I really think he's going to get a big league start at some point this season.

so JV getting to 140 innings...

very much in question

Quote:

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call someone up for a spot start

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They're running out of options for this

In today’s edition of The Windup, The Athletic’s free daily baseball newsletter, I wrote about how the Astros’ initial failure to land José Abreu in 2013 might have influenced their ill-fated decision to sign him in ‘22. With @ThreeTwoEephus: https://t.co/PtkLeW9nyk

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) June 18, 2024

texasaggie2015 said:

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Not buying that from Rosenthal. I think he's speculating. A majority of those who were involved in 2013 weren't around in 2022.

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They weren't around for Hader either, but Crane was.

James Click wasn't around- and he wanted him as bad as anyone.

Farmer1906 said:

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It is time to bring home JD.

Infielder J.D. Davis was designated for assignment by the Oakland A's, sources tell ESPN. Davis was cut by San Francisco in spring training and received only $1.1M of his $6.9M salary before signing with Oakland for $2.5M. If he's not traded by Oakland, he'll be a free agent.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 18, 2024

If you're not going to sign Cooper to platoon with Singleton, then Davis makes some sense. He's played mainly at 1B this season. He can play 3B and LF in a pinch.

If you platoon them correctly you get a top half (maybe higher) first baseman in the order for cheap.

Vs RHP


Vs LHP

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https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/06/as-to-designate-j-d-davis-for-assignment.html

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There are a few teams that could look to add a corner bat. The Yankees lost Anthony Rizzo for upwards of a month to a forearm fracture. The Red Sox haven't gotten much out of Dominic Smith at first base, although they could just wait things out with Triston Casas potentially a few weeks from returning. The Astros released Jos Abreu last week and are relying on a Jon Singleton/Mauricio Dubn platoon at first base. The Nationals and Pirates haven't gotten much from the position, while the Reds might be without righty-swinging first baseman Christian Encarnacion-Strand for the rest of the season.

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Careful you don't wanna offend the local arlingtonians who like men

Jack Flaherty is a free-agent after this season and is pitching like a frontline starter for a Detroit Tigers team that is 4 games under .500.

Contending teams should be ALL IN on pursuing Flaherty ahead of the trade deadline. pic.twitter.com/fMwLlMclLI

— MLB Deadline News (@MLBDeadlineNews) June 18, 2024

Been wanting him as an Astro since 2021

Stat Check In

BATTING
Runs: 319, 14th
wRC+: 110, 6th
O WAR: 26.0, 8th
BB%: 7.4%, 26th
K%: 18.0%, 1st
BA: .258, 2nd
OBP: .318, 11th
SLG: .418, 4th

The offense is solid. We're second to only SDP to balls put in play. We do it with more exit velo, better LA, and at a higher hard-hit rate. We'd all like to see us take a few more pitches, draw some walks, and wear down pitchers. BUT its hard to argue with so few Ks, a high BA, and plenty of slug.

PITCHING
Runs: 315, 15th
P WAR: 3.6, 26th
ERA: 4.20, 21st
FIP: 4.32, 26th
xFIP: 4.19, 23rd
SIERA: 4.07, 24th
WHIP: 1.32, 23rd
BB%: 9.8%, 26th
K%: 22.4%, 16th

Not great, Bob. We don't excel at much. We are surviving by avoiding hard contact and barrels. With 4 SP out with major surgery or still recovering from major arm surgery, we need help. Go get Garrett Crochet, Hunter Harvey, Kyle Finnegan, Ryan Peiot, Jeffrey Springs, or someone who can make an impact.

DEFENSE
D WAR: 4.3, 12th
FRV (Fielding Run Value): 0, 17th

Our defensive value is coming from the OF plus Bregman & Pena. Our right side of the INF and Catchers bring us down.

NEWS: Starting next week, all Triple-A games will use the automated ball-strike challenge system instead of the full ABS, according to a memo issued by MLB.https://t.co/y0kGS8kfwG

— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) June 18, 2024

Justin Verlander is being placed on the 15-day IL with neck discomfort, per the Astros. Reliever Nick Hernandez recalled from Triple-A.

— Matt Kawahara (@matthewkawahara) June 18, 2024

Cranial transplant surgery incoming. Down to 4 freaking starting pitchers.

EastCoastAgNc said:

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Justin Verlander is being placed on the 15-day IL with neck discomfort, per the Astros. Reliever Nick Hernandez recalled from Triple-A.

— Matt Kawahara (@matthewkawahara) June 18, 2024

Cranial transplant surgery incoming. Down to 4 freaking starting pitchers.

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Wow. Yeah, they were pretty optimistic about this as of last night. Wonder what changed

And we thought the injuries last year were bad.

MLB is going to have to do something about this. Expand rosters or let players carry more pitchers. Something.

It's insane

The Astros could start Spencer Arrighetti on full rest Thursday against the White Sox. Blair Henley, who is on the 40-man roster, is scheduled to pitch for Triple-A on Thursday. Astros could call him up for a spot start or turn it into a bullpen game with Contreras/Hernandez

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) June 18, 2024

Sadly, under Crane and Jeremiah Randall (because the Astros health evaluations have been consistent over multiple GMs and managers), I don't trust ANYTHING that is said about player health. Too much bad info and too many injuries that have bren mishandled, IMO.

Somehow BLanco was FA in my fantasy league, scooped him up to replace JV

Henley

Yordan Alvarez isn’t in the lineup. pic.twitter.com/KuPZDal1JF

— Julia Morales (@JuliaMorales) June 18, 2024

These injuries are just crazy to me

spadilly said:

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Yordan Alvarez isn’t in the lineup. pic.twitter.com/KuPZDal1JF

— Julia Morales (@JuliaMorales) June 18, 2024

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One player with an OPS over .800. It wasn't too many seasons ago we'd only have 1-2 under.

At least we have pitching going for us.

Why is Cabbage in the MLB instead of Yuey Guperfido?

Pena is sliding off a cliff right now

OPS down to .699

last home run was May 17th

let's hope the White Sox are as bad as advertised

Catching up with former Astro Korey Lee. pic.twitter.com/McS5H1rp5Y

— Julia Morales (@JuliaMorales) June 18, 2024

The Porkchop Express said:

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Why is Cabbage in the MLB instead of Yuey Guperfido?

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Pretty sure once his mandatory time down in the minors is over (10 days since he was last optioned) he'll be back.