Most people hate Hader's contract as a high cost luxury, a misallocation of spending from other better priority needs. Though in a wide open race where maybe the "1 extra talent" and 1 extra game is the difference from the other teams, what a nice weapon to have knowing it can secure games almost automatic Another reliever could easily be 6-7 of 9 saves, Abreu even worse, and probably cost the Astros the season already. Not MY money of course, but I'm fine with the Hader cost it takes to stay in contention
Oh I know, just wanted to spotlight what a stalwart Peacock was for that squad in the context of unexpected surprises.
I don’t even want to risk it by hoping Imai figures it out. If we add a really good SP and he does figure it out, well that’s even better.
Why would anyone actively root for their team to lose? That is a genuine question. I want the team to win. I further acknowledge that they're not going anywhere this season. It's possible to hold both of these views at the same time. Also, as discussed multiple times, tanking is no longer an effective strategy in the MLB. So, in my opinion, the Astros should get whatever value they can for the players who won't be around long-term while trying to maximize wins. I'll also quibble with both of your guys' synopses of what the team currently lacks and its ability to patch these holes on the fly. Obviously, they're missing a consistent #2 SP, but as it stands now, this team is also missing a #3 SP. To be successful in the playoffs, you need at least 3 quality starters and a hope/prayer that the 4th starter can keep it competitive. Beyond Hunter, who do you feel comfortable running out there? Lambert has been solid, so I guess he could potentially be that #3 guy, I'm just not confident in that and would rather slot him as the #4. Spaghetti and Imai have the ability, but also have huge concerns to consider, either a reliable #2 or 3 at this point. I also have no faith in Javier or McCullers, and am shaky on Blanco or Wesneski. More succinctly said, this team has a #1, a #4, and a half dozen #5s. Beyond pitching, this team is short 2 outfield bats, lacks infield depth, and needs a catcher as well. You can live with 1/3 of the OF not hitting, but not all three of them. Can Cam learn? Possibly, then they just need to add one more, but as it stands, this is a 0/3 hitting OF. Correa's injury forced Paredes to play every day and removed a bat option. Altuve's defensive liability is well noted, and his hitting is unreliable. Who's on the bench now that you feel comfortable as a pinch hitter? The Diaz/Vasquez combo behind the plate is highly worrisome. There are players on this team that maybe, but again, there are a lot of hopes, and wishes, and ifs. So many questions that I don't believe Dana can answer this season. And one last remark, I don't trust Espada to make the right managerial decisions, and I think his maneuvers cost them wins. IMO, to actually make some post season noise, the team needs a lineup like this: SS Pena DH Alvarez 3B Paredes OF ?? (ideally Smith starts hitting and slots here, but as it stands, no) 1B Walker OF ?? (another question mark) 2B Altuve OF/RF Smith (unless he starts hitting and you move him up) C ?? (you can live with Vasquez here if the others are addressed)
Lambert is 30th among all SP in era (min 70 ip). Most teams would be happy to have him as their 3rd SP. Between Imai (60% ace, 40% HS pitcher), Arrighetti (3.81 era over 78ip), Blanco (ToR SP in 2024, #4 in 2025 before getting hurt), Pecko (fringe Top 100 prospect), and Burrows (meh), Houston can fill the 4/5/6 spots. They just need one Game 2 SP.
Regarding your first question - if I truly thought we had no chance at winning and it would damage the franchise long term by not selling, then why would I want them to win a bunch of games before the deadline and further incentivize them to trade away prospects or other controllable talent? I don’t understand what you are so confused by here. I feel like you think I’m questioning your fan hood or something. I’m not. Look around the AL and tell me who doesn’t have major holes? The Rays? Their lineup is even more ass than ours once you get past Caminero. Their bullpen is a bunch of castaways and scrubs. Nick Martinez has an xERA about 2 runs higher than his actual ERA. They have regularly had good first halves and then collapsed down the stretch. The White Sox or Guardians? Lmao. Mariners or Rangers? Maybe the Mariners turn it on but they have some serious flaws as well. So yeah, if we add a legit SP2 like Sonny Gray then I will feel pretty good about the rotation. Bullpen is great. The lineup with a good OF bat added is average at worst. In the AL, that absolutely gives us a shot at winning.
Man, reading this you would think the team sucks. Add a CF like Moniak (I'm not a fan) or a OF like Taylor Ward and then platoon Wade.Dezenzo and then the lineup will look better. Lambert has been a season saver and now that he's worked on his mechanics and gained a couple of MPH on his cutter I expect a lot more games like yesterday. Imai is going to be as good as his control.
I hope Lambert gets a chance. Lambert is a legit SP2-3. Peacock while super valuable in his role was never a SP2-3.
2.5 games back in the division and 1 game back in the WC and they want to sell. Makes zero sense to me. Their logic is "well that is just because the AL sucks"...okay well guess what teams we play in the playoffs if we make it? The same teams that also suck. If we somehow made the WS and got swept, I wouldn't even care either.
I appreciate all three of your responses, but fundamentally disagree with the synopsis. These are uncomfortable options. Are you getting good Imai or bad Imai? You want to risk running him out there in a playoff game just to get shelled? Are we going to get the ace Arrighetti or the AAA Arrighetti? Again, you want to risk running him out there in a playoff game? Blanco is a huge question mark until he returns and proves if he's the pitcher he was last year or if he's damaged goods a la Javier. Again, they need more than one starting pitcher to feel comfortable. I want them to win games and succeed to keep it entertaining. Tanking like the 100-loss teams did is just not fun to watch. So, I'm also not sure what the confusion is, perhaps the previous posts aren't articulating my view clearly. Being the worst team isn't helpful for draft position nor for the fans. I want to watch a competitive product and believe they can win against anyone. That faith is not here. I agree with this, the entirety of the American League has holes. Any other season and this team is toast, but fortunately, they're in a weak division and league, plus expanded wild card slots, gives them some leeway. That doesn't detract from the fact that this team is mediocre. You, and others, should really drill down into the stats if you think OF like Moniak or Ward are needle movers that are going to propel this team to another championship. Yes, you mention platooning them, but hoping Wade maintains and Dezenzo develops are more ifs/hopes/dreams/wishes. And, as I said earlier Espada is going to mess that up. Again, Lambert has impressed and hopefully continues. The rest are huge question marks. Ultimately, this is why teams play the game rather than crowning paper champions. Who will come out on top? My position is not the Astros.
It doesn’t really matter what anyone thinks of Houston’s non-Brown SP because they simply do not have the resources to trade for 2 playoff-caliber SP.
It has been proven MANY times. If you get into the playoffs you have a chance. I have found that some teams even without a stellar record can catch lightning in a bottle for a month. Let's hope that happens. I want to add I was a big proponent of trading Tucker. Because he was never going to re-sign here. Not so much on Pena or Brown. I think Crane might open up the wallet and keep at least one of the two. that may just be wishful thinking on my part.
Or he could be Dave Mlicki (can't find video) https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU200110100.shtml
