I think we may get a little better starter but I just do not see the need to address a long term addition to the pen in this market. Cooler heads should prevail and kick that commitment to the post season when there will be more players to select from without the hair on fire atmosphere of the deadline.
After the last two drafts I believe the farm will look a lot different to many observers. After clearing out some dead weight we will once again be in the top 1/3 or very close to it.
To Astros: Jeimer Candelario Hunter Harvey Patrick Corbin To Nationals: Rafael Montero Shay Whitcomb Justin Dirden Pedro Leon Corbin and Harvey to bullpen. Candelario to DH against righties and Julks against lefties. Rotation: Valdez, Javier, Brown, Urquidy, France Extra arms in pen to keep guys fresh... maybe Bielak as long relief scheduled for 2 innings twice a trip through the rotation.
In: Civale, Bellinger, Bummer Out: Meyers, Urquidy, Arrighetti, 2 OF prospects not named Gilbert Playoff roster: 2B Altuve CF Bellinger 3B Bregman DH Alvarez 1B Abreu RF Tucker LF McCormick C Diaz SS Pena Bench: Maldonado, Dubon, Julks, Singleton-or-Salazar-or-Kessinger Rotation: Framber, Brown, Civale, Javier Bullpen: France, Bielak-or-Dubin-or-Blanco, Montero, Stanek, Maton, Bummer, Neris, Abreu, Pressly Offseason: Gilbert replaces Bellinger, Lee replaces Maldy, sign 2 underrated FA RP to replace Maton and Neris, have a spring prospect battle to replace Stanek.
I actually think the exact opposite. I think it's absolutely essential that at least 1 RP with control is brought in. Neris, Maton, and Stanek are all FA after this year. That means Pressly, Abreu, Montero, Martinez and whatever AAAA guys have currently rotated in and out is the extent of the bullpen. If a RP with control is not brought in at the deadline, it leaves 4 options. 1) Pay Montero-like contracts to FA relievers to fill the bullpen. 2) trade for bullpen help in the offseason. 3) Try to make an 8 man effective bullpen from what is already here. 4) some combination of the top 2. I don't like any if those choices. It would be really nice if the good Montero came back the next 2 months and gave some hope he can be a semi-leverage 6-7th inning guy next season.
Javier Javier Javier He pitched better, but subpar on Sunday after 12 days rest. He's not a legitimate starter right now. What are your suggestions on getting him back to one?
Are you comfortable paying a free agent 7-8 inning guy 35-45 million over 3 years? That is likely to be the beginning cost in the offseason.
My best guess is that Urquidy is in the bullpen next year with the Astros seeing if he can be effective as a 7-8th inning pitcher.
The Astros have kicked the tires on Pierce Johnson of the Rockies. High swing and miss rate - high strikeout rate. Struggles with walks and has had a lot of bad luck this year - Under control beyond this year - a big low type player.
Lance Lynn is wanted by the Rangers and a few other teams because, for all his struggles this year, he absolutely dominates right handed hitters...... but lefties hit him like prime Mike Trout. Something to keep in mind when the Astros keep pursuing lefty bats...... Lynn isn't alone, there are some others out there in the trade market that are similar, in the pen and as starters.
Johnson is not somebody I would target especially as the primary add to the bullpen but he would be fine as the 5th or 6th best RP and a multiyear guy you take on as a project since with his strikeout ability he has a high ceiling. But the cost on that would need to be really low, like no prospects inside Houston’s top 20.
Link? PSA to all: over the next 2 weeks, it will be very helpful to the board if you post a link to the tweet/article (or reference the show you heard it on) for whatever rumor you’re discussing, every year posters post their ideas framed instead as legit rumors and it gets tiresome sorting them out.
Spoiler Report: Astros eyeing starting pitching, White Sox ace Cease Michael Bradburn 12m ago Icon Sportswire / Getty The Houston Astros' "dream acquisition" prior to Major League Baseball's Aug. 1 trade deadline is Chicago White Sox ace Dylan Cease, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network. Heyman also notes that the Astros are "definitely looking at" Chicago Cubs right-hander Marcus Stroman, while the Detroit Tigers' Eduardo Rodriguez, St. Louis Cardinals' Jordan Montgomery, and Cease's teammate Lucas Giolito are all considered possibilities as Houston seeks to bolster its rotation. Despite the White Sox being well out of the playoff hunt at 40-55, Cease is one of four players on the team considered close to untouchable in trade talks, Heyman adds. ADVERTISING If made available, Cease would garner widespread interest after finishing as the runner-up in AL Cy Young voting last year with a 2.20 ERA and 3.10 FIP over 184 innings. The righty has regressed this year, though, posting a 4.18 ERA and 3.76 FIP over 20 starts. He has two years of arbitration remaining after this season and will be eligible to test free agency following the 2025 campaign. The Astros are currently without Luis Garcia, Lance McCullers Jr., and Jose Urquidy in the rotation and are awaiting injury news on Framber Valdez. With an injury-plagued starting staff, the reigning champs are 52-42, 3.5 games back of the first-place Texas Rangers and currently occupying the final AL wild-card spot.
