Just checked MLB.com glossary and turns out it's still the same system. As part of the new CBA the two sides agreed that if both sides could reach an agreement on an international draft by a given date, then they would do away with the QO system. But since that agreement didn't happen, the QO still exists. Astros would forfeit their second highest pick and $500,000 from their international spending pool.
If I'm answering with my head, then I'd rather have Abreu and Conteras and Montero. If I'm answering with my heart, give me JV for a couple more seasons and send him off to Cooperstown in an Astros hat.
looks fine on paper but LMJ has clearly shown he can't pitch for an entire season and is injury prone. nobody should expect him pitch a full season at this point. Hunter still has plenty of room to show that he's an everyday starter. That 6 man rotation isn't as clear cut as some folks are making it seem. JV allows breathing room and being able to mitigate injury concerns depth while being a cy young ace. The stros were extremely lucky with the injury side of things with their pitching rotation this year. outside of some minor instances, it was extremely rare. he should absolutely still be a priority
Removing the QO was MLB's offer if the players accepted an International Draft. The players said no to the International Draft so the QO rules are still in place.
It is a very interesting situation. Between these 2: Package A: Verlander, Gurriel, Jansen (acquired via trade for Urquidy) Package B: Abreu, Contreras, Montero I would probably take package A. The straight up money/free agent part of it probably favors letting Verlander walk, but signing Verlander adds the flexibility to trade a SP (Urquidy, Brown, or Garcia) for offensive help, and I think that adds a lot of value. I also think what they expect of Yainer Diaz and Jake Meyers matters. Both of those guys have a chance to be borderline stars and if they expect that then it might make even more sense to spend the money on Verlander.
He should be a priority, and is likely the #1 priority for the Astros. Crane said he would speak to Verlander BEFORE he would speak to his manager and GM. That gives you an idea of his importance and the relationship between pitcher and owner. However, both Crane and Verlander are businessmen. I don't think Verlander is going to leave much money on the table to return to the Astros, and there are limitations to how much Crane will pay him, even on a shorter deal. If the Blue Jays or Giants decide they are willing to pay 3/135, I don't see Crane matching that; but he would likely circle back and sign the free agents that are willing to take shorter deals like Abreu and possibly Contreras.
Where Odorizzi disappointed me most was LAST season. He was pretty solid this season, reliable for the most part. Last season when we really needed him he performed so badly he was left off the postseason roster initially. When LMJ went down and we needed someone to step in and provide some quality starts in the WS he was not reliable enough to do it. I think he only pitched 2 innings or so in the WS.
yeah for sure. JV was never going to opt into that $25mil. So long as the offer isn't clearly lowballing, I'm hoping JV is still willing to run it back at least once with another player option. The window is still here for the stros and they should be doing everything they can to take advantage of it. It's a dynasty still in progress
I agree with this, I would just add that the Astros hope to re-sign Verlander and add at least a bat like Conforto or Haniger if not a bat with a slightly higher pedigree like Abreu or Bell. So much is going to depend on the market and how fast they have the Verlander issue resolved. I know that Miller is a believer in a 6-man rotation as well, especially if he can possibly squeeze an extra out or two out from his starters so there is one less arm in the pen.
In the end, even an average starter was blocking even better prospects. Javier was too good to send back to the bull pen and Brown had been waiting all year for his opportunity. And McCullers returned. He just wasn't one of our 7 best options.
I also am totally comfortable with them sticking with only internal bullpen options (meaning Martinez and/or James have a spot). I loved what they got out of Montero but I don’t think it would be smart to pay market value for him (or any other proven free agent RP) considering what they already have in the stable.
Best reasonable deal I would offer JV is $78M/2yrs with a $22M 3rd yr player option that becomes a $42M guaranteed 3rd year if he pitches a combined 300 innings in the first 2 years. But if another team is out there offering $130M/3yrs guaranteed then that probably wouldn’t get it done. I don’t see JV leaving $10M+ on the table to come back to Houston.
I went through this when Ryan left. Now he's wearing a Rangers Cap in Cooperstown. I want JV until he retires.
Js I would not go over 35m a year. I understand JV is a legend. But again I wouldn't wanna get burnt if he goes downAgain Also age is an issue. So looking at that I understand if he walks. We don't wanna be that team that has age on IR killing our team. Saying that I do want JV back. But at a price I an digest to help the team
I’m not super interested in resigning JV. I appreciate what he has done here but I think our rotation is good enough to win a WS title without him and I’d rather use our resources on extending our line up.
So, if we let JV walk we are effectively inviting a Cole, Verlander 1-2 for the d@mn Yankees. I don’t see that as good for us. Sign him. i don’t want to face both of those guys. Even if not, JV would find his way to the ALCS/WS. Effectively, trading for / signing JV is a topper move by someone trying to unseat us. High costs (money or prospects) are an aside for the team on a mission to beat us. Sign him. The WS is a different game. Margins matter. The Phillies challenged. We lost to Atlanta and Washington. Tight spots matter. Inner-game momentum matters. Holding serve is supreme importance. Your bullpen is more (only?) effective if not demoralizing exhausted or giving too many looks to processional hitters. JV holds serve. Sign him.
