Red Mosquito

Often when I see this thread I think of:

If Astros trade talk was going to get bottom-paged, at least some rad Jeff Ament headgear was involved.

Given Kershaw and Strasburg's latest injuries, I'd expect Darvish and Verlander to each go to one of those clubs.

Off topic, but every once in a while I'll connect the dots with an RMers avatar that I was previously unfamiliar with. Watched a couple of episodes of a show I'd never seen before last night and have to ask you -- is that Karl Pilkington?

washing machine wrote:I really hope the Astros don't trade for Darvish like the latest rumors suggest. I can totally see us busting in the playoffs yet again, opening up the Rangers to buy him back next season and have Darvish AND our prospects. That would be less than ideal.

Don't be afraid of going for it, Reid.

daft twat wrote:Given Kershaw and Strasburg's latest injuries, I'd expect Darvish and Verlander to each go to one of those clubs.

We still don't know what's going on with Strasburg though, and the only reports out there currently point it to being closer to no big deal.

I don't think a team would target Verlander as an injury replacement. If they did, it would likely be a bit of a panic move. Adding $56 million in future commitments because a pitcher is out a few weeks isn't the wisest move.

If the Astros trade for Darvish and a good relief pitcher, watch the fuck out.

My view on Verlander is that he is not going to be the albatross that a lot of contractual dumps are. First of all, if he goes to the NL, the K rate will jump. His velocity is the best its been since I think 2012, its just a bit straight. He's a massive competitor and probably still has a couple years left in him. He might not be ACE 25 MILLION A YEAR good, but he can still be a solid #2 or 3, and whats the yearly rate for those right now? 20? The cost of a free agent pitcher to fill that role wouldnt be much cheaper, and for 2 years you're actually NOT forced into a long term deal. The only way 2020 vests is if he finishes in the top 5 in Cy Young voting in 2019.

And im scared to death the Tigers will just get rid of him to dump salary.. which they wont reinvest in the roster anyways, but people are advocating for it. If they cant get the right prospects hold on to him.. and if he bounces back next year he has even more value (better numbers, less future commitment).

Verlander Not the Albatross He Seems, My Column

cutuphalfdead wrote:Don't be afraid of going for it, Reid.

I am, though. So very afraid. I've even taken to trolling my own Astros-heavy group text for the last month in a blatantly transparent defense mechanism move.

Prospects are cool, parades are cooler.

Astros fans in this town haven't seen a celebration of that magnitude since Biggio took his seat at a U2 concert the week after they got swept in '05.

cutuphalfdead wrote:

washing machine wrote:I really hope the Astros don't trade for Darvish like the latest rumors suggest. I can totally see us busting in the playoffs yet again, opening up the Rangers to buy him back next season and have Darvish AND our prospects. That would be less than ideal.

Don't be afraid of going for it, Reid.

darvish for altuve

lol

washing machine wrote:Off topic, but every once in a while I'll connect the dots with an RMers avatar that I was previously unfamiliar with. Watched a couple of episodes of a show I'd never seen before last night and have to ask you -- is that Karl Pilkington?

Idiot Abroad or Moaning of Life?

daft twat wrote:

washing machine wrote:Off topic, but every once in a while I'll connect the dots with an RMers avatar that I was previously unfamiliar with. Watched a couple of episodes of a show I'd never seen before last night and have to ask you -- is that Karl Pilkington?

Idiot Abroad or Moaning of Life?

Idiot Abroad. His fixation on toads when he goes to China made me know I'd enjoy this show. Can't wait to see more.

cutuphalfdead wrote:

daft twat wrote:Given Kershaw and Strasburg's latest injuries, I'd expect Darvish and Verlander to each go to one of those clubs.

We still don't know what's going on with Strasburg though, and the only reports out there currently point it to being closer to no big deal.

What about just to block the Dodgers? The Nats should be in win now mode.

daft twat wrote:

cutuphalfdead wrote:

daft twat wrote:Given Kershaw and Strasburg's latest injuries, I'd expect Darvish and Verlander to each go to one of those clubs.

We still don't know what's going on with Strasburg though, and the only reports out there currently point it to being closer to no big deal.

What about just to block the Dodgers? The Nats should be in win now mode.

The Nationals should be focused on relief pitching. That's how they win now.

washing machine wrote:

cutuphalfdead wrote:Don't be afraid of going for it, Reid.

I am, though. So very afraid. I've even taken to trolling my own Astros-heavy group text for the last month in a blatantly transparent defense mechanism move.

The time is now for the Astros, they should do whatever it takes. This is why they went through that awful stretch of sucking, to be in the position to be able to go for it like this.