This Astros article will not talk about sign stealing. You’re welcome. 3 QUESTIONS Can Justin Verlander continue to hold up at age-37? Will José Altuve’s SBs return? What can we get from Lance McCullers Jr. in 2020? THE RISER Jose Urquidy THE FALLER Yordan Alvarez A MOVE TO MAKE Sign Yasmani Grandal PLAYING TIME BATTLE(S) Starter: Urquidy v. James v. Brad Peacock PROSPECT CONTRIBUTORS FOR 2020 Hitter: Kyle Tucker Pitcher: Forrest Whitley
The score had 1 player each team that they should sign. For Houston, they had Felix Hernandez. Houston Astros, Felix Hernandez: Justin Verlander, Gerrit Cole, and Charlie Morton each saw improvements to their game immediately upon arriving in Houston, so why not take a flier and try to fix one of the most storied pitchers of this generation? King Felix has looked progressively cooked over four seasons, and there's a chance he's not salvageable. But, the Astros are in a position to gamble because of their overall depth. Verlander and Zack Greinke are still on the roster, Jose Urquidy and Josh James can get play in the rotation if needed, and Forrest Whitley should finally make the jump. If Hernandez flops, he's an easy cut. However, Hernandez regaining lost power after switching teams for the first time would be kind of poetic. Plus, playing for the Astros would almost guarantee his first-ever trip to the postseason. Is he finished or worth taking a chance?
He looked beyond done last year. Don't think Strom can fix that but I would take him on a minor league deal
I think Julio Teheran could be the next Cole... As far as bargain bin shopping, I wouldn’t mind ST invites for Shelby Miller (Luhnow’s pick) or Volquez. Alex Wood, Wacha, and Hellickson could be decent value plays too. A lot of decent pitchers are available.
Miller and Wacha are both former Luhnow guys who might be good risks for the right price. Both are also from Texas if I recall correctly.
I like Teheran for sure. Price probably still too high at this point? Wood and Wacha I'm into. Miller and Hellickson..eh
Some guys I think would be better alternatives to King Felix if Houston is looking for a cheap upside play: Martin Perez Collin McHugh Alex Wood Jordan Lyles Jhoulys Chacin Andrew Cashner Kendall Graveman Michael Wacha Drew Pomeranz None of those guys should require more than 1 year and all will sign for <$10m. Each of those guys would also work as bullpen arms if they didn’t beat out Urquidy/etc for the SP5 job.
If the Astros are hit hard and embarrassed by this cheating scandal does Crane spend even more this offseason to make fans happy(ier)? Going well into the luxury tax is all the "we're sorry" I need from him.
I would think if he's heavily fined he would spend less. But hopefully he does spend to show the Astros are still legit without cheating and is still mad about not winning this year.
This whole investigation is going to have some impeding consequences on our ability to compete for free agents. Im worried that FAs this offseason are going to be scared to come here and be labeled as a cheater-to-be.
