With that said, the Twins have also been in talks with the Reds about right-hander Tyler Mahle, per source. https://t.co/25sF5259YO

— MLB Nerds (@MLBNerds) July 25, 2022

Mathguy64 said:

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So we are a week away and no one has pulled a trigger yet. This feels late.

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If the Astros' primary target really is Contreras, I think the Astros will wait as long as possible to see what's up with Yordan and Brantley before they get really serious. Only way I think the Astros get really serious before the last couple of days is if they are forced.

I'm still maintaining the Contreras interest more depends on Yordan and Brantley than it does Maldy.

I wonder if I could become an internet sensation if I made a Twitter account called "MLB trade crentral insider" and made a single tweet involving Soto, Contreras, Castillo, Benintendi, Bell, Plesac, the Mets, Yankees, Dodgers, Padres, Astros, Cards and Mariners. All in 150 words or less. .

I completely agree.

Proudag06 said:

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Deluxe said:

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I think a better metaphor for Maldy is a 3-star senior center on a college football team that's responsible for making reads at the line of scrimmage and directing the other OL what to do, which gives the QB more bandwidth to focus on coverages and downfield matchups to exploit. Someone who's likely surrounded by players much more talented than himself, but still provides immense value. If there was a five star center also on the team, it wouldn't be totally obvious who should play in favor of who.

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But the 5 star center is not a freshman. He is a 7 year veteran, world series champ, and a 3 time all star starter. This is not a debate about the hot stud rookie vs the grizzled vet. This is about the guy who was already starting over the "3 star center" 3 years ago in Chicago. This is about the guy you traded for at the deadline who also happened to be the NL starter at catcher (for his third time in his 7 year career).

This is not a good metaphor. We don't need a good metaphor.

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If the Ags had a four year senior starter at center (HS three star) who commanded the o-line and was renowned at getting us into the right blocking schemes... and we brought in a talented junior transfer from Bama (HS five star)... I'd say it's a tough call on who should start. My metaphor is really good. Perhaps it's too good.

Farmer1906 said:

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LOL

No Power Rankings this week, so here's https://t.co/Z3s2EpgF39's World Series favorites. pic.twitter.com/1JoxX4WmEo

— MLB (@MLB) July 25, 2022

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NY v LA

or

NY v NY

Because that of course is what "America" wants to see

Ag_07 said:

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Bag said:

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Soto is the only one I woudl be targeting.

Javier, Brown, Lee, Leon, Whitley, Barber I think would get it done

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I don't even think this would get a call back from WAS.

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thats two top of the rotation guys, a guy that is throwing 97 coming back from TJ and Lee Leon and Barber are three eventual MLB starters.

You may be right, but that is a legit offer

esp of you are willing to pick up the Corbin albatross contract

I wonder if we make a move to get a guy nobody expected us to get. Seems like we never end up getting the guys we expect to trade for. Nobody saw JV, Greinke, Cole, Graveman coming. I wonder who that could be this year. Bryan Reynolds maybe.

Statement on Players’ rejection of MLB’s international draft proposal pic.twitter.com/wAlIZcS4bt

— MLBPA Communications (@MLBPA_News) July 25, 2022

The qualifying offer lives on...no international draft

Harry Dunne said:

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W said:

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my last comment on Machete-Contreras...

about 20 years ago...a similar discussion came up with regard to Mike Piazza.

one of the greatest hitting catchers of all-time, but not good defensively and not good at the other things catchers do nowadays.

so pitchers were asked:

would you rather throw to Piazza or a Brad Ausmus-type (that calls a great game, knows the hitters, frames pitches, throws out runners, manages the pitching staff, etc..,)

and the unanimous answer was:

give me Piazza and the run support --- I'll figure out how to retire the hitters

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Of course. But also:

Not only is Contreras miles better as a hitter, CONTERAS IS ALSO BETTER DEFENSIVELY THAN MACHETE!!!

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Not sure that blanket statement is entirely true. A couple of years ago Contreras allowed 60+ SBs. He's had multiple years in that range.

Valid

Harry Dunne said:

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I agree with all of that.

I also know that everyone was so sad about losing Myles Straw because he's a good dude and a hard worker and a clubhouse glue guy and I remember there was a lot of drama when he was traded...

But Myles Straw sucks and we are much better for having moved on from him.

I doubt the trade happens but if it does, everyone is going to be just fine the second they realize the new guy gives us a better chance to win.

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I don't remember that at all...I do remember folks being worried all we got back was Phil and some low level catch and didn't have an obvious replacement and screamed to put Tucker out there.

Obviously the Organization had a plan, it dang sure wasn't Tucker in CF, Maton is one of our top relievers while overused and that no name catcher is in AAA mashing

This whole angst deal today is kind of humorous.

Madly is a glue guy and we can't dump him to the side!

So what about Josh Bell. Everyone was perfectly happy trading for Bell and that also had the effect of dumping a glue guy in Yuli.

Ah hell. Let's do them both!

CFTXAG10 said:

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EastCoastAgNc said:

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Chas McCormick has played 16 games in July, hitting .292/.424/.500 with three home runs, one double and eight RBI. The righty has also walked 11 times to his 11 strikeouts.

— Kenny Van Doren (@thevandalorian) July 25, 2022

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So McCormick for Bell, even swap. Who says no?

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That dinger Chas crushed Thursday night was a *no-doubter from my seat on the 1st base side. Hopefully he's finding his groove.

Ag_07 said:

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If we're trading Chas straight up then it should be for Soto.

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Or Castillo

Mathguy64 said:

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This whole angst deal today is kind of humorous.

Madly is a glue guy and we can't dump him to the side!

So what about Josh Bell. Everyone was perfectly happy trading for Bell and that also had the effect of dumping a glue guy in Yuli.

Ah hell. Let's do them both!

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ummm there are plenty who said you cant do that to Yuli and get away with it without some upset players....but none believes a 1B is as big of an issue as the catcher.

Pedro León’s strikeout and walks by month:

April - 29 K, 12 BB (19 games)
May - 33 K, 17 BB (24 games)
June - 26 K, 8 BB (21 games)
July - 9 K, 14 BB (17 games) https://t.co/nUHXMQnKlN

— Kenny Van Doren (@thevandalorian) July 25, 2022

Is he gonna be the 2022 Jake Meyers?

Harry Dunne said:

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I agree with all of that.

I also know that everyone was so sad about losing Myles Straw because he's a good dude and a hard worker and a clubhouse glue guy and I remember there was a lot of drama when he was traded...

But Myles Straw sucks and we are much better for having moved on from him.

I doubt the trade happens but if it does, everyone is going to be just fine the second they realize the new guy gives us a better chance to win.

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At the end of the day, even though I side with Astros players/coaches and opposing coaches in advocating for Maldy's value, I'd be totally cool if we deal for Contreras.

But comparing Maldy's influence on this team to Myles Straw is deeply unfair. If Maldy's only contribution was that he worked hard and was a good clubhouse guy, I'd be totally with you. Good riddance. But he's had a very direct connection with the success of our elite pitching staff (players/coaches words, not mine) and tinkering with that is something that I'm sure our nerds are not taking lightly.

But if our nerds conclude that the pros of Contreras more than offset the loss of what Maldy brings, then LFG. I'm in. I just think there's a high degree of underselling Maldy's value around here today.

EastCoastAgNc said:

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Statement on Players’ rejection of MLB’s international draft proposal pic.twitter.com/wAlIZcS4bt

— MLBPA Communications (@MLBPA_News) July 25, 2022

The qualifying offer lives on...no international draft

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Shocked, I tell you. Nothing will happen until there's another stoppage so all the millionaires and billionaires can kiss my ass for pissing me off all over again. I mean, I don't even care about the issue and I'm mad.