Manager A.J. Hinch stated Correa (back) won't come off the disabled list until the conclusion of Houston's current road trip, Austin Laymance of MLB.com reports. I can see why the Astros are looking at Jose Abreu. Hard not to start getting concerned about the back injury to Correa. It's possible they are just being overly protective....but then the Jose Abreu rumor keeps resurfacing according to Richard Justice of MLB. With Correa hurt. Abreu at first, Gurriel moves to third, Bregman to short. If Correa is healthy, then you have a solid DH for the second half of the season.
I firmly believe that if Davis gets enough regular playing time, he can shine a la Tony Kemp. Davis at 1B, Yuli at 3B, Bregs at SS. In the limited time we've seen him at 1B I'm very impressed with how comfortable he looks there, as well as his footwork and scooping. He's not Yuli-level just yet, but even Gurriel was not that great last year. Unpopular opinion, but I think Davis can be a Gold Glover at 1B as early as next year or the year after. And, the infield I suggested returns all three to their natural positions. Yuli was mostly 3B in Cuba, Bregman was of course SS at LSU, and in college, Davis actually played mostly 1B. Impresed with Davis's progress throughout his MLB playing time too. From being a near-automatic strikeout, to making contact, to hitting the ball deep. Yes, only 1 HR (but it was against Severino!), but just before he was sent down he was at least drawing walks, making contact, and showing power. Hopefully they give him a good look these next few days before the deadline (time is running out).
Good. Familia has not been the same since the 2016 Wild Card Game. Britton, or Conley, or solve the bullpen internally.
Other than not getting as many GB outs, his numbers this year are essentially the same as in '16. He missed most of last year with a blood clot.
Tucker is such a goober out there with his slow swing. Dangle him, bukauskas and a reed type out there for degrom. Verlander and Morton wont be around forever. I like that from a value standpoint, pushes the mchughs and peacocks to the bullpen and you wait for FA to throw something at britton. Look how the Cubs signed morrow, well executed. Would also look at trading Correa for andrelton + prospect or Lindor in the offseason, miss having a defensive specialist there.
I would like Britton as it would give the Astros perhaps the best pen in baseball but do I think the Astros bullpen is strong enough to help repeat as champs? Yes. Rondon looks strong as a closer. Devo, Peacock, McHugh have been quality setup men..likely add Morton to that playoff mix. Sipp is earning his contract and Perez give the Astros two strong situational lefties. Harris is coming along and has only allowed a run(s) in two of his last 13 appearances. Eight quality bullpen arms and if the Astros carry 13 pitchers they have good competition for that final spot with Smith, Giles, Martes, Paulino, Whitley, etc
If Rondon can be the closer.... we won't need to trade for another relief pitcher. Roll with what we have. (Even though I would love to trade for a solid go to arm) What's concerning is Correa. They keep delaying him, his back still isn't responding as they would like. Backs can be very very tricky. Might see the bat rumors fire up more then the relief pitching. As of right now....Correa, Tucker and McCann are questionable. Can McCann come back from the knee surgery, can Correa keep his back healthy this year, can Tucker be ready this year for a playoff run? Extra bat would add insurance.
If they have doubts about Correa’s back, adding an infield bat might make more sense. Abreu, Beltre, Donaldson, Moustakas, Asdrubal Cabrera, Escobar, Bautista, Dietrich, Castellanos, Starlin Castro, Merrifield, Frazier...there’s a lot available.
Derek Dietrich is a guy the Astros can definitely use, he can replace Marwin. Dietrich didn't sign with the Astros, after the Astros picked him, he can play anywhere, 3B, SS, 2B, OF. Asdrubal Cabrera always has been productive since his Indian career.
Couple hypotheticals: Astros get: 1B Jose Abreu Sox get: 1B AJ Reed RHP Jorge Alcala Astros get: C JT Realmuto OF Derek Dietrich Marlins get: OF Kyle Tucker RHP Corbin Martin RHP David Paulino RHP Josh James RHP Hector Perez C Tim Federowicz Astros get: LHP Zach Britton Orioles get: LHP Cionel Perez OF Derek Fisher Resulting 40 man roster: CF Springer SS Bregman 2B Altuve 1B Abreu C Realmuto 3B Gurriel RF Reddick DH Gattis LF Dietrich Bench: Marwin, Stassi, Kemp Rotation: Verlander, Cole, Keuchel, Morton, McCullers Bullpen: McHugh, Peacock, Sipp, Harris, Smith, Devenski, Rondon, Britton DL: McCann, Correa, Gustave AAA: Boshers, Deetz, Giles, Guduan, Martes, Rodgers, Davis, White, Marisnick There’d be 3 open spots on the 40 man. If Correa is ready before September 1 (when rosters expand), Kemp would have to go down. If the get Realmuto then McCann couldn’t come back until rosters expand. Abreu replaces Gattis next season, Dietrich replaces Marwin, Realmuto replaces McCann, so they all represent multi-year solutions. If Whitley is ready and they bring back Morton, the rotation is set next season. Adding 1 good reliever would be the only thing on the offseason agenda.
Keuchel and Morton could leave after this season. Verlander and Cole after next. You really want to trade away this much high minors SP depth?
