The Astros 2023 rotation will probably include at least 5 and probably 6 of these names. #1 F Valdez* #1 C Javier #2 F Whitley #2 H Brown #3 J Urquidy #3 L McCullers #3 L Garcia Ace J Verlander If I was thinking about adding another pitcher I hope somebody would talk me out of it. Going after Verlander makes sense but not if it takes too many years or too much AAV.. If Verlander walks and we trade one of our #3s we are still left with a six man rotation that kicks ass. The off-season adds that make the most sense would be a short deal for a center fielder and a first baseman. Trading one or two of our #3 starters for a ML ready CF prospect could be another way to go, along with extending Mancini at first base. Securing those two positions alone make a better team than this one, and it is already one of the best in baseball.
I want Whitley on that list, but it's wishful thinking at this time. He has not shown the ability to get outs with his great stuff. Has he even put together 3 starts with an ERA under 9 yet? I'm not even from Missouri and he's got to SHOW ME first.
I hope we re-sign Verlander, but this is a really solid post. I don’t know who that CF is, but it is certainly something worth pursuing. Of course, none of us really know how the Astros feel about Leon next year.
Whitley’s last nine innings have been amazing. Very small sample size, but I would give him a shot in September. He is already on the 40 man.
Hunter Brown has to be the next in line. I get the 40-man situation, but there's no rational way you can skip him for Whitley.
Next week's schedule is a bit more accommodating. Tomorrow is off then a two game series with the Rangerettes, another day off, then a series in LA.
We can only add 2 players this year, right? Which begs the question, who should they be? This week, I would say a reliever and center fielder.
Adam Wexler @AdamJWexler #Astros prospect Pedro Leon was activated from the IL today & will play in his 1st game since suffering a facial fracture on Sat. Aug. 6 after being hit with a pitch. Sugar Land Space Cowboys One more on the road tonight before we are leaving Las Vegas. ⚾️: 9:05 PM CT : https://t.co/5wiNTgID3M : https://t.co/iqpAZ2Skaf https://t.co/gXNq41Ltxx
So I know there are a lot of seamheads on this site. How concerned should we about Verlander leaving today’s game with calf tightness, and how long do you think the Astros will take him out of the rotation as a precaution?
For the PA, they get a ton more members to represent to make an already powerful union even more powerful against the owners... and with the way younger players are signing long-term deals as rookies (some ill-advised), they have a chance to negotiate better CBA terms during their pre-callup years. (vs. the current practice of them not giving a **** about any minor leaguer, and they're often thrown under the bus in concessions to getting better terms for the major leaguers in collective bargaining negotiations).
MLBPA will likely get them better salaries next CBA. Also, lockout major leaguers, minor leaguers get locked out as well. If players strike, owners can't force minor leaguers to play. I'm not sure if this means minor leaguers will be in the MLBPA or if this means the MLBPA will create a union for the minor leaguers and run it for them. I expect if minor leaguers become a part of MLBPA, it will not be with full voting status.
Jon Heyman @JonHeyman Potentially, a very big loss if it’s serious Mike DiGiovanna This is not good: #Dodgers have placed RHP Tony Gonsolin on the injured list with a right forearm strain, retroactive to August 26. Michael Grove will start for LA tonight vs. #Marlins.
You are counting on Whitley and Brown. Both have high upside. Neither are anywhere close to a sure thing
