The next 9 months are going to define Dana Brown’s career as a GM. Between an offseason where he has significant resources to maneuver with, another international signing period, and the next draft (where Houston will be drafting higher than they have in 8 years and will likely have 2 additional picks), what he does will determine if Houston opens another competitive window or enters an extended period of mediocrity. He could have a relatively tame offseason, as simple as making a trade for a 3rd tier SP like Ryan Pepiot using guys like Cole and Melton, and resigning Caratini but otherwise standing pat. But I expect him to make at least 2 very significant trades involving players who were considered core to the Astros roster in 2025.
I'll bet that Blubaugh throws more than 100 innings and if not traded Arrighetti more than 120 innings.
Blubaugh’s cap is probably around 150 ip. But that would probably only happen if he makes the opening day rotation and sticks healthy all year. I factored in at least some injury risk on every player, and it sure doesn’t seem like Houston is setting their roster up to include Blubaugh in the opening day rotation. Arrighetti only threw 60 innings this year and I’m not sure he’s even going to be healthy next spring, so I discounted his estimate pretty heavily. You could be right and I hope you are because I think if Arrighetti throws >130 innings for the Astros next season it means he was healthy and effective. If we were putting together an “ideal” realistic estimate it might be something like: Brown 180 TBD 180 Javier 160 Arrighetti 150 Blubaugh 150 Pearson 130 Alexander 70 Hader 60 Abreu 60 Sousa 50 King 50 Okert 50 Ullola 50 Pecko 50 Murray 10
The scuttlebutt is that the Astros are very skeptical about Blubaugh's ability to face a lineup multiple times. If they sign multiple starters or get some guys healthy, he may end up being a multiple innings bridge reliever. Certainly not the end of the world, but limits his potential innings. Maybe sign Verlander and pair them together. Blubaugh opens and pitches 2 innings the Verlander pitches innings 3-6/7 so he does need to go 5 innings as a starter to get a win. Then identify another guy 3 days later (McCullers?Pearson? or one of TJS returnees?) and repeat the process Rotation: 1) Brown 2) Arrighetti 3) Blubaugh/Verlander 4) Javier 5) Alexander 6) Blubaugh/ Pearson Leaves a 6 man bullpen Hader, Abreu, Sousa, King, Okert, Murray
Verlander would never sign up to follow an opener. One of his main goals is to get to 300 wins. If Blubaugh (or any other starting pitcher) is going to be used as a multi-inning weapon, they’d be stretched out to ~70 pitches and only be able to pitch every 3-4 days. In that case my guess is you’d need 2 of those guys in order to have one fresh 90%+ of the time. It’s a tough thing to manage especially if you don’t have multiple arms who can be optioned to the minors.
Nothing in imminent obviously but the names I have heard the last few days are pretty good - as far as one of the pitchers the Astros add. Names mentioned include Gallen, Cease, Bieber, Peralta, Alcantara, Rasmussen, Lopez. Alcantara and Peralta and Lopez were mentioned more than once.
Alcantara probably has the best chance to get better in Houston, Peralta is probably already maxed out. But all 3 would be fit replacements for Framber. Brown + one of those 3 + a cheaper FA like Littell or Verlander + Javier + Arrighetti and others is a solid group.
The Astros were really aggressive with the Marlins for Alcantara at the deadline and only shifted to Cease when the Padres indicated they were wanting to move Cease. So I guess it makes sense that the Astros would want him now as well. He is a horse and can pitch a lot of innings, which is something that the Astros really need. I think that a number of teams will want him as he finished the year strong and if I remember correctly, as more than one year of control. The Astros also have let it be known to the Twins and Brewers that they want to be involved in any deal for starting pitching. There are also a number of sneaky secondary pitching on the market that could bounce back. Jordan Montgomery is talking to teams about coming back healthy, and Zach Eflin says he expects to be back by Spring Training and there has been interest there before.
Another dumbass bleacher report idea... apparently we need a good defensive left fielder who doesn't hit for power. Just going to cost us our top setup man and possible #3 starter.... plus a prospect.. [COLOR=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)]Baltimore Orioles Receive: RHP Bryan Abreu (from HOU)[/COLOR] [COLOR=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)]Houston Astros Receive: LF Steven Kwan (from CLE)[/COLOR] [COLOR=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)]Cleveland Guardians Receive: OF Dylan Beavers (from BAL), OF Jacob Melton (from HOU) and RHP Spencer Arrighetti (from HOU)[/COLOR]
I want Peralta but he's a rental right? I would hope to get a extension done first. Bieber and Gallen, interesting but don't want them to be the main pitcher they acquire. Brown said looking for 2 starters so hopefully they get a Valdez replacement and Bieber/Gallen. Any idea if they have interest in Woodruff. Or with his recent injury history, they'll stay away lol.
IMO following an opener increases his chances of getting 300 wins because starters must pitch 5 innings to qualify. After an opener he can pitch 4 or even 3 innings and qualify
Yes Peralta would likely be a rental and I don’t know if they would try to extend him or not. It sounded to me like they want to do better than Bieber or Gallen but there is a chance they might not be able to. No one said this directly but it seems like the second starter they would add would be someone coming back from injury or recent poor performance. I would imagine because of money. I’ve heard little on Woodruff. Astros had some interest a few years ago.
