I think the 'stros will offer JV a 1-year deal

Verlander on returning to Astros: "The organization has been incredible to me since I've been there. ... I was able to pitch one game for that contract and that gnaws at me. ... There's been no conversations with anything moving forward. ... I would have to prove I'm healthy."

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) May 7, 2021

Verlander: "I definitely think I can get back to the pitcher that I was before."

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) May 7, 2021

Give him a QO in the offseason, let him prove himself.

If JV comes back and pitches well out of the pen and then showcases himself in front of teams in say Dec/Jan. Then I would expect he'll get an offer better than the QO or 1year 15-20 M.

With Crane already getting burned for 66 M for 1 start (maybe a postseason appearance or two) I cannot see him making any kind of offer until JV shows he's back.

I would 100% roll the dice on the potential of JV being ace like than resigning ZG. ZG is what he is. Future HOFer, yes, but he's more of a crafty vet who is better than most starters, but he'll never be the ace or the guy you want starting game 1 in the postseason anymore.

Did he get burned or was there insurance money on that contract?

I would strongly suspect that there's insurance, but I don't expect that was cheap either. Obviously, a lot cheaper than 66M, but still hefty.

wangus12 said:

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EastCoastAgNc said:

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Ross Stripling, who starts for the Blue Jays tonight at Minute Maid Park, was asked last year whether he'd throw at the Astros in the wake of the sign-stealing scandal. He said "I would lean toward yes. In the right time and right place." Stripling didn't face the Astros in 2020.

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) May 7, 2021

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Glad he's really held onto those Aggie core values. If it hits somebody tonight, I hope Alvarez pipes one back up the middle into his ribcage.

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LOL @ Aggie core values.

But I guess you could make an argument that he is Not tolerating those who cheat? That's probably the way he sees it anyway.

Astros lineup vs. Jays:

Altuve 2B
Brantley LF
Bregman 3B
Alvarez DH
Gurriel 1B
Correa SS
Tucker RF
Straw CF
Maldonado C

RHP Jose Urquidy

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) May 7, 2021

Thru 6 starts LMJ is sporting a 3.58 ERA, 1.163 WHIP, and about 5-1/3 IP per start.

If you could, would you lock that in for the rest of the year? No better, no worse.

I don't think Crane and JV have any sort of strained relationship after the last two seasons. Crane knows injuries like JV's are part of the cost of doing business and guessing he had insurance to help cover the loss. If anything, it sounds like the two have a good relationship. JV plays with Crane in the Waste Management Pro Am every year.

The decision to retain JV next year seems like a no brainer in my opinion, granted I'm probably more bullish than most on his ability to comeback strong. I see JV as being akin to Brady in terms of his fitness and commitment to longevity. He's also a master tactician and ultra ultra competitive. So to the extent he's lost anything stuff-wise the past year, he will still be effective.

If people are looking to sell their JV stock, I'm a happy buyer. I already own a controlling interest in Lu-Ace Garcia Inc. and would love to add to my portfolio.

I also think there's good business value in keeping JV around. He's a good veteran presence in the clubhouse. There's going to be a couple sentences about the Astros on his HOF plaque and his Astros tenure as a percentage of his HOF career is growing. He needs to retire as an Astro.

Farmer1906 said:

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Thru 6 starts LMJ is sporting a 3.58 ERA, 1.163 WHIP, and about 5-1/3 IP per start.

If you could, would you lock that in for the rest of the year? No better, no worse.

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My heart says no but my brain says maybe.

Farmer1906 said:

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Thru 6 starts LMJ is sporting a 3.58 ERA, 1.163 WHIP, and about 5-1/3 IP per start.

If you could, would you lock that in for the rest of the year? No better, no worse.

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That is a little over 2 runs allowed per start, or close to it? (mathguy can check my work)

I would take that

redline248 said:

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Farmer1906 said:

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Thru 6 starts LMJ is sporting a 3.58 ERA, 1.163 WHIP, and about 5-1/3 IP per start.

If you could, would you lock that in for the rest of the year? No better, no worse.

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That is a little over 2 runs allowed per start, or close to it? (mathguy can check my work)

I would take that

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2.12 over 5 1/3

Deluxe said:

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Farmer1906 said:

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Thru 6 starts LMJ is sporting a 3.58 ERA, 1.163 WHIP, and about 5-1/3 IP per start.

If you could, would you lock that in for the rest of the year? No better, no worse.

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My heart says no but my brain says maybe.

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I asked it because I thought it would be tough to answer. He's actually overperformed from his expected numbers (no one freak out!). He's been hit harder than ever this year. He's also giving up more walks than ever. Buuuut I think that walk # will go down. I think his 6 starts are heavily weighted down by the start he made under the weather. I don't think he'll keep his 6 IP & 2.17 ERA from those games, but it gives you a realistic ceiling. I also think he'll get his walk number down to around 8-9%(what he averaged '17-'20) from 13% it's been this year. That should balance his increased hits he'll give up (he won't keep an opposing BA of .172). I say all that to say I think he'll go deeper in games and there is a good enough chance he'll improve that I am willing to take it.

Gimme that Springer tribute video

Farmer1906 said:

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True bro love

George Springer and Michael Brantley reunite. It’s a beautiful moment. pic.twitter.com/7VIj1HGsZn

— Julia Morales (@JuliaMorales) May 7, 2021

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George with no mask. Trying to sabotage us!!

Harry Dunne said:

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wangus12 said:

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EastCoastAgNc said:

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Ross Stripling, who starts for the Blue Jays tonight at Minute Maid Park, was asked last year whether he'd throw at the Astros in the wake of the sign-stealing scandal. He said "I would lean toward yes. In the right time and right place." Stripling didn't face the Astros in 2020.

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) May 7, 2021

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Glad he's really held onto those Aggie core values. If it hits somebody tonight, I hope Alvarez pipes one back up the middle into his ribcage.

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LOL @ Aggie core values.

But I guess you could make an argument that he is Not tolerating those who cheat? That's probably the way he sees it anyway.

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Or maybe just planting the idea in the hitters heads so they may be a little wary of digging in. Anyways Ross, I hope we rope you tonight.

Man I miss Springer

Urquidy has the "A" lineup behind him tonight

Pregame show just spent a minute or 2 pumping up the A&M baseball program

Framber Valdez faced hitters today. He threw about 20 pitches, 19 were strikes. He said he felt sharp. Here's a video from today. pic.twitter.com/ChXZo7XwGC

— Michael Schwab (@michaelschwab13) May 7, 2021

MosesHallRAB04 said:

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bearkatag15 said:

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Pregame show just spent a minute or 2 pumping up the A&M baseball program

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Just said A&M was one of the best programs in the country. You know how I know he doesn't watch college baseball?

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I started this, but I don't like it.

Farmer1906 said:

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MosesHallRAB04 said:

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bearkatag15 said:

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Pregame show just spent a minute or 2 pumping up the A&M baseball program

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Just said A&M was one of the best programs in the country. You know how I know he doesn't watch college baseball?

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We kind of are. Not the greatest season but we've been consistently good and have a ton of players regularly drafted.

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Not arguing there. Especially pitchers. But this year has been less than ideal

Yordan Alvarez is 8-for-16 (.500) with three homers in his last four games

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) May 8, 2021

Looks like he's close to breaking out of that slump