Joe Espada reiterated today that Jose Altuve will play both left field and second base this spring. The team is not committing to anything permanent. Espada called it an "everyday thing" in terms of how it will evolve, contingent on the feedback he gets from Altuve

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) February 17, 2025

txags92 said:

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Farmer1906 said:

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Bonnettecj1 said:

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I get being skeptical of LMJ returning, but it feels like some are rooting for him to not be good when/if he returns.

I get that Schwab and that other dork are a bit much, but I really hope LMJ returns to form.

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This.

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I don't think anybody is rooting against him, but maybe it is just battered astro syndrome. We have gotten our hopes up too many times for guys coming back from injury, only to wind up disappointed.

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I've cracked some jokes here and there but also know Lance threw his arm off for his team and city. Not sure enough Astros fans understand what he's gone through based on all the vitriol he seemingly gets online, but I shouldn't worry about internet trolls either.

I'll be thrilled if he's able to return and just be a serviceable part of the rotation, much less the ace he was in '21.

Looking for any Seattle/T-Mobile Park recommendations

Mr. Awesome Time said:

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txags92 said:

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Farmer1906 said:

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Bonnettecj1 said:

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I get being skeptical of LMJ returning, but it feels like some are rooting for him to not be good when/if he returns.

I get that Schwab and that other dork are a bit much, but I really hope LMJ returns to form.

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This.

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I don't think anybody is rooting against him, but maybe it is just battered astro syndrome. We have gotten our hopes up too many times for guys coming back from injury, only to wind up disappointed.

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I've cracked some jokes here and there but also know Lance threw his arm off for his team and city. Not sure enough Astros fans understand what he's gone through based on all the vitriol he seemingly gets online, but I shouldn't worry about internet trolls either.

I'll be thrilled if he's able to return and just be a serviceable part of the rotation, much less the ace he was in '21.

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I am in the same boat...I joke about it but don't wish him any ill will and hope he comes back in top form. It isn't just him that has spawned the jokes though. We just as a club seem to have a somewhat unique combination of lots of weird injuries that take forever to overcome and a mgmt team that does a terrible job of tempering expectations about when players will be back. Think about LMJ, Brantley, Tucker, and all the various pitchers whose recoveries are on the long end of what is expected and then throw in the various "setbacks". It is just kind of gallows humor type stuff to me, but others seem to take it very personally.

Mr. Awesome Time said:

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Looking for any Seattle/T-Mobile Park recommendations

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I recommend not buying any food in the park and, instead, eat Seattle Dogs from the vendors outside the stadiums. Food is much better and cheaper and more choices outside with the vendors.

Ag_07 said:

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Lance returning to form would be an incredible boost to this rotation.

Like game changing

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I think what is making people so irritable about the whole thing is this has been the longest drawn out injury stint of all time and the thought of him being a bullpen guy isnt even being entertained.

its crazy.

he was never a long inning starter to begin with.

I called him an elite long reliever even before he ever got hurt.

EastCoastAgNc said:

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That’s a new one. pic.twitter.com/Sj20x3hACG

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) February 17, 2025

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Not sure I understand this drill.....

AustinCountyAg said:

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seems pretty obvious to me it is designed to work on quick reaction time to field the ball?

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But theres no movement through the ball, fielding flat footed on your heels. Just seems weird. Ive never seen it

Mr.Bond said:

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AustinCountyAg said:

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seems pretty obvious to me it is designed to work on quick reaction time to field the ball?

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But theres no movement through the ball, fielding flat footed on your heels. Just seems weird. Ive never seen it

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We do it for pop-ups with our kids. Its all about reacting quickly.

We do it for our catchers. Just never seen it applied to infielders for ground balls

The thing with LMJ is not bout rooting against him like others have said, but more the fact that there are unrealistic expectations if/when he does come back. The guy came up 10 years ago and since then he's only had 1 season when he got to 150 innings. He didn't pitch at all in 2019, 2023, 2024 and pitched fewer than 100 inning in 2016 and 2022 (2020 doesn't count for this argument because of COVID). His career MO is that he is a guy who can't stay healthy.

Who has missed so much time in recent history and come back to be successful? I am not great at the last 20 years of history outside of the Astros as I am of the 20th century of baseball, but I can't think of anyone. In basketball, I think of Bernard King who had a devastating knee injury in the mid 80s and came back a couple of years later to be truly great again with the Washington Bullets, but that's a different sport and a different body part.

Everyone likes Lance, but at some point you're so far removed from the last time he contributed that it starts to feel like Aggie football fans waxing on some recruit we didn't land or your buddy from college talking about looking up the girl he had a crush on, but never asked out. I hope he comes back and is a huge contributor, but even if he is, I don't think anyone expects it to last

Farmer1906 said:

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Asked if he’s given Jose Altuve any advice on his transition to left field, Yordan Alvarez replied with a smile through an interpreter “I don’t think I’m necessarily the best person to be giving defensive outfield tips.”

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) February 17, 2025

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Would have to see the video of this comment to know whether it's passive aggressive or not

Why would it be?

texasaggie2015 said:

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Why would it be?

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he's been pretty clear he wants to play outfield, while the team has been pretty clear they don't want him to.

The Original Houston 1836 said:

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The thing with LMJ is not bout rooting against him like others have said, but more the fact that there are unrealistic expectations if/when he does come back. The guy came up 10 years ago and since then he's only had 1 season when he got to 150 innings. He didn't pitch at all in 2019, 2023, 2024 and pitched fewer than 100 inning in 2016 and 2022 (2020 doesn't count for this argument because of COVID). His career MO is that he is a guy who can't stay healthy.

Who has missed so much time in recent history and come back to be successful? I am not great at the last 20 years of history outside of the Astros as I am of the 20th century of baseball, but I can't think of anyone. In basketball, I think of Bernard King who had a devastating knee injury in the mid 80s and came back a couple of years later to be truly great again with the Washington Bullets, but that's a different sport and a different body part.

Everyone likes Lance, but at some point you're so far removed from the last time he contributed that it starts to feel like Aggie football fans waxing on some recruit we didn't land or your buddy from college talking about looking up the girl he had a crush on, but never asked out. I hope he comes back and is a huge contributor, but even if he is, I don't think anyone expects it to last

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Agree with this


I want LMJ to have an unbelievable comeback..... odds are he wont amount to anything significant so the feeling is as a fan..... quit shoving the "LMJ Looks great narrative" We have heard it time and time again..... just prove it then we can get excited about it. Its turning into the boy who cried wolf

Mr.Bond said:

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AustinCountyAg said:

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seems pretty obvious to me it is designed to work on quick reaction time to field the ball?

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But theres no movement through the ball, fielding flat footed on your heels. Just seems weird. Ive never seen it

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they are professionals doing a drill at the beginning of spring training. It is more about just getting in the routine, and moving their body round, reaction time, etc. They aren't there to teach them fundamentals so much at this point.

Source: The Guardians are in agreement with SP John Means on a contract for 2025 that includes a club option for 2026, pending a physical. He's expected to report to camp tomorrow. He's recovering from Tommy John surgery.

— Zack Meisel (@ZackMeisel) February 17, 2025

Alright...... we will send LMJ and Montero for Devers. Devers can DH. Yordan to LF

Mr.Bond said:

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Alright...... we will send LMJ and Montero for Devers. Devers can DH. Yordan to LF

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Someone in the front office: "Well, if we can't get Arenado...why not go for a more expensive option?"

tjack16 said:

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This is going to be a shit show lmaooo pic.twitter.com/drjIYtJnMk

— Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) February 17, 2025

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Rafael Devers made it very clear he wants to be the third baseman. Wow.

Asked about the idea of moving to DH… he said no. pic.twitter.com/JmfEIlD10O

— Tyler Milliken (@tylermilliken_) February 17, 2025

Extended cut

When asked about Rafael Devers being promised he’d stick at 3B when he signed his extension… Alex Cora made it clear that Chaim Bloom isn’t here anymore. pic.twitter.com/ap9634CFWb

— Tyler Milliken (@tylermilliken_) February 17, 2025

I'm sure this is part of the reason why Alex wanted Alex so badly in Boston. Looks like they've got some ego problems in the clubhouse and could use more veteran leadership.

What a cluster ****! The Red Sox may implode before the season begins.