So, on those once-a-week days when the Astros score 5 to 10 runs, they can't seem to hit the side of a barn while standing next to it. Can anyone help me with the rationale for adding *another* arm who won't get any run support?
I agree with you...prefer a bat. Very much. But with the glut of SPs on the market, if you can get a long-term improvement in the rotation at 60% of what it would cost and if a bat costs you 150% of cost because of low supply.. you might take what you can get.
We will be getting George Springer back. We will be getting Jed Lowrie back. We could still use a bat, but the only terrible offensive position we have is 1B. Internally, we might have the answer in White, Reed, or Tucker/Gattis moving to 1B.
I agree when it comes to a David Price type - that's a superfluous move given our current pitching staff. But Hamels is here for the next 3-4 years. That is more of a move not just to help this year, but to help us stay contenders going forward.
Exactly, and some people seem to think we can just force someone to give up a bat. The sellers don't have many of those but they do have arms That is why I suggested moving McHugh for a bat, could have other teams still trying to compete interested then
I'd rather not move him in deal for another arm Would rather do that from our prospect depth Just think that McHugh might open up possibilities with teams who aren't necessarily sellers
well I'm sure Luhnow wouldn't deal McHugh for an arm unless prospects can bring a bat in, or vice versa. I'm assuming our GM will do the smart thing. The meta point is that we are suggesting moving McHugh + prospects to bring back a long-term SP (like Ross) + a bat
Agreed The biggest thing here is this team really seems to like each other They have FUN playing Not sure where Colin fits into all that but as much as possible I wouldn't want the big league chemistry messed with
All this said, there is still a superfluousness problem. As is, going into next year, if they resign Kazmir, the rotation is: Keuchel Kazmir McCullers McHugh VV Where does Hamels fit in? I'd hate to stunt the development of VV or throw him into the bullpen before finding out if he can be a starter. And it seems silly to acquire Hamels and let Kaz go when you could just sign Kaz instead without giving up more prospects. Of course there will be injuries, but that's how the minor leaguers get their shot - you don't want to have 6 guys that you WANT as starters on the roster, especially when the odd man out is a young guy (as opposed to a Feldman type, who you don't care what happens with). McHugh is the other candidate to be the odd man out, but given his success last year, and if he's fixed his midseason problems from this year, I'd hate to give up on him so quickly too. That $20MM allocated to Hamels could instead just be put towards a premier bat.
A Rasmus/Marisnick platoon is something I'd be ok with. Cespedes would almost assuredly be a rental though.
I meant make a run at Cespedes in the off-season, seeing that Rasmus in only under contract this year.
I don't know how much Cespedes moves the needle when you're talking about replacing Rasmus. I think our corner infield is more of a pressing need than our OFs.
