The 2015 MLB Random Thoughts Thread

[SoulController]

ESPN Stats & Info ‏@ESPNStatsInfo 35m35 minutes ago
Scott Kazmir is 4-0 w/a 0.99 ERA in 5 starts vs the Angels, Mariners & Rangers this year. 35 of Astros' final 66 games are vs AL West teams

he was the #2 they needed, still think the offense is too all-or-nothing but you have to make a run when you can

 

[THASTUNNA]

thats the best you could get for the 2nd/3rd best pitcher on the market Billy? god DAMN he fell off

dont even care about Zobrist now, maybe the stadium could use some new toilets or carpet in the FO

Nottingham has good upside.

 

[WaddupDoe!]

Coming back home to Houston. Nottingham was having a good season. Hate to see him go since our catchers suck. But really didn't give up much. we coming for the Angels

We are waiting.


If we can get Cespedes.

 

[SoulController]

Nottingham has good upside.

seems so, team had hinted it was looking strictly for 22-23 yo AAA guys that can help and they trade for 2 A players. tired of waiting

 

[THASTUNNA]

seems so, team had hinted it was looking strictly for 22-23 yo AAA guys that can help and they trade for 2 A players. tired of waiting

I feel ya.

 

[THASTUNNA]

We are waiting.


If we can get Cespedes.

Tue, Jul 28

• vs
• LA Angels

8:10 PM McHugh (11-5) Wilson (8-7) 1,178 available
Wed, Jul 29

• vs
• LA Angels

8:00 PM McCullers (4-3) Richards (10-6) 1,004 available
Thu, Jul 30

• vs
• LA Angels

8:10 PM Feldman (4-5) Weaver (4-8) 1,044 available

see yall next week

 

[Regular_P]

Great move by the Astros. I'm shocked the Yankees or Angels didn't go after Kazmir.

 

[THASTUNNA]

Kuechel
McCullers
Kazmir
McHugh
Velsaquez

 

[WaddupDoe!]

Tue, Jul 28

• vs
• LA Angels

8:10 PM McHugh (11-5) Wilson (8-7) 1,178 available
Wed, Jul 29

• vs
• LA Angels

8:00 PM McCullers (4-3) Richards (10-6) 1,004 available
Thu, Jul 30

• vs
• LA Angels

8:10 PM Feldman (4-5) Weaver (4-8) 1,044 available

see yall next week

dont have to see Keuchel.

dude has become a beast for you guys. hopefully Skaggs & Heaney can turn out like him for us.

 

[FloorGeneral]

Pirates about to trade for Aramis.

 

[Disgustya Stallone]

asstros still gonna be ass

bet kassmir gonna get injured within his next 3 starts

 

[Disgustya Stallone]

thats the best you could get for the 2nd/3rd best pitcher on the market Billy? god DAMN he fell off

dont even care about Zobrist now, maybe the stadium could use some new toilets or carpet in the FO

dont be stupid and question Billy Beane da GAWD ever again

Astros gave up a lot for two-plus months of Kazmir

The Oakland Athletics had to be holding their breath with every Scott Kazmir start this season, knowing his shoulder could go at any time, potentially costing them a shot at a return, well, like the one they got in this deal with the Houston Astros. The Astros paid dearly for two months, maybe a dozen starts in the remainder of the regular season, of Kazmir, giving up a top young catching prospect and a quality right-handed starter prospect who was buried in the team's surfeit of right-handed arms.

Kazmir is an impending free agent and probably not someone to whom the A's would have made a qualifying offer; he also has had multiple scares this year regarding the health of his arm, ultimately missing just two starts. He has been as effective as ever this year, continuing the plus control he has had since he returned to the majors, and has benefited from Oakland's spacious home park; he gave up zero homers in 66 innings in Oakland this year, an unsustainable rate.

The lefty Kazmir works primarily with a two-seamer and changeup, so he's as effective versus righties as he is versus lefties despite not having the slider that was his best weapon earlier in his career. The Astros have had a couple of replacement-level starters in their rotation this year, including Roberto Hernandez and Scott Feldman, and swapping 10 to 12 of their starts to Kazmir should be worth a full win, maybe a shade more, to the Astros the rest of the way.

Jacob Nottingham checks in at 6-foot-3, 227 pounds. Cliff Welch/Icon SMI
The gem of the deal for Oakland is catcher Jacob Nottingham, a 20-year-old catcher with a chance to stay at the position and the potential upside of 20-25 homers a year. A raw two-sport athlete in high school who turned down a chance to play linebacker for Alabama, Nottingham has 70 raw power thanks to his strength and a high-leverage swing that even produces above-average power to the opposite field. He is power before hit, but his approach at the plate has improved substantially since high school and he projects as a solid-average bat with above-average to plus power. His arm is a tick above average but is very accurate, while his receiving is fringy and might never get to average. He could be a star if he remains at catcher, and he could end up as a middle-of-the-order bat if he hits his realistic ceiling on offense.

Daniel Mengden was extremely unlikely to see the majors with Houston, given how many other right-handed arms the Astros have in their system, most of whom throw a bit -- or a lot -- harder than Mengden does. He'll pitch with a solid-average fastball and above-average cutter, pitching aggressively with plus control and I think future-plus command. The Astros have altered his arm slot this year, but he's at his best from a higher slot. I think he's a fourth or fifth starter, although I know some scouts have him as a likely reliever.

Astros improve, but gave up a lot for two-plus months of Kazmir - MLB - Keith Law Blog - ESPN

 

[Regular_P]

I'm crossing my fingers that Kansas City realizes they desperately need starting pitching and throw the farm at David Price. They only have one pitcher they can rely on in Volquez and that's not gonna get it done in the playoffs. With Price, they might be the favorites to win it all.

At least trade Finnegan.

 

[The War Report]

The Padres are a joke.

 

[HHR]