Watching the dodgers game and thier new lefty specialist Cingrani looks so much better than Liriano. At least he can strike people out.
Guess neither of us really know for sure, but I think that trade was as much about moving Aoki to free a spot up as it was about getting Liriano. We are putting him in a role he has never been in and we have no idea how he will do in it. So thinking we made that move mainly to shore up the pen isn't likely all true
Maybe Luhnow needs to refine his secondary pitches He spots his fastball well but damn that change gets hit
No idea why people bring up Aiken. The Astros were right to be alarmed as he did get hurt quickly and the Astros dodged a bullet and drafted well the next year. Not much to criticize Luhnow on when it comes to the draft and player development. I hear Kris Bryant brought up a lot, but even the Cubs had Appel rated higher.
Was anyone here - or anywhere - clamoring for keeping JD Martinez, especially given that he cleared waivers by all 30 teams? Since when is Folty an ace? His numbers are worse than all 6 of our current starters - and he gets to pitch in the NL without a DH. Santana got us Fiers, who helped us make the playoffs in 2015 and has been extremely valuable during some rough periods for the rest of the staff this season, though he's certainly a good player in his own right. Complaining about VV for Giles just seems ... weird. And referencing that in an unwillingness to trade his own guys is also weird, given that we traded Appel in that same trade. Not sure why we care so much about a AAAA outfielder in Teoscar. it seems like the regime has effectively kept the good players from the last regime and traded away a bunch of guys that haven't done much. Why exactly is that the basis for a criticism?
Yeah, I mean he's only took us from a completely gutted left-for-dead franchise a few years ago, to a team with, by far, the best record in the AL, a ton of future flexibility, and a strong farm system. Until the starting rotation was ravaged by injuries, they were only on a 110-115 win type pace and their offense is only mildly historic. It's one of the biggest turnarounds in MLB history, but really, it's not that incredible - that's why we see these kinds of turnarounds all the time.
I know it's not worth discussing with someone who sounds like he thinks Luhnow can do absolutely no wrong But again, we have 5 true studs, one was signed by Pupura, two drafted by Wade, and 2 drafted by Luhnow as a result of being intentionally horrible I wouldn't want Luhnow gone, he has been good, but damn if he traded Altuve and Springer for prospects right now some of y'all would simply say "these prospects will be even better than Jose and George"
Yeah I did think it was a little strange to give up on JD so early, considering his age and the fact that his numbers weren't terrible compared to what we were running out there. I get that it happens, just saying if it was one of his untouchables he doesn't so willingly release him. What numbers are we referring to? ERA? He's got Fiers & LMC beat in that category. While pitching in the 16th best pitching park compared to the best pitching park this year in Minute Maid. He isn't an ace now but he will be, for a back up catcher. Where was I complaining about VV & Teoscar or any of the guys? Nowhere. Just something that has caught my eye, how willing he was to move previous regimen guys. It happens when new FO takes over. I too would be trying to get rid of Appel as soon as possible, disaster of a pick. Anyways, I'm just a little more pessimistic than some of y'all I guess. I don't celebrate regular season and moral victories. That's what I told all my friends that are Cowboys fans all year last year, congrats on the regular season trophy! We're in a great position for now and the future but eventually Luhnow is gonna have to let his nuts hang a little and go get a bonafide ace. This is the time, with the core in tact.
From a Tigers perspective, hard to imagine they could have more leverage in any offseason deal than they currently would with the Astros...
I think the benefits in the offseason are that there are more potential suitors, and the 40-man roster is on the table. Also, given his struggles this season, if Verlander improves the rest of the way, his value probably goes up at least a little bit because it counters the idea that he's on an age-related decline. Teams generally set budget parameters in the offseason, so it's harder to move a big salary at the deadline, but if a contending team loses a major free agent or clears up salary space, they might be more willing to go out an get a Verlander type to fill a hole as well? All just guesses, but I can see why he'd more tradable during normal times than during the waiver period. The flipside is how desperate the Astros are.
I just don't know how appealing someone with his contract and a full no-trade clause will be in the offseason. Sure, the interest from other teams will be there, but the desperation of a team in a pennant race won't be.
And you do know if we can understand and, to some degree, support his course of action, it doesn't mean we think he's "perfect"?
This is a good point. He's still going to have an albatross contract this offseason. And they have Houston over a barrel since they have the only good pitcher available. The only way it makes sense to keep him is if either Houston doesn't really want him, or they think he will pitch like an ace for the remainder of the year, raising his value.
We're talking about the same front office that, since July 16 of last year, signed Gurriel, Beltran & Reddick; traded for McCaan, and promoted Bregman, Martes & Fisher, right? If anyone has the perception this FO "can't or won't do enough to win", then that person is a ****ing idiot.
