The Red Sox have Bogaerts, Betts, Bradley, Benintendi and Holt that they're hoping will continue to get better. The question was asked to Bob Melvin earlier on MLB network, "what does the addition of someone like Chris Sale tell your clubhouse"? His reply, "that you're going for it". The 'Stros have made some nice moves thus far, but IMO they don't have the rotation to win it all. Plus there's BIG question marks on whether or not Giles can handle being the closer. The 'Stros have a young nucleus of players under their control financially right now, and they better strike soon while they can keep this bunch together. Selfishly I'd like to see them win it all while I'm still alive (have been watching them for 48 yrs). My dad was a HUGE Cubs fan (born in Chicago). He never saw the Cubs win it all. He passed away on Oct 19th (91 yrs old), and thus wasn't able to see this Cubs run to finally win it all.
I don't think their lineup thus far is better than the Stros. They can have all the pitching they want. I think we have a chance due to our 1 through 9. But yeah they do have a better pitching staff. You get a guy like Archer and it narrows the gap.
Everyone's talking about Sale to the Red Sox and rightfully so, but I think the deal that's getting overlooked is the elite bullpen arm they added with Tyler Thornburg. Their bullpen will be pretty damn solid.
The games have to be played and a lot can change between now and September/October. Having said that, on paper the Red Sox have the better team. Their line up is better and their star His strikeout ratio exploded last year, lets wait and see if he can replicate it.
Good pitching almost always beats good hitting. You always want a balance... but I believe there's only been one team in MLB history that has reached the world series with a mediocre pitching staff (whereas several have gotten there with mediocre lineups, but strong pitching).
Hinch: "Beltran is one of the most distinguished players that understands the the game, his presence makes our whole roster better." AJ Hinch: "Everyone put us together with that particular player (Encarnacion)... I'd say it's unlikely, but never say never." AJ Hinch: "Knowing if some things fall our way we are very comfortable with our rotation, but an upgrade is always a possibility."
Asking Hinch about future trade possibilities and FA transactions is wasted breath. Of course he can't answer truthfully.
I don't agree with the assumption that the Red Sox have a better lineup than the Astros. Not a believer on JBJ's bat and big question marks at 3B, DH, and even C.
Plus they've called themselves the Killer B's. Baseball gods will put them in their place--regression is in order.
Would make sense for Chicago to focus on the teams that missed on Sale (from rumors, mainly Nats and Astros) since both sides know which prospects the Sox like. Best thing that could happen for Houston would be for Washington to trade for McCutchen, which would leave them without the prospects to get Quintana. I almost prefer Quintana to Sale, similar overall production, Quintana has another year of control and is cheaper.
As of now, the Astros have a top 5 AL catcher, possibly the best infield in all of baseball, top 5 AL outfiled, and I would say top 5 AL bullpen....only real weakness is starting pitching. Realistically, I think they do make a trade for a starter, but either way we need Keuchel to have a comeback year, McCullers to stay healthy and progress, and Musgrove to improve. I agree that the top 3 AL teams are definitely Red Sox, Indians, and Astros.
Hinch just said in his media availability he doesn't really want to have an overload of RHHs at the top of the order. Means we could see either Reddick or Beltran in the 2 spot (preferably Beltran).
Interesting. So presumably you'd sacrifice ABs for either Bregman or (IMO more likely) Springer by dropping one of them to 5.
He also said he likes Springer leading off so presumably Bregman would be the guy to move down. And if he doesn't want to stack RHHs, that would most likely drop Bregman to 6. Springer Beltran/Reddick Altuve Correa Reddick/Beltran Bregman McCann Gurriel Aoki
That's fine to start the season. But if Bregs is raking the way he did when you subtract the opening slump, I don't know if you can justify the move purely for the sake of balance. Anyway, let's see how the roster shakes out. Still potential moves to be made.
With Chris Sale off the board, Rays now on clock. Astros, Nationals both interested after missing on Sale. But Rays show no sense of urgency - Jayson Stark The Astros, like the Rangers, never made much headway in Chris Sale trade talks. Once they learned the price, that was pretty much it. - Jerry Crasnick A.J. Hinch said the Astros will stretch out Chris Devenski in spring to the 3 or 4-inning mark before deciding whether starter or reliever. - Jake Kaplan A.J. Hinch on his comfort level with Yulieski Gurriel at first base Hinch on whether George Springer will bat leadoff next season Hinch on the expected role for Michael Feliz in 2017
