If the bullpen comes up lacking, then I hope they put Gusto in the 6-7th inning role and let him get his feet wet in MLB. That's what they did with Roy O and that turned out well. I remember Gonzalez and wondered what happened to him. He's a very talented guy, where do you think he starts the year at?
I I assume he will be back in Fayetteville since he struggled so much there offensively last season. It’ll be interesting to see the roster placements next month because the Astros have 5 decent prospects who are viable at SS and who all should really probably be in Fayetteville: Hernandez, Chase Jaworsky, German Ramirez, Caden Powell, and Camilo Diaz.
As an Ullola truther who I am very very high on this update gruntles me. We are in much better shape organizationally than a lot of you people think we are. wish we’d have traded Framber for 2 really good prospects or 1 really good prospect and 1 Paredes level OF that hits Left Handed.
Agree with the first part No way I would want to give up on 2025 though, we VERY likely don’t have enough pitching even with Framber
It only would have made sense if they’d traded Framber then backfilled him with 1-2 decent free agent pitchers (maybe Flaherty and Morton). I would actually bet they looked into and found the market just wasn’t there for Framber. There were too many other good SP potentially available (Crochet, Cease, Castillo, Fedde, plus all the FA).
I still believe in the quality of the current starting options. After 2 seasons of terrible injury luck, it is time for that to even out this year. I still see a path for the Astros to trade Framber by the deadline. At least 4 of Brown, Arrighetti, McCullers, Blanco, Garcia, Wesneski, and Javier need to be healthy and pitching at playoff rotation level. At least 7 of France, Gusto, Gordon, Blubaugh, Ullola and those listed above need to be ABLE to be in the rotation and consistently give the Astros a chance to win. (I would like to see a 6 man rotation for stretches of the season but the others would be in AAA or long reluef/piggy back) but have the confidence of Miller/Murphy) If those two things happen, then they can trade Framber to fill 2025 weaknesses AND future contributor. To be transparent, it's a lot to expect and I don't see it happening, but it is possible.
I don’t view it as giving up. I think we do even without Framber (I’m really high on blubaugh and Arrighetti, and if it doesn’t work but fixed the future I’d do it.
I agree wholeheartedly with this. Giving up Tucker didn't automatically mean they can't compete in 2025. It is very likely that, even if Framber wasn't on the team, that SP ends up stronger and more productive than the OF. This team has Brown, Arrighetti, and Blanco who showed enough last year that they are established top 4 members of a rotation without unusual injury risk. Both McCullers and Javier have had amazing and memorable playoff starts. They both are TOR starters IF HEALTHY and that is a realistic possibility by the 2nd half. Garcia is a legitimate #4 who still has upside and should return. Hopefully sooner rather than later. Wesneski is an established MLB pitcher who looks like Miller and Murphy's 2025 Kikuchi. Gusto, Gordon, Ullola, and Blubaugh are all talented enough to become MLB rotation contributors. The AAA rotation depth is far and away ahead of this time last year. I think the chances of the 2025 Astros winning a World Series are much better with Framber. But depending on health of the others and what the return would be, I still see how this team could be a quality contender, especially in a watered down AL if they trade him.
2025 Starters as I see them Pitching Rotation Ready Valdez, Brown, Arrighetti, Blanco, Wesneski, Gordon Maybe By July Garcia, Ullola, Blubaugh Potential Surprises Dombroski, Mancini, Pecko Probably Bullpen McCullers, Gusto Probably Next Year Javier, France
Joey Sullivan not looking great in CF in today’s big league game. The 2 plays that came to him were awful. A shallow fly he should have been able to get to and didn’t really try for, then a ball up the middle he fielded and made a bafflingly bad relay throw on. But then he hit a homer so he’s cool.
Poor Pascanel Ferreras didn’t have his name on his jersey so the tv crew just avoided talking about him while he was up because they didn’t know who he was.
Lance McCullers Jr. Must be traded at all cost. Give him a Starting Rotation Spot, build up Value, then trade Lance for Prospects. Just tired of Lance injuries and Scott Boras the Agent Scammer.
Bury him in the H Astros very possibly have zero World Series championships without him. And some of his injury issues are self sacrifice pitching while hurt/at risk. Embarrassing lack of respect.
Kyle Tucker, Alex Bregman did not care in Resigning. It is Business. Build up Value then trade for Prospects for the Next Core. Most of the Best Prospects are in A Ball.
