Marcus Stroman has been mentioned as a possible trade target for not only the Astros, but virtually every team in baseball that could be looking for starting pitching help. Houston’s interest in the Blue Jays righty, however, dates back to at least 2017, as Peter Gammons reports (Twitter link) that the Astros heavily evaluated Stroman when exploring pitching targets that summer. Houston “did almost as much work on” Stroman as they did on eventual acquisition Justin Verlander, Gammons writes. Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle addressed Gammons’ tweet and the Astros’ pitching needs as part of a mailbag piece, noting that Stroman’s pitching style doesn’t match Houston’s preferred model for a starter, though the Astros don’t hold hard and fast to that model — case in point, their signing of Wade Miley last winter.
Here’s some more from around the AL West…
- Yordan Alvarez left today’s game after three innings due to what the Astros described as “discomfort” in his left knee. (MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart was among those who reported the news.) The injury isn’t thought to be serious, as Alvarez said he could have continued playing, though manager A.J. Hinch said he removed Alvarez “as a precaution” and “we’ll give him a day or two” to get healed up. Alvarez initially suffered the injury after fouling a ball off his knee on Tuesday. The rookie slugger has been nothing short of incredible during his first 65 Major League plate appearances, with seven homers and a .298/.385/.719 slash line.
- Before Mike Trout signed his record-setting extension with the Angels in March, Phillies fans long wondered if the superstar would one day join the Phils to play closer to his hometown of Millville, New Jersey. As Bleacher Report’s Scott Miller writes, however, Trout appreciates keeping some space between his real-life home and his adopted hometown of Los Angeles. “Obviously, a lot of people from home wanted me to come back east. We were thinking about it, my wife and I,” Trout said. “But it’s perfect to be able to go back in the offseason and have a life, be myself and spend time back in my hometown. It’s always good to go back.” The story is well worth a full read for Trout’s loyalty to the Angels, the connection between Trout and Millville, plus the interesting note of how Bryce Harper got in touch with Trout before signing to learn some details about the Philadelphia area, prior to Harper’s deal with the Phillies.
- The Athletics are known to be considering extensions with several of their players, and Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle adds Ramon Laureano’s name to the list of those under consideration for a long-term deal. “Laser Ramon” has already gained attention for his excellent throwing arm, and has also shown some promise at the plate, entering today hitting .261/.306/.440 with 12 home runs over 314 plate appearances. An extension for Laureano would probably be a relatively inexpensive investment for Oakland, certainly in comparison to the much greater dollar figures it would take for the A’s to extend the likes of Matt Chapman or Marcus Semien. But, there’s also no real rush to extend Laureano yet, as the outfielder has yet to amass even a full year of MLB service time.
Laureano has been exposed as an actually-terrible CF in recent months, however he is still learning the position – even after being a prospect in the Astros system, he was still mostly a RF until he got to MLB.
Trout’s money-over-hometown loyalty move needs to be pushed on Kevin Durant too, neither are leaving CA anytime soon, period.
Money over hometown loyalty? Really? Cause someone should be loyal to McDonalds paying them $10/hr in their hometown when Wendy’s located in the next city over is able to pay them $17/hr………… but they should stay at McDonalds, cause of hometown loyalty.
you missed my point
MONEY BEATS HOMETOWN LOYALTYYYYY
phyllis would have paid much more for trout. imagine if he went on to the open market! $40 mil per would be the mark if not more!
preparation h for you!
So Ryan now goes by Strike Four. Interesting.
According to the BR piece, he seems to be annoyed by people “wanting this, wanting that”, when he goes back home. That’s an element we don’t often see.
Money and playing in Cali beats playing in Philly.
JTO goes by S4. JTO disappears and this joker shows up.
I thought Phyllis was that older lady character on the show “The Office.” I didn’t know she had that kind of money. Good for her.
Loyalty to the team that drafted you is also an important consideration.
That’s what I was thinking. Trout is actually being more loyal by staying with his current team over leaving to go somewhere else, even if that somewhere else is the team he grew up rooting for.
How about loyalty to the franchise that saw your potential and drafted you first or gave you your break?
Exactly my thoughts
but did other teams have a chance in drafting him first and passed? for someone going #1 overall, they don’t have the chance to be taken by another team that may want them just as much or more so it’s not like they are being loyal to a team that took a chance on them later because they saw something others didnt
Trout was drafted 25th in the 1st round.
Mike Trout was taken 25th overall so 21 teams passed on him. Heck, the Angels took another outfielder (Randal Grichuk) the pick before Mike Trout for whatever that’s worth.
About the Angels taking him second, It’s worth nothing. It’s well documented that Trout was higher on the their board the Grichuk. Trout’s agent upset the Angels and this was a little payback.
Durant sold his house in Cali and just bought a house in New York he’s gone lol
impressive BR story on Trout. great insight into being rich and famous while remaining humble, maintaining loyalty to family, friends, and teammates. he’s not only the best player in the game, he’s also having the most fun. Trout has struck a balance that works well for him, and when there’s balance, everything succeeds.
Agreed. I read that article a few days ago and came away really impressed.
He’s exactly what MLB needs to promote. He’s the best player in the game, seems grounded, plays in a large media market, is super nice to fans (go on YouTube and check it out), and is loyal to the team that drafted and invested in him at a young age.
I love watching him play and wish the Angels would get more attention. Too bad they can’t get past the hump since he’s been there.
Rolling Verlander, Cole and Stroman the first 3 games of a playoff series wouldn’t be too shabby.
Neither would Tanaka, Paxton, and Stroman.
I hope you aren’t saying that’s comparable to Verlander, Cole, and Stroman?
Verlander no, but Cole yes. If Severino comes back too full strength the Yankees staff is better.
Lol. You didn’t say Severino. You said Tanaka, Paxton, and Stroman. That isn’t close to the Astros version. I think most people would take that in the playoffs over the Yankees’, even with Severino
Lol no Steven chinwood. Take the blinders off bud
You do know the bullpen is part of pitching. So even if the Astros get Stroman and his 5 innings the Yanks staff would still be superior.
Let’s compare all things together. Verlander is pitching above his head right now. Cole will not ever be the ace that Houston traded for. Too streaky. After those two that are above their norm right now, Houston is very hittable and beatable. Severino, Paxton, Tanaka and Stroman are all quality #2-#3 pitchers on most teams. Then throw in any number of starters the Yankees run out after that and their pitching is what has gotten them where they are right now. Houston is seriously struggling against the Yankees and others in the league because of their inconsistency in SP and the bullpen. Don’t count on another parade In Houston before the season can end and the dance begins. Houston is one 36 year old arm blow out or 26 year old lack of reason away from a total meltdown.
Plus Cole is up and down. He wasn’t exactly shutdown in the playoffs last year either. Yanks in 6!
Most Yankee fans would take their chances with starting pitching going 5-6 and then handing it over to the bullpen vs the Astros.
Last time anyone checked, Verlander did have an ERA and it wasn’t 0.00, and neither was Coles’.
I think you Astros fans need to lower the invincibility act a bit!
You do know the Astros will have 2 relievers in the all star game and one that is in the next tier of relievers?
Isn’t the season series split between them? Your homerism is showing.
Are you actually trying to compare the Astros BP to the Yanks? The Yankees are gonna reload even more when Betances returns.
Houston won the season series by salvaging the 4th game of the series last week. So they’ll have home field if both teams have the same record.
Did you just see what the Yankees did to that Bullpen? It’s ok they had a nice run.
Paxton has an ERA of 4.34 and a WHIP of 1.43. Sorry homer, but those aren’t #2 starter numbers on good teams. Also to say Verlander is “pitching above his head” is both inaccurate and lazy. He’s been nothing short of dominant since landing in Houston. Not to mention his track record over his entire career. Both Cole and Verlander are pitching like they always have, not pitching “above their norm.”
Houston won the season series, they just happened to lose this most recent series to NYY.
I will agree with one statement you said though. If anything happens to Verlander, there would be little chance of the Astros recovering at this point.
Baseballfreak say what you want….I can say the world is flat, does not make it true…stats and data do not lie. Sort the data linked below however you like…Houstons pitching staff is superior to NY and that is what us struggling with our #4 & #5 starter. Team ERA 3.89 to 4.08 for Yanks. WHIP 1.13 to 1.27 Yanks. I will give you Wins you have us by 2. we have given up 602 hits,…yanks 661, saves based on the overall staff 21 save out of 31 opps for Htown, Yanks 29 saves out of 41 Opps. we have 818 K’s to 747, Yanks have given up fewer bombs 118 to 126. so that great staff you are talking about trails Houston in most major categories…but if you keep saying it…maybe by Sept. it will come true… link to data to confirm….PS yall got screwed on Happ and Paxton…sucker. link to mlb.mlb.com
Few points, Steven
1) Yankees top 3, with or without Stroman, don’t compare
2) Stroman in a Yankees uniform means the Jays got fleeced and Atkins needs to be fired along with Shapiro.
3) Yankees recent comments suggest they aren’t interested in winning a World Series. We can exclude them from conversation.
Gonna jump in here. What did the Yankees supposedly say that makes them not “interested in winning a World Series”?
It’s like a puzzle you must piece together. First you take the most recent articles on this site involving NYY rumors, Cashman or Steinbrenner. Read them all and take it in. Then study the team’s overall payroll over the last few years. See if they are in-line with the comments made. Then remember the trades they have made while contending, see who they’ve given up, and who they took a pass on. Finally, take a look at the what they have done since 2001. Did they cover up any holes? Was their 1 run since 2000 a simple case of bad luck, incompetence or stopping short of the knockout punch?
What I gather from Cashman’s latest comments is he’s not willing to go all out for the player (pitcher) he needs. It would be a waste of time to take them seriously if the GM isn’t willing to get rid of one of his overrated and overinflated prospects.
This sounds like some deep state conspiracy mumbo jumbo.
I am not a Yankees fan, but I have no doubt they are trying to win a World Series. NYC tolerates nothing less.
They have an amazing team. I really hope the Astros and Yankees match up in the first round. I’m tired of my team playing at 1pm.
Good. Then the Yankees can stop with the double-talk, stop picking up B pitchers and go after an A this trade deadline. Stop with the excuses and do whatever it takes to win. The players may be hungry, that’s not up for debate. This isn’t some conspiracy; if the Yankees want it all go get Scherzer and make Houston settle for Stroman. Do whatever it takes.
There’s no indication that Scherzer is available, and, if he was, the prospect package would be hard to stomach for some fans.
I don’t know what the Astros are going to do, but there aren’t many SPs available that would be playoff locks.
I would love for the Yankees to go big on Bumgarner and then lose in the first round. Then out that farm for nothing.
Washington being at .500 gives them a glimmer of hope I suppose….
Yankees don’t want to give up much unless it’s for a controllable arm (their words). Bumgarner may be a QO candidate or Zaidi blows the deal with inferior prospects.
Only if you’re a Yankees fan.
More often than not, playoff games are won by bullpens.
Phillies fans thought that Trout being a Phillies fan would be the reason he became a Phillie.
Non-Phillies fans knew that Trout being a Phillies fan would be the reason he did NOT become a Phillies fan.
Let them boo Harper while he lives the good life in LA.
Should read “did NOT become a Phillie.” obviously.
Hey, at least the Phils have a chance to sign him when this new contract runs out
Added bonus for Trout not leaving LAA — not giving in to Manfried’s bullying last year when commenting how he was not all-in being the sport’s poster boy. (Though he’s done an admirable job thus far).
One thing that doesn’t get said enough is the Angels gave Trout ten paid days off in August last year when his brother-in-law committed suicide.
All reports had him soon to be activated, his Brother-in-law dies, and the Angels gave him 10 days off by keeping him on the DL.
The Angels were two games over 500 and still fighting for a spot when this happened, then went 1-7 while he was away.. I don’t know how many other teams would do that, but stuff like that means something.
I’d be willing to bet almost every team would do that. Im pretty sure it’s a five day bereavement list, and if he were on the DL, that decision would’ve been even easier.
Perhaps. I really don’t know. How many days off did Zobrist get to deal with his issue? How many days did Alvarado get off to deal with his issue? They both got a lot of unpaid days off to deal with their issues.
I have no idea how many teams would do it, I just haven’t seen it all that often. That’s why MLB Players association insisted on a Bereavement clause.
It was easy with Trout because he was ready to come off the DL and already on the DL. But if the Angels did what they were entitled to do, I doubt Trout would have resigned.
Houston needs to make a move and soon. Hopefully before the break ends. For the obvious reasons but also the 40 man roster crunch that’s coming in December with the rule 5. They have a few guys they’re going to lose if they don’t move some people.
They need one, probably two, good starting pitchers. Put Peacock back in the bullpen and use Tucker to get an upper tier SP.
What ever happened to Peter Gammons? He used to be all over TV. It seems like he disappeared once his Red Sox finally won the World Series. He was so old back then I just figured he was dead by now.
Scaled back his schedule to avoid seeing Dan Shaughnessy.
He is 74 years old. How much energy do you think he has?
Hi, Mike, it’s Bryce. Pat’s or Geno’s?
At second glance, Houston has a lot of payroll space. Why not deal for Max Scherzer?