Woah, that's a big AAV for a middle reliever that's a season removed from being DFA from another team.
I don't love the AAV, but I do love the quick decision to retain one of your three best relievers and keep that historic bullpen intact. If the bullpen remains great, it's easier to stomach the loss of Verlander. Knowing Crane, though, you have to think that's the big fish he's trying to reel in right now. He did say he'd be willing to spend more if they won it all; maybe this is a sign of things to come. I just hope he doesn't overpay a ton of guys the next couple of months.
That seems really high for Montero. I know his overall regular season was great but I felt like there was a lot of regression during the second half.
That’s an overpay but no deal <$50M is gonna do too much damage. It’s possible that given the front office chaos Crane’s approach might be to just bring everybody back and let the new GM fix whatever needs to be fixed at the deadline. Actually not a bad idea if he doesn’t overpay too badly.
Click had the Tampa mindset focusing on relievers. I'm not sure if the postseason was the main facilitator or the season as a whole, but Crane clearly must have bought what Click was selling even if he's not here anymore. I know how much it saved our ass in October, but unless Crane really is willing to spend big this offseason, 40 million dollars on your bullpen is...a lot, particularly given our depth there. If we don't bring back Verlander, loading up a deep pen to offset a potentially less effective rotation could be a really smart move.
Montero deal reeks of a back-up plan to a back-up plan after the organization realizes it is going to strike out on bigger free agent targets. Hope I’m wrong.
Depends on if he had other teams after him. I could see the Yankees pushing hard to get some secret sauce. If it’s an overpay to keep out of a contender. I’m ok with that too.
Overpaid for Montero...don't f*ck this up Crane and cause self handicap and stop yourself from getting other more important pieces for next year. Your money, just don't get buyers remorse.
I highly expected some other team to give Montero this type of offer and the Stros would let him walk. One thing to keep in mind, Crane has said he's willing to go over the luxury tax in the past. Maybe he just might do it this yr!! Bullpen all set for next yr: Pressly Montero Abreu Neris Stanek
I'm not mad at the deal. Bringing the same bullpen back makes sense. I do hope Verlander is back. I know McCullers was out most of the season and Verlander missed almost a month with the leg, but this team was extremely lucky not having major injuries with their pitching staff for the year. Pitching depth is so important.
With the Montero signing, I wonder if there's any chance if it makes Neris expendable in trade talks. His contract is pretty reasonable given his production, but paying three relievers $8 million+ in AAV seems crazy to me. I'm all for spending on the bullpen if that's the case, though.
Abreu’s continued dominance and consistency will be the key to this bullpen going from elite to GOAT status throughout the season. They all complement each other well with their individual skill sets and are all versatile enough to pitch in any situation. That is the key to whatever model you want to call this (TB, Click, 90’s Reds).
Love the optimism of Crane possibly spending above the luxury tax, but I’ll believe it when I see it because it definitely hasn’t been the organization’s MO, and we’ve heard high-priced talent openly state as such in the past.
