BQ2001 said:

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I think a lot of the frustration was the 4 really bad errors. It was just a very sloppy infield, but bailed out by pretty strong pitching.

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For sure. Literally every single one of those plays is one you'd expect a youth player to make.

I get that errors happen but for 4 of them to hit in one game in an IF that's been really strong defensively is crazy.

Ok, timeline for Breggy and Tuck?? Really would like to see them return for a September push.

Luis Garcia will not return this season.

Booma94 said:

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I can't figure it out. According to this thread in last 20 pages:

the front office sucks,
the manager sucks,
the coaches suck,
the outfield sucks,
the AAA guys all suck,
Meyers, Chas, and Dubon all suck,

yet they're in first place by 5 games (because of the division they're in) and are within 4 games of the best record in the AL.

Not saying some of these things are not true, but Is it possible the evaluation of some of the personnel is a bit off?

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I mean, many of those things can be true at the same time...

Beat40 said:

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I believe this is the most mentally tough Astros team of the entire run.

With the amount of losses to the rotation, a few to the bullpen, a rapid decline of your $20M 1B, and an MVP caliber out for months at a time, this team should not be leading the division, let alone 4.5 games out of the best record in the AL.

The young guys, while not performing excellently, still have stepped up at times. Really proud of Yanier for stepping up in Tucker's absence.

I believe this team could absolutely win best record in the AL, especially with a few breaks.

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When we say division lead and best record in AL, it's fair to say there has been some luck in playing in (thus far) the worst division in the AL, and being in a year in which no team is on pace for more than like 94-95 wins. The injuries have exposed real flaws with this team.

But your point stands, somehow they are grinding it out and they're now as many games over .500 as they were under it in May. They don't seem fazed.

Crazy how Montero and Neris have been cut.

bearkatag15 said:

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Chicago Cubs news: Reliever Hector Neris was DFA'd and has already cleared waivers, sources tell ESPN. He's being released. Jack Neely, acquired from the Yankees in the Mark Leiter Jr trade, is being called up to take his place.

— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) August 20, 2024

Wow. This is the easiest decision ever to bring him back right?

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depends on how the contract situation works, due to "$9M Team Option becomes player option with 60 GP or 45 GF in 2024 and is not injured for the final game of the season"

we can pick him up for league min, but, he's at 46 and 33 for that vesting option. are we on the hook for next year if he hits them cumulatively this year?

bearkatag15 said:

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Chicago Cubs news: Reliever Hector Neris was DFA'd and has already cleared waivers, sources tell ESPN. He's being released. Jack Neely, acquired from the Yankees in the Mark Leiter Jr trade, is being called up to take his place.

— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) August 20, 2024

Wow. This is the easiest decision ever to bring him back right?

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Not really to me. Hector has been really bad.

He hasn't been good this year. My Cubs friend is glad to see him go.

That said, never say never. I know the guys like him.

Beat40 said:

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bearkatag15 said:

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Chicago Cubs news: Reliever Hector Neris was DFA'd and has already cleared waivers, sources tell ESPN. He's being released. Jack Neely, acquired from the Yankees in the Mark Leiter Jr trade, is being called up to take his place.

— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) August 20, 2024

Wow. This is the easiest decision ever to bring him back right?

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Not really to me. Hector has been really bad.

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ERA + of 107

Not terrible

07ag said:

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bearkatag15 said:

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Chicago Cubs news: Reliever Hector Neris was DFA'd and has already cleared waivers, sources tell ESPN. He's being released. Jack Neely, acquired from the Yankees in the Mark Leiter Jr trade, is being called up to take his place.

— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) August 20, 2024

Wow. This is the easiest decision ever to bring him back right?

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depends on how the contract situation works, due to "$9M Team Option becomes player option with 60 GP or 45 GF in 2024 and is not injured for the final game of the season"

we can pick him up for league min, but, he's at 46 and 33 for that vesting option. are we on the hook for next year if he hits them cumulatively this year?

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I think the option goes away now that he cleared waivers.

I wonder if the Cubs just didnt use him right? He was used as their closer and think he's best as a set up man.

Has a very high WHIP compared to years past, but ERA is ok. Maybe he just needs a tweak and not be a closer?

astros4545 said:

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Beat40 said:

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bearkatag15 said:

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Chicago Cubs news: Reliever Hector Neris was DFA'd and has already cleared waivers, sources tell ESPN. He's being released. Jack Neely, acquired from the Yankees in the Mark Leiter Jr trade, is being called up to take his place.

— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) August 20, 2024

Wow. This is the easiest decision ever to bring him back right?

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Not really to me. Hector has been really bad.

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ERA + of 107

Not terrible

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WIP of 1.523, BB/9 of 5.3, H/9 of 8.4 - walks really up from the past 3 seasons. Given up 20 runs in 44 innings. SO/W ratio down to 1.77, the lowest in his career by a big margin.

Anybody else feel when the umps calls a "time violation" it takes longer for him to walk around the catcher make the signal come back to his place and setup again than just let the pitcher throw??? This new rule annoys me more than the manfred runner on 2nd in extras.

Farmer1906 said:

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I think he's be worth taking a chance on. He's almost free. We know what the ceiling is. We wouldn't need him for 6th/7th innings, not 8th or closing. Plus he's a great personality fit.

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Considering who he'd be potentially replacing, I'd rather have him rather than Dubin or Ferguson out there.

Beau Holder said:

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Beat40 said:

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I believe this is the most mentally tough Astros team of the entire run.

With the amount of losses to the rotation, a few to the bullpen, a rapid decline of your $20M 1B, and an MVP caliber out for months at a time, this team should not be leading the division, let alone 4.5 games out of the best record in the AL.

The young guys, while not performing excellently, still have stepped up at times. Really proud of Yanier for stepping up in Tucker's absence.

I believe this team could absolutely win best record in the AL, especially with a few breaks.

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When we say division lead and best record in AL, it's fair to say there has been some luck in playing in (thus far) the worst division in the AL, and being in a year in which no team is on pace for more than like 94-95 wins. The injuries have exposed real flaws with this team.

But your point stands, somehow they are grinding it out and they're now as many games over .500 as they were under it in May. They don't seem fazed.

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I think injuries have plagued a lot of teams as well, which is what has happed to the Astros. No team on pace for more than 94-95 wins, in my opinion, is a product of not only injury, but also a product of only 1 earlier deadline where teams are keeping more players since more feel they are in it and all of the changes MLB has instituted to increase runs. Those two things alone are also causing more parody, I believe.

So, maybe some luck, for sure, but I think also they are just flat out playing well after digging themselves in a hole. It's hard for me to stay it's mostly luck when they aren't far out of the AL record lead and the overall MLB record lead.

They are 5 games off the best record in MLB as well.