Player they are looking to trade for is Chris Archer. All rumors but Ken is really good at getting inside information.
I would try and trade for Archer or Cole from Pittsburgh. Darvish and Arrieta are both big question marks imo.
It's all about Keuchel. They tried to sign him long term and Keuchel wasn't happy with the Astros or his agent. So he runs off to Boras and the Astros respond with leaking that they are interested in a top free agent starter.
Starting pitching has always been the bigger concern to me. We should be fine this season, but it gets extremely sketchy next year. While I don't think we will do anything significant this offseason, it is something that will have to addressed, likely externally unless one of our prospects really impacts hard or we pay DK. After Verlander, who are the rest of the starters next season? Who is gonna be our top 3 starters when we take the field in 2020? Whitley looks great on paper, but he's still just a prospect. Even if he does deliever, one great pitcher isn't getting you anywhere
He'll be great for half a season. If we time his injuries right he may even be October viable. Forgive me if LMJ hasn't earned my respect as a regular man in the rotation. You need to get roughly 900 innings out of your starters and he's good for about 100. Hopefully all of us are wrong in regards to his durability, but I'm not holding my breath.
Fair enough, but I trust the guy that built a team that won a world series with Hinch as head coach. He can find pieces. Also, Peacock can continue to get better, McHugh is still a legit BoR guy and maybe Morton loves this team and organization so much that he signs back for a reasonable contract. Verlander, McCullers, and Peacock is pretty solid for frontline rotation. Is it back to back to back worthy? Probably not. How many innings they eat is still questionable but its not bad. Would I like to add another SP? Yes. Let Luhnow work his magic. I dont think we could afford Arrieta.
Yes, Dallas K, Morton and Verlander all will have their deals coming up shortly. The Astros I am sure would like to be able to plug in Martes, Peacock and Whitley and not skip a beat but the reality is that the Astros cannot expect that to happen. Something else to consider is that with the cost of middle relievers that are difference makers being set by Morrow; it is possible that the Astros would rather suck it up, and pay more for a starter and move someone from the rotation to the pen. I don't think the Astros will pay top dollar for Darvish or Arrieta; but if they get good value; I could see the Astros suck it up and sign one and move Peacock/Morton to the pen in a Andrew Miller role.
Heard LMJ talking with John and Lance and he has zero interest in being a closer. I’d bet he has less interest in being a middle/long reliever. Starter is where his head is at the moment. Love Lance, but have very little faith he can stay healthy for a full season.
Lance is still a youngin. That arm aint getting any younger though. Shocked he hasnt had a UCL surgery yet.
Current Rotation: Keuchel: Signed through 2018 Morton: Signed through 2018 Verlander: Signed through 2019 McHugh: Signed through 2019 Peacock: Signed through 2020 McCullers: Signed through 2021 Here's a possible scenario that could play out: After 2018 - Keuchel gets a huge offer from the Yankees (just so they never have to face him again) and takes it - Morton retires (as he's kind of alluded to) - One of Martes or Whitley emerges as a legit starter 2019 Rotation: Verlander McCullers Peacock McHugh Martes/Whitley After 2019 - Verlander moves on, or at least is no longer considered an elite starting pitcher - McHugh moves on 2020 Rotation: McCullers Peacock Martes/Whitley I'm completely on board with Arrieta or Darvish if you can't get Keuchel to sign an extension this offseason (unlikely). Of course it depends on what those guys want, but it doesn't hurt to keep the pitching staff stocked with good arms while developing young talent. If you can get a guy like Darvish on a $15 million/year deal, that's worth exploring as a way to stabilize the rotation through the next few years.
It's starting too make sense... Archer to Astros seems to be the play with the Keuchel uncertainty as posters have stated. Don't trade your entire farm but give them an offer... Archer till 2021 sounds good to me.
I expect Astros to find out a little more about Whitley, Martes, Paulino, and Peacock before they add another starter. Starters are just too expensive to have a surplus for a season unless Astros are planning on something weird like tandem starting the back end guys.
Supposedly the Cubs are going to a 6 man rotation.... so the view of starting pitchers is evolving. Most likely the Astros don't add someone like Darvish. However the Astros could move Peacock and Morton to the pen.... they could go to a 6 man rotation. They could intend to deal Martes/Paulino and sign a starter. The way this team is set up, there are so many possibilities. All we know is that Luhnow will not "over pay" for a starter.
