Priority #1 SP. then a couple arms to eat innings out of the pen. Forget the bat, pray we get hot, and healthy on offense.
If we get a starter the bullpen is covered, our makeshift starters become multi inning relievers and the pen is full of useful pitchers and Montero who should come down with tired arm and spend the rest of this season on the injured list. That leaves us with a 6 man rotation to finish the regular season. Four starters and two long men for the post season plus the best of our pen. We really never needed a bat with Altuve and Yordan back in the lineup. The right rental starter for the right price and call it a deadline. If we really needed to add four or more players we probably have no business in the play-offs and ought to be looking to sell. 6 Starters Valdez Javier Acquisition or Arrighetti Urquidy Brown France 2 Multi Inning Relievers (constantly rotating one into AAA) reserve for five inning or less starts Blanco Bielak Dubin 5 Single Inning Relievers Presley Neris Abreu Maton Martinez or Stanek
Bellinger is gonna go the Yanks or the Dodgers. We can't beat them in prospects. Stroman I hope us. He would be a great add and he wants to win. So he could be just what the Dr ordered. Maybe try and add in Nico Hoerner to the deal and get our middle infield depth situated
He is a terrible person and a low effort professional… he is probably one of, if not the least respected player in baseball by his teammates. He has been left off playoff rosters for failing to follow the rules with the Yankees. He constantly complained in the World Series with the Cubs about how he was used (multiple innings). He is a drunk - and he has been habitually late…. But he also still tops out at 103 mph and would help the pen at almost no cost. So it’s a tough call.
I would be disappointed to see him anywhere near our clubhouse. Not a tough call for me. Guess that is why I will never be asked to make that call.
Chas McCormick can be up and down- but right now he has an OPS+ of 132 and has 2 WAR in roughly a third a season of playing time. He isn’t perfect and I get he has less value as a corner bat if you believe Gilbert is the future CF for the Astros - but that’s a debate for the off season. The Astros have Chas under control for 3 years after this one - so he also is inexpensive. I would need a pretty damn good return for him if I am the Astros at the deadline. I need players under similar control that fill dire needs.
It’s not a tough call when it’s a player that doesn’t help you… but when it is a need and you have ownership pressuring you, I am sure it’s a lot tougher call. What I debate is when has a player paid for their sins. I believe in punishment and accountability- but I also believe in second chances. How do you balance that? How long ago was is that Chapman was criminally in trouble? When is it long enough? Hard questions. What about someone that is an ******* but not criminal? Tough calls.
Yeah - something like this. I think they need to be flexible depending on market costs. However, ideally they add one high leverage arm like Hader or Hicks and a real inning eater with some upside like a Lance Lynn. That then lets you use Urquidy in the pen in the playoffs. The Royals and Astros have discussed deals where the Astros get a couple of their relievers (Barlow and Hernandez). That would go a long way because it would keep the Astros top relievers healthy and Barlow would likely be a big bullpen piece in the playoffs. Hernandez is a late bloomer and would at least give quality innings in the regular season and rest for the top guys. Would still need a starter - I think the Astros really have no choice but to trade for one. There will be players available that can start, but fair to question how good they are- the Cards and White Sox have several already available. If the cost for Bellinger as a rental bat is reasonable then I could see the Astros add him - he isn’t a fan favorite but he is good and an upgrade this year and our offense is more dynamic with him.
For me when will the media forget? It's all well and good for him to join the Rangers and don't say a word. But if he joined the Astros, suddenly it's all anyone talks about. Stories about Osuna and the Astros lack of ethics and only caring about winning. Then they start rehashing the Taubman story all over again. Before you know it, that's all anyone is talking about and all players are asked about. Giant unneeded distraction regardless of talent IMO
I really don’t believe any bat will improve our lineup, especially an OF one. Dusty will not stop catching Maldy - especially in the playoffs - and he won’t stop playing Julks frequently. So a new OF bat would either be primarily a DH when Yordan plays or alternate with Chas/Julks in CF/LF. You will have 5 OF/DH bats that Dusty rotates among 4 spots. Diaz will stop playing more than 20% of the time. So unless Yordan is hurt (in which case nothing matters), or the new bat is a significant upgrade over Diaz (tough to do), it doesn’t move the needle. Unless Brown trades away Diaz or an OF for pitching, in which case it makes sense but only if the outgoing for Bellinger can’t get you that pitching directly. I guess he could spell Abreu at 1B, but then he’s a temporary player platooning with a guy who now seems to be an .800 player. Put all the resource to pitching….
If Bellinger is traded for and hitting entering the playoffs - he will be starting in the playoffs. The GM has a lot more control of line ups, match ups etc. in the playoffs. Julks wouldn’t start over Bellinger. Having said that, it is very likely that at least Meyers is dealt, and possible that Julks is as well. The emphasis will be on relievers and a starting pitcher - but they will make a move for Bellinger if it is affordable.
There was a report today that the Astros asked about him. His option makes his value go down some - he will only pick it up if he is hurt. So he is possible- but I think it’s a long shot. The Rangers or another team desperate for relevance will likely over pay for him. Maybe we will be surprised though. Crane wants to make a big splash and maybe the option will be enough to scare off others. I think the most likely scenario for the Astros getting Stroman is in a larger deal with a bullpen arm or Bellinger going to Houston along with Stroman and then several good prospects going to Chicago.
I noticed today that Preston Tucker is rehabbing in El Paso (San Diego's AAA affiliate). Now there's a guy I could get behind trading for. I always wanted to see him and Kyle in the same outfield. He is a lefty bat too.
Very good post. We don’t need hitters unless they are worried about Alvarez’ availability. We have plenty of bats. We need at least one TOR starting pitcher. Stroman is ideal other than he is a rental. A Hader type would help as well, but i do think SP is the biggest need and I’m pretty sure we are going to spend a lot to get one, even if it’s a rental. We have too good of a lineup to let this season go to waste.
