Balls out suggestion for next season: Houston should sign Aroldis Chapman to a long term deal and put him in the rotation.
We have played .500 ball since April 25th where we were also 8 games under .500 Last year, we had that 10 game winning streak from April 24th - May 3rd. Outside of that, we played .500 ball. While I realize this isn't a novel concept, this team (maybe most?) play .500 most of the time. Its the streaks that elevate you or defeat you. While we haven't had a prolonged losing streak this year, we have had two periods where we lost 7 of 8, and 7 of 9. Amounts to basically the same thing. Its easy to look at a good record, or a bad one, and assign that label to how the team plays all the time. But its not really the case. Its more about how many periods (how often) a team experiences being dialed in and winning a lot in bunches, or the opposite. You could almost simplify the difference between last years team and this years as the difference between one having a bad April and the other having a good one, and the rest being more or less the same.
The bullpen is the best it's been since Dotel-Lidge-Wagner. Unlike the Rockets, there remains reason for optimism. Even though the hitting looks anemic, perhaps if a couple of guys can predictably get out of their ruts (Correa, Gattis, Rasmus, White) and if guys like Valbuena Springer and Castro can stay out of the ruts they've already climbed out of, we should have a shot to be at .500 come All-Star break. After that, the AL West will be a wild race. No one team is clearly better than another.
Excellent points. Although I think if they stay close enough to convince Luhnow to buy, they'll get a lot better in the 2nd half, even if all they do is call up 1 Top 20 MLB prospect (Bregman at 3B) and 1 Top 50 prospect (Reed at 1B).
Would y'all riot if Houston traded for Ryan Braun? Seems like he's back to being a good player, but he's under control for 5 more seasons at ~$20M/yr. Houston loses 2/3 of their OF this year and doesn't have any obvious candidates ready to take over. Acquiring Braun may be one of the only ways they can add an elite bat without giving up tons of prospects. I'd take Braun and $20M for Singleton and Marisnick, but not sure if Milwaukee is looking for something more substantial; I wouldn't want Houston to take on his whole contract and/or give up elite prospects.
All depends on what we give up. I'd do what you suggested in a heartbeat. I would expect that they're looking to pick up some of the contract and get more substantial prospects.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Per <a href="https://twitter.com/fangraphs">@fangraphs</a>, the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Astros?src=hash">#Astros</a> playoff odds have jumped by 15% from last Monday. Quite a week.<a href="https://t.co/OvpuD39gyE">https://t.co/OvpuD39gyE</a> <a href="https://t.co/166rPQy5ad">pic.twitter.com/166rPQy5ad</a></p>— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) <a href="https://twitter.com/BenDuBose/status/737448666315685888">May 31, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Feel that team needs to target a bat for the cleanup spot. I think this would help Correa get through his 2nd year struggles a bit more smoothly. As of now, #4 options on roster are too streaky and HR or bust. Maybe Reed can help but I think we need someone who can help now but is under contract for a while. Braun could fit the bill...any other potential names?
What a run. All Houston has to do to get to Luhnow's ".500 by mid June" goal is go 4-2 over their next 6 (4 in Arlington and 2 against St. Louis). Will be very anxious to see how hard Luhnow goes after trade upgrades. With Gomez showing signs of life and Reed/Bregman waiting in the upper minors it's hard to justify an upgrade to the batting order before this offseason, although they could probably find room for a certifiable star bat under control past this season, whether it be Lucroy (Gattis goes back to DH), Braun (can DH), or another OF. I think the real move to look for is if a true ace pitcher hits the market; would be simple enough to bump Fiers to a long role (if he isn't included in a trade).
just saw this. i'd take him for some non-elite prospects and pay most or all of that salary. 20MM is pretty reasonable right now. would be a pretty perfect addition and create a potentially lethal lineup once bregman and reed settle in. let the brewers-stros pipeline keep on pumping.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hinch says they’ll ease off Gregerson for a bit in the closer role. Others will get a look.</p>— Alyson Footer (@alysonfooter) <a href="https://twitter.com/alysonfooter/status/739570721165172736">June 5, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
^^ in related news, if Harris is given the full-time role, can we get a "Will Harris County" fan section? A la O's Bros or Byrdak's nest. Has the potential to be the best Houston athlete nickname ever..."the County"
Nook said they were looking at trading for Danny Valencia for Devo/Tucker/Pieces. Depending on the pieces I would trade for Valencia in a heartbeat. He would be a perfect fit as a middle of the order RBI guy and wouldn't cost near what Braun would. I was hoping the trade would go down after today's game. They sure could use Valencia in Arlington this week.
Don't want Valencia. Not a good defender at 3B and offensive track record doesn't justify giving up value to get him. Not enough of an impact move IMHO. That said he is hitting really well and if Luhnow thinks he can sustain it then go for it.
I'm looking at him more at 1st with Val/Marwin platooning at 3rd until Bregman is ready. Valencia played 1st with Donaldson playing 3rd for the Jays.
Don't mind them going after Valencia but not if it means giving up a guy like Devenski and other pieces. Tucker and a few lower prospects seems fair value for Valencia. I'd still like them to go after a bigger bat, even if it means giving up some more pieces. I'd prefer if Reed can be that guy and then we can go after another SP. Luhnow has options, that's for sure.
I agree with this. I'm cool with adding Valencia if all it means is Preston Tucker and a lesser minor league arm (maybe West, Bostick, Minaya or someone in that large group of C/C+ grade arms). I just don't want to give up a good prospect for him especially if it means they can't make another bigger move.
I don't how legitimate but if we landed a 3B that did this: .343/.387/.580/.968 - a) who cares about his defense; b) that has a seismic impact on this team. Agreed - he's a late bloomer with, prior to last year, a shoddy offensive track record. But he's a monster this year and would be a tremendous addition at his current pace.
Or he can regress to his career mean and we can bitterly complain about how we overpaid for trash again.
