking of which.....Appel is leaving baseball for other pursuits. I wish him well. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2757009-why-mark-appel-perhaps-the-biggest-bust-in-mlb-history-is-retiring-at-26
What if Dickie Thon had never been hit by that pitch?
Just about every pitcher said the balls were an issue, but you are right that tipping pitches was probably a bigger factor for Darvish specifically. Verducci got the scoop:
According to aHouston playerCarlos Beltran, the Astros often knew what Darvish was about to throw by the way he brought the ball into his glove in the set position. (Darvish pitches exclusively out of the stretch.)The playerBeltran said it worked like this: Darvish holds the ball at his side when he gets the sign from the catcher. Whether he re-grips or not as he brings the ball into his glove was the tip-off whether he was going to throw a slider/cutter or a fastball.
“We knew the first time we faced him [in Game 3],”the playerBeltran said. “The next time [in Game 7] it was mostly the same, but then it was more about just having a great game plan going in. We knew he was going to try to go back to his slider to find it. We had a great approach.”
Darvish did not make it out of the second inning in either start. He threw 48 sliders and cutters to Houston hitters in the World Series. They swung and missed only twice at them while hitting .556 against the pitch.
Thome snuck up on me too. I guess the 612 home runs and 10 post seasons did it. The rest of his resume is fairly pedestrian.
Small nit: I think Valverde was better than Giles (so far).
I've never been Giles' biggest fan. I think he leaves far too many pitches in hittable locations. But the Astros are saying he's their guy so I don't think they're looking, and there's not much point to talking about replacing him right now.
According to Mark Berman, the Astros picked up LHP Buddy Boshers off of waivers from the Twins.
Free Jon Kemmer!
Modernsportsreporting: it's better to be first than right.
Rays just traded Longoria to the Giants. I’d say the odds of an Archer deal just went way up.
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I've been thinking about the Dodgers analytics approach versus the Astros. From the series, the Dodgers definitely seemed more prescriptive, meddlesome even. I think that there is a reasonable argument to be made that the Astros analytics use is more player enablement focused and could potentially be very beneficial for Darvish.
Also, bird in the hand. You can never have too much pitching. You have no guarantees with Dallas in free agency, so if you can secure quality pitching you do it. Crane has said many times that this can be a top 10 payroll franchise and that was before the windfall of a world series.
The QA/QC at the mlb shop is not what I'd like it to be. I ordered the grey WS champs shirt online because I couldn't find it in Austin. The trophy is misaligned. My Houston Strong shirt also had the same problem. I'll live with it, but I'm irked.
My dilly dilly shirt has not arrived yet so I'm hoping and praying it is not also screwed up.
Speaking of rewatching....
So Giles in game 2. While he gets crapped on for his performance, the Astros also don't get to extra innings without him keeping the game tied in the 9th, facing the heart of the Dodgers order. He Ks Saeger, gets Turner to ground out and Bellinger to pop out. He threw 10 pitches, 7 strikes.
He comes back out for the 10th, with a lead. Falls behind 2-1 Puig, then throws a 98mph fastball low and outside. Watch the replay it was going to hit McCanns mitt dead center exactly where McCann had set up. It was a good pitch, hat tip to Puig. Giles then strikes out the next 2 guys.
Forsythe comes up and Giles is now at 22 pitches. He gets to 1-2 and tries to get him to chase a slider down, which even Smoltz says is a great pitch. 2-2 pitch is a another slider but way out of the zone that bounces to McCann. Ball 4 is a fastball low and outside that just misses. Buck comments, that didn't miss by much. Now Kike comes up with Giles at 28 pitches. At this point, Giles loses all control. Way off the plate fastball, slider in the dirt that is a wildpitch, 98mph high fastball for a swinging strike, followed by another fastball well out of the zone. Then the ball that Kike hits is a 96mph fastball, off the plate and up. pitch 32.
Giles was excellent up until 2-2 on Forsythe. Damn shame he couldn't finish him off.
Morton has always looked vaguely familiar to me, but I couldn't put my finger on it. This morning it hit me: he looks like Kevn Brown. Which makes his Game 7 performance fitting in a couple of ways, I suppose.
Agree, up until the walk he'd been fine. Felt like he had run out of gas, he was all over the place starting with the batter he walked.
Maybe that will wipe the smirk off of Castro's face.
Do you honestly think I would ask him “What happened to you?”
I want the Yankees to win out and Boston to loose out (of course) so they have to play a one game playoff before the wild card and burn up Sale in the process.
Cleveland winning again today. I feel like Butch and Sundance when they're being tracked by the posse. Who are those guys?
Minutes later, Heyman clarified that the teams spoke "last week" but have not discussed the deal "for several days".
Typical Heyman bullshit.
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#Astros have shown interest in #Angels reliever (and ex-Astro) Bud Norris. @MLB
Liriano deal is done.
Me too. I managed to see him play in 2006 (?) in Asheville when he was doing this brief tour of mid-size southeastern cities. A great experience.
Luhnow et al. have a demonstrated record of success in the draft, which ensures a steady pipeline of players. This indeed is a win now year. I'd be willing to mortgage the farm with the expectation that good talent continues to bubble up. If it takes Tucker, so be it. Fisher too. Throw in Martes and Bregman.
40 for 40 Presents: Lance McCullers, Jr.
You're out of your fucking element.
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Why the fuck is Carl Pavano in the booth?
Han miraculously being in the right place in the whole fucking galaxy to find the Falcon and R2 waking up at exactly the right time for no apparent reason (the two most glaring holes) grated on me more than before.
They took Tilman's mother out to a nice seafood dinner, and it wasn't even at a Landry's restaurant.
AAA phase:
The #Astros select C Eduardo De Oleo from the #DIamondbacks
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At the moment I'm expecting both McHugh and Fiers to be dealt.
Carlos Gomez re-signs w/Rangers, 1 yr at $11.5MM.
I thought Caswell pulled out.
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"Un-Unleash the Kraken" -the new movie
Not to go all Todd here, but PIT is said to be moving McCutcheon.
What about trading for him, then centering a Sale deal around Springer instead of Bregman?
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This makes no sense to me. Carter raked last year. His worst month he managed a 685 OPS. How is he not worth 10 million for one year? Well aware he strikes out a ton. Chris Davis landed a 7 year 161 million dollar contract the year after he K'd 208 times. yeah Carter does not have that track record. But we are talking 1 year 10 million. And if he repeats next year you have him under team control for the next year. Doesn't seem like a huge gamble there.
That outfield isn't what I would have guessed. I would guess LF Hernandez, CF Springer, RF Reddick.
Astros add to the rotation, signing RHP Charlie Morton to a 2-year deal worth a guaranteed $14M (w/ incentives based on starts that could add another $5M). Among active pitchers w/ 800 IP, Keuchel and Morton rank 1-2 in GB/FB ratio.
If he was white they would have also called him a "student of the game" and a "coach on the field".
I don't know what "it" is, but seems to me the foremost objection among people like me is that he is an (at best) amoral cynical opportunist and con-man, probably with narcissistic personality disorder, someone who is proud of his ignorance, probably delusional, and a bully. The "it" with Trump has never been about issues or ideology because there's no there there: he's covered most sides of every issue at one time or another. "It" has always been a question of character.
According to those who claim to know, did Dexter like it in Houston during his stint as an Astro?
I was sitting at my favorite watering hole last night enjoying an IPA with a few regulars one of whom is an avid Cubs/Bears/Black Hawks fan. He was really pumped up and talking shit. A couple of others commented that it was nice to see the Cubs in the series and wished them well. I listened quietly until I was asked who I was pulling for and I said that I hoped the Cubs got their stools pushed in by the Tribe. Needless to say histrionics followed, but I don't care. FTC.
I'm actually a fan of rasslin', for a variety of reasons.
Yeah it's not great, especially for pitching. But here are a few names as far as non pitchers. Cespedes, Encarnacion, Trumbo, Bautista, Fowler. Aroldis Chapman is also a FA, but I'm sure they are still holding their breath on Giles..
Do we know who the best pitcher, not on our current roster, beats the Rangers consistently?
El Caballo wasn't a glue guy until he retired.
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Let's talk about McHugh. He's has not been good this season. Is he even in the rotation next season?
Assuming that the Astros don't go out and get a veteran pitcher (and McCullers is okay), could the rotation be Keuchel, McCullers, Musgrove, Fiers, Devenski?
Its not that I am particularly enamored with Fiers, but he's been better than McHugh. And the Astros have Martes and Paulino who may also be ready for next year.
For me, my favorite Footer moment was the diatribe she posted to Astros.com after Jeriome Robertson lasted a whole third of an inning against the Brewers in the stretch run.
Lucroy himself wrote he wanted to go to Dallas.
It's been my experience this year that a broad swath of commentators consider Ortiz a virtual shoe-in for the Hall. This has grated on me a bit given:
1) he once failed a PED test;
2) he's a DH;
3) Jeff Bagwell.
But I appreciate the fact that my homerism might be coloring my perspective on this. Does Ortiz belong in the Hall? As of today he's racked up 530 home runs and a slash line of 285/379/550 over a 20-year career. What do you think?
But what other top catcher could they trade for?
If Trump drops out of the race, what does that look like? What happens?
When is the last time you've seen that many flops in a row?
But it's who the Republican voters wanted. And the brass may not have wanted him, but that's who they begged for the last 8 years. This is the culture they nurtured.
If you think he got booed before, wait until he shows up as a Ranger.
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I'm waiting to see the names he floats for his White House counsel possibilities (and Attorney General, too). Can you imagine having to somehow explain to His Trumpiness that he can't do something he wants to do?
It seems to me that the Bergman anticipation is greater even than that for Correa? Anyway, isn't it fun to have these guys coming up.
I just came from browsing through the Baseball America at the newsstand and they have their mid-season Top 50 prospects and there were 5 Astros.
10% of the games' best prospects and I remember clearly decades in which they may have had one at a time on such a list.
Besides Bregman they listed Martes, Tucker, Paulino and one I can't recall.
That's it? If you had access to Ground Control, you'd do two chicks at the same time?
That was tweeted out last month, which Cabrera noted at the time.
I don't think I dealt with more racist comments in 15 years combined in Houston than the last 2 months from Cardinals fans.
this so has the makings of a made for tv movie
http://ftw.usatoday.com/2016/07/roger-clemens-nbc-world-series-baseball-mlb-adam-laroche-roster
There's a summer opera in Cooperstown, the Glimmerglass, that's one of the major summer operas, comparable to Santa Fe. It was very memorable. You should also re-read Deerslayer or The Last of the Mohicans.
Agreed. Maybe a B-grade low-level prospect or two, to shore up some depth or to flip.
Although I'm still having a hard time figuring out what the Astros are targeting to help the MLB roster.
So, basically, a Martes would get a team a Pomeranz? Of note, Pomeranz is arb eligible in 2017 and an FA in 2019. He's only making $1.35mm this season.
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Ironically enough, the Dallas PD has been lauded for their procedural and cultual shift in community relations and interactions with individuals (especially deescalation of potentially violent situations).
Does every minor league level need saving? Does every team need 6-7 state side affiliates? Does every team need two or three short season teams? Is there really that big of a jump from low A to high A? If getting players a living wage means we loose some lower levels, I am okay with that. Paying them during spring training and instructs should also happen.This is the weird part to me; the bill seems to be supported by MLB, but the indy teams are the only ones who would actually benefit. Upping the MiLB salaries would be a drop in the bucket for MLB teams.
It will mean that some players never get a shot at pro ball. 99.99999% of those kids have no shot at advancing to AAA much less to MLB.
The bigger impact would be on indy ball more than affiliated ball.
I think most Hindus would like to tell you about Vishnu, but they can't get their arms around how they should.
Is he a lefty off the tee?
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Everyone on this team is too afraid of Gomez showing up and flipping around an Uzi in the clubhouse...to lead this team...the dude scares me through the tv !
Altuve perhaps?
Springer/Correa too young...
My thought...trade Gomez...if that is possible... and bring back Hunter Pence to lead...whatever the cost.
Well, "cleaning house". AD stays. Starr stays, and actually moves up to chancellor.
I'd definitely recommend hitting up pizzeria bianco.Second this. My favorite pizza ever.
Randy Johnson (Seattle Mariners starting pitcher): My manager came onto the mound and said to me, “Well, Randy, you fucking blew it like the Oracle said you would, and so now we’re trading you to the Houston Astros,” and I said, “Please don’t do that. Those fuckers are weird,” and my manager said, “You should have thought of that before you gave up that goddamn moonshot to McGwire.” And then the Houston Astros drove onto the field in a school bus, and they were all humming the same high-pitched note in unison, and their manager said to me, “Welcome to the Houston Astros. We all sleep in the same big bed, and the bed is alive,” and I said, “I hate you weird fuckers,” but I had to get on the bus anyway.
So if the Rangers apparently already need a new park...it surely it bodes well for the future of ours that their plan seems to be to just copy MMP.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ci64AHgUUAAamp9.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ci64AHjUgAAXLJF.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ci64AK6U4AARaFZ.jpg
In a moment of pure pottery
Chip off the ol' block?
It could be mgmnt pushing these guys to be more opinionated. I have no knowledge of this, just speculation, but with the newspaper industry losing so much share of voice they may be trying to re-invent themselves to a degree.
NC...HH...thank you both. Feedback above and beyond, as per usual.
Now, I'm sure I'll get run outta here for my next question, but gotta ask it. Is there any chance Lance isn't hurt at all and this is merely a creative way to push back the start of his season without hurting him in the wallet, nor having to answer any questions about it?
There were signs on the freeways in Houston that I-10 was closed at the border, advising people to take US 59 to I-20. I assume they had lots of signs along the road leading to the border too.
And LaDOTD is the equivalent of TXDOT.
What was the name of the sombrero wearing group with the stick horses that hung out along the rail near the center field concourse?
I'm hard-pressed to think of anyone who would do it.
Rasmus situation reminds me a bit of Everett. Both were in big markets and just didn't seem to fit in. Carl in NY and Colby in STL/Toronto
Both came to Houston and just seemed/appeared to be much more comfortable here. Colby has gone from introvert to google wearing maniac who seems like he is having a blast playing baseball again.
Here is a good example that the Astros just tweeted out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jon-JYdOqHM
He did make the difference by not diving for the football on the fumble.
Interesting read. Good context really
That's a significant all around improvement.
I hope they didn't write themselves into a hole. Never trained Rey ended up kicking heavily trained Ren's ass. Any future showdown, assuming Rey is fully trained, has to be Rey dominant. She was clearly stronger with the force.
I never expected that Vader would step out of the shower on the Death Star after blowing up Yavin, and it turn out that everything else had just been a dream.
Eh? Oh. Spoiler alert.
I'm going Friday night. Mild spoilers are starting to appear in mainstream reviews, so full-on spoilers will be rife in the next few days. Best not to wait too long as you might get the whole thing spoiled by accident.
Has anyone heard if the Astros have any interest in Seung-Hwan Oh, who is an international free agent. How much would it cost to bring a 33 year old Japanese closer. He does have the best nickname -- "the final boss".
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/11/seung-hwan-oh-free-agent.html
Crasnick tweets that Bregman would be involved.
My best baseball source says tap the brakes on Reed.
When will Ken Lay come out of exile?
Come on folks, let's get with the crazy-ass trade ideas. And I'll be the dumbass that kicks it off:
Send Chris Carter and Evan Gattis to the Mariners for Nelson Cruz. Carter has a .911 career OPS at Safeco and would fill the 1B vacancy created by the Trumbo trade. Gattis replaces Cruz at DH. Seattle also gets financial relief, shedding nearly $43MM ($14.3MM annual salary owed Cruz for the next 3 years) while taking on $9MM of 2016 combined salary (MLBTR estimate) in Carter/Gattis thru arbitration (Carter/Gattis both of course will be under club control thru 2018). Frees up money to re-sign Iwakuma (whose cost to re-sign just got a lot higher in the past week as we now know what starting pitcher prices are this off-season). They'll also be getting younger.
No need to discuss what Cruz has done the last two seasons. His career OPS at MMP is .969 (vs just .836 at Safeco). Risk for Houston is his age as he turns 36 in July. Another possible issue is his offensive numbers throughout his career are less robust when DHing than when playing the OF.
Almost certainly some prospects would need to go in the deal. Maybe a Joe Musgrove and a Nolan Fontana?
Is Nelson Cruz available? Dunno, although this Seattle Times columnist writes that trading Cruz is not a ridiculous idea for the Ms to consider as his trade value is unlikely to get any higher.
Flame on.
"Well, I'll tell ya, that'th a quality football team over there...the betht I've theen all year, maybe the betht I've ever coached againtht. Thith ith a big win for our program...huge...the biggetht I've ever coacthed, maybe in thkool hithtory...."
Sounds good to me. His offense and speed make him valuable to some, but I will be glad to see his defense (sic) be somebody else's albatross. And his boneheaded base running will be amusing instead of infuriating.
Win them all, yes. But it's still the fucking Peach Bowl.
BTW, Trump will be in town Saturday. I have a friend who is involved in organizing the event, and I could probably get fairly close, if anyone has anything they'd like me to pass on to him.
Just FYI.
1B/DH Tyler White - .333/.481/.714 in 6 games
ho-hum
First world problems...
Why Hinch continues to bat him 5th, behind his hottest hitter, is a mystery to me.
I don't follow football much, but does U of H have a good team?
Just think how much cattle he could buy for his farm.
Don't you wish you had taken some of the 22/1 odds for post season play back in March?
It ain't the conspiracy that bothers Texas; it's the shame of being outbid by an Oklahoman.
and run averages are useless to tell what happened game to game.
My PONY League baseball coach was a guy named Jerry Hughes. He now is married to Karen, and she was Counselor to the President on September 11, 2001. Their wedding anniversary is September 10 so she did not go with GWB to Florida but instead stayed in DC with Jerry. We were at their house in Austin one night, and after the other guests were gone, she told us her story of that day. She was in the shower getting ready to go to work when her two phones lit up. Her story is much like ours here except she drove to the White House and then went into the bunker.
I've never been to either of the Houston places, but could think of a couple of places not on the list that should be.
Last one for Astros was the six pitcher effort in 2003?
Very may be a bit strong, but it turned out to be a good deal for him.
Only if you're married to your sister.
I'm going to carve the tree in the backyard into a statue of Carlos.
After a rough start, Brian Johnson is back in black.
Still early to include someone like Daniel Mengden?
There's quite a bit of greatness here but I'll highlight just this:
"We identify as Amish!"
And on this planet: .280/.375/.431.
round 6:
Muriel, Nestor Carlos Beltran Baseball Academy (Puerto Rico) CF R/R HS
My wild ass prediction is that by 2018 he'll be the Astros starting 3b.
Looking forward to seeing him pitch. From what little I've seen of VV, and what I've seen from McCullers, Devenski is nowhere in that league.
I also assume Villar, but I wish they would just drop Hernandez also and bring up Singleton.
This was the case. I was at this game. The play at the plate was going to be very close and he tried to slide around the catcher. I question if he actually missed home plate. He swung the bat quite well in the game. No doubt he will be on this team soon.
They will need to free up another roster spot. Not sure who the likely candidate is.
"Yoanis Quiala?"
National Zoo: "Sure, we can always use another."
I have seen a lot of comments on this, but cannot find a definitive answer - If the Astros do not sign their pick at number 2, do they lose that pick, or do they get another chance next year? Thanks
QC Times profile of Daniel "Power Stache" Mengden.
Correa goes 1-5 in AAA debut.
Great story and RJ was an Astro in 1998 if that's what you are referencing.
Didn't get to actually see it, but judging from the recap, he wasn't getting tagged a lot. I worry more when I see that.
I'd like to hear reports on the control issue last night. Maybe he is working on something new.
I think next year, Correa is the starting SS and Lowrie is playing 3rd. Lowrie is signed thru 2017, so unless they dealt him, he is gonna play. 3rd seems as good as spot as any for Jed.
The thing that has surprised me is: what happened to effort to get Gattis to play 1b? I like Marwin as a utility guy, but he's hardly the bat to occupy a 1b slot when Carter is struggling, etc. If Gattis is no long catching (and it appears he is not), why is LF preferable to 1b? Or, a related question, who is a better LF, Gattis or Carter?
Maybe because he still shows up all glowy and unannounced when Luke is knocking one out with his bionic hand.
I'm not convinced that he gets called up this season.
When I go to the dentist, they always give me a new toothbrush.Well, that's the gift that keeps on giving the whole year.
I have not, and was thinking about it for lunch.
YOU'RE NOT MY SUPERVISOR! - Budgirl, probably.
Bass warming up in bottom 1, Holland hasn't thrown a FB over 88 yet.
Just in case anybody is still wondering, the little guy arrived this morning at 12:44am (45 minutes earlier and the two of us share birthdays), and I'm officially a grandfather. He came in at 7 lb 7oz and 20 1/4", with only slightly more hair than I have. As I mentioned to my wife as we were walking to get some dinner last night, 41 years ago when I first laid my head down on a pillow in Houston, I certainly wouldn't have imagined that my first grandchild would be born only a few hundred yards away.
Agreed with this.
Also, Lord Huron and Waxahatchee have new albums out today. Both worth a listen.
What a great game...playoff atmosphere. It feels like the Orange and navy have almost completely taken over the mud and blood. But holy hell, the concession lines were awful and the service at them was one of the worst experiences of my life. I've never seen so many people just standing around behind the counter doing nothing.
On the field, the product couldn't have been better. It kills me there's a day off today.
Ouch. I don't have any kind of medical background, but I'm surprised there are teams that wouldn't have spent even a 3rd or 4th-round (let alone a 3rd-day pick) on him before his surgery announcement. I've said before that his back concerned me, but that's a complete lack in his ability in the filler rounds. Perhaps money plays a heavy part in their dismissals, which I get, but completely dropping the guy in what is shaping up to be a fairly handicapped draft class seems rough.
http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/dukes-matuella-done-season/
Keith Law just tweeted out that Matuella has a torn UCL and will have TJS.
Dominguez/White > Hoes, no offense LJ.
New Sufjan Stevens album out today!
Also, Punch Brothers @ House of Blues Apr 10.
Remind to never trust Close/Aiken's doctors.
"“Brady has been seen by some of the most experienced and respected orthopedic arm specialists in the country, and all of those doctors have acknowledged that he’s not injured and that he’s ready to start his professional career,” Close said."
Hinch said today Deduno will start in long relief and its down to Wojo and Carmonandez.
If Wojo hadn't gotten hurt last spring I think he would have been in Houston. I think he goes. I'll give up the Hernandez for DeDuno though.
I know this has been covered but.....what's amazing to me is the advice he received to NOT take the $5 MM offer. To get that number again, he'd likely have to get picked in the top 5 picks. He had to know if he didn't sign that the Astros would be likely to have 2 of those 5 picks (or 2 of 6/7). Anyway, that really leaves only 3-5 teams who would have to take a chance on him having seen one ML team already show extreme concern. And even then, what's the upside? Another $1 million? Geez. Even if you KNOW you are healthy and can prove it, why take that chance? And now he's got the perception he has an injury of some sort? Many GM's will be frightened by the smoke.
Big sis wasn't happy:
Dominguez's defense was league average last year
It's just me trying to get things straight. Aren't they both out of option years?
2-3 more years at this level, some playoff success and another few years of respectible productivity puts him there for me.
I'd rather see Bagwell's beard carved into the side of a mountain, but it's hard to argue with Biggio.
Moon's a good candidate, but easily replaced by Watt in a few years or the other of Bigs/Bags (assuming they both get to the HOF).
The funny thing is, the Yankees actually have a lot of question-marks these days.
Unless it's BudGirl 12000 times.
I wonder who the leader of the Astros clubhouse is? I could see Feldman among pitchers.
To me the Leyritz homer off Wagner in '98 was worse than Pujols off Lidge in '05.
Bagwell was definitely ahead of his time. The long beard is quite popular now.
I was under the impression that if they acquire Gattis, it wouldn't be to play him behind the plate.
Astros made their first signing yesterday (that I've come across, at least), picking up former A and Ray Dan Johnson. He'll likely man 1B for Fresno this season.
Signs with the FatTommies for $10MM.
Woo wee, that's a lot of money for a starting pitcher who might be lucky to reach 100 innings (or even 50 innings).
Which makes it all the more strange that Rollins was selected in the Rule 5.
Drellich tweeters that Astros met with Bora$ yesterday re: Stephen Drew and RPs.
Has anyone out there tried these "people" or something similar?
That might be the best bad team I have ever seen. Or just completely snakebit.
That's an idea for a music thread all its own.
There are an estimated 11 million illegal* immigrants in the U.S. Congress funds deportations to the point that about 400,000 get sent back annually, which is the highest rate in modern times. So, at that rate, assuming no new entrants (illegal immigration is estimated to be a net zero currently), we'll get around to deporting all the current illegals in 27.5 years.
* As a legal immigrant, I have no issue with the term "illegal immigrant", and think people who try to change the term are missing the point and not helping. Most entered legally, but they're now here illegally, hence "illegal".
Anyway, a large number of those illegals have legal spouses and/or children born here (and thus citizens). To enforce the rule of law would mean breaking up those families, or deporting legal citizens along with their illegal relatives, which I think is against the constitution. It's a thorny issue that requires Congress to act...
The Senate passed a bill - with bipartisan support, no less - that was an effort to fix this. It's not a great bill, but it's something and that's better than nothing. It is believed that the current House has more than enough votes to pass this bill, and Obama has said he would sign it in a flash. The House leadership has declined to take up the Senate bill and bring it to a vote, has declined to offer a competing bill, and has (lately) threatened to shut down the Government (again) if anyone tries to do anything about this vacuum of their creation.
The executive action taken by Obama is, basically, to shield from deportation about 4 million illegals with legal family ties here, in addition to the 1.5 million currently shielded by DACA. Those to be shielded are required to register themselves, and start paying taxes, or they will still face deportation. Meanwhile, we can carry on deporting the balance of the illegal population, about 5.5 million, and that gives us a window of about 14 years before we have to start slowing down in order to address the names on Obama's protected list. If the House doesn't like that timetable, they can authorize more funding for deportations to speed it up.
Yes, this is a more expanded executive action on immigration than anything undertaken before. But it's on the same principles exactly as executive orders issued by Reagan and Bush Sr. Currently, the problem is larger, hence the scale of the effect of the executive order. The freak-out is entirely political, entirely unjustified and entirely craven. Which is why it's being led by Rafael Cruz.
Rosenthal via tweet indicated his sources said the Orioles may consider moving Bud Norris.
Russell Martin to the Jays for 5/$82mm. yikes.
And he gets extra credit for that?
Too late for even this, now, but ND's best position in the polls would be #5 ... that way they could complain about being left out and robbed of the chance to win the championship, but never have to worry about being exposed as a pretender. ASU exposed them early, though, so "wait til next year".
Anybody tried the Balcones bourbon that was on one of the lists?
Or Lane Kiffin's agent.
Wasn't the pole removed?
In unrelated news, Forbes has declared Beaumont to be the least educated city in America (Ann Arbor, Raleigh and Durham, NC and Provo, UT being the "most educated"):
At the other end of the spectrum, Beaumont, Texas, ranks as the least educated city in America, with one of the lowest percentages of bachelor’s degree holders as well as graduate or professional degree holders, and one of the lowest numbers of doctors per capita.
This certainly does not comport with my experience on the beautiful mountain, especially given the comparisons to Brownsville and McAllen which also fell in the top 10. You would think a regionally well respected university with one of the top area nursing schools would alone carry the weight.