Mathguy64 said:

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mAgnoliAg said:

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I'm 400 posts behind. What did I miss? Also it's a beating here in Arlington today. All the school districts are announcing they're closed tomorrow. I'm guessing we did the same last year? But not sure.

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Schools where? Arlington?

Sorry. I cant resist the dig at Arlington versus Dallas where the fanboys live. Or Frisco or Grapevine.

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Last I saw, Arlington, Kennedale, Mansfield, Grand Prairie, and Irving all cancelled tomorrow.

Yes but you're also assuming we have anything the Red Sox want. Joc is a much safer bet than Meadows.

The Porkchop Express said:

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mAgnoliAg said:

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Work group text all asking to be off tomorrow. I told them: " damn if y'all are cancelling school for a team you haven't cared about in 8 years, I can only imagine what y'all would do if the cowboys won the Super Bowl."

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Tell them they can get off early for the 12 p.m. parade by coming to work at 4 a.m.

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Settled on everybody coming in normal time 6:45 and leaving at 12. I have somebody who is going riding along with me tomorrow so we are gonna go to my 2 estimates in Frisco and then I'm gonna drop him off on I-30 because I'm not even exiting to drive into that cluster****

irish pete ag06 said:

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I also want Mitch Garver. It makes no sense but Yainer actually hits lefties worse and it's not just a small sample size… it goes back to the minors.

Garver mucks lefties. Could let him be the reserve catcher and maybe play a lot vs LHP.

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Agreed. I'm actually not too worried about OF. I'd love to dump Abreu and find a lefty 1B that can be a bit of a platoon. Maybe give the Yankees something with Abreu to get Rizzo then sign Garver. Rizzo also a free agent after 2024 so frees up cash for resigning guys.

MaxPower said:

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irish pete ag06 said:

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I also want Mitch Garver. It makes no sense but Yainer actually hits lefties worse and it's not just a small sample size… it goes back to the minors.

Garver mucks lefties. Could let him be the reserve catcher and maybe play a lot vs LHP.

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Agreed. I'm actually not too worried about OF. I'd love to dump Abreu and find a lefty 1B that can be a bit of a platoon. Maybe give the Yankees something with Abreu to get Rizzo then sign Garver. Rizzo also a free agent after 2024 so frees up cash for resigning guys.

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Rizzo was just as bad as Abreu last year.

If Abreu's back is good and we get an entire season of Aug/Sep/Oct Abreu, it's going to be good. I think he's going to be fine. He seemed healthy to end the year.

Beat40 said:

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MaxPower said:

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irish pete ag06 said:

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I also want Mitch Garver. It makes no sense but Yainer actually hits lefties worse and it's not just a small sample size… it goes back to the minors.

Garver mucks lefties. Could let him be the reserve catcher and maybe play a lot vs LHP.

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Agreed. I'm actually not too worried about OF. I'd love to dump Abreu and find a lefty 1B that can be a bit of a platoon. Maybe give the Yankees something with Abreu to get Rizzo then sign Garver. Rizzo also a free agent after 2024 so frees up cash for resigning guys.

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Rizzo was just as bad as Abreu last year.

If Abreu's back is good and we get an entire season of Aug/Sep/Oct Abreu, it's going to be good. I think he's going to be fine. He seemed healthy to end the year.

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I think we do need to get a solid backup 1st baseman though. It's really hard for a 36 year old to play 162 games. Plus if hes struggling I'm sure our new manager would play the backup unlike Dusty.

At this point, I would ride with Abreu and hope that he indeed will produce now that the back is a known factor.

The contract is untradable unless you really sweeten the pot, and why would you want to waste resources to trade someone who is capable of being a major middle of the order bat for someone who performed equally bad last year and doesn't have the optimistic upside?

To me, your pool of ML players that can be easily used in trade (and that you would even legitimately consider trading) are Meyers, Urquidy, France, and Kessinger. Chas or Pena could be movable if it was for a major piece, but otherwise they are starters. You would not get the value for a Framber or Tucker in a trade that makes sense for a team trying to win a championship, so I think those are pointless to list.

Needs:
1. LF
2. bullpen
3. backup C
4. middle to back of rotation starter

You need to use tradable assets to cover at least one of these. The rest fall to limited FA budget.

What is wrong with platoons?

Also, find someone to take Montero off our hands. That money is going to hurt us and the team is protected to be very close to the luxury tax already.

Farmer1906 said:

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What is wrong with platoons?

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I'm talking more of what we saw from April - July with Chas/Jake/Julks platooning.

If it's Dubon, Chas and Tucker in the outfield with Yordan at DH then I'm good. But it shouldn't be an everyday shuffle like it was for the first 2/3 of the season

tjack16 said:

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Farmer1906 said:

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What is wrong with platoons?

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I'm talking more of what we saw from April - July with Chas/Jake/Julks platooning.

If it's Dubon, Chas and Tucker in the outfield with Yordan at DH then I'm good. But it shouldn't be an everyday shuffle like it was for the first 2/3 of the season

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Except injuries happen, Yordan was out for, what, 1/3 of the season?....I agree we could have gone with one less. But Julks came out pretty hot so why not let him ride

tjack16 said:

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Biggest priority for me this offseason

- cure the "can't win at home syndrome" without losing ability to win on the road.
- pitching pitching pitching
- solidify the outfield and DH. No more platoons or "personal CF" nonsense

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This year was the exception to the last 7. I've see this comment a few times already. I think y'all are way more worried about it than you should be. The Astros will be fine at home next year.

stoneca said:

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Beat40 said:

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MaxPower said:

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irish pete ag06 said:

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I also want Mitch Garver. It makes no sense but Yainer actually hits lefties worse and it's not just a small sample size… it goes back to the minors.

Garver mucks lefties. Could let him be the reserve catcher and maybe play a lot vs LHP.

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Agreed. I'm actually not too worried about OF. I'd love to dump Abreu and find a lefty 1B that can be a bit of a platoon. Maybe give the Yankees something with Abreu to get Rizzo then sign Garver. Rizzo also a free agent after 2024 so frees up cash for resigning guys.

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Rizzo was just as bad as Abreu last year.

If Abreu's back is good and we get an entire season of Aug/Sep/Oct Abreu, it's going to be good. I think he's going to be fine. He seemed healthy to end the year.

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I think we do need to get a solid backup 1st baseman though. It's really hard for a 36 year old to play 162 games. Plus if hes struggling I'm sure our new manager would play the backup unlike Dusty.

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.

Diaz won't catch 162 games next year and that's what an infield utility man is for.

Not many teams have an actual 1B back up.

SpaceCityAg05 said:

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At this point, I would ride with Abreu and hope that he indeed will produce now that the back is a known factor.

The contract is untradable unless you really sweeten the pot, and why would you want to waste resources to trade someone who is capable of being a major middle of the order bat for someone who performed equally bad last year and doesn't have the optimistic upside?

To me, your pool of ML players that can be easily used in trade (and that you would even legitimately consider trading) are Meyers, Urquidy, France, and Kessinger. Chas or Pena could be movable if it was for a major piece, but otherwise they are starters. You would not get the value for a Framber or Tucker in a trade that makes sense for a team trying to win a championship, so I think those are pointless to list.

Needs:
1. LF
2. bullpen
3. backup C
4. middle to back of rotation starter

You need to use tradable assets to cover at least one of these. The rest fall to limited FA budget.

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Pretty much in line with my post on Page 1

My priorities (some of which posted on the season thread).

1. Left Fielder (Lourdes Gurriel?)
2. Bullpen (Neris and Hader)
3. Mid-level SP (Sonny Gray type)
4. Backup catcher (Diaz starts, see ya Maldy)
5. Lock up Altuve and Bregman

htxag09 said:

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tjack16 said:

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Farmer1906 said:

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What is wrong with platoons?

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I'm talking more of what we saw from April - July with Chas/Jake/Julks platooning.

If it's Dubon, Chas and Tucker in the outfield with Yordan at DH then I'm good. But it shouldn't be an everyday shuffle like it was for the first 2/3 of the season

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Except injuries happen, Yordan was out for, what, 1/3 of the season?....I agree we could have gone with one less. But Julks came out pretty hot so why not let him ride

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I'd personally prefer to not have the 3rd year in a row of Jake vs Chas talk and "why are we not sticking with one guy" rumblings.

Pick 3 everyday outfielders and roll with them consistently. For a team with WS aspirations you should have 9 guys who play together 80% of the games barring injury and aren't constantly wondering when they will get a chance to start or if they are benched randomly. Mainly thinking about Pre-August Chas and Yainer Diaz

The 2023 MLB season just ended but...

Who will be the 2024 World Series Champs? 😅#WorldSeries pic.twitter.com/m48S7qc4Di

— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) November 2, 2023

Beat40 said:

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tjack16 said:

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Biggest priority for me this offseason

- cure the "can't win at home syndrome" without losing ability to win on the road.
- pitching pitching pitching
- solidify the outfield and DH. No more platoons or "personal CF" nonsense

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This year was the exception to the last 7. I've see this comment a few times already. I think y'all are way more worried about it than you should be. The Astros will be fine at home next year.

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Except it's not

We have had home issues for a few years now. Maybe not to the extent of being under .500 at home but we've been pretty sucky at home for more than just this year.

_veeyah_ said:

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2015 I rarely post on here but I like coming in here and enjoy reading your posts, really distracts me from the annoying kids I deal with everyday! Hahah keep them coming!

Also, the years Stros won it all, HISD was closed, the suburbs where I teach, classes were practically empty. They counted the parade as an "excused absence." I was literally planning to say screw it and go this year hopefully next year they win it all again and I actually attend.

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In 2017 I was in Spring ISD…we were open and very few were missing compared to the usual absences.

Last year I was no longer in a classroom and didn't ask my friends about theirs

Dana Brown was very candid in this interview with us:

Sounds like the Astros are not expecting any of the 3 relievers to return.

They’ll also be on the lookout for backup catcher options as Brown names Yainer Diaz “the guy” pic.twitter.com/kbtENB8dOU

— Ari Alexander (@AriA1exander) November 2, 2023

I agree. If you lose Neris, then you have to get another true backend guy to replace him.

Maton and Stanek can be replaced in the same way they (and Pressly and Montero) were acquired - through under the radar trades, incentivized short term contacts, and waiver/FA pick up of guys who have untapped upside.

In some ways, Graveman already replaced Maton. I think his best role is to be a mid-inning fireman who has double-play ball potential. I think that is a better slot for him than a true setup man role.

Pressly
Abreu
Neris/major acquisition
minor acquisition
Montero
Graveman
Sousa
Long relief/extra starter

No matter how you dice it up, you need to acquire 2 RP from among our 3 FA or those on other clubs.

Doesn't Neris have a player option with the Astros for 2024 for $8.5m?

I'd like to see him stay.

Wabs said:

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SpaceCityAg05 said:

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At this point, I would ride with Abreu and hope that he indeed will produce now that the back is a known factor.

The contract is untradable unless you really sweeten the pot, and why would you want to waste resources to trade someone who is capable of being a major middle of the order bat for someone who performed equally bad last year and doesn't have the optimistic upside?

To me, your pool of ML players that can be easily used in trade (and that you would even legitimately consider trading) are Meyers, Urquidy, France, and Kessinger. Chas or Pena could be movable if it was for a major piece, but otherwise they are starters. You would not get the value for a Framber or Tucker in a trade that makes sense for a team trying to win a championship, so I think those are pointless to list.

Needs:
1. LF
2. bullpen
3. backup C
4. middle to back of rotation starter

You need to use tradable assets to cover at least one of these. The rest fall to limited FA budget.

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Pretty much in line with my post on Page 1

My priorities (some of which posted on the season thread).

1. Left Fielder (Lourdes Gurriel?)
2. Bullpen (Neris and Hader)
3. Mid-level SP (Sonny Gray type)
4. Backup catcher (Diaz starts, see ya Maldy)
5. Lock up Altuve and Bregman

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What money are you covering that wish list with, because it will take a lot plus trade capitol.

Lonestar_Ag09 said:

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Wabs said:

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SpaceCityAg05 said:

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At this point, I would ride with Abreu and hope that he indeed will produce now that the back is a known factor.

The contract is untradable unless you really sweeten the pot, and why would you want to waste resources to trade someone who is capable of being a major middle of the order bat for someone who performed equally bad last year and doesn't have the optimistic upside?

To me, your pool of ML players that can be easily used in trade (and that you would even legitimately consider trading) are Meyers, Urquidy, France, and Kessinger. Chas or Pena could be movable if it was for a major piece, but otherwise they are starters. You would not get the value for a Framber or Tucker in a trade that makes sense for a team trying to win a championship, so I think those are pointless to list.

Needs:
1. LF
2. bullpen
3. backup C
4. middle to back of rotation starter

You need to use tradable assets to cover at least one of these. The rest fall to limited FA budget.

---

Pretty much in line with my post on Page 1

My priorities (some of which posted on the season thread).

1. Left Fielder (Lourdes Gurriel?)
2. Bullpen (Neris and Hader)
3. Mid-level SP (Sonny Gray type)
4. Backup catcher (Diaz starts, see ya Maldy)
5. Lock up Altuve and Bregman

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What money are you covering that wish list with, because it will take a lot plus trade capitol.

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Crane is a billionaire. He can afford it

Sleeping Giant said:

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Doesn't Neris have a player option with the Astros for 2024 for $8.5m?

I'd like to see him stay.

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I think we all would. He's going to get paid more and/or more years.

And winning teams generate revenue

Rizzo was playing well before he got a concussion. He's also actually good defensively. Abreu was a disaster from the start. I guess it could have been his back all year this year and the end of 2022 but if that's the case seems more likely to be an ongoing problem going forward.

Lonestar_Ag09 said:

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Wabs said:

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SpaceCityAg05 said:

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At this point, I would ride with Abreu and hope that he indeed will produce now that the back is a known factor.

The contract is untradable unless you really sweeten the pot, and why would you want to waste resources to trade someone who is capable of being a major middle of the order bat for someone who performed equally bad last year and doesn't have the optimistic upside?

To me, your pool of ML players that can be easily used in trade (and that you would even legitimately consider trading) are Meyers, Urquidy, France, and Kessinger. Chas or Pena could be movable if it was for a major piece, but otherwise they are starters. You would not get the value for a Framber or Tucker in a trade that makes sense for a team trying to win a championship, so I think those are pointless to list.

Needs:
1. LF
2. bullpen
3. backup C
4. middle to back of rotation starter

You need to use tradable assets to cover at least one of these. The rest fall to limited FA budget.

---

Pretty much in line with my post on Page 1

My priorities (some of which posted on the season thread).

1. Left Fielder (Lourdes Gurriel?)
2. Bullpen (Neris and Hader)
3. Mid-level SP (Sonny Gray type)
4. Backup catcher (Diaz starts, see ya Maldy)
5. Lock up Altuve and Bregman

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What money are you covering that wish list with, because it will take a lot plus trade capitol.

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Based on Spotrac

Gurriel - 5/73 (14.6) - seems high
Neris - 2/15 (7.5) - seems low
Hader - 5/88 (17.6)
Gray - 3/61 (20.3)
Generic Back Up - 1/3 (3)

Before you get to extensions we're committing 241 M to these 5 players 63 M of which will be in 2024. Does that seem realistic?