Its definitely a big reason why he walks at a high level... and as long as he makes them pay with enough frequency with all those pitches in the zone, he'll put up some great power numbers. I'd rather a player have Springer's "problem" than Williams' "problem".
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/green-lights-going-wrong-2014/ Did you know that, this past season, George Springer was 20 runs better than average against fastballs, and eight runs worse than average against everything else? I bet you did not know that, specifically, but I bet you did know that, basically. Here’s a little peek into how you can run a 61% contact rate and still make yourself a reasonably productive hitter at the end of the day. Time your craziest swings for when missing with them will hurt the least. Springer missed this pitch by a foot, but then he immediately drew a walk anyway, so, who really cares, right? His being hurt allowed us to forget about how fascinating he is, but come 2015, Springer will fascinate again.
Maybe this is making too much of what Luhnow tweeted but ... The Astros will not be for looking for starting pitching or outfielders this offseason.
Hard to argue that OF would be a priority. Springer/Marisnick/Fowler/Grossman has potential to be above average. Starting pitching is kind of the same way with Keuchel/McHugh/Feldman/Oberholtzer/Several Guys. I'd still like to add an ace, but that isn't easy to do. Astros were dead last in AL in bullpen ERA. Last in 3B OPS & 1B OPS Want a surprising stat? Astros led the AL in SS OPS.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Maeda to Astros predicted. Will checkbook finally open? MT <a href="https://twitter.com/mlbtraderumors">@mlbtraderumors</a>: 2014-15 Top 50 Free Agents W*Predictions <a href="http://t.co/S90bwJydMP">http://t.co/S90bwJydMP</a></p>— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/status/528626863355068417">November 1, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 12. Kenta Maeda – Astros. Maeda, 27 in April, is the next big thing out of Japan. The right-handed starting pitcher is expected to be posted by the Hiroshima Carp in November. Assuming multiple teams reach the $20MM posting fee maximum, it will be open bidding among those clubs afterward. As a team that fell short on Tanaka last year, the Astros could bring Maeda in to front their rotation for less than the Big Three starters will cost. Most of the teams named for Ervin Santana could be possibilities here. Rafael Soriano and Pat Neshek are also predicted to be Astros. 37. Rafael Soriano – Astros. Soriano has cashed in on saves with multiple previous contracts. With the Nationals this year, he saved 32 games but lost his closer job in early September. He’s still a useful member of a bullpen, capable of ERAs in the low 3.00s despite extreme flyball tendencies. 45. Pat Neshek – Astros. Neshek, a 34-year-old sidearmer, signed a minor league deal with the Cardinals in February and went on to make the All-Star team. He posted a stellar 1.87 ERA in 67 1/3 innings overall, appears in line for a two-year deal and could fit in the bullpen of contending clubs and non-contenders alike.
After watching what KC's bullpen did this year, expect quality bullpen arm's market rates to increase
Agreed. Guys like David Robertson, Sergio Romo, and to a lesser degree, the two mentioned in the MLBTR piece, are going to get paid. And that's kind of funny, particularly if the Royals are used as the model. Their bullpen core was not only made up of home-grown players, but two-thirds of it was made up of a failed starter (Wade Davis) and a guy who was never even among the Royals top-30 prospects at any point (Greg Holland). You're just as likely to hit on an elite bullpen by throwing your spare parts together as you are by spending money in free agency.
Davis wasn't really a failed starter, he was just a BOTR guy (though he got worse each year), but his stuff played way up when used in the bullpen. Luke Hochevar was a failed starter for them that turned into a dominant relief guy for them last season.
Not a huge pick up, but it is a decent one: <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Dbacks have lost reliever Will Harris, who was claimed off waivers by the Astros.</p>— Nick Piecoro (@nickpiecoro) <a href="https://twitter.com/nickpiecoro/status/529359517063348225">November 3, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> His stats He has played in two hitters parks (Coors and Arizona), and had an FIP of 3.20 last year with a decent strike out to walk ratio. He is an LSU product and turned 30 in August.
Free Agents Signings (salary per MLB Trade Rumors projections) Chase Headley - 4yr $48M Andrew Miller - 4yr $32M Jose Veras - 1 yr $3M (resign) = $20M additional payroll per Crane quote I personally think Headley will sign for more than that and don't think the Orioles will give Miller a qualifying offer. I'm assuming that the Wandy salary that the Astros were paying is sufficient to cover any growth in arbitration salaries for Castro/Fowler/etc. Lineup C: Castro 1B: Singleton 2B: Altuve 3B: Headley SS: Gonzalez LF: Fowler CF: Marisnick RF: Springer DH: Carter Bench: Corporan, Grossman, Petit, Presley SP1: Keuchel SP2: McHugh SP3: Feldman SP4: Oberholtzer SP5: Tropeano Bullpen: Miller (CL), Qualls, Sipp, Veras, Fields, Will Harris, Deduno AAAA: Folty, Villar, Downs, Chapman, Buchanon, Stassi, Hoes, Krauss, Cisnero, Zeid DL: Peacock Once Headley is signed, trade Dominguez for a couple A level lottery tickets to a team desperate for a 3B.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Astros selected catcher Carlos Perez to 40-man roster, activated Josh Zeid from the 60-day DL & outrighted right-handed pitcher Jose Cisnero</p>— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/status/529395336193007616">November 3, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Probably means they are gonna move on from Corporan, which I kind of expected. Gonna roll with Castro/Stassi with Perez as the AAA reserve. Also probably means Rene Garcia is gonna be exposed, but he's not a big risk, nor would he be a big loss if he got scooped. These guys pretty much scream backup catcher.
http://m.mlb.com/news/article/100370044/cuban-prospect-yoan-moncada-petitioning-for-free-agency Do the Astros have enough of their international pool to go after this kid? One report says he would be in the discussion for 1.1 if he was draft eligible this year.
Should we trade for yet another Rockies OF this offseason? http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-b...tulowitzki-and-carlos-gonzalez-024426759.html
It would be expensive but I'd like to see them go after 19 year old Cuban Yoan Moncada.http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/yoan-moncada-game-theory/
