Wonder how much of this comes from not playing every day. Meyers was kicking ass till he had to start splitting time with McCormick and started basically playing every other day
Brantley needs to be a DH but you keep him next year and let him walk after that Pena at SS Starling Marte in CF for 3/51 million... replaces Brantley in LF in 2023 and replaces a good chunk of Correa's offense. Also gives you a 40-50 stolen base threat that you haven't had at the top of the lineup since Altuve busted up his knee. Meyers as 4th outfielder will get 400 ABs then starts in CF in 2023 unless Leon is better Trade McCormick and some pitching prospects for Wilson Contreras. Lee takes over C in 2023 Trade Odorrizi Trade Castro Verlander takes qualifying offer Sign McHugh Sign Raisel Iglesias Lineup: Marte CF Brantley LF Altuve 2B Alvarez DH Bregman 3B Tucker RF Yuli 1B Contreras C Pena SS Bench: Maldonado, Meyers, Diaz Rotation: Verlander, McCullers, Framber, Garcia, Urquidy Bullpen: Pressly, Iglesias, McHugh, Stanek, Maton, Javier, Baez, Taylor/James/Bielak/Scrubb/Dubin
This is for next year? 3 rookies? For one of the 3 remaining Bregman/Altuve years? All for young-ins being staggered or groomed in part-time roles before taking over for good. Also doubtful that any rookie starts the season on the roster without major CBA changes that may lead to a longer work stoppage than even realized.
Hard to presume external FA signings and trades. Brantley is really the only higher priced external FA they’ve ever signed in this era, and that was somewhat of a gamble by Luhnow where teams shied away due to his health. Houston may be more attractive to pitchers vs. hitters, mainly due to Strom.
Strom might be done after this season. He bought a retirement place in Mexico that he wants to spend part of the year at. He thought about hanging it up last offseason. No guarantee he's back next year.
The Colorado hate for Texas goes way, way longer and deeper than the Astros. We basically own 2/3 of their state, and the locals hate us for it, they have for a century or so. Same with New Mexico.
No, I’m talking about once each veterans contract runs out. 2022: Pena replaces Correa 2023: Lee replaces Maldy, Leon replaces A Diaz, Papierski replaces Castro 2024: Y Diaz replaces Gurriel (extend Yuli 1 year), TBD replaces Brantley (extend Uncle Mike 1 year) Altuve and Bregman would be extended to end their careers as Astros; Tucker, Alvarez, Meyers, Jones, and McCormick are all under control thru 2026 under the current CBA.
Got it. Optimistic succession plan... but as we know, usually doesn't work out that way. I'd say better than even money somebody gets traded vs. promoted with the Astros. Not sure about Altuve/Bregman extensions. Depends what the team's realistic contention status is at that point. Its very hard (even with no payroll limitations) to stay in constant contention for over 10 years unless you have a Maddux-Glavine-Smoltz like rotation that stays healthy and pitches 200 innings each every year.
Yes, I am optimistic. But how many teams were able to develop 2 MVP caliber hitters like Tucker and Alvarez directly on the heels of developing 4 MVP caliber players like Altuve, Springer, Correa, and Bregman. Of course, any organization is always only a handful of bad breaks away from everything falling apart, but Houston projects to be the division favorite thru at least the end of this decade. Combine that with the fact that they have a smart/rich/competitive owner who has proven able to hire excellent GMs as well as supply top tier payroll, and I won’t bet against any Jim Crane team being a contender from here on out.
Agreed… although all teams need a semblance of luck and the Astros got that when Alvarez fell into their lap. Same with Altuve coming out of nowhere. Otherwise, they did “earn” the high draft picks of Springer, Correa, Bregman, Tucker… but you’re right, just because you draft a player high doesn’t guarantee they all pan out (and the Astros high picks, including LMJ, did). The Rangers are encroaching being just as bad as the Astros were prior to 2014, yet they’re not expected to make a wild card game next year and win a WS in 3 years. It’s also why I won’t take for granted future success. This is not the “norm”, and we are all pretty lucky to get to witness this sustained run of greatness. As far as sustaining things, as long as the Astros continue to sign the majority of their picks, they’ll be able to supplement the current core with trades. Not having top 2 picks the last two years really hurt them on the trade market this year.
If Brantley produces like he has this year, he will be signed to another extension. Just because we have OF who could offset some of his production doesn’t mean we let him walk. If he gets hurt, we can use Meyers or McCormick. Those guys aren’t going anywhere unless dealt for an arm upgrade.