3 Discussion Items

Topic 1 - International “Home” Games

I thought about this earlier today, and was wondering how it worked. Technically, the games we are playing against the Angels are considered away games for us, and home games for the Angels. Obviously, they had to make a selection which were home vs away in order to determine who bats first etc. It does look like this actually removes home games for the Angels, which seems oddly unfair to me. I do understand that there are people who don’t buy into the home field advantage mindset, and others who do. I guess if MKE can be a home game for us against the cubs, this doesn’t seem overly out of line. What are your thoughts? Do you think it matters?

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Topic 2 - Yordan Alvarez

I know we’ve talked about him a few times already this year. What he’s doing right now is absolutely absurd and makes Vlad Jr’s numbers look like he’s a little leaguer. During the past off-season, Alvarez’s prospect stock seemed to take a notable hit. Largely due to the belief he is a DH/1B type prospect, which obviously is inherently more risky. We’re not at 100 AB yet, so obviously we’re still in the small sample size dilemma, but he has to be gaining more believers by the day. Are you sold on him? Does he finally fill the 1B/DH hole we’ve had for ages? If so - what do you do with Yuli (if you’re thinking 1B)? What would your prediction be for his triple slash if he was called up today?

Topic 3 - Trevor Bauer Trade Target?

Ahhh Tyler. Few players have drawn as much ire from both Astros and their fans. With Kluber’s injury and the Twins start to the season, there are rumors of Tyler being on the block. (Weird note, Fangraphs didn’t show any stats for Tyler Bauer lol). Bauer is also an advocate and strong believer in the science aspect of baseball, which obviously would be good to embrace in the Astros analytical approach. Strom worked with him when he was younger and could potentially even take him to the next level. Over the course of his career, Tyler hasn’t lived up to his billings, but over the past year and a half something seems to have clicked. Here are his stats over that time:

16-7, 223 IP, 2.26 ERA, 11.1 K/9, 3.2 BB/9, 1.081 WHIP, 194 ERA+ for 6.8 WAR

I questioned yesterday how much the chemistry aspect mattered. There’s a long history particularly between Gerrit Cole and Trevor Bauer, and obviously the more recent twitter feud of Bregman/Bauer. Is he someone you would want to pursue? What would you trade for him?