this isn't a great marquee brand name matchup but the baseball should be really good
***Official Houston Astros 2023-24 Offseason Thread*** [Staff Warning - OP]
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Last: 10 mo ago by Lonestar_Ag09
It'll be an interesting series for the baseball dorks but a stinker for ratings.
ARI isn't gonna knock the cover off the ball like Texas can. They're going to play small ball, run, go station to station, then lock it up with the pitching. Texas will swing for the fences and try and bludgeon them to death to get a big lead.
Also worth noting that ARI is a low key under the radar type team and we all know that's not at all what Texas is. Rangers will use the mind games to try and intimidate ARI.
Two very contrasting styles of baseball.
One other thing to keep an eye is the games in ARI. That OF is big and FAST. That could be very bad news for ARI is Texas is hitting them hard.
ARI isn't gonna knock the cover off the ball like Texas can. They're going to play small ball, run, go station to station, then lock it up with the pitching. Texas will swing for the fences and try and bludgeon them to death to get a big lead.
Also worth noting that ARI is a low key under the radar type team and we all know that's not at all what Texas is. Rangers will use the mind games to try and intimidate ARI.
Two very contrasting styles of baseball.
One other thing to keep an eye is the games in ARI. That OF is big and FAST. That could be very bad news for ARI is Texas is hitting them hard.
I'm not sure if they like him better but there's three guys who they think project similarly- Arighetti, Gordon and Kouba.Farmer1906 said:Sex Panther said:
I don't follow the minors as closely as others, so are we really that high on Arighetti... or is he just the best we've got?
I think Ketch likes or thinks the org likes Gordon better.
None of those guys really have ace caliber stuff in the big leagues. I would say their ceiling is a good third starter. Think JP France.
Arizona in 5. Texas bats get streaky and AZ has better pitching.
What are expectations for LMJ and LuAce?
Is expected for LMJ to be ready in Spring Training? LuAce sometime mid-season? Is he out all of 2024?
Is expected for LMJ to be ready in Spring Training? LuAce sometime mid-season? Is he out all of 2024?
I would not expect an inning for either next year, that way I can't be disappointedWabs said:
What are expectations for LMJ and LuAce?
Is expected for LMJ to be ready in Spring Training? LuAce sometime mid-season? Is he out all of 2024?
Yes, I understand that from a pessimistic standpoint and on LMJ's history. But I'm asking what does the organization expect?Eso si, Que es said:I would not expect an inning for either next year, that way I can't be disappointedWabs said:
What are expectations for LMJ and LuAce?
Is expected for LMJ to be ready in Spring Training? LuAce sometime mid-season? Is he out all of 2024?
I think we are on the same wavelength here with cheaper platoon bats that lengthen the lineup AND the bench.
While everyone understandably is drawn to Gurriel due to his name, I am thinking Grichuk could be had without breaking the bank. Pair him up with someone like Belt and you could get major production in the bottom third of the lineup.
Heyward makes me a bit nervous as he has been so up and down the last few years, even against RHP.
While everyone understandably is drawn to Gurriel due to his name, I am thinking Grichuk could be had without breaking the bank. Pair him up with someone like Belt and you could get major production in the bottom third of the lineup.
Heyward makes me a bit nervous as he has been so up and down the last few years, even against RHP.
Ok, we're approaching 1% of total threads on the Rangers' entire season thread with a thread we started yesterday! Keep up the good work. 287 to 33,000.
I gotta come up with some good countdown posts to keep my mind occupied in the off-season. I can't get that excited about what middle reliever from Florida we're going to sign.
I gotta come up with some good countdown posts to keep my mind occupied in the off-season. I can't get that excited about what middle reliever from Florida we're going to sign.
Y'all have a lot of very early, very big dreams for this off season. I'm not even trying to be pessimistic but y'all need to cool it or you're going to have a coronary when none of these big moves happen.
This team has existing SP depth, unless some is traded away we aren't signing a veteran.
This team has the most depth in the system at OF, this isn't disappearing and we aren't signing a corner OF for 10+ million or more and especially not two
This team brought up Salazar and gave him innings early over Diaz, they aren't spending money on a veteran catcher.
HB was in the rotation all year this year, with luAce out early and the question mark for McC he isn't going to now be moved to the pen.
This team doesn't build by signing a bunch of free agents what on Earth would make y'all think they would do that this year and in positions we have pieces to fill in.
This team has existing SP depth, unless some is traded away we aren't signing a veteran.
This team has the most depth in the system at OF, this isn't disappearing and we aren't signing a corner OF for 10+ million or more and especially not two
This team brought up Salazar and gave him innings early over Diaz, they aren't spending money on a veteran catcher.
HB was in the rotation all year this year, with luAce out early and the question mark for McC he isn't going to now be moved to the pen.
This team doesn't build by signing a bunch of free agents what on Earth would make y'all think they would do that this year and in positions we have pieces to fill in.
Wabs said:Yes, I understand that from a pessimistic standpoint and on LMJ's history. But I'm asking what does the organization expect?Eso si, Que es said:I would not expect an inning for either next year, that way I can't be disappointedWabs said:
What are expectations for LMJ and LuAce?
Is expected for LMJ to be ready in Spring Training? LuAce sometime mid-season? Is he out all of 2024?
I would be willing to bet the organization expectation of LMJ is minimal.
On a scale of 1-10, what do all think the likelihood is that Valdez comes back and pitches at his 2022 level? How about Javier?
I think these may be the biggest unknowns for next year.
I think these may be the biggest unknowns for next year.
I don't think it's unrealistic to want a middle of the road starting pitcher that can eat up a bunch of innings. Sure we have depth but pretty much everyone was on fumes starting around July 15th.
We will need a left fielder next year. Get a platoon type guy that is on the cheaper end. Not out of the question.
Bullpen will need 2 guys with 1 or both being lefties.
Our bench had Singleton and Kessinger on it. There are opportunities to upgrade there.
We will need a left fielder next year. Get a platoon type guy that is on the cheaper end. Not out of the question.
Bullpen will need 2 guys with 1 or both being lefties.
Our bench had Singleton and Kessinger on it. There are opportunities to upgrade there.
Fightin' Texas Aggie and Sam Houston State Bearkat
Holy Damn.....
Fairly regular poster and I'm 9 pages back for my first post on the long day off thread...
Texas wont be hitting 1st row cheapies in AZ thats for sure. That park is BIG.
I mostly agree. We're going to need to add if we're serious about winning. I'd do more offensively. I think between Verlander, Valdez, Javier, Brown, Urquidy, Fance, Blanco, and whoever in the minors is enough. Then you have a chance of adding McCullers & Garcia.
We are losing Maldy & Brantley. It makes perfect sense at add a left fielder & veteran catcher. Neither will cost all that much.
We need to spend the most on the bulllpen after losing Stanek, Maton, & Neris. Graveman & Sourza help but we need more med/high leverage help.
We are losing Maldy & Brantley. It makes perfect sense at add a left fielder & veteran catcher. Neither will cost all that much.
We need to spend the most on the bulllpen after losing Stanek, Maton, & Neris. Graveman & Sourza help but we need more med/high leverage help.
More confident in Javier. His problem this year was fatigue. A lot has to do with conditioning but most of it has to do with him pitching more innings than ever before in his life. I think he comes back in great shape.
I've gotten mixed answers in regards to Framber. So much of it is mental- but a lot of it was fatigue as well. I know some on here think the fatigue thing is just an excuse but it's very real. And it's one of the reasons why it's so hard to repeat as champions.
I've gotten mixed answers in regards to Framber. So much of it is mental- but a lot of it was fatigue as well. I know some on here think the fatigue thing is just an excuse but it's very real. And it's one of the reasons why it's so hard to repeat as champions.
Mathguy64 said:
Texas wont be hitting 1st row cheapies in AZ thats for sure. That park is BIG.
But it flies there even with the humidor.
I am curious, if Framber tries to shed a little weight this offseason as well. With the pitch clock, he wasn't able to take the walks off the back of the mound or slow down, and maybe that led to a few issues?
Never seen this one before. In Derek Bell's rookie year with the Blue Jays, Joe Carter and Dave Winfield pranked him on the final day of the regular season by pretending that they were giving away his custom jeep as a prize to a fan on Fan Appreciation Day.
Second video is Carter explaining it to Harold Reynolds.
Second video is Carter explaining it to Harold Reynolds.
Love stuff like this. That is fantastic.
This is the pictorial version of Earl Weavers' quote about momentum.Wabs said:
Holy Damn.....
I agree with a lot of what you're saying but I think we need to add a SP (ya'll know how I am about pitching, we can never have enough), maybe a BP innings eater, and if Pena can't figure his hitting out we may need a SS, or just plug Dubon in there.Lonestar_Ag09 said:
Y'all have a lot of very early, very big dreams for this off season. I'm not even trying to be pessimistic but y'all need to cool it or you're going to have a coronary when none of these big moves happen.
This team has existing SP depth, unless some is traded away we aren't signing a veteran.
This team has the most depth in the system at OF, this isn't disappearing and we aren't signing a corner OF for 10+ million or more and especially not two
This team brought up Salazar and gave him innings early over Diaz, they aren't spending money on a veteran catcher.
HB was in the rotation all year this year, with luAce out early and the question mark for McC he isn't going to now be moved to the pen.
This team doesn't build by signing a bunch of free agents what on Earth would make y'all think they would do that this year and in positions we have pieces to fill in.
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
Here we go again.
They don't. This is as mental for our fans as for our players.KCup17 said:
I don't understand how the batters eye could be the problem when opposing teams crush in our ball park…
MMP was 20th in runs scored per stadium.
on our own! Going down the only road we've ever known!agdaddy04 said:
Here we go again.
A little late, but in.
I haven't watched him much this year. Game seven was a lot of putting balls in play on the ground and using his speed to pressure the defense and covering a lot of ground in the outfield. I don't know if that was standard for him this year, but his play last night reminded me of Ichiro.cone said:
Corbin Carroll is low key just completely badass
Jose Valverde getting the save while giving up a bomb to Dioner Navarro.Evan Longoria is going back to the WS for the first time since 2008. TBT to his first career game against the Astros, so that we can Remember Some Guys:https://t.co/9GLXNcdrPB
— Mike Mitchell (@MikeMitchNH) October 25, 2023
AgLA06 said:I haven't watched him much this year. Game seven was a lot of putting balls in play on the ground and using his speed to pressure the defense and covering a lot of ground in the outfield. I don't know if that was standard for him this year, but his play last night reminded me of Ichiro.cone said:
Corbin Carroll is low key just completely badass
Their team is really good at hitting away from shifts. I had to double take watching a few grounders up the middle get through after seeing everything hit right at Semien this last series
Dana needs to have a backup plan at SS and 1B...
in case the 2023 production at those positions was not a one-off.
that being said...Pena's great glove and .705 OPS is just fine in the 9-hole
unfortunately, the 9-hole was pre-occupied during the 2023 season
in case the 2023 production at those positions was not a one-off.
that being said...Pena's great glove and .705 OPS is just fine in the 9-hole
unfortunately, the 9-hole was pre-occupied during the 2023 season
Looking at the free agency chart both Bregman and Altuve next year is glaring. Casual fans aren't going to like either not resigning, but as a business decision it's hard to resign both.
With so little free agency issues this year I'd have to think the priority is to get one resigned early this year if you want to have a shot at resigning both (assumption). I think my plan would be to try and resign Bregman this year and put the pressure on Altuve to be willing to concede a little more to retire an Astro.
With so little free agency issues this year I'd have to think the priority is to get one resigned early this year if you want to have a shot at resigning both (assumption). I think my plan would be to try and resign Bregman this year and put the pressure on Altuve to be willing to concede a little more to retire an Astro.
of all the images from that video you chose this?Wabs said:on our own! Going down the only road we've ever known!agdaddy04 said:
Here we go again.
I'm sure I'm out of the loop on this, but why is it a conclusion we can't resign Brantly to be the purely situational platoon outfielder / DH against righties? I mean the health issues are a glaring problem, but they would be for anyone else that might be interested as well and should mean you could get him at a discount.
@coopercuffe
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