***** 2024 Houston Astros Season Thread ***** [Staff Warning]
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Last: 2 mo ago by jkag89
Do we honestly think Bagwell was negotiating contracts? Crane took over for actual GMs (Brown & Click) to help determine terms on contracts. Why would he let Bagwell have a big say?MaxPower said:
What can he say? He's living with a bad hand. He inherited a horrible farm system and several stupid contracts handed out by Crane and Bagwell. The owner also won't commit to extending a star long-term and expects Brown to just crap out Tucker 2.0 when he inevitably leaves for nothing next year.
No and this has been shot down multiple times but people won't accept it.
Farmer1906 said:Do we honestly think Bagwell was negotiating contracts? Crane took over for actual GMs (Brown & Click) to help determine terms on contracts. Why would he let Bagwell have a big say?MaxPower said:
What can he say? He's living with a bad hand. He inherited a horrible farm system and several stupid contracts handed out by Crane and Bagwell. The owner also won't commit to extending a star long-term and expects Brown to just crap out Tucker 2.0 when he inevitably leaves for nothing next year.
Yeah Bagwell didn't do the contracts… wasn't he primarily just a recruiting guy for free agents? Like he met with them before they signed?
Exactly. Crane used Bagwell to recruit the players. Bagwell wasn't targeting free agents, negotiating deals, and or making decisions. He's selling the org, city, etc.tjack16 said:Farmer1906 said:Do we honestly think Bagwell was negotiating contracts? Crane took over for actual GMs (Brown & Click) to help determine terms on contracts. Why would he let Bagwell have a big say?MaxPower said:
What can he say? He's living with a bad hand. He inherited a horrible farm system and several stupid contracts handed out by Crane and Bagwell. The owner also won't commit to extending a star long-term and expects Brown to just crap out Tucker 2.0 when he inevitably leaves for nothing next year.
Yeah Bagwell didn't do the contracts… wasn't he primarily just a recruiting guy for free agents? Like he met with them before they signed?
Like in CFB, do we think the director or recruiting is telling Elko and his coaches who to target or are they just helping A&M look as awesome as possibly to they commit?
I don't care about a single word Dana has to say. Whether that's his fault or Crane's is immaterial.
Make better decisions or go away. That goes for Espada too.
Make better decisions or go away. That goes for Espada too.
This. A bunch a blah, blah, blah. Actions speak louder - and bringing Abreu back and starting him is drowning out any words that are said.Beau Holder said:
I don't care about a single word Dana has to say. Whether that's his fault or Crane's is immaterial.
Make better decisions or go away. That goes for Espada too.
JV Trade Check In
Drew Gilbert
Killed it in AA in the second half last year, but struggled early in 2024 and then pulled a hammy.
Ryan Clifford
Struggled in High A in the second half last year, but looked solid early in 2024 (still High A). After his promotion to AA, he's struggled badly.
VS
Verlander
3.42 ERA
4.26 FIP
4.67 xFIP
1.6 WAR
JV hasn't been ace-like, but he's been a solid #3 type and exactly what his rotation needed in 23 and 24. Based on injury we'll need him in 25 too. The top prospects we gave up haven't set the world on fire. They don't look close to MLB promotion either.
Edge Astros.
Drew Gilbert
Killed it in AA in the second half last year, but struggled early in 2024 and then pulled a hammy.
Ryan Clifford
Struggled in High A in the second half last year, but looked solid early in 2024 (still High A). After his promotion to AA, he's struggled badly.
VS
Verlander
3.42 ERA
4.26 FIP
4.67 xFIP
1.6 WAR
JV hasn't been ace-like, but he's been a solid #3 type and exactly what his rotation needed in 23 and 24. Based on injury we'll need him in 25 too. The top prospects we gave up haven't set the world on fire. They don't look close to MLB promotion either.
Edge Astros.
This.Beau Holder said:
I don't care about a single word Dana has to say. Whether that's his fault or Crane's is immaterial.
Make better decisions or go away. That goes for Espada too.
Wednesday's Fun Facts With Uncle Porky:
If Jose Abreu "turned a corner" and went on a 21-for-21 streak, he would still not be batting .300 for the season.
If Jose Abreu "turned a corner" and went on a 21-for-21 streak, he would still not be batting .300 for the season.
EastCoastAgNc said:"We're getting a couple opinions from our docs. I would think we should know in 48 hours on those guys. Even if they're down for a month or 2 or whatever it is, we'll know in 48 hours, we're still good enough." Astros GM Dana Brown on Urquidy & Javier injuries @SeanUnfiltered
— Brian LaLima (@BLima790) May 29, 2024Astros GM Dana Brown also mentioned that he's "really worried" about Jose Urquidy's injury. @SeanUnfiltered @SportsTalk790 https://t.co/SpHhGujXSw
— Brian LaLima (@BLima790) May 29, 2024
Sounds like Urquidy has a blowout, which is consistent with what we saw from the video. Second opinions mean surgery.
There was a video? What did it show?
The Porkchop Express said:
Wednesday's Fun Facts With Uncle Porky:
If Jose Abreu "turned a corner" and went on a 21-for-21 streak, he would still not be batting .300 for the season.
But he'd be closer to .300 than Bregman if he went on a 21-for-21 streak.
For two hours I leave.
A bloodbath this place becomes.
Even Farmer is lost.
A bloodbath this place becomes.
Even Farmer is lost.
The Astros are 0-2 on the road since Farmer called me a ****.Mathguy64 said:
For two hours I leave.
A bloodbath this place becomes.
Even Farmer is lost.
Thanks. Looks like you and I are in agreement that something like 2 weeks is probably a reasonable sign he has turned things around. My reason for using Kessinger as an example was that he is exactly what you said, somebody you wouldn't trust a few games or a week of hot hitting as representative of his average.Beat40 said:txags92 said:You keep acting like it is a foregone conclusion that he will revert back to 2017-2023 Bregman hitting from the 4 spot. If we were 3 weeks into the season, I would share your optimism. We are at the end of May and I no longer do.Beat40 said:BQRyno said:
Bregman doesn't need to be down for weeks to "prove it." We have guys with a better ops (nearly every other player) who should be in the cleanup spot. Bregman doesn't belong there until/unless he's the best option for that spot. That's it.
But the question is actually how long? If he hits like he did 2017-2023 (excluding 2019) for 1 week? 2 weeks? 3 weeks? Because that hitter is currently better than Pena.
Bregman is to going to catch up in OPS, so, you're going to have to use a time period to judge if he's back to form.
So again, how long are you waiting to move him back to 4. The Astros need the 2017-2023 (excluding 2019) Alex Bregman in the 4-spot badly, so if he goes he's back to that, you have to move him back to the 4 even if his OPS is lower than Peña and Meyers.
I think the Bregman we see right now is who he is this year until he proves otherwise over a significant period of time. What is "a significant period of time"? To me it is more than one series against ****ty pitching and probably more than a week.
If somebody told you Kessinger was hitting .330 with an .800+ OPS for a week, would you start making plans for the rest of the season around him hitting high in the order? If not, why do it for a known streaky hitter like Bregman if he happens to string together a couple of good outings?
I haven't assumed anything. I keep saying "IF."
The fact is 2017-2023 Bregman is a much, much better hitter than this year's Peña, and IF, while he's in the 5th spot he appears to revert back to 2017-2023 Alex Bregman, you cannot afford to have that guy batting 5th any longer than you need to.
Only reason I'm asking the hypothetical is because people don't want Bregman rushed back into the 4th spot, so I'm asking how long it would take for you to move him back there if he reverted to who his track record says he is.
Your comparison of Kessinger and Bregman is not a good one. They are not even in the same stratosphere. I get you don't trust a thing about Bregman right now, but come on, comparing him to Kessinger? One has skins on the wall and the other holds coffee. One has done it for 7 years, the other hasn't even done it at all.
If he hits like 2017-2023 Bregman for 2 weeks, coupled with his track record, I'm way, way more comfortable with him in the 4 spot.
On the other hand, we have Bregman, who has a long history as a good, but also streaky hitter. His long term average is made up of very hot periods mixed with pretty cold periods that average out to pretty good. This year, he has had a 2 month very cold period, so I am not going to trust a few games or a week of hot hitting as anything other than a streak. I would want to see more than that to prove to me he has overcome that long and very cold start. Two weeks of .250+ Avg and .700+ OPS seems like a good round number to hope for from him before returning him to the 4 spot.
AggiEE said:EastCoastAgNc said:"We're getting a couple opinions from our docs. I would think we should know in 48 hours on those guys. Even if they're down for a month or 2 or whatever it is, we'll know in 48 hours, we're still good enough." Astros GM Dana Brown on Urquidy & Javier injuries @SeanUnfiltered
— Brian LaLima (@BLima790) May 29, 2024Astros GM Dana Brown also mentioned that he's "really worried" about Jose Urquidy's injury. @SeanUnfiltered @SportsTalk790 https://t.co/SpHhGujXSw
— Brian LaLima (@BLima790) May 29, 2024
Sounds like Urquidy has a blowout, which is consistent with what we saw from the video. Second opinions mean surgery.
There was a video? What did it show?
It was in his rehab start. He threw a pitch, and the camera pans back to him and he's flexing his hand and grabbing at his forearm. The trainer was checking his fingers for numbness and he couldn't seem to feel anything. That's usually a sign of something torn.
Who gives a crap how involved Bagwell was? The point is it wasn't on Dana. Every time Dana says something you don't like, complain about Crane and not Dana. We complain about his decisions but do we really think if Dana had real control Abreu would still be on this team? Crane won't eat the contract and he can only stay down so long. As long as you aren't willing to cut him Abreu has complete control of being on the 26 man.
How do you know how much or how little Dana's influence is?
At this point, I don't ****ing care. Right or wrong, the eye of Sauron should be focused on Crane, Dana, and Espada, for their apparent willful ignorance. Cannot fire the owner, but we sure as **** can do something about the complacency/lack of urgency in the GM and manager.
At this point, I don't ****ing care. Right or wrong, the eye of Sauron should be focused on Crane, Dana, and Espada, for their apparent willful ignorance. Cannot fire the owner, but we sure as **** can do something about the complacency/lack of urgency in the GM and manager.
You? You made a statement about him.MaxPower said:
Who gives a crap how involved Bagwell was? The point is it wasn't on Dana. Every time Dana says something you don't like, complain about Crane and not Dana. We complain about his decisions but do we really think if Dana had real control Abreu would still be on this team? Crane won't eat the contract and he can only stay down so long. As long as you aren't willing to cut him Abreu has complete control of being on the 26 man.
I agree Crane is probably more to blame/credit for the major moves (Montero, Abreu, Verlander, & Hader), but its hard to know how the balance works.
You're right about the 26-man. We will be a man down until Crane does something. You might reach a point where Joe and Dana stop covering for him. He rides the pine. He doesn't get at bats. The radio interviews get a little less nice. You start to distance yourself from him in public without throwing the bossman under the bus.
I'm only bringing up Bagwell because he was directly involved in recruiting Abreu and was known to be in the Crane inner circle during the no GM period. That's not speculation. Crane loves things intentionally nebulous.
I genuinely believe Abreu has only a few weeks. Either he gets going or he's gone. beyond that, really all anyone can do is hope guys start to perform. I can't blame them for that approach.f1ghtintexasaggie said:
How do you know how much or how little Dana's influence is?
At this point, I don't ****ing care. Right or wrong, the eye of Sauron should be focused on Crane, Dana, and Espada, for their apparent willful ignorance. Cannot fire the owner, but we sure as **** can do something about the complacency/lack of urgency in the GM and manager.
What I won't accept is them standing pat at the deadline if we're still below .500 and 7+ games back. To bring back more or less the same team next year that finished around or below .500 (minus Bregman) would be just insane.
In some related baseball news that can possibly pick the thread up, former Astro rival joey Gallo has impregnated this woman.
Can we at least please put him in at DH instead of 1B so he stops F-ing us over with his fielding while he goes on his magical journey of self-exploration at the plate before retiring?MaxPower said:I genuinely believe Abreu has only a few weeks. Either he gets going or he's gone. beyond that, really all anyone can do is hope guys start to perform. I can't blame them for that approach.f1ghtintexasaggie said:
How do you know how much or how little Dana's influence is?
At this point, I don't ****ing care. Right or wrong, the eye of Sauron should be focused on Crane, Dana, and Espada, for their apparent willful ignorance. Cannot fire the owner, but we sure as **** can do something about the complacency/lack of urgency in the GM and manager.
What I won't accept is them standing pat at the deadline if we're still below .500 and 7+ games back. To bring back more or less the same team next year that finished around or below .500 (minus Bregman) would be just insane.
Channelling my inner Abreu, I have failed to upload the Zapp Brannigan "Kiff, I have made it with a woman. Inform the men." gif
My thoughts on the Abreu situation based on what I've gathered here and other publicly available sources.
His demotion and timeline for his return were previously agreed upon.
Upon his return he's playing 1B because of him and Big Jon Big Jon is more comfortable at DH. blumm touched on it during the broadcast that when DHing you have a lot time to think about the negatives and you need to be mentally strong enough for it. That's not a good spot for someone struggling like Abreu.
I'm guessing he only has another week or so before they completely cut bait.
I think Espada is in a very tough spot between doing right by Abreu and not ruffling feathers, pleasing the bosses, and fielding the best 9. Especially given he's a rookie manager. That's rough
His demotion and timeline for his return were previously agreed upon.
Upon his return he's playing 1B because of him and Big Jon Big Jon is more comfortable at DH. blumm touched on it during the broadcast that when DHing you have a lot time to think about the negatives and you need to be mentally strong enough for it. That's not a good spot for someone struggling like Abreu.
I'm guessing he only has another week or so before they completely cut bait.
I think Espada is in a very tough spot between doing right by Abreu and not ruffling feathers, pleasing the bosses, and fielding the best 9. Especially given he's a rookie manager. That's rough
Ag_07 said:
My thoughts on the Abreu situation based on what I've gathered here and other publicly available sources.
His demotion and timeline for his return were previously agreed upon.
Upon his return he's playing 1B because of him and Big Jon Big Jon is more comfortable at DH. blumm touched on it during the broadcast that when DHing you have a lot time to think about the negatives and you need to be mentally strong enough for it. That's not a good spot for someone struggling like Abreu.
I'm guessing he only has another week or so before they completely cut bait.
I think Espada is in a very tough spot between doing right by Abreu and not ruffling feathers, pleasing the bosses, and fielding the best 9. Especially given he's a rookie manager. That's rough
I don't disagree with anything you're saying, but how ridiculous is it that "fielding the best 9" isn't the #1 concern across the board while we're down bad.
I mean I kinda get it.
Manager is exactly that. He's trying to manage egos, manage clubhouse, manage all kinds of stuff. It's a fine balance in winning games fielding the best 9 and managing a team.
That's why it isn't called lineup card filler in guy.
Manager is exactly that. He's trying to manage egos, manage clubhouse, manage all kinds of stuff. It's a fine balance in winning games fielding the best 9 and managing a team.
That's why it isn't called lineup card filler in guy.
Farmer1906 said:
I don't disagree with anything you're saying, but how ridiculous is it that "fielding the best 9" isn't the #1 concern across the board while we're down bad.
My guess is brass wants to be 110% sure he's totally washed before they cut him a check for $30M to go away. Would be totally embarrassing if he catches on somewhere else and they figure out a way to fix him. But when you're below .500 heading into June who cares how silly you might look?
Unserious organization now. That's all there is to it.
Swallow your pride. Cut him yesterday. If someone else fixes him (highly doubtful), then that's a clear indication of greater institutional rot that needs to be excised.
I don't even have the energy to post about the team...positive or negative.
it's wild
the Astros have 24 wins -- and there is hope for a turnaround to make the playoffs
whereas the A's have 23 wins -- and no one is giving them any hope for the postseason
but the Astros and the terrible A's are basically the same team on the payline (so to speak) after 1/3 of the season
the Astros have 24 wins -- and there is hope for a turnaround to make the playoffs
whereas the A's have 23 wins -- and no one is giving them any hope for the postseason
but the Astros and the terrible A's are basically the same team on the payline (so to speak) after 1/3 of the season
Mark Davis, Raider's Owner, girlfriend hahahaThe Porkchop Express said:
In some related baseball news that can possibly pick the thread up, former Astro rival joey Gallo has impregnated this woman.
Maybe the market is still assuming some probability of our ownership and management taking their heads out of the collective asses
Cut Abreu, call Lope back up, move Breggy to the bottom 1/3 of the order, swap Pressly and Scott's respective roles in the pen.
And shop Chas actively. Be willing to pair him with a starter for an upgraded bat at that position.
Cut Abreu, call Lope back up, move Breggy to the bottom 1/3 of the order, swap Pressly and Scott's respective roles in the pen.
And shop Chas actively. Be willing to pair him with a starter for an upgraded bat at that position.
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