Lance McCullers Jr. is back!

He's not giving up the money on the last year of his contract. To think he will is crazy talk.

 

maybe the team will ask him to retire

 

And he’ll more than likely tell the Astros no. His contract is guaranteed, he will not leave money on the table.

 

I'm sure he will be willing to retire if Crane pays off his contract.

 

What I meant was they would offer to pay his last year. If they really thought he was toast.

 

Probably give him a shot in the bullpen first

 

What was the deal with Strasburg and his retirement? He reached a deal with the Nationals. Does his money come off the books for them? Can McCullers retire after a settlement (Crane still pays him all the money) and then have his salary off the books giving them more room before they hit the tax line??

Or can he retire but then get hired as a coach or advisor for the amount he was owed???

 

Strasbourg was medical as far as I know and they agreed to a settlement I think his money comes off the books once it's completed in entirety

 

So yall expected Lance to come back from this LONG absence from multiple injuries and be consistently good right away?

The fact he has shown flashes of being good is a good sign. It was always gonna be rough and inconsistent this year, especially early on which is where we are

 

Lance and Cristian might be our 3rd option in the upcoming 2025 mlb playoffs? Which of Gordon, Gusto or Walter is our next 'un? Or next in line?

 

This is a reasonable take. But on the other hand, how many guys have come back after being out as long, laid 50% eggs over 10 starts, then went on to have consistent success at any point after that?

 

Carlos Beltran in a Press Conference when returning to the Astros said The No Trade Clause was the factor in him leaving. Drayton did not want to give the Full No Trade Clause the Mets were giving Beltran.
Looking back Carlos was regretful in leaving, he said. Carlos said Craig Biggio really helped him.
Astros 2004 Team was Special. 2005 Team needed Carlos Beltran when he left.

 

Lance is getting his contract money regardless… whether it be a lump sum, deferred, delayed, or just paid out as its currently structured.

The Astros can still look to not play him, DFA him, continue to play him, or switch up his role and the contract will have very little to do with any of those decisions.

Of course as of right now, the team doesn’t have a lot of pitching options besides him. Even when these guys start coming back… none of the rehab guys are going to be just unleashed without strings/restrictions. Maybe Arighetti, given the nature of his injury, but even then… he’s the least established/proven amongst all of them.