re: DAT 6.19 | Astros v Mariners | 9:10 pm | McCullers vs. Elias

He's been hitting like a veteran. Coming through with timely hitting and playing a decent LF.

.267/4/15 in 32 games

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Matt Thomas

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A.J. Reed is the future at 1B and I'm really excited about his future. If we trade anyone it is likely Singleton.

Eta but damn he has a club friendly contract

I hear by announce the start of a new Jake Marisnick fan club:

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What happens to Valbuena in this scenario?

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Tradeable asset.

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Pretty sure Valbuena is only signed through the end of this season. $4.2 Mill for 1 season is what he signed with the Cubs before being traded, but I cant remember if the Astros gave him an extension after getting him. I don't see him having much trade value at the deadline if he is free to leave after the season, but I don't think they'd want to trade him during the season anyways without a suitable replacement (even more unlikely to trade him if they are still contending for the division/playoffs by the end of July).

And honestly, I would rather have him as our utility IF going forward than either Villar or Marwin. Valbuena also plays multiple IF positions too (2nd base definitely; I cant remember if he played SS on occasion for the Cubs) and no one can argue that his defense isn't a lot better than the other two if that's his competition for the utility bench role. And I believe he is still under 30 years old (28 or 29), so it isn't like he is an older player with diminishing skills.

And does anyone actually believe Villar or Marwin will ever be more than what they are now? If not, then I'll easily take Valbuena's superior defense and 25-30 HR power over Villar/Marwin if Luis agrees to sign a extension after this season with the understanding that it will be a diminished role.

I also believe the FO expected Colin Moran to be further along by now than what he is. So their opinion on what Moran will contribute to the majors next season (if anything) will also determine who stays and who goes. That might actually be the biggest factor in their decision.

Good points on Valbuena. He's arbitration eligible this offseason, so it's the same situation the Astros had with Fowler last winter.

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i didnt know this about Neshek

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Damn. That damn onion cutter must be back in my office again.

I cried

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I love bregman and all but unless the team thinks he is the second coming there is no way they trade Altuve and keep him. lets assume talent is equal. Altuve is much more marketable in Houston. I still don't understand why he isn't on every fiesta commercial

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I don't think so either, just playing off the hypothetical in that post. There's going to be a much better chance of Kemp getting on the field in the OF than at 2B

Even with Correa and Springer emerging Altuve will always be huge with the fans IMO because he was here through the dark times

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Brian McTaggart ?? – Verified account ?@brianmctaggart

Astros activate Rasmus from bereavement list, place Marisnick on DL with left hamstring strain.

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Evan Drellich – Verified account ?@EvanDrellich

Marisnick goes to DL to make room for Rasmus.

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Looks like Santana will be around for a couple more weeks