I definitely remember Astros Legend Dustin Garneau with a tackle on Laureano at the 10 yard line. Laureano was hit by a pitch by some Astros minor leaguer that shouldn't have been up (I forgot which one). Laureano picked up the ball and start telling the pitcher how to throw. The Astros bench was barking at Laureano and he barked back. According to Laureano, iirc, Cintron said something about his mother and that's when Laureano went after Cintron. Personally speaking, I kind of wanted Cintron gone since then. Just not a fan of coaches running their mouths at opposing players.
"an old"? I had forgotten about that particular incident. Laurenano going "Leroy Jenkins" toward the Stros dugout is pretty solid. ...but still not as solid as Astros/Expos, not sure anything will ever be
Neither of them should have realistic shots at breaking camp with the big club. I'd rather see Pecko get spot starts when that need arises (and given the state of this rotation, that could morph into a longer look) over AAAA arms like Jason Alexander. Same with Ullola unless they decide he'd be a greater asset as a reliever
The reality is that if not for the worst injuries in franchise history - people would feel very different right now. The Astros aren’t really running on fumes - they ran on injuries… There are a number of very good pieces and depth as well and young players that look very promising - Blubaugh, Smith, Cole and Matthews.
Thanks for sharing. This really places things in perspective on why we did not make the playoffs or probably would not have advanced much if we had. Really may want to try go back to the offensive approach of high OBP, walks and deep counts.
The problem I see is these injuries may not be just for this year. Both Pena and Yordan may be injury prone and have issues playing a full season. Altuve is showing his age and Correa may be a leader but not the stable offensive guy he once was. To me that's your core that has issues staying on the field and being productive. Yainer is not the answer (bottom of the order guy at best), Walker is gone soon, Meyers is a bottom of the order guy and our starting pitching is non existent. Smith and Cole have potential but I have a feeling Cole (and Matthews) are k machines, which I'd prefer not to have in the middle of our lineup. I see too many holes to fill to make this team even close to what it was and only patch jobs will keep the Astros above the .500 mark, which does nothing in the long run. I like Altuve, Correa and Yordan, but they need to be surrounded by guys that are healthy, can get on base without striking out 35% of the time and take pitches out of the zone. Then we need 2 more starting pitchers (veteran guys that can stay healthy). Astros do that then we can keep winning, otherwise no playoffs for the near future.
Walker finishes with more HRs and RBIs than last season, yet 100 OPS and 20 OPS+ points lower. How ??... his BB/K rate doubled. He already sucked (55/133) in '24, but this season was 40/177. Yainer has the 'catcher excuse' at least. Astros have paid $80 mil the past 3 seasons for the worst offensive production at 1B in the majors. Yordan's bat needs to be replaced too. He's proven he can't be trusted. If the Astros don't add at least one major bat this offseason, the offense will likely be average AT BEST again next year, and the any legit hopes of stretching this dynasty are over. Add a 120 OPS+ bat. Astros need a Top 10 offense and we know health won't be perfect next season (hopefully better than '25). Yordan should be viewed as a luxury and should *not* be trusted to being an essential worker.
Ullola will need to be added to the 40 so has a chance. Pecko has another season before he needs to be added and there is a big roster crunch. He would need to make it as NRI. Ullola will need to show better control and/or command to have any chance. I see opening day rotation: Brown, TBD, Blubaugh. Arrighetti, Javier, Alexander The TBD is not currently in the organization. If healthy, the bullpen is loaded. Hader. Abreu, Sousa, King, Okert, Murray, Ort, McCullers Doesn't look like room for either until injury opens a door.
Yordan isn't going anywhere. He is the only proven LH bat and is head and shoulders better than anyone else on this team. This team is simply at a different level with him healthy and in the lineup. They simply can not afford to trade him.
