The Dulces de Sugar Land are HERE!

🆚: @ABQTopes
🚪: 6:00 PM
⚾️: 7:05 PM
📺: https://t.co/5wiNTgID3M
📻: https://t.co/iTn9juf9qP#ReadyToRide x @RegionsBank pic.twitter.com/pvx6CkfqZd

— Sugar Land Space Cowboys (@SLSpaceCowboys) July 20, 2023

No Yordan

I'm told today is a routine day off for Yordan Alvarez in Sugar Land. He is expected to play on Friday and Saturday. Dana Brown said on @SportsTalk790 earlier this week that the hope is for Alvarez to return to the major-league lineup on Monday for the Rangers series.

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) July 20, 2023

Post from ~6 hours ago said he was going to be there tonight. Maybe a pinch hit at-bat? Or maybe something else?


Nevermind. I see Chandler's tweet above.

Some private jet owned by Tom Peacock Nissan and Cadillac went from Houston to Oakland today. Thought I was onto something.

It's not about who they're playing or the competition. It's about letting him go at an easier pace and ease into things. That's really important coming off an injury like he had.

Cease is elite. I would be extremely pleased with that. We've got quite a bit of outfield talent stockpiled, so losing Gilbert wouldn't give me any heartburn.

texasaggie2015 said:

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Cardinals Designate Ryan Tepera For Assignment https://t.co/fzR8g7lCG9 pic.twitter.com/raZbesN8eu

— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) July 20, 2023

I found our bullpen help

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Sketchy at best

Astros PSA- If anyone is interested in Astros Gold Merchandise the jerseys and hats are on sale at the outfield store at MinuteMaid. The men's jerseys have been dropped down to $75 and were previously $175. There is still a good selection.

Cease and Frambler would have to be the best 1 2 Punch in the MLB. In addition, if Javier can get back to his usual self then a rotation of Valdez, Cease, Javier, Urquidy, and HB/France would be pretty salty.

redline248 said:

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What is the thought behind taking a hard stance on not moving Gilbert? Just no for a rental, or is it because Tucker is likely gone in a few year?

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yes

How is he different than Montero? I don't see giving up prospects for any lateral move acquisitions

He was DFAd so he wouldn't take any assets. He's essentially a free agent.

Lets just hope Bagwell doesn't find out he's available.

Dubon
Pena
Tucker
Bregman
Abreu
McCormick
Julks DH
Diaz
Meyers

redline248 said:

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Dubon
Pena
Tucker
Bregman
Abreu
McCormick
Julks DH
Diaz
Meyers

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Looks solid given what we know we're working with. Wonder who ripped the lineup card out of Dusty's hands.

yep, that's a tough way to do business

on-base % be damned

Michael Lorenzen’s trade value is peaking at the exact right time.

The Astros and Rays are among the teams considering him at the deadline.

Including today, Lorenzen has thrown 18-2/3 scoreless innings over his last 3 starts for the Tigers. @MLBNetwork @MLB

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 20, 2023

Don't even old school guys value walks? Dubon and Pena are 3% and 5% BB rates.

barf

Nah. Old school guys want that batting average. Get on base and maybe try to steal. That what you need at the top. Web really you want a top tier on base guy and your best hitter.

The more I sit with the possibilities, the more I am inclined to roll with the hitters we have and invest in Cease plus more pitching.

Someone mentioned before a trade package that had us getting back Benintendi, which turned my stomach. But I wonder if Chicago would throw in 20 million (5 million per year for Belli's remaining 4 years after this year). If so, Benintendi would turn into a slightly inferior Brantley that would give you a high OBP lefty that would slot in well in the 9 slot.

Instead of Cease + Robert, maybe we should look at Cease plus more from a pool of Graveman, Bummer, Giolito, Grandal, and Benintendi.

Obviously prices and negotiations are not equal, but I would rank those this way:
Cease
Rodriguez
Paxton
Lorenzen
Stroman
Lynn

As has been said, I don't trust Stroman to be happy and produce with us. And Lynn is just washed up.

Do not want Lynn.

What has Lorenzen done to make him more effective this year? He wasn't impressive with the Angels and seemed to remember knocking him out early a few times

redline248 said:

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Don't even old school guys value walks? Dubon and Pena are 3% and 5% BB rates.

barf

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Dusty was on record at a previous job (Chicago?) about not caring about OBA.

The genius who famously said "Clogging up the bases isn't that great to me."