DAT 7/1, white sox (Gonzales) vs ASTROS (FIERS), 7:10pm

Yeah, I think we can go ahead and chalk up tomorrow a loss, need to win today and Sunday.

10-0 home stand get hype

I think I'm going Sunday

Anybody got the lowdown on international signings?


Just saw where the Red Sox were given a 1 year ban and had 5 prospects' contracts voided meaning they can sign anywhere. Wonder if we will be on any of them.



Eta: I know about the Cuban SS we have a deal with. I know it's pretty expensive

Chronicle article about Int'l FA

Thanks I'll give it a read. Just saw this on clutch fans while searching for info and figured I'd copy and paste

quote:

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For the past few years, the Astros have been one of the worst teams in baseball, which meant they had one of the biggest international bonus pools. That changes this year, but instead of scaling back their spending, the Astros are pushing forward as they’re prepared to blow past their bonus pool. They already have an agreement in place to sign Cuban shortstop Anibal Sierra for $3.5 million. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see them come away with other Cuban players subject to the bonus pools as well.

The best player the Astros are linked to is Dominican shortstop Freudis Nova, the No. 5 international prospect. Nova was initially expected to sign with the Marlins until he tested positive for anabolic steroids. Once the Marlins backed away, that hurt Nova’s market significantly, since most teams at this point have already (unofficially, of course) committed the majority of their bonus pool money elsewhere. Astros righthander Michael Feliz is an example of a player who tested positive for anabolic steroids as an amateur and has only gotten better since then, and Nova is considered one of the premium players in the class.

Until they emerged as the leaders for Nova, the Astros’ top target had been Venezuelan shortstop Yorbin Ceuta, who is still expected to sign with the Astros and ranks as the No. 11 international prospect. In all, the Astros have been linked to five of the top 50 international prospects, with Venezuelan righthander Angel Macuare (No. 40), Dominican catcher Nerio Rodriguez (No. 43) and Dominican shortstop Deurys Carrasco (No. 46) all expected to go to Houston.

Two other notable players the Astros are expected to sign are Dominican infielder Jeury Castillo and Venezuelan righthander Jairo Solis, both of whom got Top 50 consideration. Castillo projects as a second baseman and his best tool is his bat, while Solis is a strike-thrower with a projectable starter’s mix. Given that they’re going over their bonus pool, they likely have more signings in store as well.

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I'd assume most play SS because they are the best athlete on their respective teams.

Batting order in op.