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Swap of potentially disgruntled arbitration players

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Tucker is not "disgruntled". And he's not going anywhere in next 2 years

Jose Altuve has arrived in Astros camp

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) February 19, 2023

Why is that loser John McClain at Astros camp? Chronicle trying to rub some of the Texans stink on the Astros?

Take your son to work day. pic.twitter.com/s5RBtra3l4

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) February 19, 2023

BMX Bandit said:

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So should Gilbert not get a shot? New GM hate Chas also?

I guarantee you Chas and Dusty have a great relationship. No doubt Chas wants to play everyday. That's what he's made it as far as he has. But he also knows it's a business and not personal.

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A shot? Eventually. The odds of it this year seem unlikely.

Jose Altuve enters this year 65 hits of 2,000. When asked Sunday about reaching that milestone he said: "Let me get one hit this season and get back to you."

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) February 19, 2023

Jose Altuve asked if it’s important for him to get his extension done this year, with his contract expiring after 2024: “I think the important thing is right now we’re on the same page. They said they want to keep me here. I want to stay here. I think that’s great for both sides” pic.twitter.com/DgZItExQIO

— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) February 19, 2023

Martín Maldonado asked what Jose Altuve means to the Astros: “The face of the franchise. I walked into today and I said I couldn’t believe that little guy is one of the best hitters in the game. If somebody’s walking in the mall and sees Altuve walking, don’t know anything…” pic.twitter.com/vC33leT4nC

— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) February 19, 2023

EastCoastAgNc said:

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Jose Abreu pic.twitter.com/wgAswG567d

— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) February 19, 2023

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Not sure I've seen a hitting drill before with your hands backwards.

Dana Brown really wanted Matt Gage after the Blue Jays designated the lefty for assignment. He got uniquely creative in the waiver-claim realm to make it happen. It's reflective of how he'll work as Astros GM: https://t.co/koVFCmx5X7

— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) February 19, 2023

McTaggart getting an actual camera has been one of the worst spring training developments. Exhibit A pic.twitter.com/rHnqGEdxPt

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) February 19, 2023

I'm sure no one will Photoshop this

If by worst he means best

No sure if it's been discussed but Jeff Kent's son Kaeden is the Aggie's backup SS this year. He just got in the game.

Edited for update. He hit a bases loaded triple at his first AB to get the run rule for a he Aggies.

41 days until opening day gives us some Astro pitchers who might not have been great for the long haul but gave us some amazing moments.

Wearing #41 from 2014-2020 was Brad Peacock, who got the save in Game 3 of the World Series in 2017 by dominating the Dodgers with 3-2/3 innings of no hit ball and 4 strikeouts. In 2019 he struck out 12 KC Royals in a 7-inning start. We acquired Brad along with Max Stassi and Chris Carter for Jed Lowrie and Fernando Rodriguez way back in the dark times ... before we became the EMPIRE. Ironically, STassi wore #41 in 2013.



From 2005-2009, the number was worn by Brandon Backe, who was like Lance McCullers 1.0. Ferocious competitor, very well liked, but couldn't seem to stay healthy. A Galveston native, Backe was 30-28 in 6 years with the Astros, winning 10 games in 2005.

But he was huge in the post-season for some reason, beating the Braves in 2004 in the NLDS, pitching great in 2 games vs. the Cards in the 2004 NLCS - no decisions but a 2.84 ERA in 12.2 innings, and pitching an all timer vs. the Cards in the 2005 NLCS, 5-2/3 innings of 2 hit 1 run baseball with 7 strikeouts in game the Astros won 2-1 when Eric Bruntlett and Adam Everett pulled off one of the greatest double plays you'll ever see and John Mabry proved that he is the slowest human being who has ever lived.

He got a no decision in the World Series in his start vs. the White So, pitching 7 innings of 5 hit scoreless baseball with 0 walks and 7 strikeouts. Only to have Broken Brad Lidge lose the game late.

He was a really impressive hitter as well with a .256 career average and a .731 OPS over 133 career at bats. In 2008 he went 13 for 47 (.277) with a .447 slugging percentage and hit 2 home runs.




Other notables, Mark Knudson, Jim Corsi, Willie Blair, Greg Swindell, Nelson Cruz.

Man Backe was such a dawg.

Talk about a flash in the pan.

Part 11 of 17 in the look back at the 2022 Houston Astros

July 29-August 7
Record: 5-5
Overall Record: 70-40
AL West Position: 1st place by 11 games
AL Overall Position: 0.5 games behind NY for top seed


Game 101: Astros 11, Mariners 1, July 29, 2022
@ Minute Maid Park
Attendance:38,497
Record: 66-35


Those adorable Mariners were back in town in a matchup of "aces". Our ace, Justin Verlander, threw 7 and two-thirds innings and allowed 1 run on 5 hits. Their ace, Robbie Ray, made it 2 and two-thirds innings, allowing four earned runs and walking 4. It was a tight game for about two innings until the Astros' offense warmed up. Aledmys Diaz hit a solo home run in the bottom of the second, and Yordan Alvarez and Alex Bregman combined to chase home three more runs in the third. Alvarez was 3 for 3 with 2 RBI, 2 runs, 2 walks and his 30th home run. Bregman drove in 3, and Mauricio "Big Irish" Dubon cracked his fourth home run of the season as the Astros went off for 15 hits.

Game 102: Mariners 5, Astros 4, July 30, 2022
@ Minute Maid Park
Attendance: 37,385
Record: 66-36


The Mariners finally got that big statement win they'd been wanting versus the Astros, after 5 straight losses to the good guys. Ryan Pressly suffered the rare blown save, giving up a two-run, two-out single to Astro killer Abraham Toro to take the loss. The Mariners had led 3-0 from the top of the first inning against Framber Valdez, but the Astros got back to take a 4-3 lead with RBi from Aledmys Diaz (2), Jose Alutve, and Yuli Gurriel.


Game 103: Astros 3, Mariners 2, July 31, 2022
@ Minute Maid Park
Attendance: 35,773
Record: 67-36


The Astros celebrated Regal Beagle's 16th birthday with a walkoff win in the bottom of the 10th to take a 3-1 series from the Mariners. Yordan Alvarez singled to left to score ghost runner Mauricio Dubon with one out in the inning. It was another preview of the Mariners' idiocy with Alvarez up. They walked Altuve to put runners on first and second to start the inning. Yuli Gurriel lined out to right to move Dubon to third. Rather than walking Alvarez to set up a double play or at least a force at home, those idiots just went right ahead and pitched to him. It was Alvarez's 70th RBI of the year.


Game 104: Red Sox 3, Astros 3, August 1, 2022
@ Minute Maid Park
Attendance: 35,185
Record: 67-37


The Astros made their first splash in the trade market of the year, dealing Jose Siri to Tampa and Chayce McDermott to Baltimore in exchange for pitcher Jayden Murray and first baseman Trey Mancini. Later in the day, they trade for Christian Vasquez from the Red Sox, giving up a pair of minor leaguers. Mancini comes from Baltimore hitting .268 with 10 HR and 41 RBI in 92 games. Vasquez hit .262 in his career for Boston. "I am aware we have acquired two carbon-based lifeforms from another team," says Dusty Baker. "On days when my nap lasts too long, Joe Espada may put them in the lineup."On the field, the Red Sox hold the Astros to just six hits and scratch out a 3-2 victory as Jarredn Durran goes off for a homer and 3 RBI vs. Luis Garcia. The Astros are a dismal 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position. Even worse, with Alex Bregman on paternity leave, He Shall Be Not Be Named gets an at-bat.


Game 105: Red Sox 2, Astros 1, August 2, 2022
@ Minute Maid Park
Attendance: 31,229
Record: 67-38


The Astros get a run in the bottom of the first and that's it, wasting a great effort by Luis Garcia and leaving nine runners on base in a 2-1 loss. Javier takes the loss despite allowing just 4 hits and striking out 7 in 6 innings. Dusty Baker helps Trey Mancini get comfortable with his new team by having him lead off the bottom of the ninth against Boston's closer. Then he has Vasquez bat. They both make outs. Dusty vows to each of them at least one more at-bat before the playoffs. The Astros move Jake Odorizzi to the Braves for Will Smith.


Game 106: Astros 6, Red Sox 1, August 3, 2022
@ Minute Maid Park
Attendance: 32,295
Record: 68-38


The Astros snap out of their doldrums by banging out 12 hits as Jose Urquidy gets his 10th win of the season. Trey Mancini earns his first start as an Astros starter and goes 1 for 4 with a 2-run homer in the second inning. Regrettably, Dusty Baker is in the bathroom while this happens. He is in the dugout for all 4 of Christian Vasquez's hitless at-bats. "Click traded for this guy?" Baker asks the media. "He has a .000 average, that's not good." Jose Altuve goes 4 for 4 to reach .283. Urquidy is off the charts with 7 innings of 2-hit shutout baseball, no walks, and 10 strikeouts.


Game 107: Astros 6, Indians 0, August 4, 2022
@ Progressive Field
Attendance :16.808
Record: 69-38


Don't correct me, I'm calling them the Indians. In the thick of a pennant race, the Indians have 16,808 people show up to watch Justin Verlander destroy them. Verlander allows 2 hits and no runs in 6 innings to get his record up to 15-3 and his ERA down to 1.73. The Astros bomb Zach Plesac for 4 runs in 4 and a third innings, sending him to 2-10. Chas McCormick and Martin Maldonado each hit their 11th homer of the year, and Jose Altuve goes 2 for 4 to push his average to .286. Maldonado and McCormick each drive in 3 runs.


Game 108: Astros 9, Indians 3, August 5, 2022
@ Progressive Field
Attendance: 24,712
Record: 70-38


The Indians have to take a second dose of some terrible-tasting medicine as the Astros score eight runs in the first four innings in an easy win. Framber Valdez earns his 10th win. Jose Altuve stays white hot with a 3-for-5 night to get his average to .290, his slugging percentage to .520, and his OPS to .894. Trey Mancini goes 2 for 5 with 2 homers and 5 RBI. As he rounds the bases for a second time, Dusty Baker is overheard to query, "Who's that tall fellow rounding the bases, I like the cut of his jib." By the post-game press conference, he can't remember Mancini's name again.


Game 109: Indians 4, Astros 1, August 6, 2022
@ Progressive Field
Attendance: 25,327
Record: 70-39


The Indians remember they have a pulse and score 4 runs off Luis Garcia in the first two innings. An overturned call in the first and an error on Jeremy Pena open the floodgates. Myles Straw goes 2 for 3 versus his old club to get his season average up to a blistering .218. Cal Quantrill dominates the Astros, allowing 3 hits and a walk in 6 innings.


Game 110: Indians 1, Astros 0, August 7, 2022
@ Progressive Field
Attendance: 22,688
Record: 70-40


The Astros are held to just 2 hits, leaving Cristian Javier a hard-luck loser in a 1-0 game. Javier allows 1 earned run and strikes out 4 in six innings but is upstaged by Triston McKenzie, who limits the Astros to 2 hits and a walk while striking out 8 in 8 scoreless frames. Christian Vasquez strikes out as a pinch hitter, leaving Dusty Baker to speculate if the guy has ever even played baseball before.