Over the past few years or so (outside of 1rd top picks), we've done so much better with pitchers than with players. I think. I could be wrong, please tell me why.
2 reasons imho: 1. It is easier to find value in pitching with limited resources. Pitching is harder to scout and kids can come out of nowhere later in the process. With Houston drafting later (and losing 1st and 2nd rounders in several drafts) they don’t have access to most of the position players who end up being good. 2. Houston has a proven secret sauce when it comes to pitching development that they’ve been able to rely on for almost a decade. Not sure why the league hasn’t caught up. But the Astros clearly don’t have that for position players.
Front office turnover can be a good thing for sure. Just depends on who they bring in to replace the guys they lose. But I think the best player development orgs have frequent turnover (as a consequence of success but also as a means to continually get fresh ideas).
That description matches what Andrew Ball brought to the front office, so it makes sense. Dana relied on Ball to really understand the implications from every roster transaction in regard to the nuances of the roster rules and payroll.
If he has no experience (maybe he does, that's why I asked earlier) in or with actual baseball, then yes, I'd like him to stay on the business side.
3rd time in his series that Roberts has pushed his starter one inning too many. I thought for sure he would thank Ohtani for his services after inning 2. Thank you Dave Roberts.
Scherzer winning game 7 at age 41 after a forgotten regular season. Would make for an incredible story and if I were him that would be my last major league start.
What were the rules? Did he have to go 5 innings to get the W? Either way, if they hold on, your point stands. Also, FYI, this is the Astros off season thread hence the lack of replies.
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/11/mlb-rumors-top-trade-candidates-offseason.html Christian Walker comes in at #38 on MLBTR’s list of trade candidates. Looking at who from the list Houston might be interested in (basically SP and lefthanded hitters): 1. SP Mackenzie Gore 2. SP Joe Ryan 3. IF Brendan Donovan 4. SP Mitch Keller 5. SP Sonny Gray 6. SP Pablo Lopez 8. SP Freddy Peralta 10. SP Sandy Alcantara 11. 2B Brandon Lowe 12. OF Jarren Duran 13. OF Wilyer Abreu 14. OF Steven Kwan 17. SP Brady Singer 23. SS CJ Abrams 24. 1B Tristan Casas 28. OF JJ Bleday 29. OF Alek Thomas 30. IF Nolan Gorman 37. SP Luis Severino 39. SP Edward Cabrera
ESPN writing off the 2026 Astros already: Whoa? Twenty-third? Well, start with the Astros' declining run differentials since 2022: plus-219, plus-129, plus-91, plus-21. The payroll includes $160 million for just seven players in 2026, which makes it unlikely they can afford to re-sign Framber Valdez. Several key players are getting old: Jose Altuve (36), Christian Walker (35) and Carlos Correa (31). Correa is now a third baseman, the same position as Isaac Paredes, so maybe they move Correa to second base and Altuve to DH, except you don't really want to play Yordan Alvarez in left field. Yes, a healthy Alvarez and a healthier rotation (Valdez and Hunter Brownwere the only pitchers to reach 100 innings) could help keep the Astros in contention, but that downhill slope is starting to get steep. https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id...power-rankings-dodgers-yankees-mets-blue-jays
