Interesting

Quote:

---

The Astros made an offer to the Tigers about right fielder Nick Castellanos prior to last July's trade deadline, according to Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press (via Twitter). Houston was known to be aggressively pursuing a big outfield bat last summer, even to the point of almost completing a trade with the Nationals for Bryce Harper, and also inquiring about Tommy Pham (then with the Cardinals) and White Sox outfielder Avisail Garcia. Fenech suggests that Castellanos could again be a target for the Astros this offseason, and he explores in a longer piece for the Detroit Free Press that it is becoming increasingly likely that the Tigers will trade Castellanos due to a lack of extension talks between the two sides.

Castellanos would help the Astros as either a corner outfielder or, perhaps more likely, as a DH given Castellanos' defensive limitations and the fact that incumbent Houston designated hitter Evan Gattis is hitting free agency. Since Castellanos is only controlled through the 2019 season, he would give the Astros a short-term boost in their quest for another World Series while also not serving as a long-term block to youngsters Tyler White, Kyle Tucker, and J.D. Davis.

---

I'd like that addition. Dude can hit

At a reasonable price, I'm in. Guy has a great drive in his bat. LF/DH could work.

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/dallas-keuchel-is-willing-to-shave-his-beard-if-he-signs-with-the-yankees/

So Dallas rejected our QO, this means we get the extra pick. If we still signed him but at a higher price then we would lose said pick right?

Just asking for clarity, not that we would make a higher offer

Correct, we do not get a pick if they decline QO but resign with the team. I am far from an insider, but I have no expectations he's going to resign.

Paul Goldschmidt might be available would the 'Stros be interested?

There was zero chance he was ever going to sign the QO.

Yes, Astros would be 100% interested in Paul if the price was right. He's a reasonable payed rental.

They made a reasonable offer to rent Harper, I'm sure they're in on Goldschmidt as well.

My gut is that Dallas will get a bigger offer elsewhere. He's probably also a little bothered that he's been seen as a weak link in our pitching after the acquisitions of Verlander and Cole. And hell with what Morton did last year in the playoffs he's just not the player we needed him to be. I still want Dallas around because he's a great piece to have. I'm really curious what he wants and what we're offering. If I remember correctly I thought we tried to extend him a year or two ago and the offer was rejected. He's still at a good age for a decent extension, Verlander can't be expected to keep his performance level this high for much longer, he'll be out of the game before Dallas.

I assume Altuve and Corea are healthy and have bounce back seasons. But I'd sure love to add a bat or two to help them. Especially if our pitching is a little younger next year.

Finally a better option than crappy 790 signal at night

Quote:

---

The Houston Astros and flagship radio partner iHeart Radio have announced the renewal of their partnership through the 2021 season. Beginning in 2019, the majority of Astros games will air on both SportsTalk 790 KBME and 740 KTRH, increasing the reach of Astros radio broadcasts throughout the region. All games, including all postseason games, will be broadcast on SportsTalk 790 KBME, with simulcasts on 740 KTRH beginning at 7:00 p.m. CT. Astros games will also continue to be available on 94.5-HD2 FM HD and 99.1-HD2 FM.

---

https://www.mlb.com/astros/news/astros-and-iheart-radio-announce-partnership-renewal/c-300634836?tid=267529198&fbclid=IwAR0TkBanvM2RtnrPbcKKDPOZf7e2cWYo3MrtaL-65bsdDipSaDJrDd-XEB4

Amen. Can barely get the night games north of the Woodlands

W said:

---

Amen. Can barely get the night games north of the Woodlands

---

Odd. I don't have that issue.

I've picked up 790 in Louisiana. Never really had any issue with getting good reception

Geez who is left in the front office!

Damn...These aren't just random staffers. These are guys that were big cogs in the wheel.

Now along with big roster moves Luhnow has his work cut out for him in the FO as well. Big off season for the club that's for sure.

And yeah it's a promotion into a position you covet, but BAL and that owner don't seem like a spot that it'd be easy for a GM to do his job. I imagine Elias got a first hand experience with that when the Britton fiasco went down.

iBrad said:

---

Sounds like these guys like the challenge of a rebuild over maintaining dominance.

---

Exactly what I was thinking.

I hope its that and not something else. Elias making the jump to GM is a no brainer. Seems like we could have worked something out to keep at least one of Mejdal or Fast around.

Huge losses either way.

iBrad said:

---

Sounds like these guys like the challenge of a rebuild over maintaining dominance.

---

Sounds like teams needing to rebuild pay better.

That sucks but usually the greatness of a front office comes from the top and trickles down.

If Luhnow is as good as we think he is, he's prepared for this too. Look at the sustained success of the Patriots or Alabama after losing coaches. I'm eager to see who we bring in.

People are going to see everyone in the Astros is getting big promotions. Its going to draw hungry and big-time candidates to try and backfill these. Richard Justice had a tweet a few days back about how PHDs in stats and whatnot have been applying.

Cool, any rocket scientists?

Agnzona said:

---

Cool, any rocket scientists?

---

Maybe a few blackjack dealers.

If they ever need an EE, I know a guy...

Verlander finished 2nd in a very close AL Cy Young vote

OCEN99 said:

---

Verlander finished 2nd in a very close AL Cy Young vote

---

Thats not thumbs up, IMO. Snell has good numbers, but at a full 3 outs less per game basically. I value that more and the break it gives your pen, so I get putting either him or Verlander up there even if I disagree with it.

I don't get the other votes distribution. What chode had Verlander 4th?

After looking some more, it was the TB chapter writers who had no integrity. One of them from NYC.

Both voted Snell #1 and Verlander 3/4 so that he didn't pick up any points on "their guy". Oh well.

Most of the voting patterns on there are extremely transparent.

Looks like Bill Madden of the New York Daily News voted Snell (1), Kluber (2), Treinen (3), Verlander (4), Severino (5).

ElCheAg said:

---

They don't need any Elementary Education majors, bud.

---

Sometimes I think the team could use an Elementary Education in baserunning

Buck Compton said:

---

After looking some more, it was the TB chapter writers who had no integrity. One of them from NYC.

Both voted Snell #1 and Verlander 3/4 so that he didn't pick up any points on "their guy". Oh well.

Most of the voting patterns on there are extremely transparent.

---

Bill Madden has absolutely nothing to do with Tampa. He may be a chode, not for that reason.

Verlander finished 15 points behind. A couple more 2nd place votes weren't going to help him.

20+ wins and a sub 2 ERA killed Verlander, who was a better pitcher