Ags #1 said:

---

Not that hard to do when you make millions of dollars a year.

---

< bitter because he wifed up a nickel.

Vincent Vega looking for the Shooting Stars on top of the dugout.

That is also true

cpsencik04 said:

---

Personally I think Fisher needs to be trade bait #1 right now. Add in a young Arm, if someone is interested Kemp and throw in White (not because he's worth the plane ticket but just to say you traded him instead of cut him)

---

Agreed. I think we need to be looking to move Fisher, Reed, White, Kemp, Deetz and Rodgers at the deadline. They've kinda proven everything they can prove at AAA, but they don't really fit into our long term plan. They're just kinda wasting space on our 40 currently and we've got guys like Whitley, Beer, JBB, Toro, etc who will need protection in the next year or two.

If we can include them in a package for a stud starting pitcher, great. But I think there's other options as well...

-Flip them for younger, higher upside prospects (kinda like we did in trading JD Davis for Luis Santana)
-Package a few of them with Yuli and see if we can get a team to take his $8.4 million off our hands next year
-Grab a vet lefty bullpen option or vet backup catcher

Farmer1906 said:

---

bearkatag15 said:

---

n_touch said:

---

Quote:

---

Package a few of them with Yuli and see if we can get a team to take his $8.4 million off our hands next year

---

Some would hate on this, but I would be up for it. I like Yuli, but I think we already got his best.

---

I'm on board as well. Great dude and helped us win a WS and a bunch of games last year, but there are better options right now at 1B for cheaper.

---

Better cheaper options at first so then why would he have much value in a trade?

I think he'll be a nice platoon 1B, DH next year (White's role this year).

---

He probably doesn't have a lot of value on his own, but to a team trying to dump a high priced starting pitcher, he could be packaged in with other prospects as an expiring contract for a team that could possibly flip him for more prospect at next year's trade deadline to a contending team.

I'm not a GM (obviously) and I didn't stay at a Holiday Inn last night, but to me that seems reasonable.

Also, maybe I'm crazy, but wasn't a major factor in signing Yuli trying to get in good with his brother? I remember being bummed when he signed elsewhere.

Going to see our boys at Coors Field in a couple of weeks.

Any Denver area folks have advice on parking? I just tried to buy parking in advance and it says sold out. Do they pre-sell the whole lot or do they allow some in day of game?

If not, are there any parking alternatives to getting gouged at a small private lot? Is the light rail a good option?

mathguy86 said:

---

I just don't see it. Yuli just turned 35. In theory. He may very well be older than that coming from Cuba. His bat has clearly declined this year and will only get worse. Between his age and sudden decline qand 2 more years left on his contract hes a tough sell. And this club has a clear value on veterans Beltran 2 years ago, Gattis last year. Vets who clearly are on the decline but who bring leadership.

He's going nowhere this year. And unless someone makes a crazy offer or agrees to a crazy one he's not going anywhere next year either.

---

How could you even dream of including Gattis and Yuli in the same example as Beltran. I want some of what you are on....

Yuli isn't going anywhere at least not this season. We don't have anyone who can replace him and take over at 1B and we're not trading for a 1B upgrade this year.

Missing on Singleton, Reed, and now White is the whole reason he's a 1bman right now.

Maybe Yordan can slide in but that not until after an off-season of work to get him up to speed.

R-Dog said:

---

Going to see our boys at Coors Field in a couple of weeks.

Any Denver area folks have advice on parking? I just tried to buy parking in advance and it says sold out. Do they pre-sell the whole lot or do they allow some in day of game?

If not, are there any parking alternatives to getting gouged at a small private lot? Is the light rail a good option?

---

I went last summer and just took an Uber. So no help parking, but it's a fun park. It seems like more people care about having a good time than taking in the game.

Uber, light rail - the area around the park is walk-able as well.

cpsencik04 said:

---

mathguy86 said:

---

I just don't see it. Yuli just turned 35. In theory. He may very well be older than that coming from Cuba. His bat has clearly declined this year and will only get worse. Between his age and sudden decline qand 2 more years left on his contract hes a tough sell. And this club has a clear value on veterans Beltran 2 years ago, Gattis last year. Vets who clearly are on the decline but who bring leadership.

He's going nowhere this year. And unless someone makes a crazy offer or agrees to a crazy one he's not going anywhere next year either.

---

How could you even dream of including Gattis and Yuli in the same example as Beltran. I want some of what you are on....

---

I don't think he tried to say they were equal. The point was just that we value veteran leadership. Beltran's contribution to the team is really hard to quantify. While it's pretty unanimous that he was a great leader and helped in a lot of non-measurable ways, he was extremely limited by the time he came to us - the worst on paper of those three.

I don't think it's crazy to say that even though Yuli isn't cutting it as a 1b/DH that he still has a value to the team as a leader and great clubhouse guy.

IMO we can't get Brantley or Yordan on 1b and Yuli as a bench utility guy soon enough though.

Quote:

---

-Package a few of them with Yuli and see if we can get a team to take his $8.4 million off our hands next year

---

Please call into local radio and suggest this

Why?

mazag08 said:

---

Who will Alvarez discuss the glorious days of Fidel Castro with if we trade Yuli?

And we already tried Jake as the hair guy. It failed. Yuli is the hair guy. You don't trade your hair guy.

---

I thought that's why we recently called up Perez and Armenteros

Chandler Rome does a mailbag Q&A feature linked below:

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/texas-sports-nation/astros/article/Astros-mailbag-When-will-Jose-Altuve-return-to-13989589.php

Some insight to possible options for more pitching as we continue to burn through the bullpen.

Quote:

---

Jose Urquidy has been the hot, emergent name since the start of the season. In five appearances since his promotion to Class AAA Round Rock, Urquidy has 40 strikeouts in 25 innings with a 3.16 ERA. General manager Jeff Luhnow said he is in strong consideration for a spot-start, should the situation arise.

Keep an eye on J.B. Bukauskas at Class AA Corpus Christi, too. After wearing a 19.13 ERA following his first three appearances, the former first-rounder has pared it to 5.65. He struck out 10 in six innings of one-run ball Wednesday, continuing a torrid streak that looks more similar to what the team saw in spring training.

---

Possibility of trading for a bullpen arm?

Quote:

---

Aside from starting pitching, one has to wonder if Houston will explore the reliever market. Houston's bullpen has the second-lowest ERA in baseball at 3.45. Their back-end is fierce with Roberto Osuna and Ryan Pressly. Will Harris has thrown remarkably well during the first half, too.

Beyond that, there have been few standouts. Josh James is reviving his season but still has an ERA approaching five. Hector Rondon is streaky, at best, and his September struggles last season have to factor into the team's thinking.

Harris has become the Astros de facto lefty specialist, too. As we've written before, the Astros have no reliable lefthanded arms in their bullpen. Reymin Guduan has bombed in two major league stints. Cionel Perez is pitching better, but still prone to control issues that plagued him in Class AAA.

Perhaps all this could push Houston to explore a market many thought they may not need before the season.

---

Streaky is a great way to describe Rondon as a relief pitcher. Maybe my comments about him blowing are a bit overkill, but in no way do I trust him on a playoff roster.

R-Dog said:

---

Going to see our boys at Coors Field in a couple of weeks.

Any Denver area folks have advice on parking? I just tried to buy parking in advance and it says sold out. Do they pre-sell the whole lot or do they allow some in day of game?

If not, are there any parking alternatives to getting gouged at a small private lot? Is the light rail a good option?

---

There are plenty of small lots around the $20 range (varies by game). You can also park in the Highlands and walk (or electric scooter) there. Light rail is nearby as well.

Well this timing sucks... Hope Altuve really will be back by next Thursday as well.

I agree with that. I think he's solid enough for what his role is now, but I wouldn't want him being a back end of the bullpen guy. I know that you have to scrutinize every postseason spot just in case, but it's not uncommon for a guy in Rondon's current role to only pitch an inning or two in an entire postseason series. Last year he didn't pitch at all in the ALDS and pitched only one inning vs. Boston. If you look back at our playoff series, even in a 7-game series the 4th & 5th guys out of the bullpen are only getting an 1-2 IP in the entire series.

I think he's fine for the purpose he serves now. If we could make a trade that brought over a Pressly/Osuna type premier bullpen arm without giving up the future I'd be for that, but as far as trusting him in particular in high-leverage situation in the playoffs, that's probably not ever going to come into question.

n_touch said:

---

Quote:

---

Package a few of them with Yuli and see if we can get a team to take his $8.4 million off our hands next year

---

Some would hate on this, but I would be up for it. I like Yuli, but I think we already got his best.

---

no doubt Yuli is in decline. And the Blue Jays (since his brother plays for them) may be the only viable trade partner

Deluxe said:

---

cpsencik04 said:

---

Personally I think Fisher needs to be trade bait #1 right now. Add in a young Arm, if someone is interested Kemp and throw in White (not because he's worth the plane ticket but just to say you traded him instead of cut him)

---

Agreed. I think we need to be looking to move Fisher, Reed, White, Kemp, Deetz and Rodgers at the deadline. They've kinda proven everything they can prove at AAA, but they don't really fit into our long term plan. They're just kinda wasting space on our 40 currently and we've got guys like Whitley, Beer, JBB, Toro, etc who will need protection in the next year or two.

If we can include them in a package for a stud starting pitcher, great. But I think there's other options as well...

-Flip them for younger, higher upside prospects (kinda like we did in trading JD Davis for Luis Santana)
-Package a few of them with Yuli and see if we can get a team to take his $8.4 million off our hands next year
-Grab a vet lefty bullpen option or vet backup catcher

---

I think kemp has more viable long term productivity than any of those other guys imo.

I think if he gets 350 ABs and consistent playing time he's a player that would be in the .265 range and put up consistent numbers and a good OBP

checking in with Giancarlo...and reason number #1,581 and such...why you don't sign players to mega-long-term contracts...

he played in 3 games for NYY to start the season. Then got hurt, then hurt something else. To date he's missed 64 games. Will probably miss another week.

so in 2019 he will play a maximum of 92 games for his $26 MM salary.

and there are 8 more guaranteed years left on his contract

W said:

---

why you don't sign players to mega-long-term contracts...

---

You could say the same thing about Altuve, but not a lot of other ways to get (or keep) a reigning MVP. I don't think he was going to go for the 3-year deal. He had also played 159 & 158 games the previous 2 seasons, so it's not like he's Glass Joe Correa.

Yankees will make the playoffs regardless, so whether it was a good deal or not depends 100% on what he does in October.

Harry Dunne said:

---

SIAP, but looks like the Giles trade has worked out so far for both sides.

42K and a 1.08 ERA in 25 IP. Only one BS and has only given up a run in 2 of 25 appearances. Probably not a coincidence that they just put him on the 10 day DL for a sore elbow to avoid an epic meltdown this weekend.

---

So let me see...Giles has rebounded, Stroman is on the block, we need a BP arm and a starter and TOR is the only viable trade option for Yuli.

The writing is on the wall boys.

Harry Dunne said:

---

W said:

---

why you don't sign players to mega-long-term contracts...

---

You could say the same thing about Altuve, but not a lot of other ways to get (or keep) a reigning MVP. I don't think he was going to go for the 3-year deal. He had also played 159 & 158 games the previous 2 seasons, so it's not like he's Glass Joe Correa.

Yankees will make the playoffs regardless, so whether it was a good deal or not depends 100% on what he does in October.

---

I'd say there is a significant difference between 163.5 over 7 years (5 year extension) vs 325 over 13.