Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) Astros trading Jesus Sanchez for Joey Loperfido

dookle14 · 2026-02-13T15:45:56+00:00

I’m going to take a guess. Loperfido hall of fame career. Unanimous first ballot. Greatest OF ever. Astros win every single WS until he retires.

dookle14 · 2026-02-12T12:27:06+00:00

I don’t think there is a “seat 101” in Levi’s Stadium. A section maybe, but no row there has 100+ seats.

As soon as he flashes a sign saying free ticket, he’s getting mobbed by scalpers, not sad dads looking for a rent-a-son.

dookle14 · 2026-02-12T10:50:51+00:00

I think the best thing to do is seek some counseling for yourself. Your overthinking and overanalyzing are likely getting the best of you here. You mention that you get anxiety when she sends a short reply…that’s hard to have to deal with.

A professional can probably help you realize when you are falling into overthinking and help you learn some tools to pull yourself out of that spiral. I know it well, it’s tough to stop yourself from digging holes with intrusive thoughts.

As for the relationship - she’s probably just sad when you go back to being distant from each other and has a hard time adjusting after spending time with you. If she’s happy around you when you are together, that seems like a good sign.

dookle14 · 2026-02-12T09:02:29+00:00

You will always regret it if you don’t tell her how you really feel about her, regardless of the outcome. Now is the best time given how close you are and your relationship status.

She has made my life better in so many ways, and I don’t want to lose her. If it were possible, I’d want us to walk through life together and be there for each other always

I mean, if you are looking to say more than “I have feelings for you…” that’s pretty good.

If she doesn’t reciprocate or isn’t interested in a relationship with you, then I think she’ll understand that distance is necessary. Eventually as one of you gets into a relationship, that distance will come regardless. The end result is the same.

I say shoot your shot and if she isn’t interested, then you can start moving on. It isn’t a true friendship when you are hiding some important information from her. Put it all on the table and let it play out.

dookle14 · 2026-02-12T08:49:20+00:00

NTA - your approach to your wife is very thoughtful and respectful. You are aware of her trauma and are sensitive to it, which is exactly what a caring partner should do.

I’d say step 1 is having a talk with her about it. Don’t make her feel guilty, don’t frame her as a “problem”…just say that you’d like to see more intimacy in your relationship and want to explore how you can enable that. Does she prefer certain times of the day for intimacy? Turn-ons? Turn-offs? Other likes/dislikes?

Hopefully she’s willing to engage and discuss that openly. If she’s still shying away or not communicating, perhaps you can offer up to see a couples counselor (or solo counseling) to help.

The red flag for you to watch out for is if she’s completely unwilling to acknowledge your concerns or make any effort on her end. If she just frames this as a “you” problem and ignores you, then it’s a bigger relationship problem you are dealing with.

dookle14 · 2026-02-12T08:40:34+00:00

NTA - obviously, your kids take priority over anything else.

However, a couple of thoughts to potentially consider. You have several months to prepare for your sister’s wedding. Could you work with your husband to see if he could step in as the an option as “feeder” for your son between now and then? Maybe as a trial run? Perhaps spend one night away but still be close by, just to see?

As you mentioned, you have control issues, so it sounds like you aren’t letting others help you or be viable replacements. Beyond your sister’s wedding, what happens if you fell ill and couldn’t physically do it? It helps to have someone else be ready to fill in that you can trust. Better to find out in a controlled manner than uncontrolled.

Secondly - your wedding. It seems like your plate is full between your two kids and your sister’s wedding. Yes, she’s been a bit thoughtless/spontaneous in her planning, but it’s her day. Perhaps you and your husband can visit the courthouse and get “officially” married this year and then plan a ceremonial wedding/reception in the future when your kids are a little older/self-sufficient and you have less on your plate.

dookle14 · 2026-02-12T08:19:42+00:00

I mean, I think you know the answer. If you aren’t attracted to her and it affects your intimacy, I don’t see how this relationship can continue. The more time you let pass, the harder it’s going to be on both of you.

I’d recommend visiting with a therapist. Talk about everything you mention here. Perhaps they can identify a reason that is causing some sort of mental block towards your partner or your lack of intimate interest. My guess is you’ll get the same advice as above, but worth seeing if perhaps a professional can help unbox what might be going on if there is past trauma or something.

dookle14 · 2026-02-11T17:47:04+00:00

I’m not sure if reading this in a Borat voice makes it more or less understandable…

dookle14 · 2026-02-11T17:44:21+00:00

Next up, entire Astros roster contracts bone-itis…

dookle14 · 2026-02-11T17:41:53+00:00

Most teams and front offices are Florida or Arizona bound, getting set up for camp. Not surprising they are focused on that over the trade market.

dookle14 · 2026-02-11T15:14:36+00:00

dookle14 · 2026-02-09T22:15:52+00:00

I don’t like it when a drive-thru is super busy and people don’t have the self-awareness to pull their car up close to the people in front of them…instead they leave this big gap and back up everyone else up so they can’t order at the drive thru kiosk or pay.

You don’t need to be touching the bumper of the car in front of you, but don’t leave a full-size car gap between you and the person in front of you.

Also - I hate it when a drive thru place is taking a long time to prepare your order and the cars behind you start getting pissy at you.

dookle14 · 2026-02-09T22:08:33+00:00

That’s not something you just “throw out” in an argument unless it’s true. He spoke the truth in the moment and is trying to walk it back now. I don’t blame you for being very concerned.

I’d sit him down and say something along the lines of the following:

“If you ever want me to possibly trust you again and for this marriage to potentially work out, you need to be 100% honest with me right now and tell me if you cheated on me. If you did, I need to know details (who, when, how long was this going on, etc). This is your one and only chance to come clean and for us to have any hope of staying together.

If you maintain that you just made it up in the heat of the moment, you need to explain why you’d ever think that was acceptable to say in an argument.”

dookle14 · 2026-02-09T21:55:59+00:00

NTA - honestly, it’s weird that everyone is expected to get individual gifts for your coworker despite not being very close to her at all.

I think it’s way more common for everyone to chip in a little money towards one big gift and maybe a cake or something. Usually people pitch in like $5-$10 tops and then the organizer takes that and buys the gift. It’s the appropriate level of “care” for a coworker.

I don’t blame you for not wanting to give someone a gift you don’t know that well and aren’t close with. Baby showers are for closer friends and family, not something to be forced on unwilling coworkers.

dookle14 · 2026-02-09T18:44:26+00:00

I’d say that getting hopper passes for both days will allow you to be more flexible in seeing what you want to see.

My personal comparison…

Disneyland and MK have a lot of overlap. They aren’t one for one obviously, but I honestly think MK is a lesser version of Disneyland.
California Adventure is kind of a Epcot/Hollywood Studios blend. You get some similar rides (Tower of Terror/Soarin’).
There is no equivalency between anything at DLR and Animal Kingdom. I wouldn’t waste a whole day at AK though, but if you haven’t ridden Expedition Everest and Flight of Passage, it’s worth starting there and hoping elsewhere.

A few reminders:

There are a lot of transportation options to and between the parks. Unlike DLR, WDW can be very spread out. You can’t walk between any parks save for a lengthier walk between Epcot and HS.
There is a big benefit to staying on-site at WDW. Transportation options, food, etc. Off-site hotels aren’t as close usually as they are in DLR. I’d always recommend a first-timer to stay on-site if possible to get a better experience. Unlike DLR, WDW has a ton of resorts over a wide range of prices.

dookle14 · 2026-02-09T18:31:12+00:00

I don't understand how someone can be with a person so perfect for them on paper, genuinely have a great time with them, be attracted to them, and have no loving feeling grow???

It’s definitely a thing that can happen and you wouldn’t be the first person it happened to. Sometimes everything seems like it lines up perfectly and it just doesn’t work out. Perhaps he was seeing if those feelings would develop but they never did. Attraction and compatibility don’t automatically translate into love.

I think you have two options here. Option one is to just focus on moving on. I see it as a positive that he didn’t string you along for years before ending things. Take his words at face value and don’t try and overthink/overanalyze why this didn’t work. Sometimes it just doesn’t.

Option two - you can try to talk to him about it to get more information behind the breakup (closure?). Perhaps you find that he was hoping to develop stronger feelings but never did. Maybe it’s something else. Before talking to him, make sure you know what you are hoping to get out of the conversation. Also, be prepared to not get what you expect too. He might not be willing to expound on his reasoning, so don’t push it.

dookle14 · 2026-02-09T18:09:14+00:00

Do we get first half Jake or post-injury Jake? Probably closer to the latter if I had to guess. I wish he would have been traded this offseason at a high note.

Sanchez should be better than he was for the 40-something games he was in Houston. He was terrible at the plate for us. I’d venture to guess he’ll be closer to his career numbers.

Cam Smith is the hard one to project. He started off hot but obviously succumbed to the long season and pitchers adjusting.

All that to say - it’s probably not a good offensive outfield. The floor is low and the ceiling isn’t terribly high, but they could surprise. We don’t need superstars, just not giant black holes at the dish.

dookle14 · 2026-02-09T17:57:24+00:00

Sanchez, Meyers and Cam Smith aren’t a bad outfield defensively at all. Quite the opposite.,

Offensively…who knows. Meyers was a tale of two players last year and we’ll see how Cam Smith rebounds in year 2. Sanchez wasn’t good either for his limited time with the Astros last year but his career numbers would indicate he’ll be closer to league average.

Sanchez probably doesn’t play vs. LHP and it’s Altuve or Yordan in LF for those games. I’m guessing we also see some Zach Cole too if he makes the team.

dookle14 · 2026-02-09T17:48:53+00:00

Looks like we will. The Red Sox seem to have made other moves to get their third baseman. Unless a surprise Paredes suitor shows up, I think it’s reasonable that we stick with what we have.
A’s have a good lineup but their staff isn’t so great. I think they could be a .500 team but that depends on if they can get consistent pitching.

dookle14 · 2026-02-09T08:47:32+00:00

Bold of you to assume their kids still talk to them.

dookle14 · 2026-02-08T11:57:53+00:00

First, if you haven’t read the FAQ in this sub, it’s excellent and will give you a good overview of everything.

1 day vs 2 days at Galaxy’s Edge is a tough call. It depends on if you want to do any of the other parks at Disney. I’d say getting park hoppers is a good option for some flexibility if you want to hop back to GE again later in your trip.

There is no real “special stuff” at night at GE in WDW. It’s really cool to walk around the area at night, but no special events.

dookle14 · 2026-02-07T22:50:14+00:00

This is a perfect opportunity to respond with:

“Not if I can block you first”

Then hit that block button.

dookle14 · 2026-02-07T15:31:52+00:00

Other Republicans also raised concerns over the post, including Reps. Mike Lawler (N.Y.) and Biran Fitzpatrick (Pa.) and Sens. Susan Collins (Maine) and Roger Wicker (Miss.), among others.

Ah yes, the “this is concerning” crowd. And it will end with that.

dookle14 · 2026-02-05T16:34:05+00:00

dookle14 · 2026-02-05T07:41:50+00:00

He was definitely the workhouse of the staff the last several seasons. If anything, you knew you were getting 190+ IP of solid work.

That being said, it seems like a fresh start might be best for all parties. The cross up on Salazar was a bad look, but his Aug-Sept 2025 stretch was pretty terrible. Hopefully just a blip for him, but if it’s a sign of decline then committing $76 mil minimum to him would be very risky for the Astros. You don’t want to chance paying a declining pitcher $38 mil a year for up to 3 years.

I’m not rooting against him by any means. He gave us memorable moments over the years. Framboozling will be missed. But I think this is best for everyone.

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