Unadorned but secure in the knowledge his moral principles are pristine and unsullied.
Well, he got one with the Red Sox in 2018. Which I’m sure he regards as pure and unadulterated.
Pure as the driven snow.
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Because why would you want to feature the defending champs?
Well that’s a slap in the face.
I don’t get worked up about stuff like this. I’ll take an Astros World Series, even if it comes with butt hurt at ESPN. Maybe especially if it does.
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I just mute national broadcasts anyway.
On a related note, sign TK and Blummer.
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Wonderful! Very happy to have Uncle Mike back for the 2023 season. Hopefully, they can bring Yuli back, too.
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Ok. I don’t want this guy now. Fuck him.
Maybe he hasn’t gotten over the five Houston HRs in the 2nd inning off of him last May.
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We dominate Eovaldi, Eovaldi dominates us, we dominate Eovaldi, Eovaldi dominates us. I think presently it’s his turn.
I’ve alway thought Eovaldi was smoke-and-mirror covered nitroglycerin sitting on top of a barrel of TNT. Was never impressed with his stuff when watching him and when he pitched well-ish, always was reminded of the typical slop-throwing lefty that is in the bigs due to his handedness. But as a righty. Hard pass.
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Statcast stuff attached. FB avg. 96. He may be considered an asshole around here for blasphemous stuff he has said, but I don’t think he is a “slop-throwing” anything. I would at least kick the tires.
Rosenthal’s latest indicates that the Rays and Blue Jays both pursued Brantley.
The Astros are not listed among the teams still in on Conforto.
I know he’s had a modicum of success and my sample size is small and likely biased by some shellackings he received in the few times I’ve watched him. When those happened, his FB was straight with little rise and his breaking stuff looked like it would never make it to a Pitching Ninja clip. Again, small sample size based on observation, not stats.
I ordinarily do not even look at Statcast, but your “slop throwing” comment made me wonder. A straight fastball at 96 still is formidable, e.g. Verlander, but if his velocity drops too much, it isn’t, e.g. 2019 Verlander in WS.
I would think an Astro Eovaldi would be throwing 4-seamers at the top of the zone. Maybe the brain trust has no interest or thinks there is no need for another P. I have not read anything linking Houston to him.
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At this point I don’t see the Astros in on Conforto unless they feel he can play center or have changed their minds on McCormick in center.
If they had decided Chas was the answer they would not have spent most of November and December talking about an upgrade. Especially since they probably expect its just a 1-2 year stopgap until Gilbert, Barber, or Leon is ready.
With them wanting Yordan to play 40-70% of the games in left that leaves very little playing time for a guy like Conforto.
Furthermore there really isn’t a roster spot available for a non- centerfielder.
11 non catcher spots.
Abreu, Altuve, Alex, Pena, Yordan, Brantley, Chas, Tucker are locks.
Dubon has been tendered and no options so he makes the team.
Hensley makes the team because otherwise Dubon is your only backup infielder and he doesn’t play 1B.
That leaves 1 roster spot with Chas and Dubon the only 2 who can play CF.
The final spot has to go to a CF unless Chas is going to start there every day.
I expect its Meyers’ to lose in Spring unless Leon simply blows them away and he struggles.
Leon should send you a Christmas gift and a Valentine card.
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Maybe he should lol
But to be clear, I fully expect him to be in AAA at least until the break.
I HOPE he takes a leap and forces the team’s hand but don’t expect it.
I would be happy with progress:
27-27.5% K rate while maintaining BB rate?
21: 30.6% K and 13.0% BB
22: 28.8% K and 14 1% BB
If he can stay healthy, and do that he may be able to help the team in the 2nd half if there’s an injury.
And in 2024, maybe he’s a solid replacement for Dubon.
I don’t expect him to be the next George Springer.
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Some blurb says the Cubs are talking to Mancini. I am surprised Baltimore does not seem to want him back.
Strikeouts also continuing during winter league…30 in 96 PAs.
I hope he ends up a contributor at the MLB level but I’m not holding my breath. That said, Gilbert, Melton, Barber & Dirden are probably the reason the club shied from longer term deals like Benintendi or Nimmo…and even trades for Reynolds or Varsho.
If Dirden continues to progress this year at AAA he might be able to help the club later this year if needed.