Indeed. <iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CO8vBVUaKvk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
NiTro is getting lit up by the Rangers in the early going. He gave up 2 HR in the first inning and is down 4-0 in the second.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Angels?src=hash">#Angels</a> RHP Nick Tropeano has medium to high-grade UCL tear in elbow. Will get second opinion but TJ surgery likely.</p>— Mike DiGiovanna (@MikeDiGiovanna) <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeDiGiovanna/status/755535518482300929">July 19, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Another nice start for VV tonight. On the year he is... 8-2 record 3.32 era 3.31 fip 10.64k/9 2.0 war
The above tweet regarding TJ for Tropeano could easily be VV. Yes he has been stellar this season but I suspect his injury history was a huge reason Luhnow was willing to trade him.
If you'd like to take a trip down memory lane, check out this roster. Competing in National Baseball Congress World Series: http://ftw.usatoday.com/2016/07/roger-clemens-nbc-world-series-baseball-mlb-adam-laroche-roster 4 former Astros [5 if you count Koby] Spoiler
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Biloxi RHP Adrian Houser underwent Tommy John surgery today in Milwaukee. Will be out the standard 12-18 months and rehab in Maryvale.</p>— Todd Rosiak (@Todd_Rosiak) <a href="https://twitter.com/Todd_Rosiak/status/756178923025760256">July 21, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
wat <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rangers?src=hash">#Rangers</a> interested in Vincent Velasquez, as I just reported on <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBNetwork">@MLBNetwork</a>. Price is obviously high. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Phillies?src=hash">#Phillies</a></p>— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) <a href="https://twitter.com/jonmorosi/status/757606406145118208">July 25, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
It would have to be injury concerns, an infatuation with Profar, Mazara, and/or Gallo, or they have a Ray Rice-style video tape they're trying to keep under wraps. I have no idea why a rebuilding club would trade away an asset like VV unless they get BLOWN AWAY by the offer and/or have serious character concerns, i.e. the Cosart/Moran deal.
If they could get Mazara, I could see it, but even then, that wouldn't be a straight deal. For all the talk Mazara, Profar, and their prospects get, they aren't all that impressive. Mazara is hitting .286/.339/.426 and Profar is at .289/.342/.409 (career .680 OPS). Not exactly huge numbers. Gallo is high risk/high reward. Most of their remaining top prospects have really struggled.
I totally missed Ankiel, and have no recollection of Barry Wesson (given his 21PAs, that isn't too surprising). Makes Edwin Maysonet and Jason Smith seem like regulars.
Mengden demoted. He crashed and burned after a couple good starts. Mengden was optioned to Triple-A Nashville on Tuesday, John Hickey of Bay Area News Group reports. Analysis: Mengden had an atrocious July, giving up 17 walks, 31 hits, and 23 earned runs over his last five starts, leading to a 9.00 ERA and 2.09 WHIP for the month. He'll head back to Triple-A Nashville and look to regain the form he had in June. J.B. Wendelken was recalled in a corresponding roster move.
