Now that we have had a few days to digest the game 5 loss, it is time to start this thread. I can honestly say I am not disappointed in 2015, just in the way it ended. On the positive side of things the core of this team is here for a while. This isn't a "We gotta blow it all up" situation. The organization seems to have a bright future and given a few tweaks can really be prepared for a deep playoff run. Now to just sit back and wait for the kick to the nuts Houston sports fans are accustomed to.
The Astros may well lose Colby if he asks too much. First and Third base may need an upgrade. The bullpen...goes without saying. I wouldn't mind them trying to go for Price or even Greinke but don't think starting pitching is a major concern at this point. The 'Stros are buyers now, son.
I generally agree. Which tweaks are needed the most will be the debate. My votes are catcher and relief pitching.
2016 Roster Snapshot Impending Free Agents Scott Kazmir: Oliver Perez Colby Rasmus Tony Sipp Joe Thatcher Players with Team Option Chad Qualls: $3.5m for 2016 or a $250,000 buyout Players Under Contract Jose Altuve: $3.5m Scott Feldman: $8m Carlos Gomez: $9m Luke Gregerson: $6.25 Jed Lowrie: $7.5m Pat Neshek: $6.5m Jon Singleton: $2m Arbitration-Eligible Players Chris Carter Jason Castro Hank Conger Sam Deduno Josh Fields Evan Gattis Marwin Gonzalez Dallas Keuchel Luis Valbuena Pre-Arbitration Players Kevin Chapman Carlos Correa Matt Duffy Michael Feliz Mike Fiers Robbie Grossman Will Harris L.J. Hoes Jake Marisnick Lance McCullers Collin McHugh Brett Oberholtzer Brad Peacock George Springer Max Stassi Dan Straily Preston Tucker Vince Velasquez Jonathan Villar Asher Wojciechowski
Bullpen arm with velocity and a true #4 Hitter. We were fortunate enough to plug and play and get decent results, but consistent lineup and bullpen would help.
#4 hitter doesnt concern me, getting a left handed hitter or switch hitter than can work counts and get on base seems like a big priority.
With Keuchel eligible for arbitration, and either first or second for Cy Young, I'd buy out his arbitration years (something like mike trout did) - how about 5 years @ $100 million total?
Impending Free Agents Scott Kazmir: Back at the right price Oliver Perez: Good bye Colby Rasmus: Good bye Tony Sipp: Let us see what the market bares Joe Thatcher: Good bye Players with Team Option Chad Qualls: $3.5m for 2016 or a $250,000 buyout: Good bye Players Under Contract Jose Altuve: $3.5m Scott Feldman: $8m - Will try to trade him Carlos Gomez: $9m Luke Gregerson: $6.25 Jed Lowrie: $7.5m Pat Neshek: $6.5m - Will be back Jon Singleton: $2m - Will be traded Arbitration-Eligible Players Chris Carter: possibly traded Jason Castro: potential non-tender Hank Conger Sam Deduno: non tender Josh Fields: not going to be back, traded/minors Evan Gattis: back because he won't cost much Marwin Gonzalez Dallas Keuchel Luis Valbuena: Good bye Needs 1. High end closer: Will go hard after Chapman and Kimbrel unless the cost is too steep. Could see them take a run at Papelbon if the Nationals pay a majority of his salary, opens up money for other needed. Another possibility is KRod in Milwaukee. 2. A high end bat to stretch the line up. Probably through trade. Will be very open minded, will consider C, 3rd, DH, LF and DH to get a bat or two. 3. Elite starting pitcher. I cannot see the Astros dropping $200,000,000. I suspect they do what the Royals did and make a move at the deadline. If someone like Cueto doesn't get the money he wants, I could see the Astros make an offer than is over $100,000,000 but less than Cueto hoped for. 4. Elite set up man. The Astros have been linked to elite set up men like Smith, Giles and others in a trade.
I agree with all of this except Sipp is going to get paid Good Bye Not that I want him to stay but I think Fields stays based on potential.
It depends on the amount of money Sipp is offered IMO. If someone makes him an offer similar to what the Astros offered Gregerson or Neshak, I think the Astros move on and decide to trade for or sign a reliever that throws harder. Concerning Fields, he does have potential but the Astros have a number of options that will be given a shot from the minors. It is possible that one of the starters is moved to the pen and then there is Freeman and Farrell that both have a good shot of making the team out of spring training. Freeman is a lefty specialist and Farrell has very good stuff.
I wouldn't mind seeing Tony Kemp in the outfield some next season. Speedy, high OBP guy who could fit great at the top of the lineup. Not sure if he's ready for the majors yet but someone like him would be ideal to set the table.
LF might be the spot for Kemp. Tucker and Rausmus (if resigned) are currently in LF. If Rausmus does not resign (which is my best guess) and Tucker moves to DH or first, LF would be open for Kemp. The most likely scenario for Kemp would be to start in AAA at OF/2nd and get called to The Bigs to do injury fill-in. That would give Kemp a taste and the fans a peak at his big league potential.
I think offensively, everything works out with internal development. If we can upgrade the DH, I'd be all for it, but only at the right price. Gattis struggled at the beginning and end of the season, but overall had a decent year. Our pitching staff is already elite, but I could see us letting go of Kazmir and making a run at Price. Kazmir was a definitely let down at the end of the year for the 2nd straight year - I don't see how you can invest a ton of money and years into him. Our Achilles Heel was, once again, the bullpen. If we can get a high end closer and re-sign Sipp, 7/8/9 would be locked down. However, this will likely have to come via a trade.
Respect your perspective but I don't think Gattis had a decent season. His OBP was sub .290. You may be overly optimistic about the offense. We have major holes at first, third, left field and designated hitter. Reed or White may possibly be ready but it is unlikely we get internal production from the system as early as next year at those spots. I think you will see a deal for a plus infield bat. The rotation is good next year without a major addition, but it is a #1-2 type starter away from being elite. That #1-2 type starter may come from within the organization (McCullers, Martes) but is more likely to come via trade deadline deal. The pen will be addressed. I don't think you will see sweeping changes though. Gregerson and Neshak will be back because of guaranteed money. It is very likely Harris is back as well. Sipp will be back as long as someone doesn't offer him a Neshak type contract. The Astros will get an elite closer and are willing to pay a high salary if it is someone like Kimbrel or Chapman. The lefty specialist will probably be Freeman and Farrell has a good shot at making the club. They will sniff around for an over whelming set up man like Giles or Smith but the cost may be too high. I suspect Hinch will be back. His handling of the pen was unacceptable but he handled the clubhouse well and at only 40 is learning still. I will be curious if Pettis is back. Rumblings of Strom being promoted to bench coach, where he would still oversee the pitchers but have additional help. Also have heard Ensberg may have greater involvement.
I would be shocked if Castro isn't the starting catcher next season. While his offense was bad, particularly in the postseason, I think the Astros will be content with an all glove catcher. I also think they go into next season with White/Reed penciled in as the starting 1st baseman. So I think any movement to upgrade the offense will happen at LF/DH/3B.
You suspect? I can guarantee he will be back, nobody except for a band of complainers on Clutchfans think his job is in any danger.
