Always found mutual options to be of limited utility. The odds that the player's desired salary syncs up with the team's valuation are usually low. Say they had a $35m mutual option for next year. What if JV decides he wants $45m per year? What if Houston only wants to pay him $25m? What if JV wants $35m, but he wants to finish his career in Detroit. All a mutual option does is limit flexibility on both sides, which is immediately restored by either side opting out of the mutual option. I was a big fan of Tim Wakefield's contract with the Red Sox in 2006 with the rolling $4m club options. He could keep pitching for the Red Sox as long as they wanted him. Give JV rolling $35m team options. He can continue pitching as an Astro until he retires as along as he's still performing.
I found in looking at the immaculate innings that both Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio were on the strikeout end of one of those innings each on the Astros.
The problem is the Astros do not have a right handed batter to put there. I think they don’t want pena (pressure) in that spot this year. Yuli is not an option. They don’t want 3 straight left handed hitters in the lineup.
There would be some requirements, but I like the current contract with 130 IP level for the player option. But I also want the Astros to be able to have a right to retain him. Perhaps some modified right of first refusal or player buyout. Losing Nolan in 1990 still sticks in my craw. I wanted him to retire an Astro.
Offensive breakout and pitching history in the same game? Nice win! Needed series victory! Only thing that would have made it better is to it vs the Yankees. Next week, we will have an opportunity.
Somehow I missed your post. I promise it was accidental and not intentional. But I was just recalling how difficult it was to catch Joe when his knuckle ball was moving. He also had a very good fastball to keep hitters off balance. I know Phil has the national spotlight, but I'm glad Joe was the Astro.
Put this in the unlikely category, but I wouldn't mind finishing the month with a 14 game winning streak. Tex 2 CWS 3 Mets 2 Yankees 4 Mets 2 Yankees 1
My suggestion would be to lead off with L Brantley against RHP followed by R Altuve, L Alvarez, R Pena, L Tucker, R Bregman, R Gurriel, R McCormick/ L Castro R Maldonado/ R McCormick Against L, Move Bregman to leadoff where he can't DP at least one AB. Yuli now bats 6 or 7. Leadoff optimized for opposing pitcher. alternating L/R with the L getting more PA and Altuve at a comfortable BO. He's hit there more than anywhere else in the lineup in his career.
I just did some figuring an determined that when I was born, only 9 Immaculate innings had ever been thrown or about 8% of the current total. 92% of all immaculate innings have been thrown in my lifetime and 100% of the DH appearances. And 100% of all MLB games played in Texas. I feel ANCIENT. OMG. 100% of MLB game played in California have been in my lifetime as well as every Superbowl.
I think I saw something watching the play on the ball that went through Diaz's glove. I think the bat also double struck the ball, both at the barrel and the end. I know there is a rule against this double strike in Golf, but is it also covered in baseball. Two questions, 1. does anybody else see the double hit off the bat on that play and 2. Is there a special rule for this situation? https://baseballtrainingworld.com/what-happens-if-the-ball-hits-the-bat-twice-with-examples/ I believe situation 4 covers this where the bat hits the ball twice while the bat is still in striking position and the batter is still in the batters box. According to the article above, and if I've correctly seen the double hit and determined the proper situation, this should have been called a foul ball. But that's a lot of ifs. Now I can't find the slow motion replay of the AB, but I know I saw it somewhere.
His smile is unnerving when compared to his normal T-1000 demeanor. I'm not saying he murders people to the soundtrack of Hip to be Square, but it wouldn't surprise me.
Wrong...Altuve has 2606 plate appearances at lead off and 2300+ batting second. And if you're concerned about 'comfort', why bat Brantley leadoff?
