What I hate to hear

[JimR]

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.

[austro]

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.

I think it's safer to assume that anything he tells us right now is pretty much for show.

[Jacksonian]

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."

[chuck]

He also explicitly (surprisingly, to me) said that they could use an upgrade at catcher and that if they found one, one of the two guys would obviously have to leave.

He's right, of course, backup catcher is the only real area of possible improvement among position players, and it's arguably a glaring one.

[DVauthrin]

I don’t really have a problem with what Lunhow said.  The Astros, as presently constructed, are definitely capable of winning another World Series.  However, I firmly believe Lunhow will add at least one starting pitcher, a competent backup catcher, and maybe another a bullpen arm by the end of the month.

[JimR]

I don’t really have a problem with what Lunhow said.  The Astros, as presently constructed, are definitely capable of winning another World Series.  However, I firmly believe Lunhow will add at least one starting pitcher, a competent backup catcher, and maybe another a bullpen arm by the end of the month.

This team needs another starter. “We can win it all now” is the koolaid.

[doyce7]

I read it as just posturing

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

[doyce7]

This team needs another starter. “We can win it all now” is the koolaid.

I think this team *could* win it all right now but if you want to increase the odds, go make some moves.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

[DVauthrin]

I think this team *could* win it all right now but if you want to increase the odds, go make some moves.

This is exactly what I was trying to say.

[DVauthrin]

This team needs another starter. “We can win it all now” is the koolaid.

I absolutely agree that Lunhow should prioritize adding at least one starting pitcher at the deadline and would like to see him also add a competent backup catcher that can take pressure off Chirinos, too.  However, I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that the current roster is capable of beating any other team in a five or seven-game series.

[JimR]

He also explicitly (surprisingly, to me) said that they could use an upgrade at catcher and that if they found one, one of the two guys would obviously have to leave.

He's right, of course, backup catcher is the only real area of possible improvement among position players, and it's arguably a glaring one.

Yep, but who the hell might be available?

[MusicMan]

Yep, but who the hell might be available?

I bet Tony Eusebio could still kick ass.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[chuck]

Yep, but who the hell might be available?

I think everybody liked Maldonado well enough but he Keucheled himself over the offseason and then somehow got traded to the Cubs.

There's got to be some all glove, no bat defensive wizard playing for a shit team somewhere.

[JimR]

I think everybody liked Maldonado well enough but he Keucheled himself over the offseason and then somehow got traded to the Cubs.

There's got to be some all glove, no bat defensive wizard playing for a shit team somewhere.

I tried to google all the catchers on all the rosters, but the result was not a nice compact and organized list. Whoever it is has to be better than Stubbs who hits LH and can run. Of course, Stassi is a better catcher than Stubbs, and they are looking to replace him. Maldonado would have been perfect. I simply don’t know who the other guys are. Anyone I have heard of likely is not available.

[chuck]

Maldonado would have been perfect, yes. It's too bad they got outbid for him if it's in fact true that the Astros were in on him.

I don't know nearly enough about the bottom five guys on bad teams' rosters to know who might fit the bill. I do know that plus defensive catchers are not all that easy to come by.

I was pretty ambivalent about the Chirinos signing when it happened. It's just another in a long line of examples of where I was perhaps not fully informed.

[JimR]

Maldonado would have been perfect, yes. It's too bad they got outbid for him if it's in fact true that the Astros were in on him.

I don't know nearly enough about the bottom five guys on bad teams' rosters to know who might fit the bill. I do know that plus defensive catchers are not all that easy to come by.

I was pretty ambivalent about the Chirinos signing when it happened. It's just another in a long line of examples of where I was perhaps not fully informed.

Chirinos listened and worked hard to improve. I think he has exceeded everyone’s expectations, perhaps even his own.

[doyce7]

Not a backup and not left handed but I wonder if the White Sox want to try to move James McCann?

Only option I can think of off the top of my head for a glove first catcher on a bad team is Jeff Mathis from the Rangers but honestly I'd rather just keep Stassi than have Mathis.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

[chuck]

I think Stassi is effectively useless so I would be very open to an upgrade. I'm just surprised to hear Luhnow more or less say the same thing.

Anyway, pitching issues aside, it's quite a statement that this is what we're talking about at the deadline - a guy who probably wouldn't even play in the postseason.

[WVastro]

I bet Tony Eusebio could still kick ass.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Walt fucking Wiess disagrees.

[HudsonHawk]

I think Stassi is effectively useless so I would be very open to an upgrade. I'm just surprised to hear Luhnow more or less say the same thing.

Anyway, pitching issues aside, it's quite a statement that this is what we're talking about at the deadline - a guy who probably wouldn't even play in the postseason.

I don't see anything wrong with Stassi's defensive abilities.  He's the best receiver they've had in quite some time, and his arm, while no Maldonado, is fine.  He's a perfectly serviceable backup catcher.  If they're looking to upgrade at catcher, it has to be a starter who can hit.  There are probably numerous guys available who are like Stassi, and none of them an upgrade.  It's a hard position to fill.

[jaklewein]

If you want a lefty, how about Stephen Vogt?  I've never heard his name mentioned when discussing good defense, but he would be a cheap option both in salary ($550K) and in terms of prospect value as he is old and a rental.  Dude has swung a pretty good bat this year too, especially when you consider he's playing half his games in SF.

[TerryPuhl21]

Omar Narvaez is a lefty whom I’d love to have from a hitting standpoint. Don’t know anything about his defense. But he’s 27 with 4 years of control. The Mariners aren’t gonna give him away.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[moriartp]

Omar Narvaez is a lefty whom I’d love to have from a hitting standpoint. Don’t know anything about his defense.

It’s very very bad.

[Bench]

I seem to remember Keuchel getting criticized two years ago for accurately saying the team needed to add a starting pitcher going into the postseason.

[JimR]

I seem to remember Keuchel getting criticized two years ago for accurately saying the team needed to add a starting pitcher going into the postseason.

Not at all. He bitched to reporters about the lack of a deadline deal after it passed and implied the whole team was unhappy with Luhnow. You very much watered down what he did, but hey, you love him. I do not.

[geezerdonk]

Keuchel’s GM credentials are sketchy.

[MRaup]

Keuchel’s GM credentials are sketchy.

Name one team he was the GM for that didn't win the World Series?

I'll wait.

[AstroFrog]

What I hear Luhnow saying is:

1) Can the Astros win the division as presently constructed?

Since the Astros are up 7.5 games without a trade and are projected to be 9 games better than Oakland by season's end, the answer would appear to be 'yes.'

2) Can the Astros win a 7 game series against other likely playoff teams as presently constructed?

The playoff format largely eliminates the team's current weak link - the fourth and fifth starters.  Since Peacock is presumably not done for the year, a playoff rotation of Verlander-Cole-Miley plus some type of Peacock/Tandem gameplan for Game 4 *can* win the World Series.

There is room to improve the team via trade, especially a move for a starting pitcher that bumps Miley to the Game 4 spot and Peacock to the bullpen. However, I am prepared for Luhnow to stand pat if the right deal/right player is not out there.

[JimR]

What I hear Luhnow saying is:

1) Can the Astros win the division as presently constructed?

Since the Astros are up 7.5 games without a trade and are projected to be 9 games better than Oakland by season's end, the answer would appear to be 'yes.'

2) Can the Astros win a 7 game series against other likely playoff teams as presently constructed?

The playoff format largely eliminates the team's current weak link - the fourth and fifth starters.  Since Peacock is presumably not done for the year, a playoff rotation of Verlander-Cole-Miley plus some type of Peacock/Tandem gameplan for Game 4 *can* win the World Series.

There is room to improve the team via trade, especially a move for a starting pitcher that bumps Miley to the Game 4 spot and Peacock to the bullpen. However, I am prepared for Luhnow to stand pat if the right deal/right player is not out there.

Crazy to believe there is a pitcher on the roster not named Healthy Peacock who will beat the Yankees/Red Sox in a Game 4.

[Fredia]

lets hope this is subterfuge and  some kind of verlander like deal is in the works..   candles famling

[Navin R Johnson]

AJ on the Matt Thomas show today.

https://sportstalk790.iheart.com/featured/houston-sports-news/content/2019-07-23-aj-hinch-i-want-yordan-playing-every-game/?Pname=local_social&Sc=editorial&Keyid=socialflow

[geezerdonk]

Looks like bench time for Reddick in St. Louis.

[Navin R Johnson]

AJ on the Matt Thomas show today.

https://sportstalk790.iheart.com/featured/houston-sports-news/content/2019-07-23-aj-hinch-i-want-yordan-playing-every-game/?Pname=local_social&Sc=editorial&Keyid=socialflow

Richard Justice was on Charlie Palillo show today too.  Hour 2, around 16 min mark
http://www.podcastarena.com/pallilo/

After listening to AJ and Justice, sounds like a lefty reliever is likely to be the first add.

[TerryPuhl21]

Richard Justice was on Charlie Palillo show today too.  Hour 2, around 16 min mark
http://www.podcastarena.com/pallilo/

After listening to AJ and Justice, sounds like a lefty reliever is likely to be the first add.

I certainly hope so. I know my opinion doesn’t matter, but I don’t give two shits about how good our right handed throwing bullpen appears to be against lefty batters. We need a left handed option in the bullpen come crunch time. I’d be fine with Smith or Watson from San Fran.

Then, I’d like to get a left handed starter, possibly Ray, so that he or Miley could potentially be a second option out of the bullpen if needed, assuming we are fortunate enough to play in October.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[das]

After listening to AJ and Justice, sounds like a lefty reliever is likely to be the first add.

As a precursor to moving McHugh back to the rotation since he has good lefty splits?

[doyce7]

As a precursor to moving McHugh back to the rotation since he has good lefty splits?

Mchugh isn't going back to the rotation. They made that decision when he came back and it would take too long at this point to get him stretched back out

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

[das]

Mchugh isn't going back to the rotation. They made that decision when he came back and it would take too long at this point to get him stretched back out

I understand this.  Hence my question.  What is the value of a lefty reliever when we already have good relievers that can plat to both lefty and righty splits?  I'm just trying to noodle through the rationale that would make a lefty reliever a priority here.

[Lefty]

This team needs another starter. “We can win it all now” is the koolaid.

This FO plays things incredibly close to the vest.  Take nothing said seriously.

[JimR]

I understand this.  Hence my question.  What is the value of a lefty reliever when we already have good relievers that can plat to both lefty and righty splits?  I'm just trying to noodle through the rationale that would make a lefty reliever a priority here.

Need a shut down LH to make it much more difficult for LH hitters.Don’t be fooled by stats/splits.

I do not think it is a priority, but it may be easier. Luhnow has said starter, catcher, pen help at various times.

[Lefty]

I understand this.  Hence my question.  What is the value of a lefty reliever when we already have good relievers that can plat to both lefty and righty splits?  I'm just trying to noodle through the rationale that would make a lefty reliever a priority here.

Good lefty relievers can get righties out too.

[JimR]

This FO plays things incredibly close to the vest.  Take nothing said seriously.

Of course. He is saying “we do not need you” to potential trade partners.

[doyce7]

I understand this.  Hence my question.  What is the value of a lefty reliever when we already have good relievers that can plat to both lefty and righty splits?  I'm just trying to noodle through the rationale that would make a lefty reliever a priority here.

Well let's look at teams you might face IF you make the postseason.

Minnesota

Rosario, Kepler and Castro are lefties. Marwin and Polanco are switch hitters who hit righties better than lefties. That's 5 of 9 guys likely to be in the lineup who you would like to face a lefty.

Cleveland

Lefties... Naquin, Kipnis and Bauers
Switch hitters... Ramirez, Lindor, Santana and Allen. I haven't done a deep dive on the stats of the switch hitters for the Indians

Yankees are mostly right handed so depending on who the lefty is you may not even have him on the roster

Red Sox

Benintendi, Devers, Bradley Jr and Moreland are lefties

A's

Pretty much just Olson

If somehow you make it to the World Series and face the Dodgers

Seager, Bellinger, and Pederson from the left side

A lefty for the pen isn't a dire need but it sure would be nice to have one


Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

[TerryPuhl21]

I understand this.  Hence my question.  What is the value of a lefty reliever when we already have good relievers that can plat to both lefty and righty splits?  I'm just trying to noodle through the rationale that would make a lefty reliever a priority here.

Well, I’ll tell you what two former GM’s said on the radio the other day when discussing the Astros bullpen.

Bowden: “I don’t care what the stats and analytics say about my right handed pitchers getting left handers out, come playoff time, I want a left handed pitcher late in the game facing the Dodgers.”

Duquette: “I agree. I’m not going into the playoffs without a left handed option in my bullpen.”

There are a lot of hurdles that must be jumped before we even think about the playoffs. But if we are fortunate enough to get there, a lefty in the pen will be a huge asset against some of those lefties listed above. Not sure I want to attack them with Devo or Harris. We need another option and one from the left side.

As observation, Will Smith hasn’t allowed a run to the Dodgers in 6 appearances this season.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Knoxbanedoodle]

Well, I’ll tell you what two former GM’s said on the radio the other day when discussing the Astros bullpen.

Bowden: “I don’t care what the stats and analytics say about my right handed pitchers getting left handers out, come playoff time, I want a left handed pitcher late in the game facing the Dodgers."

Thanks for your opinion, Talking Head. If only there was some way to determine whether or not the Astros regime cares about what the stats and analytics say...

[Lefty]

Thanks for your opinion, Talking Head. If only there was some way to determine whether or not the Astros regime cares about what the stats and analytics say...

His tenure as GM of the Dickities in '99 makes me inherently dislike him.

[JimR]

Thanks for your opinion, Talking Head. If only there was some way to determine whether or not the Astros regime cares about what the stats and analytics say...

We are up to date on whatever is on the radio daily.

Luhnow and Hinch want a lefty in the pen. Both have said so. If they do not get one, Harris, Devo, and Pressly will have to do. As DKR once said, “Old Ugly is better than Old Nothing.”

[TerryPuhl21]

Thanks for your opinion, Talking Head. If only there was some way to determine whether or not the Astros regime cares about what the stats and analytics say...

Actually there is Knox. Wait a few more days and we’ll see.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Lefty]

We are up to date on whatever is on the radio daily.

Luhnow and Hinch want a lefty in the pen. Both have said so. If they do not get one, Harris, Devo, and Pressly will have to do. As DKR once said, “Old Ugly is better than Old Nothing.”

I always liked "I try not to make the same mistakes today that I made yesterday."

[BlownRanger]

Not at all. He bitched to reporters about the lack of a deadline deal after it passed and implied the whole team was unhappy with Luhnow. You very much watered down what he did, but hey, you love him. I do not.

I don't recall it as Keuchel walking into the clubhouse and proclaiming "Everyone gather around.  I've got something to get off my chest".  I recall it as Keuchel doing a general topics interview when he was asked about his views on the team basically standing pat.  He answered the question.  I also remember Reddick doing the exact same thing a couple of days later and getting a pass.

[JimR]

I don't recall it as Keuchel walking into the clubhouse and proclaiming "Everyone gather around.  I've got something to get off my chest".  I recall it as Keuchel doing a general topics interview when he was asked about his views on the team basically standing pat.  He answered the question.  I also remember Reddick doing the exact same thing a couple of days later and getting a pass.

Whatever.