EastCoastAgNc said:

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I would put money on maldy being back next year. I think his option vests if he plays in a certain number of games. He is strong defensively and works well with the pitching staff. I know everyone here wants him gone because he is terrible offensively, but I doubt the front office cares about that nearly as much was everyone else.

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I hope we keep Maldy on the roster to supplement Lee in 2023-24. No one better for Lee to learn the little things from (i.e. how to call a game and notice opposing hitter tendencies in real time).

If JV is back, he's going to want a veteran catcher to work with regardless.

I kinda hope we overuse Castro this year during the regular season. Partially because his bat in the lineup will help buy time for the youngsters in the bottom of the order to get acclimated, and partially because I'd like to keep some tread of Maldy's tires.

That list is an absolute embarrassment.

It's completely out of touch.

Astros manager Dusty Baker said that Justin Verlander is “probably not” his his opening day starter. Baker intimated the decision is between Verlander and Framber Valdez. Valdez is on schedule to pitch April 7

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 29, 2022

Who's gonna tell JV? Wouldn't want to be in the room for that discussion...

Astros are also getting a City Connect Jersey this year. They'll wear them April 20.

It would be slick if they used the Oilers colors.

Does anyone else think Dusty reads the message boards and then intentionally answers questions to piss them off?

agproducer said:

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Astros are also getting a City Connect Jersey this year. They'll wear them April 20.

It would be slick if they used the Oilers colors.

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WTF is City Connect? Sounds like something to be worn with a flat brim cap that has writing on the underside

Nike City Connect uniforms are back!

Which team are you looking forward to the most? pic.twitter.com/GdRXA2Zi88

— MLB (@MLB) March 29, 2022

Seems like they are building off last year. Last season 7 teams got them

Beat40 said:

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tjack16 said:

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A potpourri of MLB club logos that were in use when Albert Pujols made his Cardinals debut in 2001: pic.twitter.com/Sxjmp8p7yJ

— Todd Radom (@ToddRadom) March 28, 2022

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Man, I really like that Blue Jays logo.

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Partial list of players who retired in 2001, the year Pujols debuted.

Wally Joyner
Brett Saberhagen
Cal Ripken Jr.
Harold Baines
Seinfeld legends Paul O'Neil and Jay Buhner
Bobby Witt
Pete Harnisch
Ken Caminiti (RIP)
Mark McGwire

And an incredible slew of Astros greats from the 2001 squad who never played again including
Glen Barker
Kent Bottenfield
Tony Eusebio
Charlie Hayes (YOU BETTER FIELD IT HERE CHARLIE CUZ THIS AINT PHILADELPHIA!)
Wilfredo Rodriguez
My personal nemesis Scott Servais
Joe Slusarski
Playoff hero BIll Spiers
Also the last year for Tim Bogar, who was with the Dodgers

This is what google machine shows

Lonestar_Ag09 said:

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This is what google machine shows

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Please no. That's so bad.

I'm fine with navy and the "space city" … but that design sucks

Proudag06 said:

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Does anyone else think Dusty reads the message boards and then intentionally answers questions to piss them off?

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Jason Castro hasn’t caught in a Grapefruit League game since Thursday. Dusty Baker said today Castro is “ailing.” Asked what was ailing, Baker didn’t answer the question and, for some reason, cited HIPPA laws under his breath.

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 29, 2022

If so, this is prime message board fodder

Could explain why Castro is already mentioning retiring...his body is just breaking down and the dude probably wants to be able to enjoy his retirement life.

I honestly think we might see Lee earlier than we think this year if Castro retires mid season or goes on the 60 day IL

astros4545 said:

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EastCoastAgNc said:

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Proudag06 said:

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Does anyone else think Dusty reads the message boards and then intentionally answers questions to piss them off?

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Jason Castro hasn’t caught in a Grapefruit League game since Thursday. Dusty Baker said today Castro is “ailing.” Asked what was ailing, Baker didn’t answer the question and, for some reason, cited HIPPA laws under his breath.

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 29, 2022

If so, this is prime message board fodder

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Most underrated sports rivalry

Chandler vs Dusty

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Dusty was in a mood this morning:

Kyle Tucker and Jake Meyers. Meyers is apparently ahead of schedule in his rehab, according to Dusty Baker. Asked today what that schedule is, Baker did not give an answer. pic.twitter.com/deTL86akGe

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 29, 2022

Early story on the Astros' Opening Day pitching plans. Dusty Baker said it will "probably not" be Justin Verlander. Asked if it will be Framber Valdez, Baker replied "If I said ‘I don’t know’ you can’t put words in my mouth even though that’s your job.” - https://t.co/0ns0bTx9PM

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 29, 2022

No chance that is real…. Right?

Sleeves are great looking. Don't like all the stars though. (Google says that is 2021, so do not know how real those are)

I don't think those are real. I think those are a concept based on last year's reveal. The google machine also has that same uniform in a Correa version for sale

tjack16 said:

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Lonestar_Ag09 said:

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This is what google machine shows

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Please no. That's so bad.

I'm fine with navy and the "space city" … but that design sucks

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Well, we all knew it was going to be space themed.

I don't think it's terrible. Only thing is I wish they would incorporate some of the space cowboys colors.

I don't think they are real either. MLB will want to reveal them the same way they revealed the ones last year, one by one. They just revealed Washington today. I'd expect them to reveal the Astros next Tuesday.

Panama Red said:

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Cherry blossoms look great, the WSH does not look good IMO.

Should have gone with "The Swamp" or "The District"

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I actually really like the hat.

Lonestar_Ag09 said:

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Could explain why Castro is already mentioning retiring...his body is just breaking down and the dude probably wants to be able to enjoy his retirement life.

I honestly think we might see Lee earlier than we think this year if Castro retires mid season or goes on the 60 day IL

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If this happens it's really going to be a shame he didn't get more AB's last year

I wouldn't be mad if those were the actual city connect unis.

I think they're kinda cool.

With that said I hope they somehow incorporate some of the old school rainbow colors.

Waiting for Dusty to go full-on Jack Palance from City Slickers.

"Chandler Rome? I crap bigger than him."

ScapeGOAT said:

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Torso portion of the jersey needs the skyline with lean dripping down

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bearkatag15 said:

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The Astros center field job is wide open. Dusty Baker has gone to great lengths this week to assert that Chas McCormick is not a frontrunner and bristled at presumptions he is the starter.

"He hasn't had a good spring so far," Baker said today - https://t.co/CYHFReXc51

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 29, 2022

Dusty just taking a large dump all over Chas tells me he's the starting CF opening day

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5 games, 9 AB, 7 strikeouts, 0.00 BA, 0.00 OPS. Woof. He and Goodrum have roughly the same stat line.

Can Brinson play in the OF? He is a really good lookin dude, great frame, just has "that look" of a baseball player