We don't have to keep up with the Joneses. We had an incredible amount of injuries and relied on pitching that had never pitched the number of innings that were required of them. We have a massive upgrade in batting with Altuve, Alvarez, Diaz, and Chas playing a full slate of games. Even with all the issues we had we were in the 7th game of the ALCS.
Excuse, excuse, excuse. That is your recipe to succeed this year? Every team in the league has excuses to why they could have done better.
If you deal Bregman then they should Framber too. Reason is we need a 3B and a team that has one isn't trading for Bregman... Here's something acceptable to me... To Baltimore: Bregman (with extension) To Houston: Cowser, Perez, and a low prospect To Cardinals: Valdez To Astros: Arenado (half his cash owed), Winn, and Thompson Arenado replaces Bregman. Wynn can push Pena. Cowser starts in CF and is Tucker insurance. You then, without long term money going to Valdez, offer Tuck 280 over 10 years extension. That gets him to about age 38 as a lifer. It also lowers his tax salary by spreading out with some arbitration buyout of another 10-20 million for 2 years until. Get a couple of young lefties in Perez and Thompson for the pen. Mccullers slides into Valdez spot: Verlander Mccullers Javier Brown Urquidy / Garcia / France Altuve Winn/Pena Alvarez Tucker Diaz Cowser Abreu McCormick Arenado That's a loaded lineup....
I think if you look at all 26 roster spots the 2024 Astros are better now than the September/ post season 2023 Astros A solid veteran backup catcher and 2-3 good relief pitchers improve that even more. Position: 2023 - 2024 = analysis C: Maldonado - Diaz = huge upgrade 1B: Abreu - Abreu = better after down 2023 2B: Altuve - Altuve = same 3B: Bregman-Bregman = same SS: Pena - Pena = same LF: Chas - Chas = same CF: Dubon - Meyers = marginally better RF: Tucker - Tucker = same DH: Yordan- Yordan = same B/u C: Diaz - ? = downgrade, but not playing much Bench: Kessinger- Kessinger = same Bench: Singleton- Singleton= same Bench: Brantley- Dubon = same/slight upgrade as Brantley wasn't great. SP1 : JV - JV = same SP2: Framber - Framber= upgrade from 2nd half SP3: Javier - Javier = upgrade from 2nd half SP4: Brown - Brown = upgrade from 2nd half. SP5: Urquidy - Urquidy = same SP6: France - France = slightly drop sophomore slump Closer: Pressly- Pressly= same S/u: Abreu - Abreu = same S/u: Neris - Graveman= drop off RP: Maton - ? = drop off RP: Montero - Montero = has to be better right? RP: Stanek - Sousa = same RP: Kuhnel - Martinez = same And if Lance and Luis Garcia can come back replacing 2 of the bottom end pitchers it can be even better. The bullpen is the only thing that bothers me.
I'm not making excuses, I'm saying we made it to the 7th game of the ALCS. Everybody panicking is being ridiculous. All I stated are facts. Altuve and Alvarez missed a ton of time, the Rangers did not have those issues to their two top stars. Even if the Rangers add Ohtani our pitching is better and our offense has 4 guys that will start and play a ton of more games that will elevate our offense. We had an idiot manager that played a catcher that was worse than Mendoza for arguably the best hitting catcher in baseball and one of the best hitting outfielders in the AL. What you are suggesting is the epitome of panic buying that can ruin franchises for years (like he Rangers in the past).
So, if everything goes perfectly, we will be better. Ok, I agree. Just because the things that went against us last year are not likely to happen in this upcoming one, doesnt mean there wont be something else. Unforeseen things go wrong every season. For us, for every team. This idea that we dont really need to upgrade to get better is misplaced.
Rangers aren't paying 50 million for Ohtani with their own guys coming up... If they did that they would be at 135 million for just 4 players with Garcia, Eovaldi, Gray, Heim, and Lowe free agents in 2026 and 2027. It would be committing to a 3 season window and then massive rebuild. I don't see Seager or Semien repeating 2023. If you told me they don't make the playoffs i wouldn't be surprised. The Astros and Mariners are better on paper.
Astros don't need to be chasing the Rangers for the same reason they didn't need to chase the Braves or Nationals after losing to them. The Astros have a sustainable model that's worked for them - they just need to keep focusing on themselves. FWIW, people way smarter than you or I currently have World Series odds at: Braves 7:1 Astros and Dodgers 10:1 Orioles, Yankees, and Phillies 15:1 Rangers, Mariners, and Padres 18:1 The world considers 20% of MLB teams to likely be better than the Rangers, including the Astros. The Astros shouldn't focused on trying to chase the Rangers.
Very interesting choice. Someone that has paid his dues. Drafts well when he takes chances over safe bets.
Yes it is a loaded lineup and I like your thoughts here. But I'm wanting one more top SP over loading up the lineup. I would even be willing to go with Dezenzo or Wags at 3B if it meant getting a top tier SP in a trade for Bregs. I'm thinking Diaz bat replaces Bregs. Anything they get from Dezenzo/Wags would be an upgrade over Maldy. How are their gloves at 3B? If they dont perform well in the 1st half of the season then make a deal for a Moustakas type 3B at the deadline. Gotta add a top tier SP though. Dont want to have to depend on the same guys again next year and fall short on pitching again.
