Superutilityman Whit Merrifield and the Atlanta Braves are in agreement on a major league deal, sources tell ESPN. Merrifield was released recently by Philadelphia. He’ll join the Braves today and help provide depth after the injury to All-Star second baseman Ozzie Albies.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 22, 2024
***** 2024 Houston Astros Season Thread ***** [Staff Warning]
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Last: 3 hrs ago by bearkatag15
Pedro León sends this one onto the concourse!
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) July 22, 2024
The @Astros No. 25 prospect sends his 19th homer of the season 446 feet for the Triple-A @SLSpaceCowboys: pic.twitter.com/lgFwirZKUj
Weekend Notebook: MLB trade deadline 2024 filled with rumors and uncertainty https://t.co/ZWoFJ9T0g3
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 22, 2024
On Tarik Skubal, consider the following:
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 22, 2024
I’m told the Tigers have had a scout watching the Orioles’ Triple-A Norfolk affiliate in recent days.
Jackson Holliday, Coby Mayo, Connor Norby, and Kyle Stowers are on the Norfolk roster. @MLBNetwork @MLBPipeline
The haul it would take to move him would be massive
Our latest trade deadline watch notes:
— Will Sammon (@WillSammon) July 22, 2024
— The Cubs' plans
— The Rays' plans
— A conversation with the Mets' Pete Alonso on dealing with what's at stake over the next week (and rest of this season)
With @Ken_Rosenthal and @PJ_Mooney https://t.co/HT87MSooH8
Latest update on my end is that there will still likely be a couple moves, but frankly they're being outbid right now. I wouldn't expect any big splashes. A lot can change between today and the deadline but that's where we stand this morning.
My best guess is a cheaper back of the rotation arm that can eat innings and give Brown and Blanco rest- which is honestly huge- and a bullpen arm. They would love a bat as well but it would be difficult to check all three of those boxes.
Hard to believe we're just over a week away.
My best guess is a cheaper back of the rotation arm that can eat innings and give Brown and Blanco rest- which is honestly huge- and a bullpen arm. They would love a bat as well but it would be difficult to check all three of those boxes.
Hard to believe we're just over a week away.
If they don't get some offensive help, do you think they call up Leon and trade one of the outfielders away? We really do need offensive help, more as shin insurance than anything else.texasaggie2015 said:
Latest update on my end is that there will still likely be a couple moves, but frankly they're being outbid right now. I wouldn't expect any big splashes. A lot can change between today and the deadline but that's where we stand this morning.
My best guess is a cheaper back of the rotation arm that can eat innings and give Brown and Blanco rest- which is honestly huge- and a bullpen arm. They would love a bat as well but it would be difficult to check all three of those boxes.
Hard to believe we're just over a week away.
EastCoastAgNc said:Pedro León sends this one onto the concourse!
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) July 22, 2024
The @Astros No. 25 prospect sends his 19th homer of the season 446 feet for the Triple-A @SLSpaceCowboys: pic.twitter.com/lgFwirZKUj
Is this guy ever gonna get a shot or is he a trade piece
Im looking for Ray Finkle.... and a clean pair of shorts. Im just a very big Finkle fan. This is my Graceland, sir.
MAGA
MAGA
He's been pretty mediocre in AAA overall. This year is his first solid showing. Cooper Hummel, Will Wagner, & Shay Whitcomb are all performing at a similar level.Mr.Bond said:EastCoastAgNc said:Pedro León sends this one onto the concourse!
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) July 22, 2024
The @Astros No. 25 prospect sends his 19th homer of the season 446 feet for the Triple-A @SLSpaceCowboys: pic.twitter.com/lgFwirZKUj
Is this guy ever gonna get a shot or is he a trade piece
I wish we would hurry and trade Melton before his stock plummets.
Im looking for Ray Finkle.... and a clean pair of shorts. Im just a very big Finkle fan. This is my Graceland, sir.
MAGA
MAGA
Some thoughts on Hunter Brown and the luxury tax as the trade deadline nears - https://t.co/YPZ6rU17np
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) July 22, 2024
My personal opinion is pitching is the largest need the Astros have but do agree offense could use some help. I think I would prefer a guy who could platoon with Singleton and offer a solid PH option.EastCoastAgNc said:If they don't get some offensive help, do you think they call up Leon and trade one of the outfielders away? We really do need offensive help, more as shin insurance than anything else.texasaggie2015 said:
Latest update on my end is that there will still likely be a couple moves, but frankly they're being outbid right now. I wouldn't expect any big splashes. A lot can change between today and the deadline but that's where we stand this morning.
My best guess is a cheaper back of the rotation arm that can eat innings and give Brown and Blanco rest- which is honestly huge- and a bullpen arm. They would love a bat as well but it would be difficult to check all three of those boxes.
Hard to believe we're just over a week away.
I'm with you, man. It's great he can give Yainer a rest at catcher, but is PH bat has been sorely missed. It would have been much better him taking that first PH AB from Chas.Beau Holder said:
Looking forward to seeing if Caratini does in fact rejoin the team tomorrow. He's been missed as a PH bat and spell for Yainer.
Ty France is basically free. Might be the best you're gonna get.
The Astros don't exactly need big splashes. They need contributors. Another mid-level bullpen arm so Seth and Tayler's arms don't detach themselves as well as be a little more reliable than Montero. A decent PH bat would go a long way too.texasaggie2015 said:
Latest update on my end is that there will still likely be a couple moves, but frankly they're being outbid right now. I wouldn't expect any big splashes. A lot can change between today and the deadline but that's where we stand this morning.
My best guess is a cheaper back of the rotation arm that can eat innings and give Brown and Blanco rest- which is honestly huge- and a bullpen arm. They would love a bat as well but it would be difficult to check all three of those boxes.
Hard to believe we're just over a week away.
But the rotation arm that can give Blanco, and I suppose Brown, rest, is absolutely needed.
MaxPower said:
Ty France is basically free. Might be the best you're gonna get.
They have had the chance at three other freebies and passed.
The only time we didn't was with Diaz. We'll see how that works. Feels a lot like the Marwin signing 2021.Mathguy64 said:MaxPower said:
Ty France is basically free. Might be the best you're gonna get.
They have had the chance at three other freebies and passed.
He only hits well against the Astros.MaxPower said:
Ty France is basically free. Might be the best you're gonna get.
.@JonHeyman mentions a potential All-Star fit at first base for the Astros ahead of the July 30 Trade Deadline 👀 pic.twitter.com/YCtIY6BZrX
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) July 22, 2024
How much would he cost?
I've mentioned him a few times. They're talking but the asking price is too high right now.
That said, they may be willing to spend a little more since it would solve the first base problem now and the third base problem after Bregman leaves next year.
That said, they may be willing to spend a little more since it would solve the first base problem now and the third base problem after Bregman leaves next year.
Bargain Bin Pitchers that don't impact luxury tax:EastCoastAgNc said:Some thoughts on Hunter Brown and the luxury tax as the trade deadline nears - https://t.co/YPZ6rU17np
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) July 22, 2024
I wouldn't mind taking a shot with Blackburn. I'd pass on the rest and roll with Bloss in that spot.
And he hasn't even done that this season.EastCoastAgNc said:He only hits well against the Astros.MaxPower said:
Ty France is basically free. Might be the best you're gonna get.
A lot. 3.5 more years on control.EastCoastAgNc said:.@JonHeyman mentions a potential All-Star fit at first base for the Astros ahead of the July 30 Trade Deadline 👀 pic.twitter.com/YCtIY6BZrX
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) July 22, 2024
How much would he cost?
I do think the Rays would be a good trade partner. Littell, Rasmussen, Fairbanks, Yandy, Eflin, Poche, Paredes, & Springs all make sense in different ways.
@Ketch, what tidbits do you know about Chas's struggles and what the team is doing to fix it?
In July, he's .148/.207/.148, with a wRC+ of 4. He's put the ball in play 19 times (only 4 hits) with an average Launch Angle of 6.6.
This is probably the worst stretch he's ever had playing baseball in his entire life.
In July, he's .148/.207/.148, with a wRC+ of 4. He's put the ball in play 19 times (only 4 hits) with an average Launch Angle of 6.6.
This is probably the worst stretch he's ever had playing baseball in his entire life.
He gets in his head a lot. I think he would benefit from a change of scenery. There's a couple teams who have asked Houston about him
It feels like a giant missed opportunity if we trade him at his lowest.texasaggie2015 said:
He gets in his head a lot. I think he would benefit from a change of scenery. There's a couple teams who have asked Houston about him
On the other hand, this might not be his lowest. Might as well get what you can while you can.Farmer1906 said:It feels like a giant missed opportunity if we trade him at his lowest.texasaggie2015 said:
He gets in his head a lot. I think he would benefit from a change of scenery. There's a couple teams who have asked Houston about him
I wonder how often the "change of scenery" works out for players that are scuffling. I see no real reason why something like that actually has much affect, personally. Can it even be measured?
I understand it in terms of a guy who is somewhat blocked and can go to a place where more PT helps, but even then, we saw it with Straw and Siri...they aren't better players after changing teams. Korey Lee isn't better. Kessinger isn't going to be better if he was on a different team.
Is it something between him and the coaches or front office getting in Chas's way, mentally? If it's just him putting pressure on himself as he struggles, what will stop that same thing from happening elsewhere?
What happened from June to July? In June Chas's OPS was .804 and his wRC+ was 119 in 48 PA...
I understand it in terms of a guy who is somewhat blocked and can go to a place where more PT helps, but even then, we saw it with Straw and Siri...they aren't better players after changing teams. Korey Lee isn't better. Kessinger isn't going to be better if he was on a different team.
Is it something between him and the coaches or front office getting in Chas's way, mentally? If it's just him putting pressure on himself as he struggles, what will stop that same thing from happening elsewhere?
What happened from June to July? In June Chas's OPS was .804 and his wRC+ was 119 in 48 PA...
IMHO they should have sent Chas down a couple of weeks ago. He's not playing here. Let him go to SL and play and hit every day. He needs PT to work his stroke out.
I had that thought just minutes ago, but I don't know his option sitch
texasaggie2015 said:
I've mentioned him a few times. They're talking but the asking price is too high right now.
That said, they may be willing to spend a little more since it would solve the first base problem now and the third base problem after Bregman leaves next year.
So I have seen similar statements a few times regarding Bregman. Is the assumption that the club is planning to let him leave assuming they won't be able to win a bidding war for him with what they are willing to pay? Or are they still actively trying to re-sign him to a sensible mid-term deal?
You ever go to a new job and feel better? It's the exact same thing.
Sometimes a new place just resets you mentally.
Sometimes a new place just resets you mentally.
Another question regarding Bregman (or players on the end of a contract in general), do teams value prospects more than draft picks? Would the Astros even get a draft pick if Bregman turns down a Qualifying Offer and signs elsewhere?
Nothing has been mentioned to me that would indicate they expect him to be back, so we'll see
I can't say I would liken anything in my life to this. I mean, it's one thing to change jobs and feel better, it's another to be in a situation that affects work performance to such an extreme level we're seeing with Chas. Which is why I'm wondering if there is something going on behind the scenes with the team making him unhappy?
I mean, he's performing near Jose Abreu levels.
I mean, he's performing near Jose Abreu levels.
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