What win total would mean a successful Astros season for you

people are probably counting valbuena's production in the 1-4

 

90 was my goal to make the playoffs, but looking like it could take more, though I expect the Wild Card to come back a bit with those teams playing each other down the stretch. If we are going to get back into that race, we'll have to beat the Rangers which would get us back in that race as well.

 

WC. Anything else is a failure. I don't care about win total. I'm tired of HOU being *this close* in every. single. sport.

 

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Hate to say... I agree. Making playoffs should always be the baseline goal. We made the playoffs last season. We should make (ave made) the playoffs this season, but key players performances declined and the batting order (other than the top four in the order) performed under expectations. And even the front office slipped this season (missed opportunities to add needed talent at deadline, waited too long to bring up Bregman and Hernandez).

Missing the playoffs, regardless of win count, will be a disappointment. True, there is reason for optimism for next season (lots of young talent, addition of Gurriel and maybe his brother).

 

If the front office overpaid like crazy for a LH specialist, or gave up Musgrove or Martes in a Lucroy deal, they would be getting hammered by way more people (possibly not you). If they brought up Bregman or Hernandez early in the season and they struggled for 2 months before getting sent back down, they'd be getting killed.

I'm happy they brought Bregman and Hernandez up at a time that has allowed those guys to be successful early in their careers--both on a super accelerated timeline relative to where they each were 1 year ago. And at least neutral that they didn't empty the farm in a ridiculous seller's market at the deadline.

Wanting the playoffs is fine, even if a fairly unrealistic standard (vs. win total) in baseball. I wonder if you guys who are thinking "playoffs or bust" would be ok with a wildcard berth and losing that 1 playoff game?

 

I'd be satisfied with a 65-17 record and a top 2 seed.

 

With Mike Anthony and a bunch of non defenders, I would be happy with 50 wins.

 

If you polled a bunch of Astros fans I think they'd agree with me. Watch what Correa does next year and then see whether or not you think this was a sophomore slump. Yes he's putting up a 6+ WAR season this year. But compared to last year, and based on the eye test our expectations for Harper-Trout-ARod level play are warranted. He's the next big thing. We'll see it confirmed next year.

 

Acquiring Lucroy would be criticized? Seriously? A two year (minimum) solution at C and in the batting order. A better defensive C than either we currently have. A more affordable C than Castro will be next year. And better than any C we will be able to sign as a FA or even trade for. And unfortunately we do not have a C in the farm system anywhere ready to bring up.

Sure, it would have meant trading one of Musgrove or Martes. Along with other prospects. But we have a pretty deep farm system, at least for pitching.

Springer -RF
Bregman - 3B
Altuve - 2B
Correa - SS
Gurriel - DH
Lucroy - C
Valbueno -1B (or if you don't re-sign, then Reed)
Hernandez - LF
Marisnick -CF

Now, that is a batting lineup that competes (and takes pressure off Jake since he can be the light-hitting defensive player usually spent on SS or C). . With Keuchel bounce back, McCullers returning, Feliz, McHugh, and Fiers/Fister/acquistion/prospect not traded in rotation. Still competes.

 

ASTROS BASEBALL: "Wait Till Next Year!" since 1962

 

I understand this sentiment and have felt this way a vast majority of the time for the 30 years I have followed the Astros. However, in this case there is a legitimate argument to be made that the Astros will be substantially better next season.

 

Just as there was at the end of last year.

At this point, I'll believe it when I see it.

 

Yes, the trade for Lucroy would be criticized by some if the Astros still were 5-6 games behind the Rangers and failed to make the playoffs.

Also the Rangers paid a very steep price, when all is said and done, they will have given up 2 top 35-50 prospects and another in the 60-70 range for about a season and a half of Lucroy.

The Astros likely would have had to give up something along the lines of Martes and Tucker and Fisher to get close to the Rangers package.

I get where you are coming from but there would be criticism either way.

 

Yeah. I mean, I don't expect them to be awful for a very long time, but I'm tired of it too.

 

It's not THAT hard to go from God-awful to above average like they've been the last 2 seasons. The jump from above average to title contender is probably the hardest jump to make in all sports....not just baseball.

 

Nice rule of thumb

Marwin was batting #2 for a while. He got lumped in with the big 3... 1-4.

Now that his bat is 5-9, it's further exposed.

 

I agree he did. I actually think he's just slumped a bit, but is still a relevant 6 or 7 hitter (granted, ideally as a utility man) that shouldn't be lumped into awfulness.

 

Better check your math.

162 * .52 (current win%) = 84.24

 

Congrats; a bunch of morons agree with you. (Probably.)

Sophomore slump indicates a regression; he has not regressed. Last year, his full-season pace was ~6.5 WAR; this year, it's 6.4.

That he's going to post near identical numbers, at 21 in his first full ML season, to his shorter rookie season is a good thing - precisely because he *didn't* regress.