***Official Houston Astros 2023-24 Offseason Thread*** [Staff Warning - OP] - Page 320

Farmer1906

1:17p, 3/26/24

Mathguy64 said:
Farmer1906 said:
Mathguy64 said:
MosesHallRAB04 said:
Mariners pitching, starters and pen, is going to be salty
But trying to win every game 2-1 isnt a realistic strategy for success.

This is a little too much exaggeration.

The were 11th in runs, 10th in Offensive WAR, & 9th in wRC+. There offense wasn't terrible. We'll see how the changes play out.
SEA was a .500 team (literally .500 on the nose) until July 25 when they went on a 27-7 run. That coincided when their schedule got stupidly easy and J-Rod when on his world class heater. Once the schedule turned and he cooled off (and IIRC he went on the IL?) they played the rest of the season under .500.

They beat the dog poop out of bad teams.

But those count the same as beating the poop out of good teams.

Mathguy64

1:21p, 3/26/24

In reply to Farmer1906

Farmer1906 said:
Mathguy64 said:
Farmer1906 said:
Mathguy64 said:
MosesHallRAB04 said:
Mariners pitching, starters and pen, is going to be salty
But trying to win every game 2-1 isnt a realistic strategy for success.

This is a little too much exaggeration.

The were 11th in runs, 10th in Offensive WAR, & 9th in wRC+. There offense wasn't terrible. We'll see how the changes play out.
SEA was a .500 team (literally .500 on the nose) until July 25 when they went on a 27-7 run. That coincided when their schedule got stupidly easy and J-Rod when on his world class heater. Once the schedule turned and he cooled off (and IIRC he went on the IL?) they played the rest of the season under .500.

They beat the dog poop out of bad teams.
But those count the same as beating the poop out of good teams.

No doubt they count the same in the W/L column. But if you kill those teams offensively it inflates your offensive numbers. And I suggest that their roughly 10th place offensive standing was closer to 15th.

They added Polanco, but lost Suarez and a couple of OFers. They also lost their primary DH's from last year. I think they step back a bit offensively. Fangraphs fWAR goes from 26.2 back to 25. Not a lot but a bit.

AgRyan04

1:31p, 3/26/24

If you exclude the games against bad teams from anyone's schedule, wouldn't you expect their winning percentage go down?

It's all about timing

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texasaggie2015

2:19p, 3/26/24

Almost 48 hours

EastCoastAgNc

2:53p, 3/26/24

Justin Verlander just finished a two-inning live BP here at Minute Maid Park. Yesterday, Joe Espada said his next step could be a minor-league rehab assignment. Triple-A Sugar Land opens its season on Friday in Round Rock. Double-A Corpus Christi doesn't open until April 4.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 26, 2024

EastCoastAgNc

2:54p, 3/26/24

pic.twitter.com/DlrWpv6esK
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 26, 2024

tjack16

3:02p, 3/26/24

In reply to EastCoastAgNc

EastCoastAgNc said:
Justin Verlander just finished a two-inning live BP here at Minute Maid Park. Yesterday, Joe Espada said his next step could be a minor-league rehab assignment. Triple-A Sugar Land opens its season on Friday in Round Rock. Double-A Corpus Christi doesn't open until April 4.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 26, 2024

I'm very okay with giving him more time to come back. No rush on JV returning for me

EastCoastAgNc

3:18p, 3/26/24

Justin Verlander said he felt good and was encouraged with how he bounced back after an inning break — it had been a struggle for him to get his intent going quickly. The next steps are unsure, but Verlander said he’d like to build his pitch count to at least 85 before returning
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 26, 2024

Farmer1906

3:35p, 3/26/24

In reply to EastCoastAgNc

EastCoastAgNc said:
pic.twitter.com/DlrWpv6esK
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 26, 2024

SL stacking their LHH to knock Blanco out. Savages. They want the sweep!

Wabs

4:49p, 3/26/24

I guess Espada is going to roll with Yordan in the 2-hole to start the season, Really wish it was Altuve, Tuck, then Yordan. But we'll see how this works.

Farmer1906

4:56p, 3/26/24

In reply to Wabs

Wabs said:
I guess Espada is going to roll with Yordan in the 2-hole to start the season, Really wish it was Altuve, Tuck, then Yordan. But we'll see how this works.

I disagree, but regardless either 1-2-3 is better than ones that involve Dubon or Pena. What a wild time that was when so many agreed with Dusty.

Wabs

5:01p, 3/26/24

In reply to Farmer1906

Farmer1906 said:
Wabs said:
I guess Espada is going to roll with Yordan in the 2-hole to start the season, Really wish it was Altuve, Tuck, then Yordan. But we'll see how this works.

I disagree, but regardless either 1-2-3 is better than ones that involve Dubon or Pena. What a wild time that was when so many agreed with Dusty.

Yeah, I'm nit-picking. Certainly agree that its better than what we saw for the first half of last season....

Beat40

5:42p, 3/26/24

In reply to Wabs

Wabs said:
Farmer1906 said:
Wabs said:
I guess Espada is going to roll with Yordan in the 2-hole to start the season, Really wish it was Altuve, Tuck, then Yordan. But we'll see how this works.

I disagree, but regardless either 1-2-3 is better than ones that involve Dubon or Pena. What a wild time that was when so many agreed with Dusty.
Yeah, I'm nit-picking. Certainly agree that its better than what we saw for the first half of last season....

The reason is analytically driven. Based on analytics, over the course of the season, the 2-hole gets the most ABs of anyone in the order. As a result, the data suggests putting your best hitter there. It's why Ohtani and Judge are also in the 2-hole. I believe it's the right decision.

Mathguy64

6:00p, 3/26/24

In reply to Beat40

Beat40 said:
Wabs said:
Farmer1906 said:
Wabs said:
I guess Espada is going to roll with Yordan in the 2-hole to start the season, Really wish it was Altuve, Tuck, then Yordan. But we'll see how this works.

I disagree, but regardless either 1-2-3 is better than ones that involve Dubon or Pena. What a wild time that was when so many agreed with Dusty.
Yeah, I'm nit-picking. Certainly agree that its better than what we saw for the first half of last season....
The reason is analytically driven. Based on analytics, over the course of the season, the 2-hole gets the most ABs of anyone in the order. As a result, the data suggests putting your best hitter there. It's why Ohtani and Judge are also in the 2-hole. I believe it's the right decision.

I'm not disagreeing with putting your best hitter in the 2 hole, but the only way the 2 hole gets more ABs is if the lead off spot is getting walked more often. It's physically impossible for the 2 hole to get more PAs than the lead off spot.

Proudag06

6:16p, 3/26/24

In reply to Mathguy64

Mathguy64 said:
Beat40 said:
Wabs said:
Farmer1906 said:
Wabs said:
I guess Espada is going to roll with Yordan in the 2-hole to start the season, Really wish it was Altuve, Tuck, then Yordan. But we'll see how this works.

I disagree, but regardless either 1-2-3 is better than ones that involve Dubon or Pena. What a wild time that was when so many agreed with Dusty.
Yeah, I'm nit-picking. Certainly agree that its better than what we saw for the first half of last season....
The reason is analytically driven. Based on analytics, over the course of the season, the 2-hole gets the most ABs of anyone in the order. As a result, the data suggests putting your best hitter there. It's why Ohtani and Judge are also in the 2-hole. I believe it's the right decision.
I'm not disagreeing with putting your best hitter in the 2 hole, but the only way the 2 hole gets more ABs is if the lead off spot is getting walked more often. It's physically impossible for the 2 hole to get more PAs than the lead off spot.

Username checks

bearkatag15

7:12p, 3/26/24

The pitch type was added to the broadcast on SCHN

EastCoastAgNc

7:17p, 3/26/24

Watching on MLB.tv, there is a commercial for some architecture firm that plays rotated 90 degrees clockwise on the screen, in portrait mode. Have to lay on your side to see what's happening. You would think they would fix that, but it's been that way all spring training.

bearkatag15

7:19p, 3/26/24

Yordan's eye is in mid season form

EastCoastAgNc

7:23p, 3/26/24

Home offensive curse is alive and well. Everyone panic. We can't hit this scrub from AAA

texasaggie2015

7:31p, 3/26/24

In reply to Wabs

Wabs said:
I guess Espada is going to roll with Yordan in the 2-hole to start the season, Really wish it was Altuve, Tuck, then Yordan. But we'll see how this works.

Strongly disagree here.

EastCoastAgNc

7:32p, 3/26/24

Dave Roberts described Ippei Mizuhara’s absence as the removal of a “buffer” between the organization and Shohei Ohtani. Said it was “difficult” at times having to communicate with Mizuhara as the middle man, and is hoping this leads to more direct communication.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) March 26, 2024

EastCoastAgNc

7:33p, 3/26/24

Isn't she lovely?🥰 pic.twitter.com/1NKXuxV8Y0
— Houston Astros (@astros) March 26, 2024

bearkatag15

7:36p, 3/26/24

Bregman took France deep

Mathguy64

7:39p, 3/26/24

In reply to EastCoastAgNc

EastCoastAgNc said:
Dave Roberts described Ippei Mizuhara’s absence as the removal of a “buffer” between the organization and Shohei Ohtani. Said it was “difficult” at times having to communicate with Mizuhara as the middle man, and is hoping this leads to more direct communication.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) March 26, 2024

So Roberts told Boyers to call the debt home.

bearkatag15

7:45p, 3/26/24

BREAKING: Left-handed starter Jordan Montgomery and the Arizona Diamondbacks are in agreement on a free agent deal, pending physical, a source tells ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 27, 2024

Free-agent left-hander Jordan Montgomery in agreement with Diamondbacks, pending physical. Deal will pay him $25M this season, includes vesting player option for second year. First with agreement: @JeffPassan
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 27, 2024

Ag_07

7:52p, 3/26/24

The Space Cowboys unis are sweet!

Farmer1906

7:53p, 3/26/24

NL West dominated the offseason.

cc10106

7:57p, 3/26/24

What are you doing, J.P.? Try not to hit your teammates.

EastCoastAgNc

7:57p, 3/26/24

In reply to cc10106

cc10106 said:
What are you doing, J.P.? Try not to hit your teammates.

Now yordan getting his hands checked

EastCoastAgNc

7:59p, 3/26/24

In reply to bearkatag15

bearkatag15 said:
BREAKING: Left-handed starter Jordan Montgomery and the Arizona Diamondbacks are in agreement on a free agent deal, pending physical, a source tells ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 27, 2024

Free-agent left-hander Jordan Montgomery in agreement with Diamondbacks, pending physical. Deal will pay him $25M this season, includes vesting player option for second year. First with agreement: @JeffPassan
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 27, 2024

We could have done that deal

Wabs

8:04p, 3/26/24

Man, that seems like a really good deal for the Dbacks. Wish we could have got him for that.

Mathguy64

8:05p, 3/26/24

In reply to bearkatag15

bearkatag15 said:

Free-agent left-hander Jordan Montgomery in agreement with Diamondbacks, pending physical. Deal will pay him $25M this season, includes vesting player option for second year. First with agreement: @JeffPassan
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 27, 2024

So another 1 year deal. Boras lost this offseason in a big way.

Ag_07

8:06p, 3/26/24

In reply to EastCoastAgNc

I'm thinking they just really don't like what they see and there's a good reason why we passed on him.

I'm gonna trust our talent evaluators. They just didn't ever seem to be interested in Monty. I haven't seen anything that they even kicked the tires on him.

EastCoastAgNc

8:08p, 3/26/24

In reply to Mathguy64

Mathguy64 said:
bearkatag15 said:

Free-agent left-hander Jordan Montgomery in agreement with Diamondbacks, pending physical. Deal will pay him $25M this season, includes vesting player option for second year. First with agreement: @JeffPassan
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 27, 2024

So another 1 year deal. Boras lost this offseason in a big way.

Boras is one Jordan Montgomery 2/52 with an opt-out away from an Offseason Golden Sombrero
— Céspedes Family BBQ (@CespedesBBQ) March 19, 2024

These guys nailed it a few weeks ago

MAROON

8:13p, 3/26/24

2 years $50 mil with an opt out is what I'm seeing. So basically a one year deal