No, it's not supposed to be an easy decision. Chose or be exiled from this thread forever.

Marvin said:

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I'd say hold on all three, no buy and no cut. Is that an option?!

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Anything for you Marvin!

I'm honestly kinda split on whose future I'm higher on between Abreu and Whitley. Sample size at big level for Abreu is still small but he's looked pretty darn good and was killing it in spring training this year. Whitley probably still has a bit more projected upsize/sex appeal but it's been discouraging to watch him take a step back every time he's taken a step forward the past few years. Obviously he's still young though.

It would also be hard to give up on James at this point. At the very least, he's a proven capable major league pitcher that can give you innings out of the bullpen. Still think he could develop into a mid-rotation starter if could somehow improve his command (becoming less and less likely though).

But at this point, I'd probably extend Whitley (gamble), monitor Abreu and cut James.

So really it sounds like there is not a "formal agreement" just yet even though the commish and Tony Clark met for two straight days. Manfred and the owners want the players/union to waive their right to file a grievance, and in exchange they would get 65-70 full pro-rated pay games with expanded playoffs. At least thats what it sounds like. Aiming to have something done by the end of the week.

This seems like what the players wanted

the players should take that in a heartbeat

16 team playoff is the proposal

60 games means 37% of full salary.

maybe there are some players that would still refuse to play

We're close. This is going to happen. FINALLY.

YNWA_AG said:

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Wonder if what Bauer said helped make this happen

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The owners didn't do this in response to Trevor Bauer.

Both sides were beginning to feel the heat of looking like complete jackasses.

If we expanded to 16 playoff teams last year we would have faced the Rangers in round 1. How laughable is that.

What does their proposal for expanded playoffs look like here? 7 teams or 8?

Judge issues stay on Letter

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/astros/article/MLB-Yankees-lawsuit-sign-stealing-2017-15347226.php

Ok, that makes more sense. I didn't understand why the judge was requesting unsealing a letter in a lawsuit that was thrown out. It turns out that original lawsuit was amended to accuse Manfred of misleading the public with the Yankees letter being the evidence. Even the judge points out the Yankees inconsistency statements (nothing new in the letter but would cause reputational harm). This could get interesting.

Expanded baseball provides more games for the teams actually trying to win. The tankers should be happy to play 60-66 and be done.

mlbpa has to take this deal, right? 48 hours ago they were ready to play 50, screaming "tell me when and where"

July 19 for 60 games is the answer

Too bad Rob and Tony couldn't meet earlier. MLB just pissed away what could have been an awesome July 4th weekend of baseball.

tjholley16 said:

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It's June 17 and Carlos Correa still hasn't played a game. That's so on brand

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He also hasn't gotten injured in a freak sexual massage table related incident.

So there's a first for everything..

Anyone else watching these Astro Classic Replays on ATT?

Last week it was the 1980 NLCS against PHI and this week it's the 2005 NLCS against STL.

Watching GM 2 tonight. The brick red jerseys were atrocious.

thanks for the heads up. Man this brings back memories of watching these games with my roommates in college. I miss me some Roy O man. Probably my favorite Astros pitcher.

I know it won't be any sort of deciding factor for Carlos, but it really can't hurt either.

Ag_07 said:

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Still pretty amazing how a lineup with Morgan Ensberg hitting cleanup along with the offensive black holes of Adam Everett, Chris Burke, Jason Lane, Ausmus, and a pitcher made it to the WS.

Just shows how filthy that pitching staff was.

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Ensberg was Top 5 MVP that year
He was a walk off machine and clutch