Team had open 40 man spot, needs a lefty reliever. Makes sense they'd pick him up. Hopefully pays dividends down the road.
Figured they’d use the open spots on guys with options remaining but if they like Boshers it can’t hurt to claim him then try to pass him thru later and stash him in AAA. Highly doubtful he makes the opening day roster.
I still want them to get Tony Watson... small window to win, they need to shore up all weaknesses (aka lefty relief )
Would love Watson but disagree with the whole small window. Astros are loaded with prospects that can plug holes over the next few seasons as they extend Altuve and shed payroll with letting McCann, Gattis, Reddick, a few amongst Keuchel, Verlander, Cole & Morton walk. They’ll atleast have four more years together of Altuve, Springer, Correa & Bregman. Who knows how many stars they can develop during that time before Springer becomes a FA after 2021. Kyle Tucker if he stays on path can be a part of that core who will be under team control for 7 years upon his MLB debut. Yordan Alvarez has the bat to be a stud 1B when Yuli’s contract is up in 2 years. No certainty Springer, etc even walk. Astros are going to have money to spend regardless. And the Astros strongest depth amongst prospects is in the group of starting pitchers
I'd probably agree that they have a short/clear 2-year window of being a WS contender. The only big pieces they'll lose next off season are Keuchel and MarGo. The next off-season Verlander and Cole are FA's in addition to Altuve. While I agree we probably will extend Tuve, as constructed there's a clear, no doubter two year window with the bulk of the current group.
Might agree we could shed those position guys without too much team regression, but all that pitching?
Hoping we can extend Morton for another 2 years. Maybe Verlander will stay for an extra year, ala Clemens.
Whitley will be up next year, I can see Morton re-upping along with Marwin. Astros may offer 2-3 years for Keuchel but ultimately a team that loses out on Kershaw will offer a bigger deal. Can see Verlander possibly re-upping on a 1-2 yr deal while Astros spend on either Cole or a FA
In three seasons, our rotation could look like: McCullers Whitley Martes Bukauskas Paulino/Armenteros/Perez That’s assuming we don’t pick up anyone in trade or FA. A lot of potential there.
Against lefties last season he held them to a .224 BA and a .258 OBP. Not a bad option to have in AAA in case of an injury.
Another arm for the Spring LOOGY battle. He has been effective in his career against lefties, no reason he can't win that job out of camp.
