It is odd to me that Montero isn’t being mentioned as a lock for the bullpen even though he was tendered a contract and is out of options. Seems incredibly unlikely they would have tendered him if they thought there was a chance he wouldn’t make the roster. Bryan Abreu is also out of options so it’ll be interesting to see what happens with him, since for now there doesn’t appear to be a spot for him and he seems far too talented to simply DFA. He would very likely benefit from the league expanding rosters to accommodate the late start. Hard to believe James still has options but he does. Huge benefit for Houston to be able to stash a guy like that in AAA. Current projected opening day roster: 2B Altuve RF Tucker 3B Bregman DH Alvarez 1B Gurriel LF Brantley CF Siri SS Goodrum C Maldonado Bench: Diaz, Castro, McCormick, Jones Rotation: Verlander, Valdez, Garcia, Urquidy, Odorizzi Bullpen: Javier, Stanek, Montero, Morgan, Baez, Maton, Neris, Pressly IL: Meyers, McCullers Optioned: Pena, Perez, Whitley, Ivey, Dubin, Solomon, Bielak, Bermudez, Martinez, Taylor, Paredes, James Traded: Abreu (Pena will be kept down until after the service time cutoff)
It will work itself out. Seems like every year in spring training somebody tweaks something and starts the season on the IL.
Pena? I don't think so, but I could be wrong. I don't think Siri even makes the active roster. He has some work to do on his defense. I see PENA SS and McCormick CF. But who knows? It's almost never what you expect in early Spring Training. Also, I see McCullers starting the season on IL, possibly 60 day. We will also be adjusting back to the stricter call up routine with IL requiring real minimum stays.
I think Pena starts the season as the starting shortstop. Sending him down after not signing a replacement for Correa would be a PR nightmare. Taylor Jones is the interesting guy for me. I really like him as a bench guy who can play the 4 corners. He was really starting to hit a groove when he got hurt last year and never made it back. Unless the league agrees to 28 man rosters to start, Diaz is traded, or Goodrum does not make the team I don't see a spot for him. Depth chart C: Maldy, Castro, ? 1b: Gurriel, Diaz, ? 2b: Altuve, Diaz, Goodrum 3b: Bregman, Diaz, Goodrum SS: Pena, Goodrum, Diaz LF Brantley, McCormick, Diaz ( Alvarez) CF: McCormick, Siri, Tucker RF: Tucker, McCormick, Brantley DH: Alvarez I think each positions 3rd option is what it may come down to. C: I don't know but assume Diaz. Can anyone else catch if needed? 1b: Alvarez played quite a bit in minors and Tucker has dabbled but without Jones no real 3rd option. A other positions feel like 4+ players can fill in if needed At first I liked the idea of trading Diaz for salary relief but looking at this makes me realize that his versatility is much more useful to this team than Goodrum's versatility. I don't see them keeping Jones over Goodrum, but I think it's a better bench fit. 1) improves power and hitting on bench 2) gives a true 3rd 1b 3) there are still 3+ players who can play 2b, 3b, or SS 2b-Altuve, Diaz, Bregman, Gurriel 3b: Bregman, Diaz, Jones SS: Pena, Diaz, Bregman *Pena can probably play all 3 by why? SS if he is in the lineup. 4) with Alvarez, Tucker, and Brantley all LH, he gives more RH power who can play corner OF and inf. I don't expect it but I would like to see it.
I think Siri would be in Sugarland if Meyers was healthy but since he's not Siri is the #2 CF and 4th OF until he is. Much better option than Goodrum who is a much better 3rd CF than 2nd CF in my opinion.
So we are waiting to see if the Astros avoid arbitration with Maton and Framber. Everyone else is done.
Interesting to see if he got the Strom Magic last year or it was just limited appearances (sample size) for the Astros. 6 IP with 1 ER. He has had mixed results over his career.
