To add, I see no problem trying to improve to be best team on paper, but the win now attitude has to take into account whether it is hurting future WS chances more than it improves the one year.
There have been plenty of examples the other way as well.... teams holding on to prospects to improve their future chances, only to never have the defining season that led them to a championship (despite multiple years of contention). The Astros have the unique advantage of having a very young/club-controlled core. Guys who, if healthy, should be in the lineup everyday for the next 6 years and likely don't need to be upgraded/replaced. All the other "win now" examples didn't have this sort of foundation, the National included. If they're not maximizing their weak spots each and every year of this core... it IS setting things up as a missed opportunity. Its the same mindset that caused them to trade for Giles, to attempt to shore up their only perceived weak spot going into last year. Even though it ultimately didn't work, it still remains to be the right move... as would a move towards starting pitching for this year.
A.J. Reed has been secured to assist Tyler White in accomplishing this assignment. He finally has a set role going into next year... weigh gain consultant.
Not really. Needs change... and going into last year, getting a closer was a need, while they seemed to have plenty of starting pitching (and were banking on VV's overall health being a negative). The young everyday core did remain this team's most consistent aspect... and will remain so with the addition of Bregman. Now, the starting pitching is a big enough question mark that they're exploring all opportunities to improve.... and it also happens to be (quality starting pitching) the most important determinant between winning teams and losing teams. Like I said... Giles trade was still the right sort of move this team, with its current core, should be looking to make.
Plenty of examples of teams not winning a World Series. Right now, teams that have been wasteful with club controlled talent are on bottom and teams that are winning world series tend to be ones that didn't go all in. Some teams aren't going to win. Having a 4-5 dead period like Astros had drastically reduces WS odds more than going all in improves the odds. Granted, teams with old veterans unavoidably headed to mediocrity that still have a shot at WS should be going all in. Fans of teams with one playoff appearance in what seems like the last decade should not be urging for all-in.
It turned out bullpen wasn't a major need, as internal candidates performed so well in the bullpen. LH reliever ended up being a need. Starting pitching ended up being a need. 1B ended up being a need. OF ended up being a need.
Starting pitching still a need. Without an upgrade, they'll be taking the same approach they did with the 1B position last year. Giles still makes this bullpen vastly better, for several years. The bullpen would not have been as good without him, and with simply Devenski alone.
I would packaged Martes for Quintana. I would hate lose Kyle Tucker though. Kid is a phenom and will pout monster numbers in the Minors this year.
Technically, the bullpen may have been better last year without Giles. I like waiting until we know our needs, unless an attractive deal presents itself.
How quickly you must have forgotten how badly they wore down in 2015. And the awful 2016 stints that Gregerson, Harris suffered during their closing times (following Giles terrible start). Devenski was the lone consistent performer. And now he will be a possible starter. The bullpen needed serious depth, and Giles ended up being the most used. They probably still need more depth.
I agree. Devenski is a relatively high risk for a disappointing season. He had a low BABIP and was startling good at keeping balls from leaving the park. Combine that with the fact that opposing hitters will now know more about him and it's hard to bet on him repeating last year's performance.
I hope Devinski worked on his slider or curveball this offseason. If he's limited to his (elite) changeup, and fastball, then he'll be destined for the bullpen. Having a good third pitch is huge. He had decent 3rd/4th pitch last year (IIRC), but that's an area of improvement which could be small but dramatic.
