This worries me for a McCann return.
Exactly. This is a good insurance policy and he is better behind the plate than Federowicz if McCann can’t go. Haven’t looked at any defensive stats but doesn’t he have a strong arm?Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Only blemish I can see is a league-leading 10 passed balls this year.
He's caught 44+% of attempted base stealers this year.
Angles get LHP Patrick Sandoval in return, says OC Register guy.
Apparently the Astros are also giving them $250K in international bonus pool money.
The kid was coming into his own this year.
“Do something!”/does something“AARGH we overpaid!!”Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I don’t think Jeff makes this deal unless there are SERIOUS concerns about McCann.
Luhnow's traded guys mid-breakout before (Phillips and Nottingham in '15 leap to mind). Arguably the best way of getting peak value out of your trade pieces.
FWIW, Luhnow says:"Brian is on his way back. We're fully confident he's going to be back in Sept & have time to get back into playing form prior to the postseason.This is about the desire to carry 3 catchers for the postseason."
That would mean no Gattis on the post-season rosters.
Or only 7 relievers. 9 starters (including Gattis)Plus Kemp, Marwin, Stassi, Maldonado= 13 position players unless I’m forgetting someone obvious. It does, of course, preclude having someone like Marisnick or Straw, unless Tucker is off and Kemp or Marwin are the primary LF.
Maybe they're also trying to win, like, tomorrow. Federowicz is terrible and Maldonado will help in that respect right away.
To me this seems like a huge overpay for a backup catcher. Not this first time Luhnow has overpaid for a backup. We gave up Carlos Perez and Tropeano for Conger. And while everyone liked the Congerbot, Perez was probably a better catcher than Conger even in 2015..
I will be really surprised if Marisnick isn't on the post-season roster.
It's called a "battery" for a reason. Although what this has to do with the energizer bunny is beyond me. Anyway, when you're looking to make your pitching better... albeit everyone says the bullpen when they say "make better" at the deadline for Houston... you better pay attention who you have behind the plate too. Stassi is not a frontline catcher and forgetaboutit with Feddy. I know there is a stat called "catcher's ERA" but I won't go there. I will say, just from what little observance I've had the privilege of watching, it's questionable how the good arms in the pen have been handled by anybody not named McCann.
I think Stassi is perfectly serviceable. There are many things about his defense I like, and I can't point to specific examples of him not handling the staff well. He's not McCann in that area, but I think he's fine. I'm not a fan of Fedorowicz.
Oh, fuck this. Fuck the “he was really starting to develop” crap too.
I wouldn’t be so sure. For me, if he can’t hit, he can stay in Fresno. Our starting pitching has been great to say the least but here is my concern come postseason, IF we make it (no disrespect to the BBG’s). We are going to see some powerful offensive lineups and to me, and I could be in the minority here, but to me our offense isn’t as good against GOOD pitching as it was last year. IF we make the playoffs I think we are going to need all the offense we can get and Jake doesn’t fit that. Just my opinion so y’all can flame away!! [emoji95]Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
If he's not playing well enough to be on the 25 man roster in July why the fuck would he be on the 25 man roster in October?
Because carrying a dedicated pinch runner in October can win you a game. (See: Derek Fisher, WS Game 5)Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Why are you calling me out? I was just adding depth to the notice regarding who we gave up.
Not calling you out at all. I value your opinion and your judgment. You are one of the posters I most trust. I am “calling out” the “Luhnow overpaid again” crowd. This trade is why you have a deep farm system.
Oh, ok. Sorry. Not an overpay. Smart scouting by the Angels. He's got a chance in a few years if he keeps developing, and he's from Cali.
Of course. It always is “if” with minor leaguers and especially so with pitchers. We got a Gold Glove catcher. I trust Luhnow.
I really like the move. Luhnow got a good, established catcher, which is a position of concern if another injury occurred, in exchange for currency, i.e., a prospect and some international pool money. Very safe and prudent move.
Add to that Sandoval is not an in the current window consideration. Clearly expendable in this situation. Luhnow’s got a bead on what he wants and the value of it. He put together a World Series winner. To me he can do whatever he wants.
Serviceable is good, but he's not a frontline receiver just from my limited observation perch. I will yield to anyone else's more larger sample view. But from what I've seen, Stassi has a tendency to want to receive only in the middle of the plate and force his pitcher to hit corners only when Stassi decides to setup way outside to try and fool the hitter into swinging at a bad pitch. McCann is more subtle in his movement behind the dish and uses his movement to guide his pitchers into using corners more. Stassi looks like he's stabbing at a corner pitch more than setting up correctly on the black and receiving it nice and gentle-like, again... like McCann. I never knew how well McCann helps his pitchers until last year. I'm spoiled by how he handled the staff all the way through to the end. Made many of the good arms into great arms iffin' you ask me.
AF: Everyone know the Astros love analytics (spin rate, exit velocity, pitch tunneling). How have you been able to use this to help you on the mound?PS: “The way the Astros use all this technology to develop players, in my opinion, is absolutely incredible. I don’t think I would be half the pitcher I am now without the help of our staff and the way they integrate the data into our development. I’ve seen it translate into games with softer contact and a lot more pitches missing barrels.”
A tribute to the Astros in Patrick Sandoval’s Astros Future interview (16 May 18)It is an adjustment, seeing graduates from the Astros draft and farm system wearing another uniform in an AGS. How often has that happened before?
Good post, Snuffy. The quote about making the decision between USC and signing a contract was "telling".
That throw by Maldonado...if McHugh doesn't get out of the way, it hits him in the chest...it was still chest high when it got to 2B. Wow. Observation from yestertoday's game (top of 8th inning, as Gallo was thrown out on a steal)
Stassi has shown teachability in the success of his AB's since being waived. Here's hoping that he will take advantage of Maldonado's presence on the team. Could/would Maldonado be a potential mentor for Stassi?
I don't know...Stassi is what he is. He's a soild defensive catcher. He's a very good receiver, blocks the ball well, and can throw a little. He doesn't have Maldonado's arm. Few do. That's just the way it is. I don't think Stassi will ever be more than a "serviceable" big league catcher, primarily as a backup, spot start guy. If he stays in shape, keeps up with hitters, he can be a useful guy to have around and have a successful career.
I disagree. I think Stassi is a very good receiver, better than McCann. McCann seems to have a better clue at how to work a hitter though. But I do agree that Stassi is not a frontline catcher, more suited for a backup. I actually like Maldonado too. He gets an little sloppy sometimes, but he’s a huge upgrade from Federowicz.
