Can't disagree with anything you said...other than I fully believe last season was absolutely and outlier for Altuve and that he'll be back to being a .320ish hitter this season. Honestly, they're probably interchangeable in the lineup. I just have a hard time imagining them moving him to 5th. Not saying it can't happen, though.
I fully agree Altuve's 2020 was a one year thing! He's my favorite player and I'd love to see him bat leadoff. Based on Correa's statement, it seems like he thinks that's what's going to happen. The Astros are blessed with 6 really good hitters to fill in the top 2/3 of the lineup. Not many lineups can say that.
Who knows how things play out for JV, but I sure hope when he starts looking at where he's going to sign next season he takes into account that the 'Stros paid him over 60 million $ over the last two yrs (when he couldn't pitch). Would love to have him back next season!!
Maybe I’m wrong...but I don’t see Verlander leaving after his contract expires. It seems like JV has a great mutual relationship with Crane and the Astros, and this isn’t an instance where he’s likely to fetch some gargantuan offer that we just can’t match (a la Cole, Springer). I think Crane would like to keep him as long as feasible & I don’t see a cost-prohibitive contract/offer getting in the way. This is all obviously contingent on wanting to be here (and Crane signing off)...but I’m excited to see how he performs when he returns. He was at the top of his game...he’s not your typical 38 year old!
If I were a betting man, I would say it's more likely than not he stays because it would seem to make a ton of sense for both sides. We have payroll available and need a starter, he already has great comfort here and a chance to win. However he is not gonna give us a major discount. If some team does make a huge offer he'll go there, and I think that is also very possible. All it takes is one team to really want Verlander, and the Astros will not stray far from what they think is adequate value.
My thinking is he now has a child, and he's living out in Los Angeles. Already has a ring. May want to be closer to home (Dodgers, Padres, etc).
If the Tigers show signs of life, going back to Detroit and playing for Hinch would probably be attractive as well. If Verlander comes back and shoves in some role in the playoffs, someone is going to give him crazy money.
As long as he keeps hiring smart people and spending I don’t care what advertisement board he puts up there.... he can put a huge Summer’s Eve douche on the train for all I care... maybe it can spray douche on the outfielders after every Astros home run.
LOL ... Ugly as ****. (Gotta help pay the bills I guess...) MMP with Ad-Block (“Allow some non-intrusive ads”) MMP without Ad-Block
