Looking at the standings we are not only 10 up on SEA we are 11.5 up on the Twins for the second bye.

CLE is 2 back of MIN but 2.5 back of the last WC slot.

It's going to be a crowded race for those last WC slots. Maybe we will get lucky and finally see a tie or 2

1986 - A pitcher's duel in the Dome. Nolan Ryan allows one hit in 9-1/3rd innings, striking out 14, but Montreal's Floyd Youmans yields just two hits and fans eight. Glenn Davis breaks the stalemate with a blast off Youmans into the left field seats for a 1-0, ten-inning triumph. [url=http://www.astrosdaily.com/audio/86davis.mp3][/url] Dave Smith gets the win in relief.

Nolan threw 11 1-hitters in his career. This was a 9-1/3 outing of 1 hit. I think of the pitchers today giving the ball up willingly after 4 innings. Here was Nolan strolling on out to the mound in the top of the 10th like it was no big thing.

Mets would like Josh Bell, while another league source says Astros pursuing him. https://t.co/APMZgNmljl

— Andy Martino (@martinonyc) July 22, 2022

This offseason, Astros hired Sara Goodrum to be the Player Development Director, making her one of the highest-ranking women in baseball. Hear her story in this week’s Astros Bases Loaded. First airing tonight at 6p CT and after every postgame. pic.twitter.com/DKXu8njXvl

— AT&T SportsNet™ | SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) July 22, 2022

I am usually save the offseason talk for the offseason, but all this trade talk got me thinking. I 100% stay away from trading for a starting arm if it costs us Brown. I don't think its needed with LMJ coming back. A 1-2-3 of JV-Framber-McCuller with Javier/Garcia in the 4 slot is elite for the postseason run.

For 2023 we go after a free agent arm. Look all the plentiful options.
Verlander
deGrom
Musgrove
Nola (club option)
Rodon
Eovaldi
Sale (lol)
Bassitt
Morton
Kershaw
Manaea

With ~65 M coming off the books and our salary already low (175 M, 10th).

2023 Rotation
Framber
McCullers
-stud FA-
Javier
Garcia
Urquidy (6th man)
Brown (first man up when someone is injured)

And then the rest of the money goes to 1B/corner OF.

I would still like to see them make a run at Wilson Contreras as a backup to replace Castro. Extra DH guy, and more reliable pinch hit option at catcher. He came in mid season in 2016 and handled the cubs rotation well on the way to a world series.

Not married to the order, but adding Bell drastically increases the deadlines of the offense

EastCoastAgNc said:

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I would still like to see them make a run at Wilson Contreras as a backup to replace Castro. Extra DH guy, and more reliable pinch hit option at catcher. He came in mid season in 2016 and handled the cubs rotation well on the way to a world series.

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He's too expensive asset wise for a spot starter and pinch hitter. I say ride with Lee since whoever we trade for won't get a start in the playoffs anyway.

Also Contreras as been dog**** for the last month or so.

Farmer1906 said:

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EastCoastAgNc said:

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I would still like to see them make a run at Wilson Contreras as a backup to replace Castro. Extra DH guy, and more reliable pinch hit option at catcher. He came in mid season in 2016 and handled the cubs rotation well on the way to a world series.

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It sounds silly when you say backup catcher, but I get what you're saying. I wouldn't say no, but I think it would be cheaper and more impactful to get Bell, Mancini, or Walker.

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If getting Contreras comes at the cost of getting one of those other guys, then yes, I agree, we shouldn't trade for him.

Baltimore is in a bad spot. They are only 3.5 back in the WC but sit 6th overall for 3 spots. The next 7 days they get NYY and TB all at home. Then they get Cincy on the road. If they are still in the hunt at that point they can't really move Mancini. If they are out at that point they will have almost no time left to do anything with him.

Orioles need to not pull a Pirates. Same thing happened to them when they dealt for freakin Chris Archer...when everyone (except their front office) knew they didnt have a team that was going to make the playoffs. Baz, Glasnow, and Meadows all bye bye in that deal. Baltimore has a bright future if they dont screw it up.

Baltimore's biggest problem is they are in the most competitive Division by far in all of baseball with 2 of the wealthiest teams in all of baseball. They are stuck competing for a WC spot. They will get some help in the future when the schedule fully normalizes across the league rather than being Division centric.

Urquidy vs. Marco tonight is just about the worst possible matchup for the 'stros.

Jose has been terrible vs. Seattle in his 3 starts, while Marco has been great vs. Houston in his 3 starts.

but stranger things have happened...

Mathguy64 said:

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Baltimore's biggest problem is they are in the most competitive Division by far in all of baseball with 2 of the wealthiest teams in all of baseball. They are stuck competing for a WC spot. They will get some help in the future when the schedule fully normalizes across the league rather than being Division centric.

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Baltimore needs to sign Jackson Holliday, immediately promote him to the majors, and then sign his dad for the rest of season to get some 90s Griffey Jr. and Sr. vibes going down the stretch.

The Yankees and Mets aren't willing to let go of their future for Juan Soto. 👀https://t.co/Ct8vPIjKoB pic.twitter.com/HlCUIG8fge

— theScore (@theScore) July 22, 2022

Well he's not going there

Rustys-Beef-o-Reeno said:

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EastCoastAgNc said:

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The Yankees and Mets aren't willing to let go of their future for Juan Soto. 👀https://t.co/Ct8vPIjKoB pic.twitter.com/HlCUIG8fge

— theScore (@theScore) July 22, 2022

Well he's not going there

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I think Soto might end up regretting that 14 year 440 mill he turned down

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I'm listening to Talkin' Baseball about this now... they made a point that a lot of that money was deferred. Maybe that is a factor in this.

The only reason you consider Castillo is if you have already made up your mind about JV. It's not a need for this year.

Mathguy64 said:

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The only reason you consider Castillo is if you have already made up your mind about JV. It's not a need for this year.

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Probably true. And that's okay. As good as our rotation is, Castillo has a case for the best in our rotation.

Rustys-Beef-o-Reeno said:

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EastCoastAgNc said:

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The Yankees and Mets aren't willing to let go of their future for Juan Soto. 👀https://t.co/Ct8vPIjKoB pic.twitter.com/HlCUIG8fge

— theScore (@theScore) July 22, 2022

Well he's not going there

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I think Soto might end up regretting that 14 year 440 mill he turned down

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I don't think so. That's only $31.5m per year. I think there are teams that will pay him $35m/year (maybe $40M), albeit for less years, but that will give him an opportunity for another counteract at such a young age. At age 23, take a 7 year deal at $35M/year, produce, and go for another 7 year deal at higher value.

14 years benefits the Nats more than it does Juan.

So when exactly is the trade deadline?

Ag_07 said:

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So when exactly is the trade deadline?

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8/2

bearkatag15 said:

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Will either of these AL West stars produce a 30/30 season?

(MLB x @SorareMLB) pic.twitter.com/yY0gtUvJX7

— MLB (@MLB) July 22, 2022

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Since 2012, there have been just 7 30-30 seasons, who can name the players?

4 in the AL, 3 in the NL.


It wasn't 40-40, but you have to love Eric Davis of the Reds going 37-50 in 1987, yikes.

redline248 said:

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I know Verlander looks as dominant as ever, and not like someone in his 40s...but are there many teams that would give him a really expensive contract to pitch until he's 43-44?

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I think a few teams would give him a very nice deal with some IP kickers hoping he is the next Nolan or Randy Johnson, that is a bona fide ace until 44. It's not likely, but if anyone can do it it's JV.