guiltyBobcat-Ag said:bearkatag15 said:1 HR and 58 Mins. That’s how long it took to last call. Plan accordingly.
— Apollo Dez (@ApolloDez1) March 24, 2023
Yeah I gotta think the owners step in at some point to get this lengthened out more. They are losing probably a solid 20 mins of alcohol sales per game. That's an avg of 27 hours of stadium alcohol sales over the course of the season
Am I the only one that read that as 1 home run and 58 minutes? It took me a moment to figure it out.
***Official Houston Astros 2022-23 Offseason Thread***
1,083,084 Views |
12340 Replies |
Last: 1 yr ago by Beat40
Well deserved.
From the Astros: Our #OpeningDay Starter: The Framchise pic.twitter.com/ieMiwWIMJ2
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) March 24, 2023
Valdez vs Cease on Opening Day https://t.co/oxDGEJk8Oz pic.twitter.com/Sob0FEBcl2
— Chris Castellani (@Castellani2014) March 24, 2023
He's ready!
No matter what!
Epstein didn't do, you know, the thing...
I'm the rare Astros/Cowboys/Spurs fan. We do exist
Epstein didn't do, you know, the thing...
I'm the rare Astros/Cowboys/Spurs fan. We do exist
So you are telling me that the Pirates have more than twice the shot as a couple of other teams to win The Series?Farmer1906 said:May the odds be ever in your favor.
— MLB (@MLB) March 24, 2023
Odds via @BetMGM pic.twitter.com/ytsMHItZin
LFG Bucs!!!
Cobra39
You'll see a lot of these today. Worth wondering if the Astros intensify their look for infield help once all of the opt-outs are known and the market grows. Culberson could make some sense for them. https://t.co/hsWKRsnsat
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 24, 2023
Please don't sign this loser
What does he offers that we don't already have in Dubon? I would take a shot on Hensley (INF & LF), Diaz (C, 1B, & LF) or maybe even Bannon (2B & 3B) over him because we have no idea what these guys' ceilings are. Culberson has an 83 OPS+ over the last 4 years (including the juiced ball of '19) and is entering his age 34 season.bearkatag15 said:You'll see a lot of these today. Worth wondering if the Astros intensify their look for infield help once all of the opt-outs are known and the market grows. Culberson could make some sense for them. https://t.co/hsWKRsnsat
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 24, 2023
Please don't sign this loser
Fangraph's Yearly Position Power Rankings:
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/2023-positional-power-rankings-introduction/
I gotta feel like we're being slept on on these projections. I find it hard to believe an Abreu led first base is not in the top 10. I get why 2nd is lower with Altuve injured, but 10th feels low. Pena should be top half of the league. And Chas continues the mass disrespect by being 23rd and projected as a near 50/50 split with Jake.
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/2023-positional-power-rankings-introduction/
I gotta feel like we're being slept on on these projections. I find it hard to believe an Abreu led first base is not in the top 10. I get why 2nd is lower with Altuve injured, but 10th feels low. Pena should be top half of the league. And Chas continues the mass disrespect by being 23rd and projected as a near 50/50 split with Jake.
I haven't kept up with the TV/network situation. Is the only way to stream Astros games this season (legally) FuboTV? No chance to watch it on YouTubeTV, right?
Locally? Fubo & DirecTV Stream.Bobby Jimbo said:
I haven't kept up with the TV/network situation. Is the only way to stream Astros games this season (legally) FuboTV? No chance to watch it on YouTubeTV, right?
Jim Crane and his group bought the Astros for $680 million in 2011.
— Michael Schwab (@michaelschwab13) March 24, 2023
Today, the team is worth $2.2 billion according to Forbes.
I’d say that was a solid investment.
Houston vs. Miami pic.twitter.com/5bApmhyWbt
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) March 24, 2023
Ronel Blanco is scheduled to start for the Astros in Monday’s exhibition game at Constellation Field.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 24, 2023
Along those same lines, Dusty Baker advocated for the team to sign Chad Pinder this winter. https://t.co/N11vh3Ex90
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 24, 2023
I agree that he's not very exciting, but "experience" is the answer to your question (aside from Dubon).Farmer1906 said:
What does he offers that we don't already have in Dubon? I would take a shot on Hensley (INF & LF), Diaz (C, 1B, & LF) or maybe even Bannon (2B & 3B) over him because we have no idea what these guys' ceilings are. Culberson has an 83 OPS+ over the last 4 years (including the juiced ball of '19) and is entering his age 34 season.
We are an injury or two away from playing several unproven guys together every night and/or some guys making their MLB debut very prematurely.
Harry Dunne said:I agree that he's not very exciting, but "experience" is the answer to your question (aside from Dubon).Farmer1906 said:
What does he offers that we don't already have in Dubon? I would take a shot on Hensley (INF & LF), Diaz (C, 1B, & LF) or maybe even Bannon (2B & 3B) over him because we have no idea what these guys' ceilings are. Culberson has an 83 OPS+ over the last 4 years (including the juiced ball of '19) and is entering his age 34 season.
We are an injury or two away from playing several unproven guys together every night and/or some guys making their MLB debut very prematurely.
I'd Culberson really proven though???
I would say so. He's proven to be a 10-20% below avg player that can be counted on to give you replacement-level play.bearkatag15 said:Harry Dunne said:I agree that he's not very exciting, but "experience" is the answer to your question (aside from Dubon).Farmer1906 said:
What does he offers that we don't already have in Dubon? I would take a shot on Hensley (INF & LF), Diaz (C, 1B, & LF) or maybe even Bannon (2B & 3B) over him because we have no idea what these guys' ceilings are. Culberson has an 83 OPS+ over the last 4 years (including the juiced ball of '19) and is entering his age 34 season.
We are an injury or two away from playing several unproven guys together every night and/or some guys making their MLB debut very prematurely.
I'd Culberson really proven though???
I think it's worth it to roll with the young bucks to see if they can provide more while we're short-handed. If it works, we found ourselves some cheap ballplayers for the next 6 years. If it doesn't, I think we can weather the storm.
EastCoastAgNc said:Jim Crane and his group bought the Astros for $680 million in 2011.
— Michael Schwab (@michaelschwab13) March 24, 2023
Today, the team is worth $2.2 billion according to Forbes.
I’d say that was a solid investment.
Except that is the exact same return that he could have got in the S&P 500 (growing from 1200's to 4000) , and far less than their private investments have averaged during the same time period.
FrioAg 00 said:EastCoastAgNc said:Jim Crane and his group bought the Astros for $680 million in 2011.
— Michael Schwab (@michaelschwab13) March 24, 2023
Today, the team is worth $2.2 billion according to Forbes.
I’d say that was a solid investment.
Except that is the exact same return that he could have got in the S&P 500 (growing from 1200's to 4000) , and far less than their private investments have averaged during the same time period.
Word word word, numbers words words
Thanks!
Someone in the Rangers' FBL league that I clandestinely joined dropped Jeremy Pena today.
Life is better with a beagle
The Porkchop Express said:
Someone in the Rangers' FBL league that I clandestinely joined dropped Jeremy Pena today.
Guessing he already has too many shortstops.
The @astros Forrest Whitley pitched four innings on the backfield today in the Triple-A game. Sat mid-to-high-90s, touched 99 mph mixed in a trio of secondaries including a sweepy mid-80s slider. #Astros pic.twitter.com/57Q53fCzl5
— Geoff Pontes (@GeoffPontesBA) March 24, 2023
According to that clip he knows how to hit a HR that is not a go ahead or tying HR but celebrate it like it is with big eagle wings and pointing. I have not seen Dubon do this so I guess theres thatFarmer1906 said:What does he offers that we don't already have in Dubon? I would take a shot on Hensley (INF & LF), Diaz (C, 1B, & LF) or maybe even Bannon (2B & 3B) over him because we have no idea what these guys' ceilings are. Culberson has an 83 OPS+ over the last 4 years (including the juiced ball of '19) and is entering his age 34 season.bearkatag15 said:You'll see a lot of these today. Worth wondering if the Astros intensify their look for infield help once all of the opt-outs are known and the market grows. Culberson could make some sense for them. https://t.co/hsWKRsnsat
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 24, 2023
Please don't sign this loser
n_touch said:According to that clip he knows how to hit a HR that is not a go ahead or tying HR but celebrate it like it with big eagle wings and pointing. I have not seen Dubon do this so I guess theres thatFarmer1906 said:What does he offers that we don't already have in Dubon? I would take a shot on Hensley (INF & LF), Diaz (C, 1B, & LF) or maybe even Bannon (2B & 3B) over him because we have no idea what these guys' ceilings are. Culberson has an 83 OPS+ over the last 4 years (including the juiced ball of '19) and is entering his age 34 season.bearkatag15 said:You'll see a lot of these today. Worth wondering if the Astros intensify their look for infield help once all of the opt-outs are known and the market grows. Culberson could make some sense for them. https://t.co/hsWKRsnsat
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 24, 2023
Please don't sign this loser
Dusty's interview on HBO's Real Sports aired this week. Great interview. Dusty has to be the most likable guy in the game.
Hunter Brown threw today, Dusty Baker said. He’s expected to do so again tomorrow. Baker said Brown is feeling much better and moving around well.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 24, 2023
Something occurred to me. Bearkat, I think, mentioned how Dubon was not all that bad in SF before coming over to Houston. Jose Siri got a little bit better in Tampa after his trade. Is there something in Houston from an organizational stand point that makes these guys uncomfortable at the plate? It's not like there is ever a ton of pressure on them since the offense is usually really strong up and down.Quote:
Dubon's offense cratered to a scary extent last year...
In Siri's case, it could have just been self imposed pressure to try and win the CF job permanently, but I have no guesses about Dubon. I'm sure it's all coincidence, but I couldn't help wondering.
Less than a week until Opening Day brings us to #6 on the Jersey Countdown.
Cliff Johnson was one of the franchise's first big power hitters, drafted in 1966 out of Wheatley High School in San Antonio as the 83rd pick. He spent 6 years in the minors and then was with the Astros from 1972-1977. After a couple of cups of coffee, he hit 20 home runs and drove in 65 runs in 122 games in 1975. He set a team record with homers in 5 straight games in 1975; a record that was broken by Morgan Ensberg in 2006. In 1977, Johnson got off to a fantastic start, hitting 10 HR in his first 51 games with a .299 average and a .563 slugging percentage, meaning only one thing could possibly happen: The Astros traded him to the damn Yankees for basically nothing. Remarkably, Johnson was traded four more times in the next three years, but still managed to win back-to-back World Series championships with the Yankees. In the 1977 ALCS, he hit .400 with a 1.171 OPS vs. the Royal.
Luis Pujols wore #6 for the Astros from 1980 to 1983. Signed at age 17, he debuted at age 21 and was part of the team's merry-go-round of catchers before Alan Ashby largely took control of the job. He hit a Maldonadioan .199 in the 1980 NL West winning year, but somehow caught fire in the NLCS, drawing three walks and getting a triple against Steve Carlton. He had a career average of .192 with the Astros.
Yet another catcher, Mark Bailey, wore #6 from 1984-1988. At 6'5", 195 pounds, he looked like the real deal at the start of his career. In 1985, he hit .265 with 10 HR and 45 RBi n 114 games, but it all went up in smoke from there. Used less and less over the next three years, he hit .176 .203, and .130.
Eddie Taubnesee wore #6 from 1992-1994, then it went to a guy who I rooted so hard to succeed, and a guy who had the best Opening Day I've ever seen in person - James Mouton. The best thing about having the last name of Mouton is that even if the fans are booing you, you can convince yourself they're really saying MOOOOO! Guy was phenomenal in the minors. In 1993 he was the PCL MVP hitting .315 with 16 homers, 92 RBI, and 40 steals. He not only made the Astros in 1994 spring training, but was named the opening day right fielder.
I skipped three classes to go to the Astros' home opener in 1994. I managed to get to every home opener from 1987-1999. It was Astros-Expos, and Mouton had a double in the first, a single and a steal in the third, and another double in the ninth. This was also the legendary debut of Mitch Williams as our closer. In the top of the 12th he got two outs, then gave up two singles and three walks to get the team down 5-3. In the bottom of the inning, Mouton walked to lead off the frame, made it 5-4 on a Bagwell single,and the Astros won the game 6-5 on a Ken Caminiti 2-run double. Unfortunately Moo got hurt and also wasn't really that good. He did steal 70 bases in 3 seasons thought.
The 2000s have largely been a tale of two Jakes for old #6. Jake Marisnick and his gorgeous long hair found htheir way to Houston in a 2014 trade and he fit right in, starting opening day 2015 and playing 106 games in 2017 with 16 homers, 35 RBI and a .243 average. An injury kept him from playing in the post-season but he still got himself a ring.
While i don't cheer for injuries, it was pretty bad-ass that time he ran over Jonathan Lucroy who seemed to forget the lesson from Major League 2 - you don't stand on the tracks when the big train is coming. Of course he got called out because umpires are all *******.
That led to him getting hit in the shoulder (luckily not the head) by Noe Martinez when the Astros went to Anaheim. That led to Albert Pujols deciding to start some **** with the Astros' dugout because I guess when you have no soul and are a lifeless husk of a man who will never see the playoffs again, you need to distract yourself.
The Astros overcame the meanie Angels to make the World Series 3 times in the next 4 years. Brad Ausmus firmly established himself as a professional D*bag in the post-game press conference.
When one Jake left, another took his place in 2021. The pride of Bayside High, Jake Meyers came up on August 1, 2021, and hit .260 with a .761 OPS and a knack for hustle in the outfield. "This is the most fun I've had since I dated Kelly Kapowski" he was quoted as saying. Unfortunately he got hurt in the 2021 ALDS playing defense and in 2022 appeared to no longer recognize what a baseball was when it was thrown to him. He struggled to a ..227 average in 52 games and hopefully will be a lot better in 2023.
Cliff Johnson was one of the franchise's first big power hitters, drafted in 1966 out of Wheatley High School in San Antonio as the 83rd pick. He spent 6 years in the minors and then was with the Astros from 1972-1977. After a couple of cups of coffee, he hit 20 home runs and drove in 65 runs in 122 games in 1975. He set a team record with homers in 5 straight games in 1975; a record that was broken by Morgan Ensberg in 2006. In 1977, Johnson got off to a fantastic start, hitting 10 HR in his first 51 games with a .299 average and a .563 slugging percentage, meaning only one thing could possibly happen: The Astros traded him to the damn Yankees for basically nothing. Remarkably, Johnson was traded four more times in the next three years, but still managed to win back-to-back World Series championships with the Yankees. In the 1977 ALCS, he hit .400 with a 1.171 OPS vs. the Royal.
Luis Pujols wore #6 for the Astros from 1980 to 1983. Signed at age 17, he debuted at age 21 and was part of the team's merry-go-round of catchers before Alan Ashby largely took control of the job. He hit a Maldonadioan .199 in the 1980 NL West winning year, but somehow caught fire in the NLCS, drawing three walks and getting a triple against Steve Carlton. He had a career average of .192 with the Astros.
Yet another catcher, Mark Bailey, wore #6 from 1984-1988. At 6'5", 195 pounds, he looked like the real deal at the start of his career. In 1985, he hit .265 with 10 HR and 45 RBi n 114 games, but it all went up in smoke from there. Used less and less over the next three years, he hit .176 .203, and .130.
Eddie Taubnesee wore #6 from 1992-1994, then it went to a guy who I rooted so hard to succeed, and a guy who had the best Opening Day I've ever seen in person - James Mouton. The best thing about having the last name of Mouton is that even if the fans are booing you, you can convince yourself they're really saying MOOOOO! Guy was phenomenal in the minors. In 1993 he was the PCL MVP hitting .315 with 16 homers, 92 RBI, and 40 steals. He not only made the Astros in 1994 spring training, but was named the opening day right fielder.
I skipped three classes to go to the Astros' home opener in 1994. I managed to get to every home opener from 1987-1999. It was Astros-Expos, and Mouton had a double in the first, a single and a steal in the third, and another double in the ninth. This was also the legendary debut of Mitch Williams as our closer. In the top of the 12th he got two outs, then gave up two singles and three walks to get the team down 5-3. In the bottom of the inning, Mouton walked to lead off the frame, made it 5-4 on a Bagwell single,and the Astros won the game 6-5 on a Ken Caminiti 2-run double. Unfortunately Moo got hurt and also wasn't really that good. He did steal 70 bases in 3 seasons thought.
The 2000s have largely been a tale of two Jakes for old #6. Jake Marisnick and his gorgeous long hair found htheir way to Houston in a 2014 trade and he fit right in, starting opening day 2015 and playing 106 games in 2017 with 16 homers, 35 RBI and a .243 average. An injury kept him from playing in the post-season but he still got himself a ring.
While i don't cheer for injuries, it was pretty bad-ass that time he ran over Jonathan Lucroy who seemed to forget the lesson from Major League 2 - you don't stand on the tracks when the big train is coming. Of course he got called out because umpires are all *******.
That led to him getting hit in the shoulder (luckily not the head) by Noe Martinez when the Astros went to Anaheim. That led to Albert Pujols deciding to start some **** with the Astros' dugout because I guess when you have no soul and are a lifeless husk of a man who will never see the playoffs again, you need to distract yourself.
The Astros overcame the meanie Angels to make the World Series 3 times in the next 4 years. Brad Ausmus firmly established himself as a professional D*bag in the post-game press conference.
When one Jake left, another took his place in 2021. The pride of Bayside High, Jake Meyers came up on August 1, 2021, and hit .260 with a .761 OPS and a knack for hustle in the outfield. "This is the most fun I've had since I dated Kelly Kapowski" he was quoted as saying. Unfortunately he got hurt in the 2021 ALDS playing defense and in 2022 appeared to no longer recognize what a baseball was when it was thrown to him. He struggled to a ..227 average in 52 games and hopefully will be a lot better in 2023.
Life is better with a beagle
Yes. He's proven to be what he is. Which is why it's hard to get very excited about him.bearkatag15 said:Harry Dunne said:I agree that he's not very exciting, but "experience" is the answer to your question (aside from Dubon).Farmer1906 said:
What does he offers that we don't already have in Dubon? I would take a shot on Hensley (INF & LF), Diaz (C, 1B, & LF) or maybe even Bannon (2B & 3B) over him because we have no idea what these guys' ceilings are. Culberson has an 83 OPS+ over the last 4 years (including the juiced ball of '19) and is entering his age 34 season.
We are an injury or two away from playing several unproven guys together every night and/or some guys making their MLB debut very prematurely.
I'd Culberson really proven though???
But on the flipside I hate to say is but you can't really even be sure that Hensley and Yainer and Bannon are even major leaguers just yet. I think those first two guys are, but we have all seen many flashes in the pan around here. Even Dubon, I personally think he's going to improve a bit but it also wouldn't be shocking to see him out of baseball in two years.
All I'm saying is I can see why they are exploring some backup options.
I'd rather sign Pinder over Culberson.
That being said, roll with what we got!
That being said, roll with what we got!
redline248 said:Something occurred to me. Bearkat, I think, mentioned how Dubon was not all that bad in SF before coming over to Houston. Jose Siri got a little bit better in Tampa after his trade. Is there something in Houston from an organizational stand point that makes these guys uncomfortable at the plate? It's not like there is ever a ton of pressure on them since the offense is usually really strong up and down.Quote:
Dubon's offense cratered to a scary extent last year...
In Siri's case, it could have just been self imposed pressure to try and win the CF job permanently, but I have no guesses about Dubon. I'm sure it's all coincidence, but I couldn't help wondering.
There are a few examples of this over the years… JD Davis and JD Martinez are 2 prime examples
Tyler White though.... that guy peeked that one week here
Siri was at his best in Houston in 21. While he got slightly better in TB, he still wasn't good offensively.redline248 said:Something occurred to me. Bearkat, I think, mentioned how Dubon was not all that bad in SF before coming over to Houston. Jose Siri got a little bit better in Tampa after his trade. Is there something in Houston from an organizational stand point that makes these guys uncomfortable at the plate? It's not like there is ever a ton of pressure on them since the offense is usually really strong up and down.Quote:
Dubon's offense cratered to a scary extent last year...
In Siri's case, it could have just been self imposed pressure to try and win the CF job permanently, but I have no guesses about Dubon. I'm sure it's all coincidence, but I couldn't help wondering.
Dubon needs to platoon. He can't hit righties (about .200 OPS points different). To start the year in SF he saw R/L 60/40 in a very small sample. In HOU he saw R/L 66/34. That contributed some. Another was a bit of bad luck in '22. His xwOBA was .024 higher than his wOBA. Only Yordan and Uncle Mike had a greater difference. I think he can be perfectly serviceable. Our manager just needs to put him in a position to succeed instead of playing him based on our starting pitcher.
BTC was under $1 in early 2011. A measly $75k then would be worth $2.2B today and over $5B at its peak.
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