Cole had struck out in 7 of his last 13 ABs, including two Ks tonight. I think pinch hitting for him was the right call.

Richleau12 said:

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The window has closed.

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#BringBackDusty

I thought you guys hated Dusty. Perhaps there's a pattern here.

The window has not closed at all

iBrad said:

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Cole had struck out in 7 of his last 13 ABs, including two Ks tonight. I think pinch hitting for him was the right call.

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Over the last 17 ABs, he's 4 for 17 with 9K. Out of the 4 hits, he had 2 doubles and a HR.

Caratini is a better LHH. I disagree with your take, but get it.

agdaddy04 said:

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The window has not closed at all

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I absolutely agree. This team was crippled by injuries and managerial ineptitude.

It needs leadership change and a retool for next year.

#Hinched

agdaddy04 said:

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The window has not closed at all

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Liquid nails, screwed shut, and boarded up.

My manager knowledge is weak. Any good up and comers or established managers that would be available?

How healthy will Yordan/Paredes be by Opening Day and how will we augment the starting rotation?

Glad to see Blubaugh start tomorrow.

Maybe an extra month off won't be such a bad thing. Random stat: Altuve has 105 playoff games in his career.

I am now entering the acceptance stage.

the Astros will miss 1st half Framber

2.75 ERA in 19 starts

not sure how Dana will replace that

I think you go with an experienced manager even if he is a retread.

W said:

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the post-game show agrees with texags

Dana cannot run it back with the same 12 or 13 position players (even though all except Caratini are under contract for next season)

they don't work as a group with or w/o injuries -- too many flaws

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Hard to say when the lineup's heavy hitters have been out for extended time.

But Cole didn't look good tonight. He struck out following Yainer's leadoff double, got a lucky, weakly hit oppo double on a ball he chased out of the zone, and then struck out again. He swung at 8 pitches tonight and five were on pitches out of the strike zone. Add in a lefty being on the mound, and it just wasn't a good spot for Cole.

Only way in, now, is we can't lose and tigers can't win?

W said:

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the post-game show agrees with texags

Dana cannot run it back with the same 12 or 13 position players (even though all except Caratini are under contract for next season)

they don't work as a group with or w/o injuries -- too many flaws

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How do we know how the team operates without injuries? This lineup has been a revolving door of players all season.

Problem with improving the position players is that you would have to move good ones, or people aren't going to give you much for the less desirable ones.

You have a glut of starters but who can you move that isn't hurt?

Maybe Framber has damaged his value such that you can sign him to a shorter term deal then move him mid season for some value.

I guess in theory you need some prospects like Cole, Matthews and Ullola to make the jump next season, along with perhaps Cam Smith taking the next step.

There's also the possibility Yordan and/or Paredes go under the knife in the off-season.

Feels like the path for off-season improvement is getting healthy and a couple shrewd free agent signings.

one issue...there's no room on the major league roster for Cole or Brice

if the 12 veteran players under contract return (plus a backup catcher as the 13th position player)

there's a logjam of below average hitters

W said:

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one issue...there's no room on the major league roster for Cole or Brice

if the 12 veteran players under contract return (plus a backup catcher as the 13th position player)

there's a logjam of below average hitters

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Get rid of Meyers and play Altuve at DH or LF with Yordan

Get rid of Dubon.

Problem solved.

Yes, you now have a true glut where 2+ current position players have to be traded just to get to a legal roster.

1 starting IF has to go
And with 3 OF + DH + 3 non-C bench players, you have Yordan, Dubon, Urias, Smith, Meyers, Cole, Sanchez, Trammell, and Chas.

So without any upgrades, you have to dump Walker, Chas, and Trammell. If you add ANYTHING (and you need to), then you have to subtract one of Sanchez, Meyers, or Cole. Other than Cole, each of those guys makes multi-milluons in arbitration.

You lose Framber and non-tender Garcia.

You get free of the Abreu and Montero money. You eat half of the Walker money.

You still have to choose one of two extremes: go over the tax to extend the window and go aggressive, or rebuild through trades.

Running it back may fare better with health, but it is still too flawed. It is the one approach that would make no sense.