I really like both Mushinski and Gage. I think they should keep a spot for one of them next season. I also think Shawn Dubin would be an extremely good RP.
The strike zones for both Glavine and Maddox were ridiculous and cost the Astros more dearly than any team in baseball. Biggio was notorious for swinging at sliders off the plate. At least part of that, was due to them being called strikes consistently for Maddox and Glavine. It was one instance of the MLB being corrupt and they wanted Turner’s America’s team to win due to the big money contract with TNT.
Bullpen is the one major void we have for 2024. We probably re-sign Neris, or acquire somebody else to fill his void, but still need to replace Stanek & Maton. Mushinski is the best in house candidate, unless we move 2 starters to the pen...
Mushinski's Stuff+ is very encouraging. Although Maldy only called for it twice yesterday (resulting in a called strike and a swinging strike), his curveball might be one of the best pitches of any pitcher on the staff.
I think we have to keep McCullers in the pen when he gets back. We may stretch him out towards the end of the season if we need him.
Projecting the pen next season, they have Pressly, Graveman, Abreu, and Montero in place. Whether they keep a 6 man rotation or not, they will certainly have 6 SP on the roster; I imagine JV, Framber, Brown, France, and Javier will be the 1st 5, so that leaves Urquidy as the 6th, but a major consideration is that Bielak and Whitley are out of options and both are very likely to be claimed if DFA. I think at least one of those guys will be kept as a 7th SP on the roster. If all of Whitley, Bielak, and Urquidy are kept, that only leaves one open spot. And all of that forgets Garcia and McCullers; in fact, Garcia and McCullers needing spots may help Bielak and Whitley make the team since they can effectively keep the spots warm as they’d be lost anyway. My guess for now is that the Astros sign one really good RP (maybe Neris but there’s plenty available) and then shop Urquidy for maybe a RP and/or a prospect. Luckily both Mushinski and Gage have another option year remaining so they may face long odds on making the opening day roster but should be first in line once an injury opens a spot. Opening day 2024 pitching projections: Rotation: Framber, Verlander, Brown, Javier, France Bullpen: Bielak, Whitley, TBD, Montero, Graveman, TBD, Abreu, Pressly Optioned: Dubin, Blanco, Gage, Mushinski, Martinez 60-day IL: Garcia, McCullers Rule 5 risks: Solis, Macuare, Robaina, Tamarez, Melendez, Gusto, Henley DFA: Paredes, Kuhnel, Cousins Traded: Urquidy Free Agents: Stanek, Maton, Neris
I've got Garcia joining a 6 man rotation once he gets back. LMJ in the bullpen. Urquidy traded. Didn't think about Bielak or Whitley, but at very least they should get a shot in ST if not traded. If Mushinski & Martinez aren't on the MLB roster it will be purely because they had options remaining (or traded).
McCullers will absolutely not be in the 'pen His arm simply can't hold up throwing that often. If he was in the 'pen the team would have to tax the rest if the bullpen that much more when he can only pitch once every 4 or 5 days. Besides, it has been published that he has very strong feelings against becoming a bullpen pitcher and we all know that for a guy with his time and history with this team they will not go against his wishes It also would be a colossal waste of salary and talent to make him one of the highest paid relief pitchers in baseball for the next 4 seasons. He needs to be in the middle of a 6 man rotation where he isn't skipped and moved to the bullpen every 3 to 4 weeks but never pitches on less than 4 days nor more than 6 days rest. Routine and lots of time between outings is whats best for him.
We don't know what he could do. I can tell you he threw on back-to-back days one time, and he struck out 2 and walked 1 for the 3 hitters he faced on that 2nd day. He also went in to relieve a game 3 days after a start and just threw 4 innings of 1 hit ball against one of the best lineups in baseball. We do know he's never made it through a full season as a starter (well, I guess he did in 2021, but he didn't make it through the postseason and proceeded to make only 8 starts across the next 2 years).
My comment on his durability and inability to pitch frequently is complete opinion. His dislike of the bullpen is common knowledge. This teams unwillingness to put tenured and respected players in a situation/position they do not want is common knowledge. I would bet that After JV and Framber, Lance is the 3rd least likely pitcher moved to the bullpen.
At this point McCullers is almost an afterthought in Houston’s plans. He will warrant a roster spot when healthy because of how effective he’s been throughout his career when he’s been able to throw. But he is in NO position to push back against the front office in what role he is given, not after being paid around $750,000 per inning pitched over his current contract so far. If he is ready to come back late next season and the rotation is full, his ass needs to happily head to the bullpen and throw whenever he’s called upon.
I think we have to keep McCullers in the pen when he gets back. We may stretch him out towards the end of the season if we need him. He's like McHugh. Had the stuff to be a starter, but not the health unfortunately, I just think we will start him off slow.
I think we have to keep McCullers in the pen when he gets back. We may stretch him out towards the end of the season if we need him. He's like McHugh. Had the stuff to be a starter, but not the health unfortunately, I just think we will start him off slow which is why I think he should come out of the pen. At the very least, have him tag team with someone else. There is no way he should be trying to pitch 5-6 innings next year.
Generally agree with the take, including trading Urquidy, but would rather not get a RP for him. Does he have enough value to get a decent LHH 1B/LF type as a platoon partner for Jake Meyers do you think?
Hard to say. I think how he pitches over the rest of this season will have a big impact on his trade value this offseason.
But it's not about pushing back. He's LMJ and he has already let it he known that he does not want to be in the bullpen. He may have said it in the nicest most respectful way with no intention of any pushback at all if the team makes the move. But the team won't do it simply because ofvwho he is, how they operate, and what he wants.
McHugh was moved to the pen because the other starters in 2018 were flat out better than him. Once in the pen, his stuff played up enough that he has been kept there since noone has wanted him back as a starter. The only thing more likely to break an arm than starting pitching is relief pitching. You can hide a guy in relief for small breaks to limit innings, but irregular short outings will likely guarantee that LMJ would not be good LMJ in the postseason.
