We've countered with Abreu, which makes us better too. I think the Yankees have closed the gap assuming fewer injuries and the 'Stros won't be sweeping them in 4 games next time -- I hope the Astros get greedy sign the big bat and go into the ALCS next year against the Yankees not with a 50-50 chance of making the WS but knowing we are gonna knock them out. The Yankees are raging right now. Cashman has nightmares of the Astros, all he will be doing is eating, sleeping, and puking Astros. He won't stop until he wins -- or gets fired.
Yankees have a pretty stacked rotation. They have a really solid shot at losing to us in the ALCS again.
Fair, fair points. Any time you can get better, you do so. We've also lost JV (gave us lots of good innings), and regression is likely. Your post is realistic and not overly biased but also, relying on the bullpen to be as good next postseason as it was this postseason is unrealistic.
My concern is our rotation is pretty darn young. Do we really appreciate/know the impact a veteran leader like JV had on the staff? LMJ is now the senior member, but I would think it is still a pretty fragile situation with the youth, especially with the mental part of the game. Javier will start for a full season for the first time, Hunter is basically a rookie, Garcia and Urquidy aren't TOR leaders, and Valdez has had challenges with the mental part of the game in the past (although very improved). LMJ seems like a good leader but he's the most wild out of the bunch. I'd really like to see us bring in a vet back-end SP if only to calm everyone the F down when needed.
Michael Schwab said that the Astros reached out to Tucker Barnhart and Jorge Alfalo this week. Both players were previously linked to the Astros. Nothing exciting although wasn't Alfalo the king of walk offs last year for San Diego? Afalo is a LF/C. Would suck if they sign him to be a backup C and the LF when Alvarez is a DH and call it a day. Not sure if it was mentioned but apparently Benintendi wants 5 years lol. Apparently Yankees don't want him for 5 years. Astros shouldn't either imo.
He's 28 so that would take him through is 32/33 year. For a contact hitter with low power, I think 5 years may not be that bad considering what it takes to get a deal done in this market. Brantley is going into his 35/36th year and they profile as similar players with Beni being a much better defensive player at this stage and Brantley's health a big question mark. I think I'd do 4/60M with an option for a 5th year that is triggered by hitting certain performance milestones. Otherwise 1 + 1 for Conforto is good in terms of length, but has he recovered from his injuries? What player are you getting? Beni may be the better play here even at 5 years.
Barnhart might be okay but he and Alfalo are bargain bin additions. Must be saving the money for Ohtani.
I think he’s looking for steals and bargains and if there isn’t one then the Astros team is set the way it is now.
This rotation got to game 6 of a world series without Justin Verlander, a healthy McCullers, and Javier as a starter. Give me a break. JV was not a locker room leader. Every single guy has pitched in multiple world series.
Exactly. Young players want to hear inspirational speeches that start out "Bury me in the H" more often.
That's King $hit Maldonado's job.... Obviously he is still viewed as an immortal by the Astros. Otherwise you would think they would have jumped on ONE of the top 3 or 4 catchers available.
Starting to think they will add brantley and call it a off-season. Potentially look to add someone at the trade deadline. I think they need to also sign vasquez.
