MLB 2019 Season: Shipping Up To Boston

[Feña14]

Yankees vs Bosox at London Olympic Stadium for the very first time produced the wildest game possible to introduce American baseball to the home country of cricket. The Yankees won a slugfest 17-13 that featured all 30 runs scored in the first seven innings. The “visiting” Yanks scored six in the top of the first but finished the inning only tied. Both starters (Porcello and Tanaka) failed to finish the opening inning. Much was made of the short center field (380 feet) dimensions but only two of the six dingers were aimed there and short enough to be catchable in either Fenway or Yankee Stadium. The Yankees finished their scoring in the fifth to take a commanding 17-6 lead and then hung on the next four innings to walk with the win.

The two-game series concludes this morning but the Yankees will be without slugger Luke Voit, who left the game with yet another injury for the Pinstripes. He is to be evaluated for his left abdominal strain after going 4 for 4 in the win.

I thought it actually looked pretty nice on TV. I was expecting it to be a bit strange in the Olympic Stadium, but it seemed to work. Had some nice weather for it too, it’s been a horrific summer so far, but the last 2-3 days have been the best we’ve had this year.

Just a shame it’s on the day when England play India in the Cricket World Cup. Top 2 sides in the World and an incredible game, with England winning, probably took a bit of attention off the baseball.

 

[stringertom]

I thought it actually looked pretty nice on TV. I was expecting it to be a bit strange in the Olympic Stadium, but it seemed to work. Had some nice weather for it too, it’s been a horrific summer so far, but the last 2-3 days have been the best we’ve had this year.

Just a shame it’s on the day when England play India in the Cricket World Cup. Top 2 sides in the World and an incredible game, with England winning, probably took a bit of attention off the baseball.

Yankees close it out with another high scoring result, 12-8. This time it was from a 4-2 deficit entering the seventh. Seven runners crossed the plate in that frame.

They have a year to work on improving sight lines for the hitters. That center field background, which is black, was a very washed out gray when the sun is dropping directly behind home plate. Other than that, everything went off perfectly.

 

[Feña14]

Yankees close it out with another high scoring result, 12-8. This time it was from a 4-2 deficit entering the seventh. Seven runners crossed the plate in that frame.

They have a year to work on improving sight lines for the hitters. That center field background, which is black, was a very washed out gray when the sun is dropping directly behind home plate. Other than that, everything went off perfectly.

I’m surprised they didn’t have some sort of dry run to iron those things out. Probably hard to do though, we don’t exactly have a couple of professional sides to hand who could of played an exhibition a few weeks ago. I’m sure they’ll get it sorted, if the MLB comes back at some point.

Aesthetically I thought it was spot on. Especially in the golden hour. I actually thought it looked better than when West Ham play football there. The City of Manchester Stadium (now the Etihad Stadium, home of Man City) was built for the Commonwealth Games in 2002 and that works as a football stadium. The Olympic Stadium hasn’t managed to replicate that unfortunately.

 

[stringertom]

I’m surprised they didn’t have some sort of dry run to iron those things out. Probably hard to do though, we don’t exactly have a couple of professional sides to hand who could of played an exhibition a few weeks ago. I’m sure they’ll get it sorted, if the MLB comes back at some point.

Aesthetically I thought it was spot on. Especially in the golden hour. I actually thought it looked better than when West Ham play football there. The City of Manchester Stadium (now the Etihad Stadium, home of Man City) was built for the Commonwealth Games in 2002 and that works as a football stadium. The Olympic Stadium hasn’t managed to replicate that unfortunately.

It’s not an “if they come back” scenario. Next year it will be the Cubs & Cardinals returning for two games at the same point in the season.

The problem with vision will never be perfectly corrected because Olympic Stadium is built on an east/west axis so the sun is dropping in your late afternoons of summer directly behind home plate. That also, along with the white metal frame of the stadium, makes it difficult for the outfielders to pick up the ball after contact on fly balls. A late jump will turn a lot of the catches they attempt into an adventure, especially with all that extra foul ground on the spacious “pitch.”

I’m sure they’ll tweak things in the 12 months they have before the next series.

 

[Feña14]

It’s not an “if they come back” scenario. Next year it will be the Cubs & Cardinals returning for two games at the same point in the season.

The problem with vision will never be perfectly corrected because Olympic Stadium is built on an east/west axis so the sun is dropping in your late afternoons of summer directly behind home plate. That also, along with the white metal frame of the stadium, makes it difficult for the outfielders to pick up the ball after contact on fly balls. A late jump will turn a lot of the catches they attempt into an adventure, especially with all that extra foul ground on the spacious “pitch.”

I’m sure they’ll tweak things in the 12 months they have before the next series.

Interesting! Red Sox/Yankees and Cubs/Cardinals? They certainly can’t be accused of easing into it with some tame matchups.

Makes sense that it’s not perfect. Baseball has some beautiful, historic stadiums.. but I’ve rarely seen it look as good on TV as it did yesterday. The lighting and the way it danced off the elaborate frame on the roof, the shadows it created etc.. now we know why! Looks great, but causes all kinds of problems for those actually playing.

 

[T1000]

Happy Bobby Bonilla day. Every July 1st from 2011-2035 the Mets pay Bonilla $1.something million for deferring his $5.9 mil buyout in 1999. The Mets used that money to sign Mike Hampton. Hampton had a good year and threw two gems in the nics and was named the nlcs mvp. The metslost the World Series to the dynasty Yankees of the 90s/00s. The following offseason the Mets received a draft pick when Hampton signed a contract with the Rockies. That draft pick turned into some third baseman from Virginia.

At the time of the agreement the wilpons were investing with madoff and believed they were making 10% on their investments. This combined with the need to free up money to sign free agents immediately allowed them to make the deal everyone calls the worst contract ever. Yes the wilpons are dumb and make bad decisions but I can at least follow the rationale behind this. A World Series appearance and the best player in franchise history are worth the $25 mil or whatever it is we’re paying Bonilla.

 

[dominikk1985]

27 yo starter Tyler skaggs from the angels passed away. He just married some time ago and was found dead in his hotel room on a road trip no details are out yet.

RIP

 

[T1000]

27 yo starter Tyler skaggs from the angels passed away. He just married some time ago and was found dead in his hotel room on a road trip no details are out yet.

RIP

RIP An Angel in this life and the next

 

[hollywood9826]

Happy Bobby Bonilla day. Every July 1st from 2011-2035 the Mets pay Bonilla $1.something million for deferring his $5.9 mil buyout in 1999. The Mets used that money to sign Mike Hampton. Hampton had a good year and threw two gems in the nics and was named the nlcs mvp. The metslost the World Series to the dynasty Yankees of the 90s/00s. The following offseason the Mets received a draft pick when Hampton signed a contract with the Rockies. That draft pick turned into some third baseman from Virginia.

At the time of the agreement the wilpons were investing with madoff and believed they were making 10% on their investments. This combined with the need to free up money to sign free agents immediately allowed them to make the deal everyone calls the worst contract ever. Yes the wilpons are dumb and make bad decisions but I can at least follow the rationale behind this. A World Series appearance and the best player in franchise history are worth the $25 mil or whatever it is we’re paying Bonilla.

I understand the joke and Its kind of funny, especially when they had all those young arms on rookie deals making less. But like you said it wasn't the worst contract of all time, like most of the articles like to say. You already laid the case out. The Mets actually have other contracts that were paid by deferred money. Bonilla had two which is why the orioles are on the hook for portion of it. They will pay Saberhagen 250k a year through 2029 as well.

The Mets were not happy with Bonillas performce and decided they needed out of the contract. Bonillas agent (who was a insurance guy I believe and familiar with these sort of deals) set this up and it was beneficial to both. And you already laid out the what they did with that 6 million.

 

[T1000]

One week until the trade deadline. This year there is no waiver trade deadline in August so the July 31st deadline is final. Lots of preliminary rumors nothing concrete yet. Pretty much everyone in the NL has a shot to make the playoffs so it’ll be interesting to see who buys and who sells. Lots of starting pitchers supposedly available.
Matt Boyd - Detroit
Madison Bumgarner - San Francisco
Zack Wheeler - New York
Jason Vargas - New York
Noah Syndergaard - New York
Marcus Stroman - Toronto
Mike Minor - Texas
Trevor Bauer - Cleveland
Tons of relievers are available as well. Not expecting a lot of bats to get moved, maybe 1 or 2 impact ones. Could see a ton of smaller ones like Todd Fraizer moved to build depth. If I had to guess I think the first move comes Friday and the first big move to really set things off happens Sunday night.

 

[T1000]

First big name moved: Stroman to the Mets for pitching prospects. A move that makes no sense whatsoever.

 

[victorcruz]

First big name moved: Stroman to the Mets for pitching prospects. A move that makes no sense whatsoever.

This idiot Brody Van Wagoner is terrible. Which one of his moves have actually panned out this year? JD Davis??? Is that all? So he's like 1-20. Terrible. Mets are a joke. I have to root for them because you can't abandon your team but they will always be a joke because they stink from the top. Garbage owners. I ain't going to any games again.

 

[stringertom]

The Yankees salvage the final game 9-6 vs Boston to bump the lead back to 9. They roughed up Sale again (6 ER in 5.1 IP) and German stopped the Boston barrage against Yankee pitching. Chapman made it more interesting than it needed to be, giving up 2 in the ninth. Velocity is way down for him but Britton is not an upgrade to close, himself getting out of a 1-out bases loaded jam in the eighth.

 

[MeatTornado]

The Yankees salvage the final game 9-6 vs Boston to bump the lead back to 9. They roughed up Sale again (6 ER in 5.1 IP) and German stopped the Boston barrage against Yankee pitching. Chapman made it more interesting than it needed to be, giving up 2 in the ninth. Velocity is way down for him but Britton is not an upgrade to close, himself getting out of a 1-out bases loaded jam in the eighth.

As a Yankee fan, this was the closest you can feel to a must-win game in July with an 8 game lead. Thank god the Sox are absolutely incapable of winning Chris Sale games at home.

It's also a strange time when 3 runs in 5.1 feels like a great start. But considering the historically bad rotation this week, I'll take it. He was able to shut down Mookie, and that goes a long way in stalling their whole offense.

Incredibly strange defensive game too. JBJ, Bogaerts, Didi and Urshela all making uncharacteristically sloppy plays in the field tonight.

 

[T1000]

This idiot Brody Van Wagoner is terrible. Which one of his moves have actually panned out this year? JD Davis??? Is that all? So he's like 1-20. Terrible. Mets are a joke. I have to root for them because you can't abandon your team but they will always be a joke because they stink from the top. Garbage owners. I ain't going to any games again.

Cano - trash
Diaz - trash
Familia - trash (although I think he’s hurt pretty bad. He can’t have just forgotten how to pitch)
Lowrie - LOL
Avilan - trash
Wilson - good but hurt most of the year
Lockett - trash
Broxton - trash
Ramos - trash
JD Davis - good hitter, one of the worst fielders I’ve ever seen wherever he plays
Font - trash

2/11 LOL. And those are just the ones I remember. It’s worse if we include not wanting to deal Nimmo and Rosario for Realmuto. The worst part is the front office thinks this hot start out of the ASB means we’re good. We’re not the roster is trash and needs an overhaul. There’s like 5 players worth keeping.

 

[hollywood9826]

Cano - trash
Diaz - trash
Familia - trash (although I think he’s hurt pretty bad. He can’t have just forgotten how to pitch)
Lowrie - LOL
Avilan - trash
Wilson - good but hurt most of the year
Lockett - trash
Broxton - trash
Ramos - trash
JD Davis - good hitter, one of the worst fielders I’ve ever seen wherever he plays
Font - trash

2/11 LOL. And those are just the ones I remember. It’s worse if we include not wanting to deal Nimmo and Rosario for Realmuto. The worst part is the front office thinks this hot start out of the ASB means we’re good. We’re not the roster is trash and needs an overhaul. There’s like 5 players worth keeping.

And there is a good chance by the deadline at least of those wont be kept. The Stroman deal is almost entirely in preparation of Noah or Zack leaving (or both). But, the Stroman deal by itself is actually a good deal. The consensus is the jays should have gotten more for him. Its just in the grand plan of WTF the Mets are doing it makes no sense.

 

[stringertom]

As a Yankee fan, this was the closest you can feel to a must-win game in July with an 8 game lead. Thank god the Sox are absolutely incapable of winning Chris Sale games at home.

It's also a strange time when 3 runs in 5.1 feels like a great start. But considering the historically bad rotation this week, I'll take it. He was able to shut down Mookie, and that goes a long way in stalling their whole offense.

Incredibly strange defensive game too. JBJ, Bogaerts, Didi and Urshela all making uncharacteristically sloppy plays in the field tonight.

I’m almost nostalgic for 2018 and the struggles of Sonny Gray. Could that be as bad as J.A. Happ/Paxton/Tanaka???

Cashman, get a decent horse for the mound!

 

[MeatTornado]

I’m almost nostalgic for 2018 and the struggles of Sonny Gray. Could that be as bad as J.A. Happ/Paxton/Tanaka???

Cashman, get a decent horse for the mound!

Stroman's off the board. Bumgarner and Bauer aren't getting moved. Idk what he's going to do. I don't know what I even want him to do with this market.

 

[T1000]

And there is a good chance by the deadline at least of those wont be kept. The Stroman deal is almost entirely in preparation of Noah or Zack leaving (or both). But, the Stroman deal by itself is actually a good deal. The consensus is the jays should have gotten more for him. Its just in the grand plan of WTF the Mets are doing it makes no sense.

I agree with you, I’m not upset about what we gave up. We got Stroman for free basically (I’m not high on either prospect we gave up) but it doesn’t fit what this team needs to do to be competitive. They need a SS, CF, and bullpen arms to compete now or prospects for a rebuild. I think they should package Stroman and syndergaard for a haul since both have another year of control.

I’m almost nostalgic for 2018 and the struggles of Sonny Gray. Could that be as bad as J.A. Happ/Paxton/Tanaka???

Cashman, get a decent horse for the mound!

I think Cashman is the best gm in baseball right now. He’s so good at getting great hitters and bullpen arms. But he’s been pretty bad at getting starting pitching his whole career. Besides Mussina and Tanaka he’s basically struck out on every single pickup. I don’t know what it is with him but he just can’t get starting pitching right

Stroman's off the board. Bumgarner and Bauer aren't getting moved. Idk what he's going to do. I don't know what I even want him to do with this market.

Stroman is still available as are Syndergaard and Wheeler but the Yankees are going to have to overpay to get them from the Mets. I think Bauer is still available but he’s a headcase and I think would struggle in New York. Boyd and Greinke are the only two difference makers left. Boyd has 2-3 years of cheap control left so he’s gonna cost a fortune. Greinke has an albatross contract so the Yankees are gonna have to eat it or give up more to get Arizona to cover some of it. Gonna be an exciting 32ish hours

 

[MeatTornado]

Stroman is still available as are Syndergaard and Wheeler but the Yankees are going to have to overpay to get them from the Mets. I think Bauer is still available but he’s a headcase and I think would struggle in New York. Boyd and Greinke are the only two difference makers left. Boyd has 2-3 years of cheap control left so he’s gonna cost a fortune. Greinke has an albatross contract so the Yankees are gonna have to eat it or give up more to get Arizona to cover some of it. Gonna be an exciting 32ish hours

That's kinda what I meant by unavailable. The price to ship any of those guys across town is going to be much more than I'd want to pay.

But from a neutral standpoint I'm so curious if the Mets signed Stroman to bolster next year's rotation, or if it's just insurance to allow them to now move Noah or Wheeler (or Stroman himself).

 

[hollywood9826]

CLE should add a bat or 2 and go for it while they actually have talent. The core they have is good and has been close, but the window is closing and getting rid of a guy like Bauer who eats up innings messes up everything for them. They don't have the luxury of paying bullpens arms like the bigger markets so Bauer lets them get away with a lot.

I think Cashman ends up doubling down on the bullpen. Give the starters supershort leashes in the postseason and go for it.

The nationals are also a team that could add a bullpen guy or two. They have been super hot lately and are closing the gap.

 

[hollywood9826]

That's kinda what I meant by unavailable. The price to ship any of those guys across town is going to be much more than I'd want to pay.

But from a neutral standpoint I'm so curious if the Mets signed Stroman to bolster next year's rotation, or if it's just insurance to allow them to now move Noah or Wheeler (or Stroman himself).

Maybe the Mets feel like they can do what they need to in the offseason and Noah, Wheeler, DeGrom and Stroman build a for middle starting pitching staff. The reason they got Stroman was to trade Vargas all along

 

[stringertom]

I agree with you, I’m not upset about what we gave up. We got Stroman for free basically (I’m not high on either prospect we gave up) but it doesn’t fit what this team needs to do to be competitive. They need a SS, CF, and bullpen arms to compete now or prospects for a rebuild. I think they should package Stroman and syndergaard for a haul since both have another year of control.



I think Cashman is the best gm in baseball right now. He’s so good at getting great hitters and bullpen arms. But he’s been pretty bad at getting starting pitching his whole career. Besides Mussina and Tanaka he’s basically struck out on every single pickup. I don’t know what it is with him but he just can’t get starting pitching right



Stroman is still available as are Syndergaard and Wheeler but the Yankees are going to have to overpay to get them from the Mets. I think Bauer is still available but he’s a headcase and I think would struggle in New York. Boyd and Greinke are the only two difference makers left. Boyd has 2-3 years of cheap control left so he’s gonna cost a fortune. Greinke has an albatross contract so the Yankees are gonna have to eat it or give up more to get Arizona to cover some of it. Gonna be an exciting 32ish hours

CC signing yielded a decent result, no?

 

[stringertom]

Stroman's off the board. Bumgarner and Bauer aren't getting moved. Idk what he's going to do. I don't know what I even want him to do with this market.

Arizona probably wants too much for Robbie Ray but if they want a power lefty he’s available.

 

[MeatTornado]

Arizona probably wants too much for Robbie Ray but if they want a power lefty he’s available.

The rotation's going to be so lefty heavy in that case.

 

[stringertom]

The rotation's going to be so lefty heavy in that case.

That’s OK at home with so much more room In left. It will also be more balanced if Severino returns, giving Boone three right handed SPs and then deciding who drops from the rotation if and when CC returns from IL.

 

[hollywood9826]

CC signing yielded a decent result, no?

And Clemens if for no ohher reason that lady who sounds like she smokes 17 packs of cigs a day yelling "ROGAH CLEMENS" like 500 times becuase by 2007 he was done.

 

[T1000]

CC signing yielded a decent result, no?

Completely forgot about that one. Now he’s up to 3 wins in starting pitching acquisitions

And Clemens if for no ohher reason that lady who sounds like she smokes 17 packs of cigs a day yelling "ROGAH CLEMENS" like 500 times becuase by 2007 he was done.

That was Steinbrenner.

 

[MeatTornado]

Completely forgot about that one. Now he’s up to 3 wins in starting pitching acquisitions

Also recently enshrined Mike Mussina.

When you're the GM for 20+ years you're bound to have some good signings too.

 

[MeatTornado]

That’s OK at home with so much more room In left. It will also be more balanced if Severino returns, giving Boone three right handed SPs and then deciding who drops from the rotation if and when CC returns from IL.

Until I actually see Severino start a game, I'm not even considering him. Same with Betances. They're done for the year in my mind, and if they return its just a bonus.

 

[T1000]

Bauer to the home of the 5th slam, Logan Allen and Franmil Reyes to the land, and Trammal to San Poobiego. Another weird random trade

 

[MeatTornado]

This deadline makes zero sense.

What's next? Trout to the Marlins?

 

[T1000]

Finally something interesting happens.

Dietrich takes his first at bat against Pittsburgh since he showboated his homerun. Kela throws behind his head, misses, then strikes him out. Next inning the Cincinnati pitcher hits Marte on the butt. In the top of the 9th Garrett (Cin) gives up a 3 run homer it’s now 11-3 Pittsburgh. Whole pirate dugout is screaming at Garrett. Bench coach (cincy manager was thrown out earlier) comes out for a “pitching change” and Garrett charges the Pirates dugout. Best part is Puig is still in the game after being traded lol

First link is just the fight from one of the broadcasts. Second is the NSFW version, Jomboy doing a breakdown where he goes over everything that happened before

 

[hollywood9826]

I think this was a good get for CLE. They needed power and got two guys with 25+ HRs. Losing Bauer could hurt because he eats innings, but Kluber is ready for rehab and could possibly be back in a couple weeks. Carasco and luekemia is a bit different but the org musta felt good about at least one or both of them. CLE is still the leading wild card and putting pressure on the Twins. Trammel has been disappointing this year but his minor league prior he was astounding, Padres may have gotten an impact player for not much.

Braves got Chris Martin from texas who has been lights out of the bullpen for the past few months. Not a bad get for ATL as thy to hold off the surging Nats.

 

[T1000]

Greinke to Houston. Yankees are screwed now unless they made a deal that hasn’t been reported

 

[hollywood9826]

No deals from the Yanks. banking on the hurt guys coming back with some punch. Dombrowski said he felt it was too late for BOS to overcome the gap the yanks have built up. Bad thinking, especially after how the last few head to heads have went down. 9.5 down 8 head to heads left was surmountable with some bullpen help. Basically hoping Eovaldi can throw in the pen to help what was a weakness before the season started when they decided to no sign Kimbrel.

Astros went all out. Starting rotation is great even got some bullpen arms. gave away some highly touted prospects but all had issues and they kept their true studs.

Braves and Nats at least tried to improve. Most of the teams did nothing when they probably should have. SF Giants giving it a run with Mad one last time before Bochy retires is the right move IMO. The did make some smaller moves so they sorta hedged their bets. Mad wasn't going to bring back a ton anyway, iffy numbers and short term.

 

[stringertom]

No deals from the Yanks. banking on the hurt guys coming back with some punch. Dombrowski said he felt it was too late for BOS to overcome the gap the yanks have built up. Bad thinking, especially after how the last few head to heads have went down. 9.5 down 8 head to heads left was surmountable with some bullpen help. Basically hoping Eovaldi can throw in the pen to help what was a weakness before the season started when they decided to no sign Kimbrel.

Astros went all out. Starting rotation is great even got some bullpen arms. gave away some highly touted prospects but all had issues and they kept their true studs.

Braves and Nats at least tried to improve. Most of the teams did nothing when they probably should have. SF Giants giving it a run with Mad one last time before Bochy retires is the right move IMO. The did make some smaller moves so they sorta hedged their bets. Mad wasn't going to bring back a ton anyway, iffy numbers and short term.

I saw part of Cashman’s presser and he expressed his view that nothing worked out because potential trading partners were asking too much, yet Arizona let Greinke go for an all-prospect deal. That sounds like ZG didn’t want to wind up in pinstripes. They also held on to Ray so there was no desire there either???

 

[T1000]

I saw part of Cashman’s presser and he expressed his view that nothing worked out because potential trading partners were asking too much, yet Arizona let Greinke go for an all-prospect deal. That sounds like ZG didn’t want to wind up in pinstripes. They also held on to Ray so there was no desire there either???

I’m pretty sure the Yankees were on Greinke’s no trade list.

I get the feeling yankee fans aren’t frustrated enough with cashman. He didn’t want to pay Scherzer or Corbin and he didn’t want to give up Fraizer or Andujar for Cole or Verlander. They could’ve had at least one of Cole/Verlander/Scherzer and those imo are the top 3 pitchers in baseball. He’s gotta stop penny pinching/prospect hoarding imo and take a shot when a superstar ace is available. Different sport but Ainge is doing the same thing with the Celtics, refusing to move picks/young players for known studs.

 

[victorcruz]

Cashman is not good at trading for pitchers. Basically he trades for guys with low ceilings, aka non-studs. Doesn't wanna give up any big pieces. Yankees are prob 1 arm away from winning it all. Don't see them getting through that 3-headed gauntlet on the Stros. The Cubs gave up Torres to get Chapman. They won a world series. Cashman is stingy as hell about giving up pieces.

Meanwhile the Mets are beating up on bad teams. Don't know what to think. Everytime I wanna give up, they pull me back in.

 

[Federer and Del Potro]

Cashman is not good at trading for pitchers. Basically he trades for guys with low ceilings, aka non-studs. Doesn't wanna give up any big pieces. Yankees are prob 1 arm away from winning it all. Don't see them getting through that 3-headed gauntlet on the Stros. The Cubs gave up Torres to get Chapman. They won a world series. Cashman is stingy as hell about giving up pieces.

Meanwhile the Mets are beating up on bad teams. Don't know what to think. Everytime I wanna give up, they pull me back in.

Lmao that’s a great description of the Mets

 

[hollywood9826]

I saw part of Cashman’s presser and he expressed his view that nothing worked out because potential trading partners were asking too much, yet Arizona let Greinke go for an all-prospect deal. That sounds like ZG didn’t want to wind up in pinstripes. They also held on to Ray so there was no desire there either???

NY was on Greinke's no trade list and HOU wasn't I don't think he would have waived it. Guess he is not entirely over those anxiety issues or whatever he had early in his career or he didn't want to play/live on East coast. So he was never realistic IMO. And maybe TOR doesn't deal Stroman to NYY, but considering the mets gave up nothing for him I feel he was getable.

Cashman probably should have just paid the 20 mil for a year flyer on Kuechel at the begingin of the year.

 

[stringertom]

NY was on Greinke's no trade list and HOU wasn't I don't think he would have waived it. Guess he is not entirely over those anxiety issues or whatever he had early in his career or he didn't want to play/live on East coast. So he was never realistic IMO. And maybe TOR doesn't deal Stroman to NYY, but considering the mets gave up nothing for him I feel he was getable.

Cashman probably should have just paid the 20 mil for a year flyer on Kuechel at the begingin of the year.

That’s 20/20 vision in hindsight. The Severino injury, Tanaka’s newfound uselessness and the Happ/Paxton struggles weren’t predictable. Also, Kuechel without the chin pillow would have been post-Delilah Samson.

 

[Big_Dangerous]

I’m pretty sure the Yankees were on Greinke’s no trade list.

I get the feeling yankee fans aren’t frustrated enough with cashman. He didn’t want to pay Scherzer or Corbin and he didn’t want to give up Fraizer or Andujar for Cole or Verlander. They could’ve had at least one of Cole/Verlander/Scherzer and those imo are the top 3 pitchers in baseball. He’s gotta stop penny pinching/prospect hoarding imo and take a shot when a superstar ace is available. Different sport but Ainge is doing the same thing with the Celtics, refusing to move picks/young players for known studs.

I thought that Greinke had some kind of social anxiety disorder, so playing

NY was on Greinke's no trade list and HOU wasn't I don't think he would have waived it. Guess he is not entirely over those anxiety issues or whatever he had early in his career or he didn't want to play/live on East coast. So he was never realistic IMO. And maybe TOR doesn't deal Stroman to NYY, but considering the mets gave up nothing for him I feel he was getable.

Cashman probably should have just paid the 20 mil for a year flyer on Kuechel at the begingin of the year.

Loving the trade down here in Houston! I didn't think the Astros were going to make many deals, but that one was a pleasant surprise. Definitely shows that they are all in this year. Can't wait til September/October!

 

[hollywood9826]

That’s 20/20 vision in hindsight. The Severino injury, Tanaka’s newfound uselessness and the Happ/Paxton struggles weren’t predictable. Also, Kuechel without the chin pillow would have been post-Delilah Samson.

They could have signed him as late as early June. If he would have signed, I don't know how important the beard is to him. Cashner has flat out said he retiring before he shaves his beard again. But apparently NYY was close to signing Kuechel just didn't want to pay him more than the arbitration award (pro rated) and ATL paid him 13m for the year and not 11ish the prorated arbitration salary would have been. I guess Cashman felt the pick would make them not come up 2 mill (if that's what it took).

Maybe they overpower everyone once the playoffs start they ain't gonna lose that division lead with that offense and games against the orioles. But home field is gone now that HOU clowned the rest of AL at this deadline and didn't give up the 2 actual studs they had in the minors. 3 consecutive 100 loss seasons really helps a farm system

 

[Big_Dangerous]

They could have signed him as late as early June. If he would have signed, I don't know how important the beard is to him. Cashner has flat out said he retiring before he shaves his beard again. But apparently NYY was close to signing Kuechel just didn't want to pay him more than the arbitration award (pro rated) and ATL paid him 13m for the year and not 11ish the prorated arbitration salary would have been. I guess Cashman felt the pick would make them not come up 2 mill (if that's what it took).

Maybe they overpower everyone once the playoffs start they ain't gonna lose that division lead with that offense and games against the orioles. But home field is gone now that HOU clowned the rest of AL at this deadline and didn't give up the 2 actual studs they had in the minors. 3 consecutive 100 loss seasons really helps a farm system

Glad they held on to Alvarez and Urquidy. I heard the commentators say that it's unlikely that all 3 players they gave up to get Greinke would turn into valuable MLB players, so it seemed like a really prudent move on their part. I liked Corbin Martin, but you just never know if a prospect will actually pan out or not. Greinke now adds a serious piece to the Houston rotation that will also help alleviate some of innings on the bullpen as well. I can't wait to see how he pitches in his Houston debut next week!

 

[T1000]

Glad they held on to Alvarez and Urquidy. I heard the commentators say that it's unlikely that all 3 players they gave up to get Greinke would turn into valuable MLB players, so it seemed like a really prudent move on their part. I liked Corbin Martin, but you just never know if a prospect will actually pan out or not. Greinke now adds a serious piece to the Houston rotation that will also help alleviate some of innings on the bullpen as well. I can't wait to see how he pitches in his Houston debut next week!

I’ve only paid attention to Martin and Beer out of the prospects Houston dealt. Martin is at best a #3 but more likely a 4 or 5. Nothing special imo. Beer is a dh and Alvarez has that spot locked down for like 15 years. Plus Greinke has 2 years left iirc and Cole is expected to leave so it’s a really good deal for Houston. I’d put them as the favorites by far with LA a distant second and NYY a more distant 3rd. I just don’t see any weaknesses for Houston that LAD or NYY can’t exploit

 

[stringertom]

Paxton again struggled in the first inning by giving up a 2-run dinger to Martinez but settled down to shut Boston down for the next 5-1/3 frames and Gleyber Torres hit a GS off Eduardo Rodriguez in the bottom of the first to stake Paxton to the lead in the 4-2 Yankees win. Rodriguez came into the game at 26-9 the past two seasons, third best in MLB. Bonus points if you came name the two SPs with better records since Opening Day 2018.

Split doubleheader on Saturday with German the SP in the afternoon game and Boone likely to use an opening reliever approach in the nightcap. Sale goes for the Bosox early and fellow southpaw Brian Johnson starts the evening game.

 

[T1000]

Paxton again struggled in the first inning by giving up a 2-run dinger to Martinez but settled down to shut Boston down for the next 5-1/3 frames and Gleyber Torres hit a GS off Eduardo Rodriguez in the bottom of the first to stake Paxton to the lead in the 4-2 Yankees win. Rodriguez came into the game at 26-9 the past two seasons, third best in MLB. Bonus points if you came name the two SPs with better records since Opening Day 2018.

Split doubleheader on Saturday with German the SP in the afternoon game and Boone likely to use an opening reliever approach in the nightcap. Sale goes for the Bosox early and fellow southpaw Brian Johnson starts the evening game.

Morton is like 25-5 and Nola has one more win or one less loss than erod. Those are my guesses.

 

[stringertom]

Morton is like 25-5 and Nola has one more win or one less loss than erod. Those are my guesses.

Chicken Dinner for you...Morton is 27-6 and Nola is 26-8.

 

[MeatTornado]

I'll tell you what, taking 3 in a row against Boston is sure making me feel a lot better after how down I was after making no moves at the deadline and seeing Houston soar into immediate favorites.