Sounds like Stros are out on Nimmo, Conforto. Agents are probably trying to get the remaining free agents bid up with the top end of the market going nuts.

So Astros now looking for value. Didn't have high expectations for the part time outfielder, as long as they get decent fielder and hitter.

Just need to improve over Dubon.

Shouldn't be hard to do.

Ag_07 said:

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Just need to improve over Dubon.

Shouldn't be hard to do.

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Same thought here

agproducer said:

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texasaggie2015 said:

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Seth Brown and Anthony Santander are two other names the Astros have at least made phone calls on

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Meh. Santander is interesting because he can hit from both sides of the plate. Neither player wows me.

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We don't need to "wow" with our 7 hole hitter, just need a decent bat, 33 HRs is pretty decent

Hate to see Hensley moved, he had some very good ABs down the stretch.

Need guys who can get on base for 7-9 spots and bench. Lineup has plenty of power, real value in adding guys who get on base and don't get put out.

Re: Free Agent Spending

Does MLB have new broadcast contracts kicking in?

AggieNiebs said:

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agproducer said:

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texasaggie2015 said:

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Seth Brown and Anthony Santander are two other names the Astros have at least made phone calls on

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Meh. Santander is interesting because he can hit from both sides of the plate. Neither player wows me.

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We don't need to "wow" with our 7 hole hitter, just need a decent bat, 33 HRs is pretty decent

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I think the 33 HRs was an anomaly. He has typically hit around 20 -- which is decent. But his OPS is pretty good (around .770), but the last two years, he's been a .240 hitter. If he could rebound to 2019 numbers, BA .260 with the OPS near .800, count me in if the price is right.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/12/the-opener-shortstops-astros-mlbtr-chat.html

"Where will the Astros turn at catcher?

The aforementioned five-year, $87.5MM deal between Contreras and St. Louis leaves Houston in a difficult position, as they were the other main suitor for Contreras. The reigning World Series champs have a clear need at catcher, where Martin Maldonado and Korey Lee are the current tandem. The next-best free agent on the market, Christian Vazquez, has been clear about his desire to receive more playing time than he did following an August trade to Houston, where Maldonado remained the starter behind the plate even after Vazquez was accquired. This could leave the Astros pursuing cheaper options behind the plate, such as Tucker Barnhart, to whom they were recently connected. It's also possible the Astros could dive into the trade market, where each of Sean Murphy, Danny Jansen, Alejandro Kirk, and Gabriel Moreno have been discussed in trade scenarios by their respective teams. The Astros have already been connected to Murphy in recent days, though the acquisition cost could be exorbitant for a division rival. Whether the Astros pursue a lower-tier free agent or a trade for a younger catcher, they won't be spending anything close to the $87.5MM guarantee Contreras landed with the Cardinals. Given that, it's possible the Astros could reallocate any money they had set aside for Contreras to other parts of the roster, whether that means signing a pitcher after reigning AL Cy Young winner Justin Verlander departed for the Mets, or bolstering their outfield corps with an outfielder like Brandon Nimmo or Andrew Benintendi, as they have been rumored to have interest in doing."

Farmer1906 said:

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The RedSox are what could have happened to us.

Won a title in 17 = won a title in 18
Springer left = Mookie traded before he left
Correa left = Bogaerts left
JV TJ = Sale Injuries
Keuchel decline & left = Price decline & trade

But we found ways to add better pieces and develop from within.

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the 2018 Red Sox are the definition of "there has to be a better way"

they went all-in to win the title...and they did...the flag will fly forever.

but, yeesh, what a mess afterwards and for the next few seasons at least

W said:

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money is by far #1 for the players

and something none of them will ever admit to...

they don't mind having October off

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Playing in front of crowd of 2,000 in Oakland in September, nobody really caring how you perform other than degenerate fantasy players for $10 million probably sounds good to most

and going back to Bogaerts signing with the Padres...

that really turns up the heat on Trevor Story -- he better play like an all-star / superstar next year

it will be interesting to see how much Bogaerts misses the friendly confines of Fenway Park.

last year he had 23 doubles and 10 home runs at Fenway.

but only 15 doubles and 5 home runs on the road...in basically the same number of at-bats.

slugged 100 points less away from home

Faustus said:

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agproducer said:

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AggieNiebs said:

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agproducer said:

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texasaggie2015 said:

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Seth Brown and Anthony Santander are two other names the Astros have at least made phone calls on

---

Meh. Santander is interesting because he can hit from both sides of the plate. Neither player wows me.

---

We don't need to "wow" with our 7 hole hitter, just need a decent bat, 33 HRs is pretty decent

---

I think the 33 HRs was an anomaly. He has typically hit around 20 -- which is decent. But his OPS is pretty good (around .770), but the last two years, he's been a .240 hitter. If he could rebound to 2019 numbers, BA .260 with the OPS near .800, count me in if the price is right.

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Yeah 2019 was a good year for a lot of players.

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I think it may have more to do with his 1st pitch swing percentage. When he had the numbers in 19, his 1st pitch percentage was about 26%. Last year, it was nearly 32%. He seemed to have changed approach. It's ended up with better power numbers, but lower average.

W said:

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money is by far #1 for the players

and something none of them will ever admit to...

they don't mind having October off

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I strongly disagree with this line for most. I think they all want to win a World Series.

I think they just know large contracts aren't guaranteed the next year if they don't take them when they're available. You and I can say we'd rather play for a contender, even if the difference is $50M because we're not in that world. An injury or two won't cost us millions upon millions.

They'll take the money, and if it lines up with an opportunity to win a World Series, all the better. It's why typically the older guys who have made their money ring chase at the end of their career.

That's why everyone is praising Judge for gambling on himself this past year.

If the money is equal, they will choose the team with the best chance to win.

Beat40 said:

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W said:

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money is by far #1 for the players

and something none of them will ever admit to...

they don't mind having October off

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I strongly disagree with this line for most. I think they all want to win a World Series.

I think they just know large contracts aren't guaranteed the next year if they don't take them when they're available. You and I can say we'd rather play for a contender, even if the difference is $50M because we're not in that world. An injury or two won't cost us millions upon millions.

They'll take the money, and if it lines up with an opportunity to win a World Series, all the better. It's why typically the older guys who have made their money ring chase at the end of their career.

That's why everyone is praising Judge for gambling on himself this past year.

If the money is equal, they will chose the team with the best chance to win.

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This right here.

None of them are promised a massive contract the following year especially if they have a career ending injury. These guys can haul in a large contract and create generational type wealth for their families. No brainer.

My Top 10 ... Been rooting for the Astros since I moved to Houston the day I turned 8 in 1988:

1. Craig Biggio
2. Jose Altuve
3. Jeff Bagwell
4. Bill Doran
5. George Springer
6. Lance Berkman
7. Alex Bregman
8. Roy O
9. Carlos Correa
10. Ken Caminiti

Approaching Top 10 Status: Yordan

When someone says Click's job was easy, anyone could have done it. Looks at all the good players we had.

Chaim Bloom inherited 27 year old Mookie, 27 YO Bogaerts, 25 YO Benintendi, and 23 YO Devers and so far has turned them into:

Alex Verdugo
Jeter Downs
Connor Wong
Franchy Cordero
Josh Winckowski
Grant Gambrell
Luis De La Rosa
Freddy Valdez

Devers still here, but not extended

— Michael Dyer (@Mike_Dyer13) December 8, 2022

Since the 70's.

In no particular order.
Dierker. Player, broadcaster and manager.
JRR. Most intimidating pitcher of his era.
Cesar Cedeno
Jose Cruz
Dickie Thon. Man what could have been.
Mike Scott. His flame did not burn long but it was oh so bright.
Bidge
Baggy
Fat Elvis
Roy O
Altuve. The other Jose.
Yordan
George. Man I miss George.

Early 80s
in order

Altuve
Biggio
Cruz
Bagwell
Ryan
Berkman
Scott
Bregman
Roy O
Wagner

Born in 85. Astros fan since birth.
My personal top ten that I have seen (which excludes Nolan, Doran, etc).

1. Altuve
2. Biggio
3. Bagwell
4. Bregman
5. Correa
6. Yordan
7. Verlander
8. Springer
9. Roy O
10. Berkman or Wagner, take your pick.

Born in '96 - missed a lot of the greats, but:
1. Altuve
2. Bagwell
3. Biggio
4. Yordan
5. Correa
6. Oswalt
7. Springer
8. Berkman
9. Bregman
10. Verlander

Honorary 11. Wandy

1. Altuve
2. Biggio
3. Bagwell
4. Bregman
5. Yuli
6. Yordan
7. Berkman
8. Correa
9. Oswalt
10. Springer

and ol' Chaim has been a media favorite / media darling since taking the job.

that should be changing.

and he's another Yale guy

Born in 93 so it's ALOT of recency bias.

In no order since I'm too indecisive, also couldn't narrow it down so he's my 11 favorite

Altuve (he is #1 for me)
Bregman
Alvarez
Bagwell
Biggio
Berkman
Oswalt
Springer
Correa
Nolan
Verlander

Born in 1970 and started following the Stros when I was around 6 or 7 but my list spans them all (in mostly chronological order):

Puhl (my favorite growing up)
Cedeno
JR
Nolan
Cruz
Biggio
Berkman
Bagwell
Altuve
Springer
Breggy

I know that's 11 but I couldn't keep Bregman off the list and I couldn't bump anyone either.

Oh yeah, f*** Verlander!!!