Giles, Harris, Gregerson, Devo, and Feliz are 5 arms I would immediately prefer ahead of him on opening day next year. When you add in a situational lefty, possible garbage long man, and Sipp whose salary they aren't gonna simply eat yet, our bullpen is likely full. If Sipp was let go and we kept Neshek, we would essentially be paying 12.5 million, for one decent situational relief pitcher. We may not agree with the Astros frugal midset, but it's simply the reality of what they are right now. As long as our team payroll overall keeps climbing, I'm OK with it. He's a situational righty, and an OK addition to a bullpen. But he isn't an impact player, he's 36 years old, and he's making 6.5 million dollars, I never though we were gonna keep him, so I'm actually surprised we got anything for him.
$$$, and we also had a surplus in the bullpen (assuming we don't move Devenski or Feliz into the rotation). Really question why Philly would make this move, but makes sense for us. There are better ways to spend $6.5M.
He doesn't have a case to fill a spot over younger power arms like Devenski, Feliz He prevents the Astros from carrying a much needed second lefty reliever.
The Astros traded Neshek because they have a budget and don't want to pay him $6,500,000 next year. That money is being spent on Aoki.
Aoki is small ball. So I would think we need to improve our pitching, not put it at risk. Personally, Devenski should be starting if u ask me. The pen is still above average so I don't really care much, but I see it as a dent.
agree with seal. Yes, there's a budget, so they were working around it. I don't think it was strictly Aoki though. There is a surplus of young, quality arms that can go in the bullpen and replicate Neshek, so Neshek was wasted $ now that we've seen the young guys' work. Also, it'll ideally leave room for someone in the pen that can be shuttled to/from AAA when injuries happen.
With this owner its always about the money. Another example is after moving Tals hill the center field fence will be moved in. There will be a foodcourt of some kind being built.He will be like the marlins teams. Twice they won championships and when it came time to reward the players the team was torn apart and rebuilt from the ground up.
So, how, after winning two World Series, is Crane tearing the team apart? Oh, that's right, they haven't and he isn't. Personally I hope the Astros will be like the Marlins and win a World Series or two.
