Tuesday, July 01, 2014

Astros would prefer their leaks to be more controlled, Thank You very much!!

A lot of interesting information from behind the scenes at Astros headquarters came out recently. The first from Sports Illustrated titled Astro-Matic Baseball was a controlled leak -- a PR piece -- a "look how smart we are rebuilding the franchise using the blended Moneyball + Scouting approach". Sort of like an A's 2.0, except the current A's are the A's 2.0 or Moneyball 2.0, which includes good scouting even though Moneyball was kind of a modern day Marge Schott kick in the pants to traditional baseball scouting.

Whew, that was a mouthful!!

from SI.com
http://www.si.com/longform/astros/index.html

Anyway, the even better "fly-on-the-wall" release was courtesy of a hacker and posted on anonbin.com (shown below) and was one that surely caused some angst not only for Astros management but other teams as well because it included intimate details of potential trade talks with teams that centered around Bud Norris.

Fans love this type of rumor-mongering around trade talks, players and agents likely do not. Teams have always had a level of plausible deniability about specific names and who initiated the talks, etc.  "We didn't initiate discussions, they wanted you, balh, blah, blah".  Here the details kind of indicate who initiated the offer, who countered and with whom, etc. with excruciating and perhaps embarrassing details.

It piqued my interest mainly because the Giants were in on the Bud Norris sweepstakes and I was in favor of getting him, with the usual caveat being, "it depends on what you have to give up". The initial Norris for Blackburn-Mejia-Mella / Blackburn+Crick proposals from the Astros were clearly too steep for the Giants and they turned them down,  but surprisingly they seemed willing to let go of Blackurn plus one other prospect, just not Mejia.

I'm a bit surprised at the willingness to let Blackburn go and the steadfastness behind holding onto Mejia, I would probably lean the other way. Crick being untouchable, I understand. Good stuff, hackers perhaps using their powers for good?  IDK, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I guess.

from anonbin.com
http://anonbin.com/753432515

"datetime","note"
"7/29/2013"," SF said they wouldn't include Mejia on top of Blackburn."
"7/29/2013"," SF said they still had interest in Norris. JL said they would have to include both Blackburn and Mejia to be competitive."
"7/29/2013"," AA texted JL and asked what a package around Stroman might look like. JL said Stoman + Gose would be in consideration."
"7/29/2013"," BC texted JL and said they couldn't include Boegarts, Cecchini, Webster, or Bradley but thought they had enough depth to still make an appealing package. JL wrote back and asked if they would consider a package around Barnes and Owens."
"7/29/2013"," JL said we would consider Danry Vasquez. DD got back to JL a few days later and said they'd do Vasquez. JL said to do it now we would have to add a minor piece like David Paulino. Given that Paulino is hurt, the deal was structured as a PTBNL with Emanuel Chavez as the other option"
top 50 prospect. "
"7/28/2013","- NH offered Heredia + comp pick for Norris. JL said no."
"7/26/2013","JL talked to Mo about STL trade deadline needs. Mo said he might have interest in Bedard but hadn't decided yet. Also said he might have interest in Norris but not at an elite prospect level (he included Wong, Martinez, Wacha, Taveras as elite guys)"
"7/26/2013"," DD checked to see if we saw a Norris deal without Bundy. JL said that was unlikely bud we'd be willing to add to Norris to get Bundy."
"7/26/2013"," Rizzo called JL to inquire on Harrell. JL told him we would still need a headliner like Giolito because we still value Harrell highly. Rizzo did not respond immediately."
"7/25/2013","BC told JL that right now they don't think they would consider those names but will let JL know if that changes."
"7/25/2013"," NH said he would not include Polanco in any Norris deal. JL asked for Glasnow + Heredia or Glasnow + Kingham and NH said no. NH said he was willing to add to Heredia. NH said he would also consider adding to Heredia with pick 73. JL said that Glasnow had to be the headliner and we were looking for."
"7/24/2013"," BOS offered Ryan Lavarnway or Deven Marrero for Norris. We said no."
"7/24/2013"," JL told BC that it would have to be one of Boegarts, Webster, Bradley, or Cecchini to get in the conversation at this point."
"7/24/2013"," PIT asked for second names to go along with Glasnow, Heredia, Hanson for Norris"
"7/23/2013"," JL offered Norris for Blackburn, Mejia, and Mella. SF said no."
"7/23/2013"," DET said no to Thompson for Veras."
"7/22/2013"," DD and JL texted. JL said taht we would do Norris = Veras for Castellanos and that we would consider Norris for Jake Thompson. DD said that SP was not a priority for them now but that they would consider those names and get back to us."
"7/22/2013","JL told RA that we would consider Aaron Altherr. RA said that seemded like a reasonable ask and he was still evaluating where he was. He would get back to us."
"7/21/2013"," PIT said the wouldn't trade Taillion or Polanco. Might consider one of Glasnow, Heredia, or Hanson for Norris. "
"7/20/2013"," JL told AA that we would consider Stroman +. AA said he had a bunch of balls in the air at once but would get back to JL."
"7/19/2013"," AA texted JL and asked what it would take for Norris. AA said Aaron Sanchez is off the table but might be willing to talk about anyone else."
"6/30/2013"," PIT reached out to JL and expressed interest in Norris."
"6/28/2013"," SF said they could not do Blackburn and Crick but that they would like to keep talking and keep in touch on Norris."
"6/28/2013"," SF indicated to JL that they would do Blackburn plus another piece but couldn't include Crick."
"6/28/2013"," DD said he would not do Bundy. Suggested Mike Wright and Pedro Strop"
"6/26/2013"," DD called JL and expressed continued interest in Norris. JL said that for us to consider it at this point it would have to revolve around Bundy or Gaussman. DD said no on Gaussman but did not dismiss Bundy out of hand. DD said he ahd to talk to his doctors to really see what was going on."
"6/17/2013"," Bobby Evans called DS to check in on Norris. DS told BE that it's probably a little early for us to consider dealign Norris but are always willing to listen. DS said that when we do trade Norris we will likely be looking for quality over quantity."


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Giants Top Minor League Prospects

  • 1. Joey Bart 6-2, 215 C Power arm and a power bat, playing a premium defensive position. Good catch and throw skills.
  • 2. Heliot Ramos 6-2, 185 OF Potential high-ceiling player the Giants have been looking for. Great bat speed, early returns were impressive.
  • 3. Chris Shaw 6-3. 230 1B Lefty power bat, limited defensively to 1B, Matt Adams comp?
  • 4. Tyler Beede 6-4, 215 RHP from Vanderbilt projects as top of the rotation starter when he works out his command/control issues. When he misses, he misses by a bunch.
  • 5. Stephen Duggar 6-1, 170 CF Another toolsy, under-achieving OF in the Gary Brown mold, hoping for better results.
  • 6. Sandro Fabian 6-0, 180 OF Dominican signee from 2014, shows some pop in his bat. Below average arm and lack of speed should push him towards LF.
  • 7. Aramis Garcia 6-2, 220 C from Florida INTL projects as a good bat behind the dish with enough defensive skill to play there long-term
  • 8. Heath Quinn 6-2, 190 OF Strong hitter, makes contact with improving approach at the plate. Returns from hamate bone injury.
  • 9. Garrett Williams 6-1, 205 LHP Former Oklahoma standout, Giants prototype, low-ceiling, high-floor prospect.
  • 10. Shaun Anderson 6-4, 225 RHP Large frame, 3.36 K/BB rate. Can start or relieve
  • 11. Jacob Gonzalez 6-3, 190 3B Good pedigree, impressive bat for HS prospect.
  • 12. Seth Corry 6-2 195 LHP Highly regard HS pick. Was mentioned as possible chip in high profile trades.
  • 13. C.J. Hinojosa 5-10, 175 SS Scrappy IF prospect in the mold of Kelby Tomlinson, just gets it done.
  • 14. Garett Cave 6-4, 200 RHP He misses a lot of bats and at times, the plate. 13 K/9 an 5 B/9. Wild thing.

2019 MLB Draft - Top HS Draft Prospects

  • 1. Bobby Witt, Jr. 6-1,185 SS Colleyville Heritage HS (TX) Oklahoma commit. Outstanding defensive SS who can hit. 6.4 speed in 60 yd. Touched 97 on mound. Son of former major leaguer. Five tool potential.
  • 2. Riley Greene 6-2, 190 OF Haggerty HS (FL) Florida commit.Best HS hitting prospect. LH bat with good eye, plate discipline and developing power.
  • 3. C.J. Abrams 6-2, 180 SS Blessed Trinity HS (GA) High-ceiling athlete. 70 speed with plus arm. Hitting needs to develop as he matures. Alabama commit.
  • 4. Reece Hinds 6-4, 210 SS Niceville HS (FL) Power bat, committed to LSU. Plus arm, solid enough bat to move to 3B down the road. 98MPH arm.
  • 5. Daniel Espino 6-3, 200 RHP Georgia Premier Academy (GA) LSU commit. Touches 98 on FB with wipe out SL.

2019 MLB Draft - Top College Draft Prospects

  • 1. Adley Rutschman C Oregon State Plus defender with great arm. Excellent receiver plus a switch hitter with some pop in the bat.
  • 2. Shea Langliers C Baylor Excelent throw and catch skills with good pop time. Quick bat, uses all fields approach with some pop.
  • 3. Zack Thompson 6-2 LHP Kentucky Missed time with an elbow issue. FB up to 95 with plenty of secondary stuff.
  • 4. Matt Wallner 6-5 OF Southern Miss Run producing bat plus mid to upper 90's FB closer. Power bat from the left side, athletic for size.
  • 5. Nick Lodolo LHP TCU Tall LHP, 95MPH FB and solid breaking stuff.