As it stands Garneau is much more likely to make the roster than Stubbs. Stubbs has options remaining while Garneau doesn’t. Stubbs’ best chance to make the roster is if they decide to use the 26th spot on a 3rd catcher. The main question on the position player side is if Reddick will be traded. If he is, both Toro and Straw are likely to be on the roster; if he isn’t, they will compete with Stubbs for the 26th spot. On the pitching side, the overwhelming likelihood is Houston signs or trades for a starting pitcher, completing the roster. Verlander, Greinke, McCullers, Smith, Osuna, Peacock, Devenski, Biagini, Pressly, and James are all locks for the roster. Urquidy is a lock barring a very poor spring. Abreu is the current overwhelming leader for the last bullpen spot.
Thanks for the feedback. So Abreu over Armenteros and Garneau over Stubbs, assuming no further moves. Is Garneau a serious consideration based on tools, or is it just the lack of options?
The Astros obviously liked him enough to sign him to a major league contract. He was pretty good in his short stints in the majors last season. At age 32, he’s probably not going to break out, but Houston may see room for improvement over what he’s been prior to this season. Garneau could still get the Chris Herrmann treatment if Houston adds another catcher, but if they stand pat I think he’ll get first crack at the backup job.
Thanks. Of course, Hermann wasn’t owed anything when he was cut. Garneau will take his 600K away from our budget regardless. I suppose the realistic scenario is him sticking.
I noticed Devo’s option was rejected. What’s the likelihood he sticks on the roster as an ARB player?
His option was rejected but he was still tendered a contract. All that means is that Houston thinks he would be cheaper via arb than his option was for. I think it’s very very likely he makes the opening day bullpen.
At this point it is very unlikely that Whitley is on the opening day roster. Not only is he coming off a pretty bad season, it is Luhnow’s MO to keep top prospects down until another year of team control is secured. Whitley’s best case is to dominate spring training and the first 2 months of AAA and he called up in June or whenever an opportunity arises.
Odd things that may or may not happen Astros keep 3 catchers and pinch hit a lot when losing. Martes and Abreu make the team. Astros have a very tough bullpen against RHB. If only the Yankees were stacked with RHBs. Oh wait, they are. Peacock is a SP for 1st half or gets hurt.
He will have made $61.1M the last 5 years (after this year) Keuchel rejected a five-year, $90-million extension from the Houston Astros during the 2016 season, sources told Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The 2015 Cy Young winner turned down the offer because he didn't want to look back and see he "left money on the table," according to Rosenthal. 1 year/$21,210,527 (2019) signed by Atlanta as a free agent 6/7/19 pro-rated for final 114 days of the season, Keuchel will earn a salary of $13M for 2019 1 year/$13.2M (2018) re-signed by Houston 1/12/18 (avoided arbitration) Houston made $17.9M qualifying offer 11/2/18 1 year/$9.15M (2017) re-signed by Houston 1/13/17 (avoided arbitration) 1 year/$7.25M (2016) re-signed by Houston 1/15/16 (avoided arbitration) 1 year/$0.5245M (2015) re-signed by Houston 3/15 1 year/$0.5087M (2014) re-signed by Houston 3/6/14 1 year (2013) re-signed by Houston 3/13 1 year (2012) contract purchased by Houston 6/17/12 drafted by Houston 2009 (7-221) (Arkansas) $0.15M signing bonus
I’d put Stubbs ahead of Garneau, but wouldn’t rule out 3 catchers on the 26. Stubbs can play LF & IF, so he adds versatility
