Ag_07 said:

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wehnerhigh20 said:

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What's the status with McCullers? Is he expected to start?

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Same as it is every January.

Recovering from an injury. Don't count on him and whatever you do get out of him is icing on the cake.

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What injury ?

Farmer1906 said:

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Ag_07 said:

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wehnerhigh20 said:

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What's the status with McCullers? Is he expected to start?

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Same as it is every January.

Recovering from an injury. Don't count on him and whatever you do get out of him is icing on the cake.

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What injury ?

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Right hand soreness

I stand corrected, he came off the IL after that

According to Brauny Portal Thread rules, declaring it will be a quiet day meant stuff was about to go down.

texasaggie2015 said:

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Talks between Houston and Boston are sort of stagnant at the moment. Doesn't mean it's dead but the teams haven't been able to make something work for both sides. I do think it picks back up.

Now that I've given that update something will probably happen out of nowhere this afternoon.

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Bring. Me. Duran

Farmer1906 said:

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Ag_07 said:

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wehnerhigh20 said:

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What's the status with McCullers? Is he expected to start?

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Same as it is every January.

Recovering from an injury. Don't count on him and whatever you do get out of him is icing on the cake.

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What injury ?

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OK so I was mistaken. Not an injury

I should've just said his status is 'uncertain'. Like it has been damn near every year since 2018.

I know you have a certain affinity for Lance but cmon...He's always battling something. And if he's not then he will be come ST time.

texasaggie2015 said:

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Talks between Houston and Boston are sort of stagnant at the moment. Doesn't mean it's dead but the teams haven't been able to make something work for both sides. I do think it picks back up.

Now that I've given that update something will probably happen out of nowhere this afternoon.

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It just makes too much sense for both clubs and they will both want to walk away thinking and saying they got the better deal.

linkdude said:

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I'm not the only one who wants to keep Parades even if Walker is here too? maybe I'm just too focused on the injury parade we had last year, but I'd rather have one too many starter-ish IF than one too few.

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I'd like to, but I'd like a left handed hitting outfielder better

This would have prolific impacts on the Texas energy grid if it were to verify

Unfortunately, unlike last years snowy winter storm... this system looks to be a full mess with freezing rain being a huge concern

Still too early for details but needs everyone's attention@KHOU pic.twitter.com/0sSqU9g2BC

— Pat Cavlin (@pcavlin) January 19, 2026

Y'all in Houston might want to stock up on pipe insulation

texasaggie2015 said:

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Talks between Houston and Boston are sort of stagnant at the moment. Doesn't mean it's dead but the teams haven't been able to make something work for both sides. I do think it picks back up.

Now that I've given that update something will probably happen out of nowhere this afternoon.

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Good, honestly not really feeling like we should give up Parades for a more reliable Jesus Sanchez.

🚨 Astros 2B Brice Matthews was ranked the #3 prospect among all 2B, per @MLBPipeline pic.twitter.com/w20CJZ4pj9

— Astros HQ (@HOUAstrosHQ) January 19, 2026

ruxin98 said:

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AggiEE said:

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Severian the Torturer said:

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linkdude said:

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I'm not the only one who wants to keep Parades even if Walker is here too? maybe I'm just too focused on the injury parade we had last year, but I'd rather have one too many starter-ish IF than one too few.

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I'd like to, but I'd like a left handed hitting outfielder better

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We have one. He's called Jesus Sanchez, and he basically hits about as well as anyone we could realistically trade for.

So unless we are also trading for a LHH second baseman like Donovan instead, trading for someone like Duran/Abreu doesn't really move the needle from what we have. And the lack of Parades makes us worse.

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Sanchez sucked for us last year.

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Yeah but I think that was just a bad small sample size.

His longer history looks great when used as a platoon bat. I mean, he should be able to hit righties with an .800+ OPS and potentially 20 HR season.

I don't think he's worth chasing for someone like Duran, tbh. Especially if we are giving up Paredes.

Now, pitching depth in a trade? Maybe I'd be on board with that.

"I think when free agency started, they were looking for a 6/7-year deal. He's not going to get that."

Framber Valdez might have to settle for a short-term, high AAV deal, says @JimBowdenGM. pic.twitter.com/rdpEbNMjdj

— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) January 19, 2026

EastCoastAgNc said:

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This would have prolific impacts on the Texas energy grid if it were to verify

Unfortunately, unlike last years snowy winter storm... this system looks to be a full mess with freezing rain being a huge concern

Still too early for details but needs everyone's attention@KHOU pic.twitter.com/0sSqU9g2BC

— Pat Cavlin (@pcavlin) January 19, 2026

Y'all in Houston might want to stock up on pipe insulation

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I have seen some saying it's going to be a problem and others saying it'll be fine. Guess we'll see. I am no weather expert

redline248 said:

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EastCoastAgNc said:

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This would have prolific impacts on the Texas energy grid if it were to verify

Unfortunately, unlike last years snowy winter storm... this system looks to be a full mess with freezing rain being a huge concern

Still too early for details but needs everyone's attention@KHOU pic.twitter.com/0sSqU9g2BC

— Pat Cavlin (@pcavlin) January 19, 2026

Y'all in Houston might want to stock up on pipe insulation

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I have seen some saying it's going to be a problem and others saying it'll be fine. Guess we'll see. I am no weather expert

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It's still early. We'll know more probably Thursday

Cody Bellinger is mulling over multiple offers from multiple teams and is expected to make a decision shortly.

— Jim Bowden⚾️ (@JimBowdenGM) January 20, 2026

The more I look, the total package of Abreu is not far off from that of Duran. They accomplish it in mostly different ways.

'23-'25 ABREU VS DURAN

xwOBA: .332 vs .331
wOBA: .338 vs .348
HH%: 47.7 vs 45.4%
Brl%: 11.3% vs 8.6%
LA: 20.3 vs 10.7
EV: 91.2 vs 91.0
K%: 26.2% vs 23.4%
BB%: 9.4% vs 7.7%
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xwOBA vs LHP: .284 vs .295
wOBA vs LHP: .262 vs .284
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Baserunning Runs: 0 vs +20
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Fielding Runs: +18 vs +2

Slight edge to Abreu in batted balls, but Duran has had a little more success.
Both struggle against the lefties, but Duran has been better overall. However, Abreu has been trending up and was better in 2025.
On the basepaths, Duran is a monster.
Defensively, Duran has been very up and down, while Abreu is arguably a top 2-3 corner OFer.
Years of control goes to Abreu. He's got 4 years vs Duran's 3.

The #1 issue for me is that Duran has compiled his stats in almost 1800 PA in the last 3 seasons, while Abreu has just under 1000. Abreu has had some soft tissue injuries (Ankle Sprain, Oblique, Calf). Either would fill an immediate need. We ranked 23rd in wOBA vs RHP last year and saw the 2nd most PAs against RHP. Our RF production vs RHP was 28th in wOBA.

I gotta be careful - but from what I'm hearing may be going to Boston it leads me to believe Duran is the guy. But we will see.

Gotta make a deal happen first

I would add that Cam Smith and Sanchez are solid to good RF. I'm not sure Abreu's defensive prowess would make as much a difference in LF at Daiken.

MaxPower said:

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I would add that Cam Smith and Sanchez are solid to good RF. I'm not sure Abreu's defensive prowess would make as much a difference in LF at Daiken.

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If we get Abreu, then Smith and Sanchez are more so left fielders.

An OF of Smith, Meyers, Abreu would be pretty salty

Ag_07 said:

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An OF of Smith, Meyers, Abreu would be pretty salty

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Do we move 'tuve back to 2B?

Severian the Torturer said:

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Ag_07 said:

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An OF of Smith, Meyers, Abreu would be pretty salty

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Do we move 'tuve back to 2B?

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I think they've already said they are doing that.

Severian the Torturer said:

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Ag_07 said:

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An OF of Smith, Meyers, Abreu would be pretty salty

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Do we move 'tuve back to 2B?

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Yes, Espada, says that is where he wants him.