JJxvi said:

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It doesn't really matter in the scheme of things, IMO. They could've just given him the minimum for all the difference it would make. People worry about Correa, but I'm fairly certain that Bregman is definitely going to try and sign with the Yankees specifically the first chance he gets.

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Completely disagree. I think he wants to be and will be the next "Craig Biggio" for us. And I think that's why he's vocal about his disappointment - he I think feels some loyalty to the club and wants to be shown the love back. That being said, I understand the Astros' stance on it too.

Bregman will be fine. He is a fiery guy and always will be. He wears his emotions on his sleeve.

1) Agree with those who are bullish on Correa regaining MVP form this year.

2) Slightly worried about injuries nagging Altuve this year, but I also kinda think last year was his floor and he still hit .316 with .386 OBP. Maybe he won't have his 2017 power production but he can be perfectly productive getting on base alot in the two hole and setting the table for Bregman, Correa and Brantley.

3) I think Bregman will be going for biggest money available on a good team when his contract is up. Now more than ever, it seems like the MLBPA frowns at players not taking the biggest contract offered. I also think part of the reason Bregman is building up his social media brand is so that he can market his on field production AND off field exposure/attention when it's time for his new deal (something that doesn't have much precedent in MLB). Hopefully we can extend him before he even hits free agency though. Good news for Crane is he will be 29 when the 2023 season starts.

4) Side note: I'm becoming more bullish on Reddick this year. A productive Reddick would be huge for the bottom third of our order. After last year I was literally done with him and was praying we'd find a way to offload his contract. I was so sick of watching him try to hit every pitch 500 feet into the right field seats last year. He piled on White Sox and Padres pitching but was a total no show against any team with a pulse. But even though the sample size this spring is still very small, it seems like some of the adjustments he's making are trending in the right direction. Fingers crossed.

Ag_07 said:

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The big question I have when looking at those renderings is...Where are the tarps gonna go?

Seriously I don't know the seating capacity but that looks like a shlt ton of seating and with the path they're on now I'm not sure they'll be able to fill a high school ballpark.

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They could tarp off those upper level "Texas porches" because when lower deck seats are easily available people aren't sitting in nose bleed outfield seats...

Also I love how the know it all writing references our "stupid center field hill" yet it doesn't exist anymore

astros4545 said:

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He gave her the ball he already had. I think she thought he gave her the one he just caught. Smooth.

I'm really hoping straw makes the opening day roster, I really want to see what he can bring with his speed.

Rustys-Beef-o-Reeno said:

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I'm really hoping straw makes the opening day roster, I really want to see what he can bring with his speed.

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No way we carry 3 catchers. Who do you see as the odd one out if Straw makes it?

No idea

Buck Compton said:

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Straw isn't a catcher.....

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wow that is hilarious... not sure what I was thinking .. thanks for the catch there

The best part is the response also didn't call it out. No worries. Probably thought of Stubbs.

Here's my prediction for opening day roster. The last two open relief pitching spots still need to be hashed out this week (between James (if healthy), Valdez, Guduan, Perez). If you made me predict today, it'd be James and Guduan, but I hope Perez sneaks in there somewhere.

Catcher (2)
Chirinos
Stassi

Infielders (6)
Yuli
Altuve (hopefully not on DH)
Correa
Bregman
Diaz
White

Outfielders (5)
Springer
Reddick
Brantley
Kemp
Marisnick / Fisher

Starting Pitchers (5)
Verlander
Cole
McHugh
Miley
Peacock

Relief Pitchers (7)
Harris
Devo
OPEN
OPEN
Rondon
Pressly
Osuna

dmtoney said:

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Isn't he out still after TJ surgery? How does that work with the suspension?

Buck Compton said:

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dmtoney said:

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Isn't he out still after TJ surgery? How does that work with the suspension?

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Misses 80 games (doesn't get paid) - doesn't matter that he can't pitch right now, removed from 40 man roster during suspension (so he can't accrue service time), ineligible for postseason if he's able to make it back to the roster this year

James is not 100% healthy, and Framber has been touched up this spring. Framber might do better with SP time at AAA. Not saying pressly is better right now necessarily

No the opposite.

Pressly is a ML reliever and was one of the best in the league after joining us. I expect him to make a run at an AS spot this year. He's not anywhere near a battle.

dmtoney said:

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This was a "cant miss" type that completely missed.

Ag_07 said:

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No the opposite.

Pressly is a ML reliever and was one of the best in the league after joining us. I expect him to make a run at an AS spot this year. He's not anywhere near a battle.

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He's our best relief pitcher. He'll get the high leverage situations. He's about as likely to get left off the roster as Altuve & Verlander.

I think last year was more of an aberration. I expect serious regression this year (who wouldn't after his amazing run with us last year), which was why I didn't put him there. By all means I expect him to be on the team.

You guys are right though that he doesn't belong with that group necessarily. Likely only two spots open on the roster unless we unexpectedly go to 13 pitchers. Edited my post since you guys are right.

Regression from being completely untouchable? Sure.

But his elite curve is elite. He throws it a ton now and he's having the top of the zone. Simply formula that Houston has used to improve guys. I fully expect him to stay our best bullpen arm.

I agree.

He had the stuff all along while in MIN. He was just on a crappy team who didn't know how to use him. Only thing that changed was his approach.

Like I said after a full ST with Strom and starting the year with him I think he'll be up there with the elite relief pitchers of the league.

Did Tony Sipp ever sign somewhere? Wonder if they've loopped back around to see if he was interested in coming back.

A pen of James, Harris, Devo, Pressly, Sipp, Rondon, and Osuna would be pretty sick.

ClickClack said:

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JJxvi said:

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It doesn't really matter in the scheme of things, IMO. They could've just given him the minimum for all the difference it would make. People worry about Correa, but I'm fairly certain that Bregman is definitely going to try and sign with the Yankees specifically the first chance he gets.

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Completely disagree. I think he wants to be and will be the next "Craig Biggio" for us. And I think that's why he's vocal about his disappointment - he I think feels some loyalty to the club and wants to be shown the love back. That being said, I understand the Astros' stance on it too.

Bregman will be fine. He is a fiery guy and always will be. He wears his emotions on his sleeve.

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I said this last year, when Bregman is due to resign the Astros better back up the Brink's truck. He is a gamer and IMO will wind up having a better career than Carlos.

Would you offer him a 10-year, $150 million deal now? Today?

I'd give him 10 year 25 mil right now and sleep well that it's a bargain.

"Jelly of the month" club membership. Get on it now.

Sipp has come to an agreement with the Nats.

Who is going to be our new bullpen whipping boy now? Harris?

Devo