He did the same with Yordan last year and was irritated when Yordan ruined the ruse when he said he was fully healthy in a post game interview.
Yup - but Montero has to either play along with there being an injury and/or he has to accept a demotion to the Florida Complex. I have tried to find out, but I don't know if it is that Montero has said no, or if it is that the Astros haven't ask him so far. The Astros have to be careful to not over work the relievers that are performing - but also win as many games as possible. At this point a few deals is almost an inevitability - and the sooner the better for the Astros. They can send Montero to Florida or the DL and trade for someone that is solid at eating innings.
That is a concern but 1) I have a very hard time believing it based on recent history. 2) How fragile is Altuve, suddenly, if that is true? What about giving Altuve Sunday the 11th off after playing 4 days in a row. What about Sunday the 18th after playing 5 days in a row? Altuve was activated 38 days ago. He has played 25 games. Altuve is suddenly nicked up every Sunday? He has played 2 Sundays this year and is supposed to be the team leader and EVERY DAY second baseman At some point Dusty needs to put him in the lineup like he does Bregman and Tucker, or failing that, at least start him 90% of the time. I just rewatched the bunt single 5 times, the last 2 at 1/4 speed. He clearly extended and reached for the bag making it a very slightly more impactful landing but it did not look like he landed heel first and if he did there was no sign that it should have caused any discomfort or soreness at all. The bases aren't concrete.
Yup - but Montero has to either play along with there being an injury and/or he has to accept a demotion to the Florida Complex. I have tried to find out, but I don't know if it is that Montero has said no, or if it is that the Astros haven't ask him so far. The Astros have to be careful to not over work the relievers that are performing - but also win as many games as possible. At this point a few deals is almost an inevitability - and the sooner the better for the Astros. They can send Montero to Florida or the DL and trade for someone that is competitive. It looks like we will need two relievers - including someone that can pitch in the playoffs.
I don't agree with this. The market for rentals will be full of buyers with limited sellers. The prices are going to be higher than ever. We need teams like the Pirates, Mets, Cubs, Padres, and Tigers to be bad the next 3 weeks to add to the list of sellers.
As for Altuve missing a game a week - I am fine with it if Altuve is sore or banged up. While it isn't ideal - he hasn't played in 150 or more games in 6 years so this isn't an iron man situation. He also has comeback from some fairly serious injuries. To me the issues are just a lot simpler: The Astros have lost 3 starting pitchers from last year. The Astros are running out two rookies and a journeyman in this rotation. While, the Astros rotation has been very good, no one other than Valdez goes deep in games. The bullpen has not been great.... about half the bullpen is struggling, and the Astros cannot keep relying on the same 4-5 pen arms every night. The Astros need to make changes in the bullpen and add another starter - they have lost a number of close games because of the pen, especially recently. The hitting is starting to improve some - I think they should still look for a genuine good bat, but the pen is the top priority.
If Altuve is all of a sudden starting to develop these soft tissue 'injuries' that require extra rest, that would cause me to start planning for the future, and that wouldn't include a new contract for him.
This is certainly possible, but we don't know yet. A few teams have a number of players available. Will the Mets move some of their pieces? They are sub .500% and their owner has said it isn't "win this year or else". So they could move expiring contracts like a David Robertson or Adam Ottavio, The Nationals will likely make Carl Edwards and Kyle Finnegan available. The Red Sox are under ,500% - they have Kenley Jansen, Kutter Crawford, Chris Martin The Cardinals are not going to completely gut their team but they are out of it, and likely will have guys like Jordan Hicks, Jack Flaherty, Jordan Montgomery available. The White Sox will end up selling at least their guys on short contracts..... Giolito, Lynn and Clevenger will be available as starters.... in the pen, Graveman, Middleton are going to be available. The Royals will try to sell Barlow, Chapman, Hernandez.... the Rockies will try to move Brad Hand, Brent Sutter and possibly Daniel Bard. That doesn't even take into account teams like the Padres and Mariners that are rumored to be willing to move some players .... the Padres have 3-4 pitchers on short deals that could help the Astros.... So there will be guys available - but we will have to wait and see how deep it is and how willing teams are to move the players. Abreu has started to turn it around, so he doesn't look like an albatross - but Montero is really struggling. Will Crane be willing to take on the salary of Kendall Graveman for example? What quality of prospect would that take? I have been told the Astros have a strong preference for relievers signed through next season, or under long term control - but those cost more, so we will have to wait and see. However it is very possible that a number of high end guys like Chapman and Josh Hader may be on the market.
Get rid of Baker and give Espada a chance...if he does good keep him next year and beyond, if he doesn't start fresh. Baker should have retired after he won his championship.
Dusty's explanation on using Montero is just insanity. He said "When am I supposed to use him?!?!?!?" All the managers would not be using Montero unless in a mop up, or DFA. Forget Montero, how about Ryan Stanek. Dusty had players back, or did he just fall asleep while the ump decides to be judge and jury. Stanek rightfully went ballistic, the one person who should be beyond ballistic is Dusty. He is the leader of the Stros, instead of going to the 2nd base area to raise hell. He just threw a fit in the dugout like us, we threw a fit watching it on TV. Run it back, I hope not.
At this point, I’m just waiting breaking news that Montero punch a wall and break his bones like Maton did. Maybe few months of rest will do him well like it did for Maton.
Yeah playoffs… they should win the division too. There are no guarantees but they are getting healthy and have the means to improve in the trade market.
" Dusty can make the decision to start players like Todd Frazier and Paul Janish. He knows that players like Willie Harris, despite being a lefty, is not hitting well enough to play any level of baseball. He knows that Heisey is still not the talent he was hyped as, yet he still gives him the benefit of playing time despite Ryan Ludwick's high RBI and home run numbers compared to the rest of the team. He knows Alfredo Simon is a not reliable on the mound, yet he continues to send him out and not look for a replacement. He knows Scott Rolen will need a replacement, yet he gives no one worthy the playing time at third. The lineup is completely day-to-day and the batting order is anybody's guess. " https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1156259-cincinnati-reds-dusty-baker-is-responsible-for-poor-play
Truth is, there haven’t been many options for Dusty when it comes to the pitching. I think Dusty is loyal to a fault. Meaning he’s going to play guys he trusts regardless of what’s going on in hopes they will snap out of their funk. The Chas thing on the other hand is just not as acceptable. Doni think Dusty has done a good job this year? No. I kind of feel like it’s a big F you to everyone because he’s been in baseball so long, and he’s gonna do what he’s gonna do. I’d be more than shocked if he was fired during the season. The PR hit after all the damage control over the last 4 years would almost be for naught. Hoping Brown can make a couple of deals and this team gets healthy. That’s probably best case scenario. We are all spoiled at this amazing run the Astros have had. So now we have some bumps to get over and everyone acting all cray.
