I think unless they start hitting very well on their draft picks, they'll start to decline here in about 3 years.. but they do have an uncanny ability to develop their players.

CampingAg said:

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What's the scoop on the Padres? I haven't watched much of them. Why have they been disappointing?

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I think part of it is Tatis (only 83G). He was suspended last year for what he called his ring-worm treatment (PED). It carried over to 2023 to start the season. I think while he is a huge talent, he can be a distraction. 2022 it was revealed he was in a motorcycle accident in the offseason.


They have a number of superstars: Tatis, Bogaerts, Machado, Juan Soto.
They also have a number of holes:
C: Nola - .146, 1 HR in 52G
C: Sanchez- .207, 10 HR in 45G
1B: Croneworth- .206, 8 HR in 101 G
CF: Grisham- .208, 10 HR, 10 SB in 99G
DH: Carpenter- .166, 4 HR

They are 4th in HRs and 8th in Runs scored, which likely means they aren't getting guys on base for HRs. They are 5th in LOB (7.10) ahead of even the Rangers who are 6th now (7.07 p/g).

Those 2 numbers likely indicates their superstars are getting on base and stranded there by the holes in the lineup and the majority of Runs scored is centered around HRs.

Their SP is 1st in NL and overall their P is #1 in ERA in the NL.

So, expect great pitching by the Padres and lots of clutch Rangers pitching at times... and a couple HRs.

Yeah, outside of their big four players, their offense is almost nonexistent. And out of those four they're only batting like in the .270s

rbtexan said:

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South Platte said:

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GiggityAg01 said:

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I think their team really implodes after this. You could see the cracks opening last night. I think this game marks the end of their so call mini dynasty and they go back to the cellar.

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Wishful thinking. They are going to be really good for a very long time. There is seemingly no end to the talent that Luhnow stockpiled into their system.

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If you look at the MLB top 100 prospects list, they have exactly one (Drew Gilbert, #69). By comparison, the Rangers have 6 (Carter, White, Acuna, Porter, Leiter & Wolcott). Their farm system is ranked 30th in MLB.

The battered Ranger syndrome and mindset that the Astros have some amazing farm system is simply not accurate. Not sure where you're getting the idea that their system is "stockpiled", but your sources are completely wrong.

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I'm talking about the young players they have now. Every year another one comes up and contributes immediately. When healthy, this franchise is a huge problem.

Careful on those fancy lists. McCormick has been their 2nd best hitter this season behind Tucker and wasn't on the 2020 list. Neither was Jeremy Pena. Forrest Whitley has been on that list for years. They know how to develop players. Hopefully Glick did a terrible job.

So according to Rosenthal the Rangers and White Sox discussed a Lynn/ Kelly package yesterday.

I just hope Lynn can be effective in a spot start/long-middle relief role.. I heard his velo has been down so hopefully it'll play up in those shorter stints

Interesting HSOs.

Agreed about scuffles.

Agreed about status an impact of the series. IMO, it will come down to staying healthy.

Interesting thought on the CWS pitchers. Giolito seemed like one of the guys that needed to be traded to get things rolling. One of about 3-4. Trading a modest talent duo (1 T100 player) to drive the Ohtani market is big brain stuff and an interesting thought. Personally, as Big Brain as that is, it would seem more like a Preller move than a Moreno move.

This will be fun. I am hoping they sit on Ohtani and fade with Giolito and Ohtani and lose them for almost nothing.

Both teams are 8-4 since the ASB.

We're gnashing our teeth.

I'd like Kelly. Not so sanguine on bringing Lynn back.

Lynn's ERA is about 6.50 and that's not due to some early season stuff - it's been about that over his last five starts too.

Kelly has been below average this year too, but he does have a high whiff rate and strikes guys out. In his last four relief appearances, all one inning, he's struck out 3, 2, 3, and 1.

A list of most desired starting pitchers who may be available before the trade deadline as of today.

https://www.mlb.com/news/2023-starting-pitcher-trade-candidates

1. Dylan Cease - will likely take too much since he has two more years.

2. Blake Snell - pure rental - I like him as first choice.

3. Verlander - OK, at least he'd be a veteran presence. And he's pitching well as of late. He's signed through next year, and being paid WAY too much.

4. Eduardo Rodriguez - Another guy I could really get behind. Might take too much though as he's under control for like three more years.

5. Stroman - The sweet spot, imho. Shouldn't take too much to get this pure rental for two months. Maybe one MLB ready middle infielder.

Anyone seen any updates on Heim? Have they released anny info on x rays?

If you are scoreboard watching today, the Halos and Tigers start their DH at 12:10p Central. 1st game features Ohtani v Lorenzen

Lorenzen is among the top rumored trade options. His July has been spectacular and is part of his current scoreless IP at 21.2.

Typical Halos facing THE hottest SP after committing to buying.

94chem said:

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TefIon Don said:

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Just got home from the game and holy **** that was fun to watch in person. Had some little astro kid screaming in my ear after the first inning…..but was pretty quiet after the fourth. ****er.

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Baseball is a game taught by dads to sons before age 12. Back when the Astros were tanking, some of you might not know this, but they weren't even on t.v. for most of Houston. I could get the Rangers on FSSW, but not the Astros. I thought for the longest time that Hoston would pay for not televising their local team, but with 4 million people, winning cured all of that. However, I think there is just a lot of baseball ignorance now with young people who never learned the game. My son's friend was insisting that Alvarez was hit on purpose. He just kept doubling down on it. I told my son to just ignore him. Baseball is like a foreign language. If you wait until you're 17 to learn it, you'll likely never speak it very well.

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Houston is the ultimate front-running sports town

justnobody79 said:

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94chem said:

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TefIon Don said:

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Just got home from the game and holy **** that was fun to watch in person. Had some little astro kid screaming in my ear after the first inning…..but was pretty quiet after the fourth. ****er.

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Baseball is a game taught by dads to sons before age 12. Back when the Astros were tanking, some of you might not know this, but they weren't even on t.v. for most of Houston. I could get the Rangers on FSSW, but not the Astros. I thought for the longest time that Hoston would pay for not televising their local team, but with 4 million people, winning cured all of that. However, I think there is just a lot of baseball ignorance now with young people who never learned the game. My son's friend was insisting that Alvarez was hit on purpose. He just kept doubling down on it. I told my son to just ignore him. Baseball is like a foreign language. If you wait until you're 17 to learn it, you'll likely never speak it very well.

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Houston is the ultimate front-running sports town

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Because dang near everyone in Houston is not FROM there. My brother lives out in the rich ex-burbs - drive down his street and every house seems to have a Penn State flag, a Florida flag, an Ohio State flag.

Few of them grew up Astros fans, so they started following once they were winning and will drop them once they return to their regular doormat status.

I think the Angels made the right decision. With their payroll, can't they just let Ohtani walk and then get active in the FA market? Why not go after the wild card when you can buy talent in the off-season?

Angels will never straight up rebuild as long as Arte Moreno owns them. I too think they're doing the right thing for them. That's a market where you can't suffer several down years due to the 600 lb gorilla next door.

94chem said:

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I think the Angels made the right decision. With their payroll, can't they just let Ohtani walk and then get active in the FA market? Why not go after the wild card when you can buy talent in the off-season?

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Part of their problem is if they break the Luxury Tax threshold, then the Comp pick for Ohtani goes from a pick between CB-2nd and 3rd Rd... to a pick between the 3rd and 4th Rd. According to COTS they have about $4M in space and that includes their recent transaction of Giolito and TOG.

So, going for the WC will need to consider the fact they are close to losing value in the Comp pick for Ohtani.

They gave up their 2nd and 3rd prospects, so they will have to spend big in FA, regardless.

DallasAg 94 said:

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If you are scoreboard watching today, the Halos and Tigers start their DH at 12:10p Central. 1st game features Ohtani v Lorenzen

Lorenzen is among the top rumored trade options. His July has been spectacular and is part of his current scoreless IP at 21.2.

Typical Halos facing THE hottest SP after committing to buying.

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Not much scoreboards to watch. Just a good day to talk about trade rumors. Hope CY and company are busy.

Grapesoda2525 said:

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DallasAg 94 said:

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If you are scoreboard watching today, the Halos and Tigers start their DH at 12:10p Central. 1st game features Ohtani v Lorenzen

Lorenzen is among the top rumored trade options. His July has been spectacular and is part of his current scoreless IP at 21.2.

Typical Halos facing THE hottest SP after committing to buying.

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Not much scoreboards to watch. Just a good day to talk about trade rumors. Hope CY and company are busy.

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The scoreboard watching is about the trades. I suspect if Lorenzen continues his scoreless innings, he's going to get picked up quickly. Would it be funny or sad if he were traded between games.

If the Halos lose both games of their DH after pulling Ohtani off the market and making the biggest trade for a SP, thus far... it would illustrate why they have the 2 greatest generational players on their team and won't make the WC.

fc2112 said:

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A list of most desired starting pitchers who may be available before the trade deadline as of today.

https://www.mlb.com/news/2023-starting-pitcher-trade-candidates

1. Dylan Cease - will likely take too much since he has two more years.

2. Blake Snell - pure rental - I like him as first choice.

3. Verlander - OK, at least he'd be a veteran presence. And he's pitching well as of late. He's signed through next year, and being paid WAY too much.

4. Eduardo Rodriguez - Another guy I could really get behind. Might take too much though as he's under control for like three more years.

5. Stroman - The sweet spot, imho. Shouldn't take too much to get this pure rental for two months. Maybe one MLB ready middle infielder.

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Agree on Snell. Highest upside of what should be the reasonably priced rentals. We also need a LHP for next year and this could be an audition.

Just looked it up, SD is 5 games below .500 and 6.5 games out of the last NL wildcard spot. You would think they would be motivated to sell off some pieces, especially an expiring contract on a free agent to be.

It's important "pulling Ohtani off the market" isn't some official declaration you have to make -- I can all but guarantee you a team could trade for Ohtani this afternoon if they offered enough.

There's zero upside to telling teams you are definitely trading him.

**ring ring**

Rangers: "Hello Detroit? Yes, I'd like to watch this game unfold with you on the line, care for some popcorn?"
Detroit: "Been scouting your prospects."
Rangers: "I know Lorenzen played for the Angels last year. Should be a great game. Wow... struck out the side in the 1st."

Lorenzen has some good stuff. Great change up - needs to stay ahead in the count so he can throw it since it moves so much.

wow dumb base running by LAAA

Ouch that look it hurt Ohtani

Like Lorenzen a lot.

Don't look now...

fc2112 said:

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Don't look now...

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It's on MLB Channel if anyone is interesting in watching.

I'm watching the Tigers broadcast and yeah, these guys are just amazed by Ohtani.