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Post by unionstation82 on Jun 9, 2022 20:39:44 GMT -6
People look at the great record and are unconcerned, but it seems unsustainable. Too often the hitters barely do anything and basically ask for a quality start from their starting pitchers every time out. It’s not a recipe for postseason success. I continue to be firmly in the "I do not want Urquidy to pitch playoff games" camp. He has average velocity, no out pitch, doesn't miss bats, and doesn't generate grounders. He's Bielak with better command. EDIT: I take it back. Bielak actually gets some grounders and swings and misses. Urquidy is the new Brandon Backe. He had one heroic start in the postseason out of nowhere, and it’s a case we all use (myself included) to not see the forest from the trees. He has good and bad starts, but the consistent thing with him is hard contact with two strikes. Even though Javier has command implosion at times, he at least has wipeout stuff. Urquidy just has mediocre stuff. |
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Post by m240 on Jun 9, 2022 21:55:01 GMT -6
There is no Tal's Hill anymore. What. The. Hell. gotta change your name to taco flats |
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Post by churchill on Jun 9, 2022 22:24:54 GMT -6
Philly needs to just go ahead and trade us Harper... Somebody mentioned Melendez from KC the other day and I have done a little looking at him. He really does make good sense for us and Kansas City needs pitching. I would give them Urquidy and a pitching prospect not named Brown, they can take their pick, all day long. This deal would make sense all the way round. Then first base becomes our biggest issue. But the farm is depleted |
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Post by churchill on Jun 9, 2022 22:49:04 GMT -6
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Post by unionstation82 on Jun 9, 2022 22:54:41 GMT -6
Somebody mentioned Melendez from KC the other day and I have done a little looking at him. He really does make good sense for us and Kansas City needs pitching. I would give them Urquidy and a pitching prospect not named Brown, they can take their pick, all day long. This deal would make sense all the way round. Then first base becomes our biggest issue. But the farm is depleted If you batted instead of Siri or Maldonado, the offense wouldn’t change much. |
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Post by bearbryant on Jun 9, 2022 23:19:42 GMT -6
Something important doesn't get talked about; this team is by far the best defensive team in the Majors. Houston is at +14.2 DEF rating on Fangraphs. Cleveland is second with +11.4. Only D-Backs, Rays, A's, and Padres are also above-average. If you start messing with the lineup, you're also messing with the defense, too. If you want to appreciate the defense this year, just go compare our pitchers' ERAs to their xFIPs; almost everyone is due regression. Every member of the rotation except Urquidy has an xFIP that is at least half a run worse than their ERA, and JV and Garcia are both a full run worse. The bullpen isn't much better; Abreu is the only guy who isn't significantly worse than his ERA says. Stanek has an 0.95 ERA and a 4.35 xFIP. It's 1.99 vs. 3.28 for Montero, 3.07 and 3.89 for Pressly, 3.04 and 5.00(!) for Maton. Regression is going to hurt...unless, of course, they leave the defense alone and the elite defense keeps saving us. |
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Post by unionstation82 on Jun 9, 2022 23:39:51 GMT -6
Something important doesn't get talked about; this team is by far the best defensive team in the Majors. Houston is at +14.2 DEF rating on Fangraphs. Cleveland is second with +11.4. Only D-Backs, Rays, A's, and Padres are also above-average. If you start messing with the lineup, you're also messing with the defense, too. If you want to appreciate the defense this year, just go compare our pitchers' ERAs to their xFIPs; almost everyone is due regression. Every member of the rotation except Urquidy has an xFIP that is at least half a run worse than their ERA, and JV and Garcia are both a full run worse. The bullpen isn't much better; Abreu is the only guy who isn't significantly worse than his ERA says. Stanek has an 0.95 ERA and a 4.35 xFIP. It's 1.99 vs. 3.28 for Montero, 3.07 and 3.89 for Pressly, 3.04 and 5.00(!) for Maton. Regression is going to hurt...unless, of course, they leave the defense alone and the elite defense keeps saving us. I love defense and all, but the lineup has too many offensive deficiencies for me to care enough about that. |
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Post by bearbryant on Jun 10, 2022 0:04:57 GMT -6
If we're the best defensive team by that much and our weighted batters age is top 5 oldest, it's the positioning that's saving our bacon. The pitching staff's gonna reap the whirlwind next season when they make 'em defend straight up I love defense and all, but the lineup has too many offensive deficiencies for me to care enough about that. |
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Post by thomasj13 on Jun 10, 2022 7:27:49 GMT -6
What would you think of trading for Trey Mancini? I just don’t see the team trading for a first baseman and putting Yuli on the bench or sending him to another team. Mancini can play first base and both corner outfield positions. It would be easy enough to give Mancini plenty playing time. He could spell Yuli at first base some and play LF or RF with Tucker sliding over to CF or he could come off the bench and pinch hit. I would be for this. The big negative is the Orioles Mgt., they're out of touch with being reasonable. |
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Post by unionstation82 on Jun 10, 2022 7:34:24 GMT -6
What would you think of trading for Trey Mancini? I just don’t see the team trading for a first baseman and putting Yuli on the bench or sending him to another team. Mancini can play first base and both corner outfield positions. It would be easy enough to give Mancini plenty playing time. He could spell Yuli at first base some and play LF or RF with Tucker sliding over to CF or he could come off the bench and pinch hit. I would be for this. The big negative is the Orioles Mgt., they're out of touch with being reasonable. Is Elias still there? Might not be an easy trade. |
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Post by m240 on Jun 10, 2022 9:43:13 GMT -6
Somebody mentioned Melendez from KC the other day and I have done a little looking at him. He really does make good sense for us and Kansas City needs pitching. I would give them Urquidy and a pitching prospect not named Brown, they can take their pick, all day long. This deal would make sense all the way round. Then first base becomes our biggest issue. But the farm is depleted And they have been saying that for a couple years now. If it were true then where did Urquidy, Javier, Garcia, McCormick, Meyer, Siri, and Pena come from. I think we still have a few more bullets in that gun. |
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Post by olpapa on Jun 10, 2022 10:54:56 GMT -6
I don’t believe our system is so depleted that we can’t put together a package to trade for a rental.
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Post by inaltuvewetrust on Jun 10, 2022 11:12:41 GMT -6
I don’t believe our system is so depleted that we can’t put together a package to trade for a rental. 100% agree. We also have enough valued prospects that we could trade for a good, controllable player. I just don’t know if the club is willing to part with them. |
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Post by m240 on Jun 10, 2022 11:50:31 GMT -6
Well they damn sure better. This team is not as good as last years team and it was only good enough for second place. This might be considered a bit jaded but that just aint good enough
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Post by thomasj13 on Jun 10, 2022 12:55:52 GMT -6
I don’t believe our system is so depleted that we can’t put together a package to trade for a rental. 100% agree. We also have enough valued prospects that we could trade for a good, controllable player. I just don’t know if the club is willing to part with them. I'm not saying it's now or never, but I think the Astros have a better chance of tweaking their roster, via trade, and making a run at the WS, than in the near future. |
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Post by ɮօʀȶǟʐ on Jun 10, 2022 15:07:17 GMT -6
I don’t believe our system is so depleted that we can’t put together a package to trade for a rental. 100% agree. We also have enough valued prospects that we could trade for a good, controllable player. I just don’t know if the club is willing to part with them. Change your avatar so people won't confuse you with VD. |
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Post by Saint on Jun 10, 2022 15:11:37 GMT -6
The season is more than a third over and the offense hasn't improved. We've got four players we can count on for good offense: Altuve, Brantley, Yordan, and Tucker. Pena has been good, but I'm not sure we can count on that in the postseason against top pitching every game. I think he'll get there, but we shouldn't rely on it. Chas and Bregman? Solid overall but I certainly wouldn't say they were "good" right now. Yuli has been godawful for his position, as have the catchers. Siri has also proven to be inept offensively.
The pitching may or may not hold up, but the offense has proven it can't with their current roster. There has to be a change made at C, 1B, or CF. Tucker could play CF some if they traded for a corner OF rental.
I know people love Yuli, and I know the pitchers supposedly love Maldonado...but we need to score runs better. Pitchers also love run support.
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Post by Saint on Jun 10, 2022 15:12:15 GMT -6
There is no Tal's Hill anymore. What. The. Hell. You barely post too! |
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Post by bearbryant on Jun 10, 2022 16:46:58 GMT -6
The season is more than a third over and the offense hasn't improved. We've got four players we can count on for good offense: Altuve, Brantley, Yordan, and Tucker. Pena has been good, but I'm not sure we can count on that in the postseason against top pitching every game. I think he'll get there, but we shouldn't rely on it. Chas and Bregman? Solid overall but I certainly wouldn't say they were "good" right now. Yuli has been godawful for his position, as have the catchers. Siri has also proven to be inept offensively. The pitching may or may not hold up, but the offense has proven it can't with their current roster. There has to be a change made at C, 1B, or CF. Tucker could play CF some if they traded for a corner OF rental. I know people love Yuli, and I know the pitchers supposedly love Maldonado...but we need to score runs better. Pitchers also love run support. Bregman's problem is he's giving himself too much to think about in the fraction of a second and he's fallen back on guessing instead of reacting to the pitch. Yuli's getting pounded with offspeed and needs to cut down on his swings
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Post by unionstation82 on Jun 10, 2022 17:39:50 GMT -6
The season is more than a third over and the offense hasn't improved. We've got four players we can count on for good offense: Altuve, Brantley, Yordan, and Tucker. Pena has been good, but I'm not sure we can count on that in the postseason against top pitching every game. I think he'll get there, but we shouldn't rely on it. Chas and Bregman? Solid overall but I certainly wouldn't say they were "good" right now. Yuli has been godawful for his position, as have the catchers. Siri has also proven to be inept offensively. The pitching may or may not hold up, but the offense has proven it can't with their current roster. There has to be a change made at C, 1B, or CF. Tucker could play CF some if they traded for a corner OF rental. I know people love Yuli, and I know the pitchers supposedly love Maldonado...but we need to score runs better. Pitchers also love run support. Bregman's problem is he's giving himself too much to think about in the fraction of a second and he's fallen back on guessing instead of reacting to the pitch. Yuli's getting pounded with offspeed and needs to cut down on his swings
Well, Bregman has had three years to remember how to hit. Crane and Click need to use this time to add to the offense instead of taking the lazy approach of hoping he figures it out. |
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Post by inaltuvewetrust on Jun 10, 2022 17:54:17 GMT -6
100% agree. We also have enough valued prospects that we could trade for a good, controllable player. I just don’t know if the club is willing to part with them. Change your avatar so people won't confuse you with VD. Fine… |
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Post by Ashitaka on Jun 10, 2022 17:55:27 GMT -6
Something important doesn't get talked about; this team is by far the best defensive team in the Majors. Houston is at +14.2 DEF rating on Fangraphs. Cleveland is second with +11.4. Only D-Backs, Rays, A's, and Padres are also above-average. If you start messing with the lineup, you're also messing with the defense, too. If you want to appreciate the defense this year, just go compare our pitchers' ERAs to their xFIPs; almost everyone is due regression. Every member of the rotation except Urquidy has an xFIP that is at least half a run worse than their ERA, and JV and Garcia are both a full run worse. The bullpen isn't much better; Abreu is the only guy who isn't significantly worse than his ERA says. Stanek has an 0.95 ERA and a 4.35 xFIP. It's 1.99 vs. 3.28 for Montero, 3.07 and 3.89 for Pressly, 3.04 and 5.00(!) for Maton. Regression is going to hurt...unless, of course, they leave the defense alone and the elite defense keeps saving us. They have the defense where it counts; up the middle. Pena and Siri have both been excellent, and Altuve, Bregman, Tucker, Maldonado, Diaz, and Chas have all been varying levels of above-average. Those 7 guys are all at least +1.7 DEF rating. Yordan and Brantley not so much, but they hit. Yuli has been the biggest overall problem so far; no hit, no field, no run. Castro has been awful but I guess it's dumb to complain about the once-a-week catcher. |
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Post by bearbryant on Jun 10, 2022 18:06:32 GMT -6
If we're the best defensive team by that much and our weighted batters age is top 5 oldest, it's the positioning that's saving our bacon. The pitching staff's gonna reap the whirlwind next season when they make 'em defend straight up They have the defense where it counts; up the middle. Pena and Siri have both been excellent, and Altuve, Bregman, Tucker, Maldonado, Diaz, and Chas have all been varying levels of above-average. Those 7 guys are all at least +1.7 DEF rating. Yordan and Brantley not so much, but they hit. Yuli has been the biggest overall problem so far; no hit, no field, no run. Castro has been awful but I guess it's dumb to complain about the once-a-week catcher. |
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Post by bearbryant on Jun 10, 2022 18:22:54 GMT -6
Bregman's problem is he's giving himself too much to think about in the fraction of a second and he's fallen back on guessing instead of reacting to the pitch. Yuli's getting pounded with offspeed and needs to cut down on his swings
Well, Bregman has had three years to remember how to hit. Crane and Click need to use this time to add to the offense instead of taking the lazy approach of hoping he figures it out. |
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Post by thomasj13 on Jun 10, 2022 18:32:59 GMT -6
Well, Bregman has had three years to remember how to hit. Crane and Click need to use this time to add to the offense instead of taking the lazy approach of hoping he figures it out. I'm surprised as well.... Because it seems like he's scooping up every throw that is skipped to him |
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Post by ɮօʀȶǟʐ on Jun 10, 2022 18:35:31 GMT -6
Change your avatar so people won't confuse you with VD. Fine… Nice one. |
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Post by bearbryant on Jun 10, 2022 18:37:08 GMT -6
Breggy's eventually gonna get moved down the order, just later than everyone would've liked which is customary. When Jake comes back we'll gradually be seeing more Brantley at first base, and at a slower pace more Chas in LF as Siri fails to figure it out. At least that's my prediction if Taylor Jones doesn't surprise I'm surprised as well.... Because it seems like he's scooping up every throw that is skipped to him |
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Post by Saint on Jun 10, 2022 21:15:50 GMT -6
Yuli is a great scooper still. I think his range is limited.
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Post by thomasj13 on Jun 11, 2022 18:52:10 GMT -6
I take these losses as a blessing in disguise. Astros have a commanding league in the West; however, no one can be blind that the team still has needs to address before the deadline. So Click has to make necessary moves so this team is better. Better to know this now before it's too late.
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Post by Saint on Jun 11, 2022 19:15:21 GMT -6
I take these losses as a blessing in disguise. Astros have a commanding league in the West; however, no one can be blind that the team still has needs to address before the deadline. So Click has to make necessary moves so this team is better. Better to know this now before it's too late. That is a good point. |
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