Hands down 2002 OU game at Kyle was the best. But between A&M/LSU and game 5, I gotta go game 5. Like someone said earlier, we don't win game 5 we probably don't win the WS. Also, and personally this is me, I felt the ups and downs of game 5 were bigger than the LSU game. Game 5 had me pacing around the neighbors garage, screaming at the top of my lungs, hugging my neighbors, and having an impromptu block party at 1 am. But I did get Ags win sexy time on Saturday so that was something!

Getting this back to a baseball thread... anybody seen the new Oakland stadium concept? Not sure what to think of it, but I'd definitely like to see it in person once it's built.

Never tried a link before... let's see how much of a failure this is:

New A's stadium

And getting this back to an Astros offseason baseball thread, any news on the catcher situation? I read where the Pirates might be shopping Cervelli, and I expect he would cost less in terms of prospects. His $11 million salary is less than the $15 million option the team declined to offer McCann. Might be an option if the Marlins stick to their guns on Realmulto.

It seems like the "feeling out" process of baseball offseason is taking longer these days with new super analytical front offices quantifying player valuations differently than years past and old school agents like Boras thinking they can bully their way to big contracts by using prior year player comps, i.e. Yu Darvish got 6 years, $126mm and my client is better than him so he deserves to be paid more, when in reality it was stupid for the Cubs to give him that contract to begin with. Sounds like it used to be easier to wooo owners into ponying up for big names too. Now those decisions are being punted to the front office MBAs/PhDs.

From a bigger picture standpoint, I think the next round of collective bargaining is setting up to be pretty ugly. I think the MLBPA thinks "tanking" teams have taken money out of the pool for players and that's true to some extent. But it also seems like some contracts given to players 5, 10 years ago were just unreasonable and front offices now are much smarter with their money.

Things don't really start happening until after the winter meetings which begin on Dec 9th.

Shoot some big names didn't get signed until into spring training last year

SlimAG2 said:

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Shoot some big names didn't get signed until into spring training last year

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Yep. Won't be surprised at all if that happens again.

Couldn't keep it going into Sunday?

Really good points. Hopefully cooler heads prevail but you're right that a work stoppage is definitely in realm of possibility. Looks like the current deal ends on Dec 1, 2021.

https://fancredsports.com/articles/jon-heyman-astros-dodgers-yankees-all-showing-in

Not sure if this is new information or not, but according to Jon Heyman's piece linked above, the Astros are willing to include Tucker in a deal for Realmuto. First I remember seeing anything saying they are open to dealing Tucker.

Quote:

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The Marlins are busy talking to teams about J.T. Realmuto, the de facto best catcher in the game. The Astros, Dodgers and Yankees are among many teams that have showed interest. Houston is seen as a possible destination, but as of Tuesday, Marlins people denied the Astro were in the lead.

The Astros are believed willing to include Kyle Tucker, who is the type of lefthanded hitter the Marlins like, but probably not top pitching prospect Forrest Whitley. The issue with the Yankees' talks apparently is that they still hold Gary Sanchez in high enough regard that they have resisted offering other top pieces in a package with Sanchez. The Marlins, who are run by ex-Yankee types (Derek Jeter, Gary Denbo) seem to like Sanchez as well but are hoping for a major package for Realmuto.

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I really hope we don't get rid of Tucker. I say a full year in the bigs might be the jump start we need. Plus he will get more PT since marwin coming back is in doubt.

It sounds like Sanchez and a few of the Yankees prospects is all it's going to take for them. Jester is such a ****.

I ****ing hate the Yankmes

I know we hate him but apparently Bauer is the starter CLE is shopping.

I think I could learn to like him.

Quote:

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Jeff Luhnow said "at this point" the Astros plan to tender contracts to all 11 of their arbitration eligible players prior to tomorrow's 7 p.m. deadline. The list: Cole, McCullers, Correa, Osuna, McHugh, Harris, Devenski, Peacock, Herrmann, Pressly, Marisnick

The Astros had scouting meetings in Florida this week. In the wake of Mike Elias' departure, the club is keeping "business as usual," Jeff Luhnow said. Kris Gross, the team's national scouting supervisor, will "be managing the scouts in terms of day to day responsibilities."

Jeff Luhnow said he might not appoint a new amateur scouting director until after June's draft. Kris Gross has been managing the department since Mike Elias left for Baltimore.

Jeff Luhnow: "We've said from the beginning (Forrest) Whitley isn't going anywhere, except to Houston in the near future."

Luhnow on Jos Altuve's rehab from knee surgery: "He's doing very well. All reports are that he feels good and our doctors say that he's progressing well. No problems at all. He's going to be 100 percent for spring training."

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3B Paul 97 said:

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Couldn't keep it going into Sunday?

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Hell I had 15 minutes. Who do think I am?

Also having to wake up less than 4 hours later to go to work put a slight damper on things.

bearkatag15 said:

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http://arizonasports.com/story/1752510/stark-d-backs-paul-goldschmidt-could-end-up-in-houston/

Quote:

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The Athletic's Jayson Stark told 98.7 FM Arizona's Sports Station's Bickey and Marotta on Tuesday he believes Goldschmidt will get traded and he expects it will be to one of the American League's best teams.

"When the dust settles, [Goldschmidt] will get moved," Stark said. "Talking to these teams, one of them told me that they bet he will get traded.

"If I were a betting man, I would say that Goldschmidt ends up in Houston. I think that's the fit."

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Yes, please!

Are the Mariners throwing in Diaz so they don't have to pay for Cano? I would be pissed if I were a fan of that org.

I think they're throwing in Cano so they don't have pay Cano.

Originally they weren't gonna move Diaz until they figured out they could move Cano if a team really wanted Diaz.

Why are the Mets doing this?

Are they gonna give it a push, then big time sell their starting pitching at the deadline if not in contention?

No one would pay Cano for Cano. Either Seattle pays for most of it or they give away a piece(Diaz) real cheap.

Would be huge. But my huge concern this season will be starting pitching

https://www.mlbshop.com/houston-astros/mens-houston-astros-new-era-orange-alternate-logo-59fifty-fitted-hat/t-25999774+p-4790989986055+z-9-3416870750


Can someone tell me why this isn't our Sunday alternate? Badass

Y'all probably think Penn state is the best uniform of all time.......