I'm sure they are. What do you think realistic expectations for him over the next 6 years in terms of WAR?
If Luhnow trades Springer, he might as well trade Altuve as this would indicate he wants HIS guys on the field. I highly doubt that Springer is actually in any trade talks. His name might have been mentioned, but any consideration would be stupid. Plus, he is my favorite player on the team. Dude's a stud, and a winner.
Might as well get rid of Keuchel then as well... ("HIS guys"). Springer is not going to be moved... neither is Altuve.
After the Giles trade, the Astros seem to direct their attention to upgrading the starting rotation. Will be interesting, are they going for depth or improving the 4th or 5th spot? Dallas, McHughes, McCullers and Fiers are a strong 1-4. Feldman is a solid 4 or 5, but needs to stay healthy.
I think it makes a lot of sense to try and bring Kazmir back. Our rotation depth at the back will enable us to keep him rested all year so he will be fresh for October.
Appel is going to be given every chance to make the club and take the fifth starter role. I don't see the need or value in getting anothe SP, I can see dealing for one at the deadline. McCullers has the stuff to be a very good playoff pitcher to go with Keuchel. Our FA money is better spent upgrading 3B or DH, giving Reed the chance to win 1B.
Need 1 more starter. Doesn't need to be an ace...just a middle of the rotation guy. Someone mentioned Yovani Gallardo...I prefer him to Kazmir. Younger and no injury history. Keuchel McHugh McCullers Gallardo Fiers Then you've got Feldmen to insert to give the regulars rest. And don't forget the minors...4 of our top 8 prospects arepitchers, and all are in AA or AAA.
I think adding Gallardo would be perfect to solidify the rotation. Add him and resign Sipp and go to war.
If Kazmir won't sign a 1 year deal, Cliff Lee will. The Astros went after him before, now might be a good time to ink that one year contract.
I prefer Kazmir largely for handedness. Would rather have two lefty starters than just one. Also our farm is pretty barren of lefties...I think you may also have to commit fewer years to Kazmir
Part of improving isn't always about adding great players, as much as eliminating negatives. Valbuena didn't have a great year, but he was substantially better than Dominguez in 2014, so that was a big part of the improvement. The same can be said about our starting pitchers. We had quite a few starts made by sub par or downright terrible starters. Fausto had 11 starts (5.18), "bad" Kazmir had 9 (5.89), Obie had 8 (4.46), Wojo had 3 (9.75), Straily had 3 (5.87), Deduno 2 (11.42), and Peacock 1 (5.40). That's 37 starts, more than a full rotation spot that can be substantially improved simply by starting a league average pitcher. It's one of the reasons adding a guy like Fiers was important last season, even if it wasn't flashy. As is we have 5 starters who are league average or better, and we expect to add a 6th. I noted "bad" Kazmir because if you start him more than 22 or so starts he is likely to start struggling. If we bring him back on a limited start count, or add some other league average or better pitcher it could be an under the radar way of adding wins simply by making sure we don't let bad starters get a lot of starts like we did last year.
I like Gallardo more and more as each day goes by. Not too expensive and his Era has always been around 3.25 era each season. That's pitching in Arlington, where the ball just flies real good. In a more control climate like in Minute Maid he can lower his ERA even more. Plus he has a good enough fastball to keep hitters honest. If you sign him he can probably also add another bat if you want and be set. It will cost the Astros a pick around 17 or 18 at best in the 1st rd in the MLB draft, but after the top 4 pitchers off the board its a deal shoot. Just look at the Cubs, they only have around 750k for the 2016 draft because they forfeited their 1st and 2nd round pick. But if Luhnow wants to keep the 1st rd pick for one more year in 2016 to add to the farm system and then be more aggressive for 201y job draft then that's ok too.
Gallardo has never had an ERA of 3.25. Last year was his career best, 3.42. That is also the only year he was with Texas, or in the American League. While it was his best ERA-wise, it was his worst season for FIP, xFIP, and SIERA, which were all over 4.
Gallardo would be ok, but Kazmir at his best is better And assuming the difference in money isn't huge, it comes down to Gallardo vs Kazmir and a 1st round pick. I would definitely prefer the Kazmir/Pick combination
totally agree and didn't think about the pick. Let's get Kazmire. Looks like Cueto is going to the Giants so...front of the line starters are now mostly gone.
I see Little Beard "wants" Gallardo, i have to disagree 100 percent with him. With the Giles trade, we have lost way too many prospects, and we should not lose a first round pick. With the Gomez, Kazmir, Giles trades, many good talent has moved, we need to keep the picks so our only "great" option is Kazmir. To go after other pitchers jn FA is getting a guy that is going to be more or less the same as Feldman, so we need to go really hard after Kazmir, we have no other options, we can't lose the first round pick.
