HarryRocket said:

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The market is going to humble Bregman very much. He's not elite.

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He should give Correa a call before he starts making demands.

I dunno, he got Crane to put his crappy BBQ sauce in the club level

Farmer1906 said:

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MaxPower said:

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Another possible option for 1B is Mountcastle from the Orioles. His batted ball metrics so far this year and last year well exceeded his actual production, so there's likely some meat left on that bone and he has a few years of control. The Orioles have O'Hearn and need to make room for Mayo and then Basallo soon.

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2.5 years of control for a plus 1B on a title contender sounds expensive as hell.

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Dunno about expensive as hell but won't be free. For anything external, think you have to wait until all your pitchers are back and move one of those guys (before they get hurt again). Thats a pretty big if but only a few of your minor league guys have any value of significance so don't think you want to dip into that well again. Personally wouldn't mind moving JV before the wheels fall off (and he hasn't been that good in the playoffs in years anyway) but not sure Crane can get over his boner about him.

Baseball is hard.

Baseball Trade Values has him at 14.6. For comparison, it's more than Bregman, Melton, Matthews, or France. I don't think we're a good fit to trade with the Os.

texasaggie2015 said:

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Jeff Bagwell talked hitting and worked extensively with José Abreu on the field yesterday in an effort to get the slugger going at the plate.

"He hasn’t forgot how to hit," Bagwell said. "He’s got to get comfortable and stop putting so much pressure on himself."

More to come

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) April 16, 2024

After watching him in Spring Training, I think there's some truth to this. The folks I talk to are slowly becoming less confident but insist it's all mental with him. Really hope he figures it out. It's sad to watch, but obviously, if this trend continues it's going to be time to move on.

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Is this tweet from last year?

(I am a few pages behind)

Astros vs. Braves RHP López: pic.twitter.com/To07ywpFhv

— Matt Kawahara (@matthewkawahara) April 16, 2024

texasaggie2015 said:

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Jeff Bagwell talked hitting and worked extensively with José Abreu on the field yesterday in an effort to get the slugger going at the plate.

"He hasn’t forgot how to hit," Bagwell said. "He’s got to get comfortable and stop putting so much pressure on himself."

More to come

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) April 16, 2024

After watching him in Spring Training, I think there's some truth to this. The folks I talk to are slowly becoming less confident but insist it's all mental with him. Really hope he figures it out. It's sad to watch, but obviously, if this trend continues it's going to be time to move on.

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Seemed like signing with Houston was bad for him. Brighter spotlight and more pressure than in
Chicago where there was no expectation to win

Wish we knew he was a head case before signing him …oh well…hope he figures it out because he looks like a completely different player to start the season than spring training or late last year

EastCoastAgNc said:

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Astros vs. Braves RHP López: pic.twitter.com/To07ywpFhv

— Matt Kawahara (@matthewkawahara) April 16, 2024

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Jose "Ted Williams" Altuve

Or he's thinking too much. That will make you late on fastballs.

I'm not saying it's mental and I'm not saying he's washed. It could be either one or it could be both. I'm pulling for him.

W said:

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Espada is not a big Dubon fan

surprised he's not in the lineup after another productive game last night

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Currently has a WAR worse than Chas, Jake and Singleton, according to fangraphs

AggiEE said:

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texasaggie2015 said:

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Jeff Bagwell talked hitting and worked extensively with José Abreu on the field yesterday in an effort to get the slugger going at the plate.

"He hasn’t forgot how to hit," Bagwell said. "He’s got to get comfortable and stop putting so much pressure on himself."

More to come

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) April 16, 2024

After watching him in Spring Training, I think there's some truth to this. The folks I talk to are slowly becoming less confident but insist it's all mental with him. Really hope he figures it out. It's sad to watch, but obviously, if this trend continues it's going to be time to move on.

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Seemed like signing with Houston was bad for him. Brighter spotlight and more pressure than in
Chicago where there was no expectation to win

Wish we knew he was a head case before signing him …oh well…hope he figures it out because he looks like a completely different player to start the season than spring training or late last year

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Abreau has always started slow, similar to Bregman. The back injury last year made things worse but he did hit better the last part of the year.

The pressure in Houston is a lot higher simply because the Astros have been winning and there's less grace to round into form.

I dont know any Astros fan who doesnt want him to succeed....... but lets be realistic, father time is simply undefeated. I wont make the assumption that he may be older than he really is...... but it is possible. Pujols fell off a cliff very rapidly and was one of the best hitters of all time. I think hes done, HOPE I am wrong for our Stros sake

texasaggie2015 said:

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Starting to think we should just mail it in and #TankForMontgomery

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Dude is incredible. Would kill to have another deadly switch hitter Astro.

redline248 said:

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W said:

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Espada is not a big Dubon fan

surprised he's not in the lineup after another productive game last night

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Currently has a WAR worse than Chas, Jake and Singleton, according to fangraphs

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I don't think that's the best way to use WAR. I think it's as simple as we're going to play our best players. Doobie and Jake are going to share until someone establishes their self.

f1ghtintexasaggie said:

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EastCoastAgNc said:

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Astros vs. Braves RHP López: pic.twitter.com/To07ywpFhv

— Matt Kawahara (@matthewkawahara) April 16, 2024

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Jose "Ted Williams" Altuve

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It doesn't have to be an Astro, but I'd love somebody to make a run at .400 before I die. I was only 6 when Brett hit .390 and Gwyn was at .394 when strike hit in 1994.

without putting forth an ounce of research..,..... is there a reason why MLB teams cant trade draft picks?

Duh. Hard to think straight when I'm so aroused watching this team mash.

Mr.Bond said:

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without putting forth an ounce of research..,..... is there a reason why MLB teams cant trade draft picks?

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They stopped allowing trades of draft picks in the 60s for fear tha tsmall market teams would sell them off for cash to the big boys.


EDIT: It still sort of happened in 1985 when Incaviglia was a first round pick of the Expos but refsued to sign because he didn't want to play in the minors. Eventually the Expos traded him to the Rangers for garbage (which was 90% of the Rangers' roster in those days). After that, they made it that the team that drafts you can't trade you until after a year has gone by.

The 1985 baseball is a great rainy day topic by the way.

Mr.Bond said:

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without putting forth an ounce of research..,..... is there a reason why MLB teams cant trade draft picks?

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Not allowed. Other than compensatory picks.

Speaking of the draft and 1B (my life's passion), one guy to keep an eye on is Tibbs from FSU. He has a similar profile to Nolan Schaunel but a little better athlete that is currently not projected to go before we pick. Point being he's an advanced bat with limited defensive potential that could be ready by spring training next year (or possibly this year).

Larry Walker was fairly close in 1999 if I remember correctly. I wanna say it was around .380. Man, it would be so tough these days with how much pitching has changed.

texasaggie2015 said:

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Larry Walker was fairly close in 1999 if I remember correctly. I wanna say it was around .380. Man, it would be so tough these days with how much pitching has changed.

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It seems like it would have to be a guy with Ichiro type speed and bat control who was solely interested in getting on base as opposed to really trying to hit 2Bs and HRs.