Be interesting now to see how they are gonna play.... 1) The rotation. I would assume Feldman to Middle Relief after tonight 2) McCullers Innings. Maybe some kind of tandem with VV? 3) 1B situation. Probably mix and match with Marwin, Carter, Valbuena?
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Luhnow said Astros focused today on backend RPs. Said the ones he targeted would be claimed on waivers immediately. Gee, I wonder who...</p>— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/status/627218832579387392">July 31, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
We still need to option or DFA somebody too. My guess is that VV is optioned and then either Feldman/McHugh/Fiers go to long reliever role. Then maybe LMJ and VV trade places for a stretch?
Anyone know what this means? Does this mean that Luhnow expects them (the trade targets) to be waived, then he would claim them off of waivers?
No, it means that he won't be targeting them prior to the August 31st deadline because they won't make it through waivers anyway.
He's talking about Chapman and Kimbrel. They would both be claimed off of waivers starting tomorrow if placed so neither of them are an option for this year.
expects chapman and kimbrel to be sent thru waivers and not pass through without being claimed, therefore he will be unable to have the chance to trade for them at the aug 31 trade deadline
Yea, I don't think optioning VV makes sense. He certainly has proved he can help us, and they want to limit his innings, so going to AAA and pitching regularly doesn't help either. They have gone with 13 pitchers most of the year, so I guess adding him and moving another bat out is possible also Having said all of that, there really isn't anyone on the pitching staff to move if it isn't VV. And unless they are going to bite the bullet and DFA Carter, which would really surprise me, then there is no one on the offensive roster that makes sense to go either. Not just a lot of prospects, too much quality depth on the MLB roster too :grin:
Last time he was sent down he didn't pitch in an any games, only bullpen sessions. They may do that again with VV and Lance. Keeps the Astros with a full 25 man roster that they can use while giving those 2 pichers a break.
Understated part of Luhnow not making a move for a high priced closer is that it gives us a better chance of bringing Kazmir back long term. I feel really good about him sticking around here.
Yea, whatever the plan is for Lance and VV innings this year will likely tell the story of the roster as we move forward here
Rotation/Lance: I would at least consider going to McCullers/Feldman tandem with VV going to the pen for the rest of the year. Esp when you look forward to the playoffs and clearly see VV ending up in the pen. 1B: It's really 1B and 3B. Marwin, Carter, Valbuena, Lowrie...mix and match between the 2 positions (with Lowrie playing the most)
bleh you're right. Down to Jake, Marwin, Carter, VV/Lance shuttle back and forth. I suppose the last one probably does make the most sense, killing 2 birds
You only get some many times you can option them down though, so that is not a long term solution. Plus, with Lance being as dominant as he has been, i'd be surprised if they took that route with him. Not gonna be an easy decision
I think you can option them down as many times as you want in a season as long as they spend at least...20 days in the minors? Something like that I believe. So you would give Lance starts for 3 weeks while VV works out of the pen and rests...and then flip it. edit: Just checked--I think it's only 10 days you have to spend in the minors before you can come back up. So yeah, very viable solution for this season
