Vegas has the Astros as the 10/1 favorites to win the world series--tied with the Nats for best odds.
Astros and Nats both look to be good in what appear to be weak divisions at the moment. That can change in a hurry when teams start playing games and we see where the projections are off. There are still a lot of FAs out there as well.
Yeah, the odds will definitely shift once Gordon, Upton, Cespedes, Maeda, Davis, etc. sign. Currently, I'd list the WS favorites in each league as follows: NL: Tier 1: Cubs, Mets Tier 2: Nats Tier 3: Dodgers, Cards, Pirates, Giants AL: Tier 1: Royals, Astros, Blue Jays Tier 2: Angels, Red Sox Tier 3: Tigers, Yankees, Rangers
"a team that's already won it 3 times" is a weird thing to use as a baseline given that this is baseball. The good holdovers from those teams are basically Posey and Bumgarner..and that's it. I agree that they added 2 very good pitchers and are improved. But tier 1 is questionable--especially with the DBacks having improved so much as well in the same division (i.e. the Dodgers and DBacks will give them good competition all year)
Our rotation is substantially better than the Royals or Blue Jays. We finished 2nd in the AL for starters ERA. I understand the team wants another starter, particularly after trading Velasquez, but our starting pitching is already a strength.
Don't overlook the Rangers. Remember they won the division... With Darvish back, and with Hamels all year, they will be formidable.
slow news day... <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I don't work in Vegas. But <a href="https://twitter.com/zacharylevine">@zacharylevine</a> does. <a href="https://t.co/WmTKIZjQLv">pic.twitter.com/WmTKIZjQLv</a></p>— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/status/679013221248843776">December 21, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Same email has Keuchel as favorite to repeat as AL Cy Young winner at 6:1 ahead of Price at 7:1. Carlos Correa last on 6-man MVP list, 18:1.</p>— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/status/679015050607136768">December 21, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
If, and that is a big if, DArvish is healthy, with Hamels, that is a very difficult rotation in Texas.
Tyler White named MVP of the Dominican League. .304 avg/.426 obp/.926 ops (158ab-48 hits) 7 HR 31 rbi 29 runs 10 2B. http://www.estrellasorientales.com.do/news/20151221-white-gana-mvp-socrates-novato-anno.ashx
Awesome to see us as a favorite Obviously doesn't mean anything till we do it But after the past so many years Awesome
Totally okay with Singleton, Reed & White being the 1B competition heading into ST. I think it's Singleton's last shot too make the club or be dealt.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>The Astros have traded 6 of their top 10 prospects as of @<a href="https://twitter.com/BaseballAmerica">BaseballAmerica</a>’s list last Nov: <a href="https://t.co/YrXDeAPt1O" title="http://www.baseballamerica.com/majors/2015-houston-astros-top-10-prospects/">baseballamerica.com/majors/2015-ho…</a> <a href="https://t.co/L2qlIo4k79" title="http://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/status/679238758533758976/photo/1">pic.twitter.com/L2qlIo4k79</a></p>— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/status/679238758533758976" data-datetime="2015-12-22T09:55:14+00:00">December 22, 2015</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Young guy with power, there would be some that would want him...but we would have to eat most of the salary
Which is a large part of why you need to have good prospects Obviously some will need to be a part of your team, but if you can get value for prospects in trades for major league help, letting the other teams assume the higher risk of your prospects, it's a win win
The words after "but" are why I say he is untradeable. If he can't make the majors this season, he's likely a negative asset. I should have said untradeable as a positive asset. I don't see the Astros paying another team to take him.
