What an incredible organization. We are becoming the Cardinals of the AL without nearly the resources. I love our approach and believe we are gong to be relevant for decades. What a difference between the Astros and the trainwreck that is the Texans. By the time the Texans are relevant the NFL may not be.
https://www.fanragsports.com/inside-baseball-even-mlbs-top-10-teams-have-holes-to-fill/ 1. HOUSTON ASTROS There were reports Wednesday that they were getting close to a trade for Pirates ace Gerrit Cole, though it appears those were at least premature. In any case, the World Champions obviously aren’t satisfied with their excellent team, which is the right way to approach things. And actually, they may be the one team that’s closest to complete, as the champs without even one major free agent. But that doesn’t mean they don’t need help to shore up a few things – though in their case, some of it regards planning for the future. With not only Dallas Keuchel but also star-of-the-moment Charlie Morton (arguably the best free agent signing of a year ago, at $14 million for two years) free agents after the 2018 season, the Astros are understandably looking for a starting pitcher. They have been linked to Yu Darvish, the man they loved to beat last October, but they also have been engaged on Cole and Chris Archer (from here, Cole’s more likely to go in trade than Archer), which may ultimately be a more probable plan. In any case, with a year to figure out the rotation of the future, and a general reluctance to trade top prospects (word is that pitching phenom Forrest Whitely is untouchable and power-hitting outfielder Kyle Tucker is close to that), they could simply wait there. The same goes for catcher, where steady veteran Brian McCann did a nice job and is back. However, they have investigated the catching market, including top free agent Jonathan Lucroy, as was reported here, so they do appear to at least be thinking about it. The most pressing need, though, may be at the back end of the pen, where some Astros people suggest they consider an upgrade. Last October, improvising manager A.J. Hinch covered a seeming weakness by employing starters Lance McCullers Jr. and then Morton to lock down the ALCS, and ultimately the World Series. Top remaining closer Greg Holland plus Addison Reed both would make some sense here.
So with the arbitration numbers mostly done, our projected opening day payroll is around 150 million dollars. That would have been in the 12-14 range overall last season. I suspect we will still add salary before the year or in season. The payroll trajectory has maintained a very steady growth over the last 5 years.
They should be able to add between $15M and $35M. The lower end would constitute adding 1 2nd tier free agent or trading for a star player who is underpaid (CarGo, Cole, Archer, etc.). The upper end would mean they did that plus added a big contract (Darvish).
C - McCann 1B - Gurriel 2B - Altuve SS - Correa 3B - Bregman LF - Gonzalez CF - Springer RF - Reddick DH - Gattis Bench Fisher Stassi Marisnick SP Verlander Keuchel Cole McCullers Morton RP McHugh Peacock Smith Rondon Harris Devenski Giles _________ (open spot) One spot on the 25 man now up for grabs. Should be fun to follow, could add via free agency or use internal options.
That bench has a lot of question marks. Should be interesting to see if they sign Lucroy or and outfielder.
I'm wondering if there are any plans to try to convert McCullers to closer. Theoretically they could still sign Darvish.
Stassi, Fisher and Gose are the only three projected opening day 25 man roster players who arent studs. Lucroy, Watson, and CarGo would fix that.