the layout. that's what you're complaining about, something that has no relevance to the matchups whatsoever? really wow
So complaining about my complaint makes much more sense than my complaining about the Bracket format to you. OK.
I wanted Realmuto after 2018. I guess his position Defensive value accounts for his higher WAR compared to his OPS+. But a Trade for Realmuto (unlikely), FA acquisition of Jose Abreu and Aaron Judge (unlikely) in the OF would make this offense One of the best EVER. 8 deep instead of 5 deep.
Very telling signs that both Dubon and Maton disappeared in the last several days. I fully expect neither is on the playoff roster. I think Meyers and Brown end up taking their places. 13 Pitchers Starters JV Valdez Junior Javier Long relief Garcia Brown Urquidy Bullpen Smith Abreu Neris Stanek Montero Ptessly 13 Position Players C Maldonado 1B Gurriel 2B Altuve SS Pena 3B Bregman LF Diaz CF McCormick RF Tucker DH Alvarez Backup C Vazquez 1B/LF Mancini IF/OF Hensley CF Meyers I think the biggest questions are Hensley over Dubon and Brown over Maton. I think Smith is a lock because we traded for him and his ERA is actually under 3.00 as an Astro. I think they saw enough from Meyers to pull the trigger as he provides valuable late inning defensive replacement and as a pinch runner.
Abreu not as old as Gurriel but you see his play dipping? That's what I'm afraid of. Also Abreu and Sox hasn't had talks yet although that means nothing. They could wait until the season to end. Good thing is they have Vaughn and perhaps they make him the starting 1b next season. Speaking of Vaughn, it was suggested that he could be a trade chip if Sox extend Abreu because Vaughn was bad as a OF. Would Houston have interest? Would Sox have interest in 1 of the young pitchers? Maybe Astros goes on another deep run and Abreu is intrigued. Also the Cuban connections although Gurriel and Diaz could be gone so would it just be Alvarez? Also regarding Maldonado. Would his decision be based on playoff outcome? If Houston wins World Series he'll retire but if they come up short, he'll be hungry for another chance and he sees Houston as a contender still next year so he'll play out his final year of his contract?
Money talks and 5 million will be about 23 percent of Maldonado's career earnings to date. I have no doubt he is coming back win or lose this season.
Maldy is back no matter what. His option is guaranteed and he has not exactly made $100M in his career Less than $22M in 12 seasons actually.
My prediction JV, Framber, McCullers, Javier Pressly, Stanek, Abreu, Montero, Neris, Garcia, Brown, Smith. Maldy, Vazquez Gurriel, Altuve, Bregman, Pena Yordan, McCormick, Tucker, Mancini A Diaz, Hensley, Meyers, Y.Diaz. Hensley gets left off in favor of Urquidy if they make ALCS.
So….2 unlikely scenarios will make this offense one of the best ever? Good to know. While you’re at it, add in the unlikely acquisitions of Trout, Ohtani, Jose Ramirez, Scherzer, Kershaw and we’re really looking at something.
Our chance is somewhere between a random pitcher and Martin Maldonado getting a hit in a MLB at bat. How does that make you feel?
