*Via MLBTR, we find that the Orioles and Astros had some discussions over the weekend about a deal that would involve a righty catcher going over to platoon with Steve Clevenger while Matt Wieters spends some time on the DL. Interestingly enough, the Orioles are apparently shopping former Astro Troy Patton, who is a reliever.
If any deal involves Corporan, I could see Patton coming over in a 1-for-1 trade. If the Orioles want Stassi, then it would take more than Troy Patton to get that deal done.
*Yu Darvish will not start against the Astros on Wednesday.
*John Manuel has an in-depth piece on Tyler Kolek and had nice things to say, like "a scouting director confirming he has never seen an amateur generate a higher radar-gun reading than Kolek" and "I've never seen anything like it in 20 years."
*A federal jury decided today that four Galveston police officers used excessive force during a wedding party and awarded $49,500 in damages. The jury was unable to come to a unanimous verdict on Backe's claims.
*Ben Badler has a (paywalled) look at possible $1m+ international free agents.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
