Lmao Just gonna leave this old news here again http://blog.chron.com/ultimateastro...e-explaining-why-he-stuck-with-no-trade-list/
No doubt that he sucked in the postseason, but unlike the NBA, the regular season actually does matter in baseball. A postseason appearance isn't guaranteed to anybody. He was a great player in the regular season, and you don't go giving away good players when you are trying to win. In regards to Tucker there are 3 spots in the outfield, and the DH, Reddick isn't stopping him.
I would not do much. We have some talent coming up and need to save money for the guys we want to keep around. Need to also really pay attention to what Forrest Whitley's is doing. He averaged 13.98 K/9 last season and went from A to AA ball at only 20. Might see both Tucker and Whitley up midyear. Before the season I would see if you can move McCullers to the bullpen, and sign a LRP. 1B Yuli 2nd Altuve SS Correa 3B Bregman C McCann/Gattis LF Fisher/Tucker/Gonzalez C Springer RF Reddick SP: Verlander Keuchel Morton McHugh Peacock/F. Whitley RP: McCullers Giles Devo Musgrove Harris Gregerson Martes FA LRP
He has kind of become a lost man because of his overall struggles, but I really hope they are able to carve out some regular role for Feliz. He had a 2.10 ERA on June 5th, from that point forward he had an almost inconceivable .500 BABIP against him. Dude struck out 13 per 9.
I'm thinking there is a decent chance McHugh is traded and doubt Gregerson is back. I expect Astros want the 6th starter to have options.
That's not bad. I think I'd flip McCullers and Peacock. I'd also keep Martes at AAA and keep him as a starter. Try to get a couple more relievers and let's rock and roll.
And I think they COULD kick the tires on interest surrounding Giles. Not easy to bounce back when you've lost the team's confidence is such a high-profile manner. Plus, he's young enough, with enough potential, to land a decent prospect or two. I think the most interesting developments will be their plans for McCullers & Morton. Since he was DRAFTED, there's been talk that McCullers was better suited for the back of the bullpen. I don't know all the mental gymnastics, and such - but if he COULD develop into a closer, and Morton could be developed into an Andrew Miller-like weapon... you've solved your bullpen issues internally. A bullpen of McCullers, Harris, Devo, Morton, Musgrove, possibly Martes, Feliz........ well, that's potentially filthy.
Also, I think there's a decent possibility they'll more actively employ pitching tandems, too. So I think they'll bring McHugh back - unless he becomes a cost-cutting move, which is possible. I don;t have his $$$ in front of me. Regardless, they'll need six starters.
They'll almost certainly get a LH reliever. Mike Minor may fit that bill. Just declined his mutual 10 million option with the Royals. Former top 10 draft pick/ starter who was set back due to injuries. Was elite last year in his first bullpen role. Can potentially fill an Andrew-Miller-type role or close. At the very least he could be loogy as he absolutely shut down lefties last year. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/11/mike-minor-to-decline-mutual-option.html
Astros will very likely tandem in the postseason. It would not completely surprise me if the Astros do some temporary tandem starts during the season, though I think this is still a couple years away before some team trying it for a back of the rotation spot. LMJ, Peacock, and Morton are likely regular season starters, but will be used as relievers in postseason as necessary. The Astros do need a 6th starter. I'm thinking this guy will have options so the Astros can bounce him up and down between AAA so he doesn't use a roster spot all the time. I'm thinking this guy is Martes. If he fails, it is Paulino. If he fails, it is Rodgers. If he fails, it is Armenteros. If he fails, they bite the bullet by either calling up Whitley or trading for someone better than McHugh at the deadline. Heck, they'll probably do that last one whether or not anyone else steps up.
He batted 2nd for most of the season, prolly why he had a good season. Otherwise his bat has been average throughout his career and now it looks like Bregman will take the 2nd spot onward. He does have a great glove, but between Marisnick, Gonzalez, Fisher and soon Tucker, I think any of those can replace Reddick's glove adequately.
He started 60 games hitting 2nd, 61 hitting not-2nd. His BA & OBP were significantly higher hitting not-2nd, SLG was significantly higher hitting 2nd.