Granted we don't need to worry about a 5th starter during the playoffs. But the reason to be a bit concerned now is I don't want a pen that is on vapors come playoff time because 2 out of 5 times through the rotation they have to log heavy innings due to the "Frambers" on our staff not even getting through the first. If we can't get a stud we need an innings eater. Never thought I would type the following letters in this particular sequence, but I would take Mike Fiers in a frog fart of a second right now. Dude is 9-3 with a 3.61 in 114 IP's.
They have a full month of calling up as many pitchers as they want before the playoffs. So if your Frambers fail, you can have Sneed, Perez, Urquidy, Rodgers, Armenteros, and Deetz up to soak up innings.
I would like to see Sneed get a shot at the 5th spot. I think he's capable of giving 6 innings and 3 or 4 run pitching.
Apparently the Cubs are shopping Mike Montgomery. Seems like he could be a fit for the Astros, since he would cost next to nothing, would be able to spot start until the rotation gets fixed, and could move to the bullpen afterward.
Is it me or do I feel like Kemp, Fisher and/or Tucker could all be sent away for a starting pitcher soon? I think Kemp has a decent chance of hitting .270 at the top of the lineuip if playing everyday and Fisher could hover around .250 to .260 but not much better than that.
Kemp very little value as a player with no options. Fisher more value than Kemp, but he's not a player of high caliber. Tucker won't be traded.
The reason why I feel the Astros could entertain this idea of trading Tucker is currently he's blocked in the outfield. If they feel the more pressing need in the next few years is a starting pitcher to go along with Verlander and McCullers (since Cole will be gone) then they can afford to move a player who still is very much regarded as a possible big time talent for one. I don't want to see Tucker go as I feel he has .270 / 30 HR potential in the bigs but I could see them taking a chance that he won't develop into a superstar in order to get a stud pitcher for the next few years to come.
Well, we can't afford a pitcher with a high AAV, and I don't know of any stud pitchers, with a low AAV, that are available for a FEW YEARS TO COME. Bumgarner--final year of contract Stroman--not a STUD pitcher Boyd--would probably best fit these requirements, but was last rumored to not be available for trade Bauer--ARB value will push past 20 mil for one remaining season Thor--ARB value will push past 13 mil and 20 mil for 2 remaining seasons; hasn't been a stud pitcher at all this year Wheeler--injured; final year of contract Scherzer--won't be traded; extreme contract Greinke--extreme contract
It will be a wonder what teams will do this year with the one trade deadline now. I would speculate that less trading will be involved because more teams will feel like they are still in it but don't want to get stuck with players just traded for if they aren't by the end of August. But if the opposite is true then we very well may find a pitcher who has not been rumored to be on the market yet fall in place within the next 2 weeks. Only time will tell on all of that.
Maldonado is an upgrade over Stassi and Chirinos has been fading. I wouldn't mind it as long as the price isn't too much.