Wednesday Morning Link Dump

Remember that time the Astros were the best team ever and then scored two runs total against Ross Detwiler and Wandy Rodriguez. Me, neither...

*George Springer is undergoing concussion tests after crashing into the wall making a highlight-reel grab, but no roster move has been announced.

*Thanks to this fast start, Jeff Luhnow is willing to add to the rotation in order to keep it rolling in Houston.
You know, I've discussed it with Jim and there are scenarios where we would continue to invest in this team as the year goes on in order to maximize our chances of not just getting to the playoffs, but being better in the playoffs.

*And speaking of playoffs, with last night's loss to the Ramgers the Astros' playoff odds have dipped back under 50%, though they remain the statistical favorites to win both the division and the wild card. But not if they keep losing games to the last-place team in the division.

*Here is a fascinating story from Bloomberg on the Astros, Luhnow/Crane, promoting prospects, and data analysis and features Luhnow being described as "Baseball's Mitt Romney."

*Baseball America's J.J. Cooper asked seven front office execs not with the Astros, Dodgers, or Twins and found that five of them think Carlos Correa is the best prospect in baseball.

*Evan Drellich writes that Correa and Appel are doing well, but Correa is closer to Houston and will likely be promoted to Fresno in May, after he has faced teams multiple times to see how he adapts.

*Collin McHugh talked about the Astros with Doug Gottlieb (video)

*Vincent Velasquez is nearing the end of his lat strain rehab and is likely to join Corpus.

*The Good Phight wonders if the Astros are a good fit for a Cole Hamels trade.

*2014 Astro Kyle Farnsworth is playing semi-pro football and is leading his team in sacks.

*Former Astro farmhand Carlos Perez, traded with Tropeano to the Angels for Hank Conger, hit a walk-off homer last night...in his major league debut.

Farewell, pr0FF3ss0r_F4rnsw0rth, we hardly knew ye

Farnsworth will elect free agency instead of accept an outright to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) June 26, 2014

And with that, Farnsworth closes out his illustrious Astros career with a 6.17 ERA, with 9 walks and 8 strikeouts. He is sure to join Francisco Cordero as a pitcher who, in 10 years time, we will all look back and say...wait, he pitched for the Astros?

Another one bites the dust...

By "another one", I mean 2014 draftee.  And by "bites the dust", I mean sign a pro contract with the Astros organisation.

Daniel Mengden signed with the Astros today.  This leaves Derek Fisher, who has apparently been pretty busy recently, as the only draftee from this year in the first 10 rounds unsigned (presuming Brady Aiken has signed, although apparently not officially announced).

In order news, no word on whether pr0FF3ss0r_F4rnsw0rth has accepted his assignment.  His unnumbered name is listed on the RedHawks' roster.  I am guessing he has around half of the 72 hour period in which to report left.

And a third bit of news...

The Astros have called up Ex-stro Jose Veras (who had a fine time with the Astros last year) in place of pr0FF3ss0r_F4rnsw0rth, who has been outrighted off the roster, presumably with intent to release him.

I am sad.  j0s3_v3r4Sss doesn't have the same ring to it.  In fact, it doesn't really work at all.  Probably to the relief of the readers.

Astros sign Kyle Farnsworth

The Astros "bolstered" their "bullpen" by signing "Kyle Farnsworth" today, who will join the club in Houston, with Paul Clemens making his way to Nashville to join OKC.

Farnsworth, 38, joins the Astros after being released by the Mets. Thus far in 2014 Farnsworth has thrown 17IP, allowing 18H/6ER, 10K:6BB.

Why get rid of a guy like that? Because by releasing him on Wednesday the Mets save themselves about $750,000 by getting rid of him prior to his 45th day on the roster. Farnsworth isn't happy.

While Farnsworth won't achieve his dream of finding "a team to play this team," I mean, until the 2014 Astros/Mets World Series, of course, he does have that whole White Guy Rage thing going for him, which is worth at least an extra 2mph in velocity.

Farnsworth's FIP (4.49) and xFIP (4.34) are considerably worse than his ERA (3.18), but even those numbers are an upgrade for this bullpen. In 9.2IP this season, RHBs are hitting .200/.263/.353, and away from CitiField, opponents have a .623 OPS.

Say he looks like a nice fella:

Hm.

I like him already.