You just get the feeling that they're not done selling yet. With Crane's comments the other day, it seems like there is no interest in starting to build the major league club, yet...unless you want to contribute $10 million.
Barring an absolute meltdown, I think Chia-Jen Lo's chances of making the Opening Day roster are great. Also a bit surprising is that Kevin Chapman is still around. Bo Porter must really like what he sees from them.
And JDM has cooled off after a hot start. Carter may have the inside track. PS - Jason Castro just blasted #4 of the spring.
As of opening day last year, the AL and NL each had 5 of the top 10 payrolls in the league, and 5 of the bottom 10 payrolls in the league. I don't know how that will change this year, but with the Astros moving, that would have been 6 of the bottom 10 for the AL. I think the perception of the AL is in large part based on New York and Boston.
And the Angels. Tigers are up there as well. Only the Dodgers in the NL are spending ridiculous money, with the Phillies behind them.
I dunno why but I got a really good feeling about Castro. I think this year will be his break out year.
Castro and Dominguez have had really big springs. They both play solid defense at hard to fill positions. If they could continue offensively what they did to finish last season it would be huge. To go along with Carter and Altuve thats could be a solid start towards that 2015 window.
Yea, here's hoping Castro and Dominguez can take it to the next level this year. They don't have any prospects really pushing for their jobs in that '13-'14 window so it'll be crucial to have them at least play above replacement level. Though I truly think they could put up 2 WAR seasons like Tuve did last year if they're healthy.
The big things from Castro are: Stay Healthy Can he hit LHP? If he can do those, he'll be easily the best catcher in franchise history.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Impressed with SS Carlos Correa this spring, GM Jeff Luhnow says top overall pick in 2012 draft may start at Class A Quad Cities.</p>— Jose de Jesus Ortiz (@OrtizKicks) <a href="https://twitter.com/OrtizKicks/status/313278800060354561">March 17, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Luhnow on Correa "He’s certainly making a case for maybe a level higher, but we’re going to take the conservative approach with him."</p>— Jose de Jesus Ortiz (@OrtizKicks) <a href="https://twitter.com/OrtizKicks/status/313279298230431747">March 17, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Sounds like they're sticking to their plan with him. I didn't think they'd stick him back at Greeneville or do a half-promotion to Tri-City. I'm curious to see if the FO will put Ruiz and McCullers in QC with Correa.
I think Ruiz and McCullers are going to be brought along slowly. Ruiz is still coming back from the blood clot and McCullers is on a strict pitch count. As both are high schoolers, I don't believe they'll move them to A-ball right away, but they may finish the season there. I'd imagine that Ruiz may get a push if he shows well early and may move with Correa through the minors.
I'll buy McCullers being on a pitch count, but Ruiz is almost a year out from the blood clot removal. He held his own hitting in the GCL and his combined slash line was better than Correa's. They held him to about a 1/3 of the PA's that Correa got last season but I see no reason why moving forward he'd have to be similarly limited.
One of the key concerns that McCullers and Co. (his agent and his father) had was what kind of pitching regimen they were going to put Jr. on. McCullers can throw some gas, but maybe wanted assurances that he would get a chance as a starter and how were they planning on strengthening his arm and development to start his pro career. http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120618&content_id=33505054&c_id=mlb As for Ruiz, having had limited plate appearances, I can see him staying in extended spring training and getting his swing right, getting used to playing everyday (since he did miss his entire senior year of high school as well as being limited for the start of his pro career). If Ruiz shows he's healthy and ready to move forward, I'm sure the Astros will proceed with moving him to A-ball. Just like Luhnow said with Correa, they want to take their time and be cautious (i.e. - not rushing anyone). I'd love to see Ruiz start @ Quad City with Correa, but if it doesn't happen right away that's fine, make sure the kid is sound health wise and let him play ball.
