Reds GM says they do not expect to trade either Mahle or Castillo. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/03/reds-gm-wont-trade-luis-castillo-tyler-mahle.html
Assuming McCullers is down for awhile, i would like to see the Astros use a 6 man rotation: Verlander Valdez Urquidy Garcia Odorizzi Javier This will hopefully keep Verlander, Urquidy, Javier, and Garcia on track for building stamina. They need to pitch more than 4 or 5 innings by the end of the year... It also would give Odorizzi an opportunity to start and build his potential trade value to a team at the deadline should McCullers be ready. Javier's value in relief can come in the playoffs... I'm not opposed to switching to standard 5 man the last couple months to ramp up for playoffs...
He needs too play everyday in AAA and learn new positions as the Astros are doing with him and others.
The double header is the Thursday after the All Star game and then they have to fly to Seattle for a game the next day.
NO MORE JOE BUCK CALLING WORLD SERIES GAMES! Buck, Aikman going from Fox to ESPN's 'Monday Night' booth
He was 23 and was a college player that then lost a year to covid and injury. He's had 1.5 seasons worth of minor league ball. He's also blocked by a group of Allstars so they weren't out to rush him.
3/4ths of all the deals this year seem like overpays. That's one reason I bumped the previous 6 year offer to reflect a higher market and added a team option in year 7. You can get really creative if you want to make it work. I can't help but remember how outrageous paying Nolan Ryan $1M a years was and then refusing to pay him $2M when he went to Texas.
So after today (where Suzuki, Schwarber, Rosario, Bryant, and Pederson all signed) there are 6 good free agent position players left: Freeman Correa Castellanos Conforto Soler Pham I would bet at least 4 of those players sign in the next 48 hours. On the pitching side, Pineda is the only guy left I think will be much good (and maybe Duffy depending on his health).
Jansen is the only one I think would have any meaningful impact for Houston and I think he will be overpriced. I am really high on Houston’s current bullpen construction even with the lack of an elite lefty. Although they have such a surplus I expect them to make some kind of move. As it stands they don’t have room for Abreu (who is out of options), Taylor, or James, who all probably deserve a major league roster spot.
I was just looking at the overall market not specifically for the Astros. I don't expect a bullpen signing from the Astros since the good lefties are gone. I think it is very likely Correa or nothing. They probably feel okay with the 6 starters they have with McCullers out, and with how Dusty talked about not wanting Tucker in CF I don't see them adding one of the big free agent outfielders either.
