@Nook Thanks for getting us the inside info/scoop on the Astros during this trade deadline. Now, let's win it back to back
LOL I was getting all fired up then I read not directed to me. I wanted Houston to get Barlow, that's all. I'm glad he isn't on a contender.
I think the Rangers are still a threat. I know they haven't been strong over the past 40 games or so. I do think if Nathan Eovaldi is done for the year, that changes things for them. They are going to turn starters into relievers soon.
Umm Astros were close on Barlow and Raley as relievers. The weirdest was Astros were involved in Josh Bell talks but idk if they were keeping Bell. Cubs were black balled by some teams tired of how they deal at the deadline. Teams largely avoided them. The Dodgers were not more aggressive on Verlander because they believed Eduardo Rodriguez would be a fall back option. Tigers and Dodgers had gone so far as to hypothetically agree on players. Around mid day Dodgers heard from Verlander people that he was going to Houston - so Dodgers made deal with Rodriguez, but were shocked when Rodriguez said he wouldn’t waive his no trade clause. It left the Dodgers and Tigers stunned. Dodgers then turned attention to Dylan Cease and offered more than they had for Verlander or Rodriguez, but White Sox demanded a handful of top 100 players and near the deadline, Dodgers gave up and largely were the losers of the deadline. They will be fine, they have players coming back but they really could have used another QUALITY starter. I was told that the Rangers are the reason Justin Verlander is an Astro. The Mets GM was to meet with his veteran players about the deadline. He never met with some of them, including their closer and Scherzer. The traded their closer for a prospect they really like. This caused Scherzer to go to management. At the same time the Rangers were asking about availability of Scherzer. The front office didn’t reassure Scherzer but offered to deal him to the Rangers. Once Scherze was traded, Verlander asked to be traded - to Houston. As for Astros fans claiming that Clifford and Gilbert were too much - consider that a lot of people think the player the Rangers dealt for Scherzer is better than both the players the Astros traded combined.
I didn't like what they gave up, but the reason I didn't say anything was because I was waiting to see how much cash the Mets threw in. Once I saw that, I was immediately on board.
