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Topics - moriartp

Pages: [1]
1
Talk Zone / Ballpark news
« on: July 10, 2018, 07:13:45 pm »
Somehow I don't think I've seen this posted here yet. The lease on MMP, which originally ran until 2030, has been extended through 2050. I don't love everything about the facility, but I'm very happy to hear they'll be staying there. It's a great location and should remain so for decades. Now for a few renovations to get rid of the "19th century trains" aesthetic in favor of something more forward-looking...

And across the gulf, the Tampa Bay Rays have announced their plans for a stadium that's actually in Tampa. I love the idea behind the design, and I love that it's a lower-capacity park.

3
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / New favorite website
« on: July 12, 2013, 06:47:33 pm »
http://mlbfarm.com/

Aggregates all box score data from the day's MiLB games and sorts by team. It just launched, so there will probably be some bugs to work out, but it should be a good time-saver for bus riders. I just pulled it up on my iphone and it worked very well. Thanks go to farmstros for providing the link.

ETA: check the charts link in the top right, too. Fun stuff.

4
Talk Zone / Morning laugh
« on: June 18, 2013, 08:44:14 am »

5
Talk Zone / Dierker quits
« on: March 23, 2013, 07:26:15 am »
Chronicle

Dierker wanted JD's job, didn't get it, so he's quitting. The Era of Good Feelings continues.

6
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / MiLB park factors
« on: March 07, 2013, 07:56:17 pm »
Really, really excellent breakdown of offense in every league and stadium across minor league baseball. There's nothing surprising about the numbers, but it's a great link to keep for reference. Made my day.

Link

7
Talk Zone / Nolan out in Arlington?
« on: March 04, 2013, 08:23:00 am »
And yes, the article raises the possibility of his return to Houston if he does indeed leave the Rangers.

Link

8
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / The piggyback system
« on: February 19, 2013, 10:41:08 am »
Jayne over at WTHB got some good info (as she has a habit of doing) from Luhnow about what approach the organization might take with its pitching depth this season. The article's a few weeks old, but I don't think I've seen it mentioned here yet. Looks like we'll probably see a piggyback system in at least a few cases, allowing more pitchers to work as starters at the proper level for their development.

Link

9
Talk Zone / A contract fit for a King
« on: February 07, 2013, 01:49:20 pm »
Felix Hernandez gets $175 million to keep him in Seattle though 2019 (replacing the two years left on his current deal and adding another five). There are going to be some good teams in the AL West for quite some time.

Oh, and he'll be just 33 at the end of the contract.

10
Talk Zone / Baseball's greatest hoax
« on: January 18, 2013, 06:11:21 pm »
Hilarious article by Sam Miller at BP. The GIFs are priceless. Link

11
Talk Zone / More cuts (Bogey gone)
« on: November 03, 2012, 11:00:27 am »
Bogusevic, Shuck, Jorge De Leon, and The Fickster have all been outrighted according to the Chronicle. The first three become free agents, but Fick gets to hang around in OKC. Roster now at 31.

12
Talk Zone / child's play on the waiver wire
« on: July 27, 2012, 01:44:01 pm »
Astros claim RH reliever Chuckie Fick from the Cardinals. He'll head straight to the big league club, and with the 40-man full, they'll need to bump someone off to make room for him. All info via Levine.

13
Talk Zone / Myers to the White Sox
« on: July 21, 2012, 02:06:18 pm »
Rosenthal: Source: #WhiteSox acquire Brett Myers from #Astros.

14
Talk Zone / this is a Blummer, man
« on: July 20, 2012, 04:29:28 pm »
Geoff Blum: Later today @Dbacks will announce my release. I am grateful for the opportunity I was given here. #DBacks fans treated me wonderfully.

This is about it for his career, I figure. He's only appeared in 40 games for the Diamondbacks over the past two years, and over that span he's below the Mendoza line. I wish him the best of luck in whatever he chooses to do going forward.

15
Talk Zone / Crane Q&A with Levine
« on: July 13, 2012, 11:57:58 am »
Link

The new guy answers questions about offseason plans, his involvement in baseball decisions, Mills' future, the train/Tal's Hill, etc.

"Sometimes you’re going to get beat. It’s when you beat yourself. I watched one game last week where they made like three blunders in a row, and it’s very painful to watch. I’m not used to losing, so that’s not something we’re going to stomach, hopefully, for a long period of time. Because it’s just not acceptable.

I think we’re making the adjustments. The guys are learning. They’re making mistakes, but they know they’re making mistakes, and Brad’s starting to take a guy who’s goofing up pretty bad — I think he pulled him (outfielder Jordan Schafer) off the field. That sends a message."

16
Talk Zone / Spaz gonna spaz
« on: July 08, 2012, 09:38:18 am »

17
Talk Zone / Jack Hannahan, badass.
« on: June 20, 2012, 02:20:19 pm »

18
Talk Zone / Keuchel gets the call
« on: June 16, 2012, 03:35:43 pm »
Levine and McTaggart tweeting that Dallas Keuchel will get tomorrow's start in Arlington, with Norris presumably headed to the DL (the official move will come tomorrow).

Keuchel's stats. 7th round pick out of Arkansas in '09. Biggest chin in the organization.

19
Game Zone 2012 Archive / Astros @ Dallas, 15 June 2012
« on: June 15, 2012, 05:04:17 pm »
Astros:
2B- Altuve
CF- Schafer
SS- Lowrie
DH- Martinez
1B- WHERE'S WALLACE AT? WHERE'S THE BOY, STRING?
3B- Johnson
RF- Bogusevic
LF- Maxwell
C- Castro
(P- Lyles)

Rangers:
2B- Kinsler
SS- Andrus
DH- Young
3B- Beltre
RF- Cruz
LF- Murphy
C- Torrealba
1B- Moreland
CF- Martin
(P- Darvish)

Leonys Martin called up to replace Hamilton in the lineup.

But before that, UCLA vs. Stony Brook is on ESPN2. 5-0 UCLA in the bottom of the second right now. Astros 8th round pick Tyler Heineman is catching for the Bruins, and unsigned 2010 6th rounder Adam Plutko is pitching.

20
Talk Zone / Milo hanging it up after 2012
« on: February 14, 2012, 04:25:52 pm »

21
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Releases
« on: January 30, 2012, 08:57:56 pm »
From BA's minor league transactions page:

[Astros released] LHP Travis Blankenship, LHP Colton Pitkin, LHP Shane Wolf, C Federico Hernandez, SS Hector Rodriguez, OF Kellen Kiilsgaard

According to Astros County (quoting @whattheheck57 on twitter), Pitkin was one of three players left in the organization from the '07 draft. Kyle Greenwalt and Collin DeLome are the two left standing.

22
Talk Zone / New bench coach, more front office hires
« on: January 11, 2012, 05:32:59 pm »
Z has it all.

Joe Pettini, Tanked Commander's old bench coach, replaces Pedrique (who declined a reassignment to bullpen coach, a role that remains empty).

Other hires: Dan Radison as special asst. for player development, Mike Elias as scouting special asst., and Matt Sinatro as catching/advance scouting coordinator.

Also, Bobby Heck and Fred Nelson are sticking around in their current roles.

23
Talk Zone / Cubs poach an Astros coach
« on: November 30, 2011, 12:14:22 am »
Jamie Quirk is headed to the north side to become Dale Sveum's bench coach. Not a guy you ever hear much about, but what little was written about him was always exceedingly positive. Of course, with the possibility of a coaching staff shakeup, he may not have been around next year in any case.

Link

24
Talk Zone / Vernon Wells does not opt out of contract
« on: November 01, 2011, 01:56:06 pm »

25
Talk Zone / Orioles looking at Gerry (among others) for GM vacancy?
« on: October 11, 2011, 06:05:20 pm »
Olney (via MLBTR) reports:

The candidates include current San Diego Padres vice president of baseball operations Josh Byrnes, who was formerly GM of the Arizona Diamondbacks, and former Houston Astros GM Gerry Hunsicker, who is currently the Tampa Bay Rays' senior vice president of baseball operations, sources told Olney.

Additional candidates include former Toronto Blue Jays GM J.P Ricciardi (presently a special assistant to Mets GM Sandy Alderson), Texas Rangers assistant GM Thad Levine, current Blue Jays assistant GM Tony LaCava and Florida Marlins assistant GM Dan Jennings, sources said.

26
Talk Zone / Brandon Phillips keeps it real
« on: September 21, 2011, 05:37:55 pm »
Quote
Phillips said his concern Wednesday being his last game at home as a Red was genuine.

“I couldn’t sleep last night,” he said. [...] "I remember the way (Aaron) Harang was acting. He was crying and stuff. I wasn’t crying. Don’t get me wrong. I’m a sensitive individual. But the thing is you never know this game. It’s a business.”

Quote
Phillips often says how much he loves playing in Cincinnati. That, however, doesn’t mean he’ll accept a hometown discount.

“No bueno,” he said. “This is my last contract. There’s no homeboy hookup. That ain’t going to work. I want to be paid what I’m worth.”

I'm a fan.

link (via MLBTR)

27
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Altuve to play in Futures Game
« on: June 23, 2011, 02:04:26 pm »
The Astros' lone representative.

Rosters for the US team, World team.

28
Talk Zone / Pence addresses his, um... "throwing"
« on: June 17, 2011, 02:04:55 pm »
@HunterPence9: You really can't fix something that's as messed up as my arm....and the truth is if I throw "normal" I will hurt my arm.

Ah.

29
Talk Zone / Fulchino to OKC, Wandy activated
« on: June 12, 2011, 03:56:55 pm »
So sayeth the Footer. Fulchino's been a little shaky his last few times out, and having an option to use probably made the call a lot easier. I guess Aneury heads back to the 'pen. Glad Lyles gets to stay in the bigs.

30
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Callis on Astros farm system, draft
« on: June 02, 2011, 02:35:17 pm »
Callis appeared on 790 today and weighed in on such topics as Lyles, Altuve, the players acquired in the Oswalt and Berkman deals, and who the Astros might go after in the draft. You can find the podcast listed near the top of this page.

The long and short of it: he sees Lyles as a good #3, Altuve as fringy because of his lack of tools, and didn't love or hate either of the trades. He lists Archie Bradley, Taylor Jungmann, Francisco Lindor, and Jed Bradley as possibilities for the Astros in the first round.

31
Talk Zone / AAAbad
« on: May 17, 2011, 03:43:56 pm »
Levine: Fernando Abad optioned to AAA. Astros purchase contract of Fernando Rodriguez. -Z

32
Talk Zone / Michaels to the DL, Bogusevic called up
« on: April 26, 2011, 02:57:29 pm »
Subluxation of his left shoulder, says Fuckhouse on twitter. Backdated to 4/25. Bogey will be available tonight.

33
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Minor League rosters announced
« on: April 03, 2011, 12:11:56 pm »
McTaggart has the full list. FWIW, I wouldn't put too much stock into how the players are grouped within their teams just yet (mainly relievers vs. starters).

34
Here's a link to one over at MLBTR. There's some interesting stuff in there, definitely worth a look.

35
Talk Zone / 5y/$65mm for Jose Bautista
« on: February 16, 2011, 08:26:16 pm »
Plus a club option for a sixth year at the same $13mm, says Rosenthal. Bautista was headed to arbitration with the Blue Jays for his last season under club control, but the sides agreed to push the hearing back to get the deal hammered out.

2004-2009: .238/.329/.400, 59 home runs.

2010: .260/.378/.617, 54 home runs.

I guess you'd call this one of those "career-defining" moves for Alex Anthopolous.

36
Talk Zone / Red Sox to acquire Adrian Gonzalez
« on: December 04, 2010, 08:32:39 am »
Reports say players have been agreed upon and that Gonzalez is in Boston for a physical (he just had shoulder surgery). ESPN link.


Gonzalez over the last three years:
PETCO: .257/.384/.439
Road: .310/.390/.599

He's going to enjoy Fenway.

37
Talk Zone / Jamie Moyer has Tommy John surgery
« on: December 02, 2010, 05:15:03 am »
At age 48. Hopes to pitch again in 2012.


He pitched about 110 innings of 4.84 ball this year, although he did manage an impressive WHIP of 1.10. He also stands at 267 career wins.

38
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / BA feature: Scouts on Scouting
« on: August 18, 2010, 12:07:41 pm »
Conor Glassey turns in an excellent read for anyone looking to know more about the scouting process. And best of all, it's not subscriber-only.

39
Game Zone 2010 Archive / Astros v. Pirates, 7 July 2010
« on: July 07, 2010, 07:21:20 pm »
Bourn 8
Keppinger 4
Berkman 3
Lee 7
Pence 9
Johnson 5
Quintero 2
Sanchez 6
Moehler 1

v.

A. McCutchen 8
Tabata 7
Walker 4
Jones 3
Alvarez 5
Doumit 2
Church 9
Cedeno 6
D. McCutchen 1

It's 1-0 Astros after the first inning. Moehler did not allow a baserunner, Astros got their run when McCutchen served up some weak-ass shit to Jeff Keppinger.

40
Kevin Cash, that is. Sanchez is a good defensive SS by reputation. Yordany designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man. Sanchez will be put on the 25-man roster, corresponding move will be made tomorrow.

Footer

41
Beer and Queso / Chad Jones in critical condition after car accident
« on: June 25, 2010, 11:32:36 am »
Former unsigned Astros draft pick, LSU 2-way star, 3rd round pick of the NY Giants this year. Just saw on ESPN.

42
Talk Zone / Tigers DFA Everett, Marlins DFA Lamb
« on: June 06, 2010, 04:18:41 pm »
So it is tweeted.

And here.

43
Sixteen-year-old RHP Michael Feliz ($400k) and seventeen-year-old RHP Jose Montero ($350k).

Ben Badler has the story at Baseball America.



Edited title so that it could merge into a 2010 July 2 Int'l FA thread, instead of havng 'dueling threads' - OSF

45
Talk Zone / A different sort of Iron Man
« on: May 04, 2010, 12:43:51 pm »
Tomoaki Kanemoto of the Hanshin Tigers recently sat after playing 1,492 games without missing an inning. Ripken's longest consecutive innings streak lasted 903 games. Kanemoto's uniform is quite deservedly headed to Cooperstown.

46
Talk Zone / Bryce Harper, eat your heart out
« on: April 13, 2010, 12:52:04 am »
Because a 5-year-old has stolen your thunder.

I wonder if Boras will have this kid graduate kindergarten early to get him into the draft.

47
Talk Zone / More roster cuts
« on: March 30, 2010, 08:26:08 am »
Footer: Astros cut 9: Majewski, Daigle, Castro, Chacin, Cash, Meyer, Shelton, Maysonet, Lopez.

Lopez and Maysonet optioned and will report to minor league camp today. Castro reassigned and will report to minor league camp today too...


C1 is official, then, and the bullpen is just about set. With Shelton down, does Johnson remain on the roster until Berkman returns? I can't think of a pitcher they'd be taking along unless Arias or Bazardo is somehow ready for OD. OF5 also remains unsettled.

48
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Hooks prospect videos
« on: March 19, 2010, 03:06:57 pm »
Matt Hicks interviews Ricky Bennett, Koby Clemens, Jon Gaston, J.B. Shuck, Britt Burns (minor league pitching coordinator), and others (the video stops working right when Lyles is about to start talking). Nothing incredibly new, but it's a good way of getting to know the prospects. There's also a good deal of batting/fielding practice shown.

Also, Hicks seems like a very informed and professional fellow. I hope to see more videos like this in the future.

Pitchers (stops at 4:16 for me, hopefully others have better luck)

Position players


ETA: pitchers video seems to be working fine now.

49
Game Zone 2010 Archive / Astros @ Tigers, 3/18, it's on TV!
« on: March 18, 2010, 12:18:54 pm »
Scoreless through one.

Bourgeois CF
Matsui 2B
Pence RF
Lee DH
Blum 1B
Feliz 3B
Castro C
Manzella SS
Sullivan LF

Paulino pitching.

50
Beer and Queso / Quick request to help out a friend
« on: March 13, 2010, 11:22:08 am »
A good friend of mine has entered a photo of his into an online competition and could really use your support. It's not really a huge deal, but he's a great guy who's had a pretty tough year and I'd like to see something go his way. Photography means a lot to him, and even though the top spot is out of reach, every vote still matters (he just has to make it into the top 150 to be eligible for the grand prize). Thanks a ton for your support.


You can vote for his entry here.


Fun story: this friend knows nothing about baseball, but he wanted to sound somewhat informed when accompanying a girl to a game last year. After giving him a few minutes of schooling, I realized he wasn't going to remember anything I was saying. Thus I condensed my advice to him down to this: whenever anything bad happens, just say "fuckin' Coop..." and you'll probably be safe. He remembered that line and still uses it to this day (more to poke fun at me than anything else, but alas).

51
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / Chat with Jason Castro
« on: February 22, 2010, 04:38:35 pm »
BaseballAmerica is hosting chats with several prospects tomorrow, including the Astros' own Jason Castro. Also answering questions will be ChiSox OF Jared Mitchell, Mets 1B Ike Davis, and Nats RHP Drew Storen.


You can go directly here to ask Castro a question, and here's the page with links to all the chats. You can ask now, but Castro won't start responding 'til 3pm tomorrow.

Enjoy!

52
Talk Zone / Beaker reads Sun Tzu, the universe implodes
« on: February 11, 2010, 02:49:01 pm »
From McTaggart's latest article on Pence:

He recently read the book "The Art of War," an ancient Chinese work of military strategy and tactics that has inspired leaders and been applied to business and managerial strategies.


So, who else is sick of the void?

53
According to this press release. Glad to see him back in the organization.

54
Talk Zone / Michaels returns to Astros
« on: December 14, 2009, 04:57:49 pm »
Footer tweets it so. $800k.

55
Beer and Queso / The Summer Continues: Walter Cronkite dead at 92
« on: July 17, 2009, 07:40:52 pm »
:edited to put news in subject line.

56
Talk Zone / Astros claim Chris Coste
« on: July 10, 2009, 02:02:25 pm »
Per Footer tweets.

Interesting turn of events.Astros claim catcher Chris Coste off waivers from Philly. He'll be here Saturday. Which means someone has to go.

Presumably, a catcher will be removed. Hmmmm....

57
Talk Zone / I'm no fan of the White Sox, but...
« on: June 18, 2009, 03:00:10 pm »
...seeing Alexei Ramirez hit a 2-run shot off Zambrano to put the Cubs at a 3-1 disadvantage really brightened my day. The douchebag Cubfan spilling his beer going for the ball was the icing on the cake.

58
Talk Zone / Peavy reportedly traded to White Sox
« on: May 21, 2009, 11:01:39 am »
Here's the story. Pretty surprising if this winds up happening, but I'm not sorry to see him leave the NL (that is, if the deal actually goes through).

59
Crew
Hart RF
Hall 3B
Braun LF
Fielder 1B
Cameron CF
Hardy SS
McGehee 2B
Kendall C
Gallardo P

Astros
Bourn CF
Matsui 2B
Berkman 1B
Lee LF
Pence RF
Tejada SS
Blum 3B
Pudge C
Wandy P


Bourn finally at the top. Pence and Tejada switched. Less enthusiastic about that second move over here.

60
The Bus Ride Discussion Forum / 2009 Draft
« on: May 14, 2009, 05:56:22 pm »
It's about a month away and the speculation is starting to heat up. BA put out their first mock today, projecting the Astros to use their 21st overall pick to take lefty CF Everett Williams out of (where else but) McCallum HS. This of course is all but meaningless and guarantees that he won't be the pick.


Anyone have any thoughts/informed speculation on how things will play out on June 9th?

61
Game Zone 2009 Archive / Astros @ Pirates, 13 April 2009
« on: April 13, 2009, 12:33:21 pm »
Coop's WTF lineup du jour
Matsui 2B
Tejada SS
Berkman 1B
Lee LF
Pence RF
Michaels CF
Keppinger 3B
Quintero C
Moehler P

Pirates
Morgan LF
Sanchez 2B
McLouth CF
Doumit C
LaRoche 1B
Moss RF
Vazquez 3B
Wilson SS
Duke P


Inning recaps would be much appreciated if anyone's able.

62
Talk Zone / Nieve claimed by Mets
« on: March 14, 2009, 01:10:49 pm »
Oh, well.

Footer

63
Game Zone 2009 Archive / ST: Astros @ Braves, 26 February 2009
« on: February 26, 2009, 11:30:41 am »
Astros
Erstad, RF
Michaels, CF
Berkman, 1B
Lee, LF
Tejada, SS   
Newhan, 2B
Gall, DH
Johnson, 3B
Quintero, C
(Oswalt P)

Them
Schafer, CF
Johnson, 2B
Jones, C, 3B
Kotchman, 1B
Escobar, SS
Francoeur, RF
Ross, C
Jones, B, LF
Norton, DH
(Campillo P)

Box

For those still unaware, this one's on ESPN. Real live Astros baseball. Brings a tear to my eye.

Of course, it won't hold a candle to when we get the first game broadcast by Brown & JD.

64
Talk Zone / Just to brighten everyone's day...
« on: February 06, 2009, 09:18:08 pm »
Wolf has agreed to terms with the Dodgers on a one-year deal worth $5 million plus incentives.


Link.

65
Talk Zone / Ausmus finds a new home in LA
« on: January 21, 2009, 05:22:33 pm »
The Dodgers have come to terms with Brad on a 1-year, $1m deal says Rosenthal. Good luck to him, but damn if it won't be weird seeing him in blue.

66
Talk Zone / Cubs take a dump, trade DeRosa
« on: December 31, 2008, 04:02:16 pm »
To the Indians for three minor league pitchers, two of them relievers. The signed Aaron Miles to a two-year deal as well. They're also planning on trading Marquis to the Rockies for Luis Vizcaino (that one's not official yet), and they're expected to sign Milton Bradley to play right field.


The way I see it, that's one damn valuable player they just shipped away. I'm pretty pleased to see him leave the NL. Thank god for other teams having limited resources as well.

67
Talk Zone / Aaron Boone
« on: December 18, 2008, 02:01:46 pm »
Signed to a one-year deal, may platoon with Blum according to Footer.

68
Talk Zone / Wade on Payroll
« on: November 04, 2008, 02:16:30 pm »
It’s also known that the payroll commitments for next season might necessitate some tweaks to the roster, which is why the club appears likely to hit the trade market again.

“To keep this club together, it would be a real challenge from a payroll standpoint ,” Wade said. “We would like to keep this club together, but we might have to get creative to do certain things, which might entail us having to move one or two pieces off this club.”



Link


Thoughts?

69
Talk Zone / Cards extend Lohse, set price high
« on: September 29, 2008, 06:38:12 pm »
4/41, really? With a full no-trade?


Drayton might have to spend some serious cash if the team wants to bring in two new starters.

70
Talk Zone / This picture pretty much sums it up...
« on: September 29, 2008, 02:59:04 am »

71
Game Zone 2008 Archive / Astros @ Brewers, 19 August 2008
« on: August 19, 2008, 07:57:36 pm »
Astros
Erstad LF
Bourn CF
Wigginton 3B
Berkman 1B
Blum SS
Pence RF
Newhan 2B
Quintero C
Moehler P

Brewers
Durham 2B
Hardy SS
Kapler LF
Fielder 1B
Hart RF
Counsell 3B
Cameron CF
Kendall C
Sheets P


Tuned in just in time to see Bourn lace two-run triple to right. 2-2, one out in the bottom of the third (Fielder striking out).

72
Game Zone 2008 Archive / Astros @ Reds, 10 August 2008
« on: August 10, 2008, 12:33:05 pm »
Astros

Matsui 2B
Erstad LF
Tejada SS
Berkman 1B
Blum 3B
Pence RF
Bourn CF
Quintero C
Rodriguez P

Reds

Cabrera RF
Keppinger SS
Bruce CF
B. Phillips 2B
Dunn LF
Encarnacion 3B
A. Phillips 1B
Hanigan C
Harang P


My20 is trying to trick its viewers into thinking they need glasses.


...beaten by five seconds.

73
Talk Zone / Chacon bumped from rotation
« on: June 22, 2008, 12:31:26 pm »
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bb/5850715.html


Didn't take it too well. Runelvys will start against the Red Sox.

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