We need to corporate 007 the Astros (great article link)

[Hanjag]

I was watching an interview as the authors of this book were talking about modern sabermetrics.
The Ringer
https://www.theringer.com/mlb/2019/6/3/ ... t-scouting

You always hear about the NFL being a copycat league and suspect that is true of all sports and businesses. My economics professor would probably agree.

The AL West
Oakland: Billy Beane the OG Moneyball. (#12 MSA)
Houston: According to the authors they are the most advanced Saber smart organization in the league by miles. (#5 MSA)
LAA: Trout, Ohtani, and either the 1st or 2nd largest market supporting them. (#2 MSA)
Texas: (#4 MSA) At least they made the WS but not intimidating other than the market size.
SEA (#15 MSA) Jerry D.

I think he is pretty good. He knows how to trade and kinda takes it all in stride. Jack Z. was caught off- guard by his top 100 prospects not being valued in trade at the time like he thought they should be. The market surprised him. Jerry just did not seem to be phased by EE-Bruce on the fire sale rack.

You don't have to be Pythagoras to apply his approach to triangles and the unit circle.

[Hanjag]

Here is a bit of a taste:
Luhnow regime, José Altuve, George Springer, and Dallas Keuchel—makes what the Astros accomplished seem simple: inherit a few future stars, lose a lot, and reap the rewards. But neither holdover prospects nor lofty draft picks were a renewable resource. Rather than rely on them, the Astros implemented a model for finding and developing players that would be self-sustaining, outlasting both the leavings of Luhnow’s predecessors and the immediate payoff of top picks that was bound to disappear as soon as the team got good again.

As a result, the Astros are dominating the minors even more than the majors. In 2018, four years removed from the franchise’s last no. 1 pick, Astros pitchers led their league in strikeout rate at six successive levels, from MLB down to short-season A-ball. (At the seventh level, Rookie ball, their rank sank all the way to second.) Weighted by playing time, the average age of those minor-league pitchers above Rookie ball, 22.9, was the lowest of any AL organization. Astros hitters above Rookie ball, meanwhile, were second in walk-to-strikeout ratio and—despite not playing in any notably offense-friendly parks—fourth in home-run rate. And as for wins—well, Astros minor-league teams led all organizations in combined winning percentage above Rookie ball (.585), short-season A-ball (.587), full-season A-ball (.589), and High-A (.592).

[Hanjag]

Oh, and I am probably targeting Astros pitching and am still but-hurt the Astros were not willing to give the Forest (Whitley) for the Big-Maple.

[Sexymarinersfan]

I am still banging the drum for Seattle to bring home the Big Maple when he becomes a free agent. Dipoto supposedly met with James for awhile right before he was traded and conferred to him that he'd like to bring him back when he becomes a free agent.

Imagine Paxton, Sheffield, Gilbert, Gonzalez, and Dunn in a rotation with Kirby waiting in the wings. Who knows if Kikuchi will be a 6th man, long man, opener, or what. But given the injury history to James, Yusei could easily fill in for the lefty he misses a start.

[Dr Naysay]

A 32 year old, injury prone Paxton who want's a payday. I can't wait!!! I love Paxton but if he is our opener in 2 years time I give up.

[D-train]

I am still banging the drum for Seattle to bring home the Big Maple when he becomes a free agent. Dipoto supposedly met with James for awhile right before he was traded and conferred to him that he'd like to bring him back when he becomes a free agent.

Imagine Paxton, Sheffield, Gilbert, Gonzalez, and Dunn in a rotation with Kirby waiting in the wings. Who knows if Kikuchi will be a 6th man, long man, opener, or what. But given the injury history to James, Yusei could easily fill in for the lefty he misses a start.

Puke. You know he is averaging 5 innings a start and has an ERA over 4, right?

[bpj]

I am still banging the drum for Seattle to bring home the Big Maple when he becomes a free agent. Dipoto supposedly met with James for awhile right before he was traded and conferred to him that he'd like to bring him back when he becomes a free agent.

Imagine Paxton, Sheffield, Gilbert, Gonzalez, and Dunn in a rotation with Kirby waiting in the wings. Who knows if Kikuchi will be a 6th man, long man, opener, or what. But given the injury history to James, Yusei could easily fill in for the lefty he misses a start.

Puke. You know he is averaging 5 innings a start and has an ERA over 4, right?

Hard to be disappointed in the return even if we dont get much from Sheffield. Paxton is a walking case of pussitis. Mike Stanton is the same. Both physical specimens that can't make it through a fart without blowin an O-ring.

[Hanjag]

Is that the Randy Johnson exploding bird?