Just saw how much OF Wilyer Abreu is kicking ass. Dude has 1.4 fwar and a wRC+ of 151 thru 153 big league pa. That’s superstar level production. Could be another JD Martinez/Toescar Hernandez/Ramon Laureano situation where Houston gives up a star hitter for nothing. https://www.fangraphs.com/players/wilyer-abreu/23772/stats?position=OF
Chicago White Sox pitching staff under Maldonado's "leadership" and "pitch calling" ...DEAD LAST in the American League in ERA
1) We traded him for Vazquez and won the WS. I realize he didn't have a major role, but he caught a no hitter in the WS and we know we won with him. 2) Ramon Laureano had a great start but was an average player after his rookie year, so lets not call him a star hitter.
like juicystream mentioned, astros won the WS with vasquez so ain't no big deal. however, we might have this same conversation about Gilbert if astros don't win another one with Verlander.
Gilbert has sucked in AAA so far this season. Clifford is hitting in High A but striking out >30% so still looking very flawed. I was surprised to see Korey Lee has played really well for the White Sox so far this year. At this point I think Clifford and Gilbert are the only 2 prospects Houston has traded away that are still in the minors with the team that they were traded to. All the other guys theyve traded over the last 3-4 years are either already in the majors or busted.
This makes my arm hurt. Wade Miller "clock it behind the head, and shortarm everything" He was great for about 2-3 years. eta: do whatever you can to get into the Show for a bit, if you're smart you'll do enough to stay there for a bit.
I always thought wade killer was going to throw a no hitter someday. When he was on he was awesome. Dude killed the brewers lol
He was a shoulder injury waiting to happen, but when he was good for those couple of years, he was damn good This is how you blow your arm out real quick-like:
None of those guys are truly superstars. Above average MLB hitters that have made all-star teams here/there, sure. All of them also could have been reacquired by the Astros at some point over the years... so it isn't like they became foundational players elsewhere. In the end, you don't want to be be on the wrong side of a Bagwell/Yordan or even Mookie type trade. Everything else is a potential risk and merely the cost of doing business when you're contending.
I always liked his bat. He has some ability but warts have limited his upside for most of his career. He cannot hit left handed pitching or power pitchers very well - but he crushes righties and his guys with average to low velocity very well. Ideally he is a situational plug and play guy. The Astros felt he would not be able to play centerfield long term and that was part of the reason they moved him.
Probably the most under-rated pitcher in Astros history. He was near star level for the Astros for a decade. If I remember right he almost won a Cy Young as well. I miss Bob Allen too... his daughter is one of the most beautiful women I have ever met.... she was stunning when we were in middle school together.
