Caveat ... I read it on the Internets so it must be true ... Chapman has made comments that he does not know how much longer his arm can be put up with 100+ MPH fastballs. Chapman is not a medical doctor, so there is that.
Healthy Keuchel & McCullers, McHugh and Musgrove. Devenski, Feliz, Martes & Fiers competing for the 5th starter/long relief spots. I don't see urgency to spend money or deal for a starter at this time. Maybe at the deadline if it doesn't pan out but there's plenty of internal options that are capable of getting it done now or being the trade pieces to acquire it Keuchel McCullers McHugh Musgrove Devenski/Feliz/Martes/Fiers Giles Gregerson Harris Devenski/Feliz/Fiers Devenski/Feliz/Fiers LHRP LHRP FA/Sipp
At the end of last year, the Astros did not have a #1 or #2. Luhnow has made comment that he is looking improve the starting pitching.
Has Rosario? He has a career .235/.260/.408 line away from Coors Field. That isn't an improvement over White. Maybin isn't much of an upgrade. Might as well be taking another chance on Rasmus.
This is the theme of my Astros' offseason; I hope to god the team shares it: They have to aim higher than, "better than White/Reed. (Or Rasmus. Or Castro. Or...)" This isn't about bare minimum improvement; this is about cultivating actual improvement by targeting significantly better players. You don't make the leap by moving the needle in inches...
Again, let's aim higher than "better than Marisnick." I couldn't care less if Maybin hits .260; he doesn't walk and get on base with any consistency. We have enough of those types of hitters.
I'd be ok with giving Chapman $110M/5yrs if they thought he could be a starter, assuming Houston can carry at least $130M/yr in total payroll moving forward. Would certainly be a statement move.
I don't understand the infatuation with turning Chapman into a starter. it isn't happening. You really don't think other teams have looked into it? It would've happened by now if it were a feasible option.
Saw that.. but I would expect that, as a starter, he wouldn't be throwing 100+ MPH anythings. See the Smoltz quotes re: relieving vs starting, etc.
Given how tough it is to survive the season injury-wise they will need more front line pitching than that. I also wonder if we can get any of our struggling minor starters to turn into the Andrew Miller role "Middle inning closer". Nothing ground breaking, but cannot expect bullpen to duplicate last year entirely and even they were inconsistent at times.
Yep, but Indians are now the "cursed" MLB franchise with their history. Poor Nats though. Never made it past the first round (Expos did it once). And Mariners haven't been to the playoffs in like 15 years.
So pay Rasmus, who gets on base less than Maybin, double what Maybin would get? I'd rather spend the $30M on Cespedes.
