Astros & MLB Discussion Items

1.) With the minor leagues shut down for year, there will be a strange impact to the development of players. How do you think it will impact players? What about the Free Agent market, do you think we may have a wave of older veterans re-signing a year longer than they may have been otherwise able to?

Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images

2.) With a week remaining till the trade deadline, the Astros are poised to be buyers. James Click has said that no one is off the table, and some are speculating if he would be willing to dangle Forrest Whitley as trade bait. Do you think the Astros would trade one of the highest potential starters who has hit an extended patch of turbulence at this point? Who would you like to see the Astros target?

Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images

3.) The rising apple pronounced the Astros the winners of the Jake Marisnick -> Blake Taylor & Kennedy Corona trade. While it’s still very early, Jake has amassed just 4 AB in his final year under contract primarily due to a hamstring strain. Blake Taylor, a relatively unheralded prospect has dominated to the tune of a 1.42 ERA across his 12.2 IP. It’s obviously a crazy small sample size, and there are some indicators of luck, but given the shortened season and time lost with Marisnick, they may not be wrong to declare this one a win already. Did the Astros already win this trade in your mind?

Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images

4.) If you haven’t been following it, Former Angels Director of Communication, Eric Kay has been federally charged with illegal possession and intent to distribute Fentanyl in relation to the death of Tyler Skaggs. While the Angels were quick to distance themselves from Kay, and have conducted an independent investigation concluding no one else was involved with the process. The report, has remained an internal document, that was not shared with the family, with their attorney making the following statement:

“The family is deeply heartbroken to learn that Tyler would be alive today were it not for a pill containing fentanyl that was provided by the Director of Communications of the Angels,” Hardin said. “We note that the Angels say they commissioned an independent investigation that concluded no one in management was aware that a team employee was supplying illegal drugs to Tyler. We encourage the Angels to make that report public.