We have 6 starting pitchers. Would it be nice to have 7 to account for injuries? Sure, but do you pay a fortune for that? We shouldn’t have traded Odorizzi.
I never trusted Odorozzi to have a quality start. It was almost shocking the few times he pitched well. I'm honestly glad he's gone.
I know Vasquez wants a starting role, but man I'd fine just running back Maldy and him. You've obviously missed the discussions to what a problem he was the locker room
Hypothetical trades for the other guys who Nook mentioned: Santander: Forrest Whitley, Spencer Arrighetti, and Jaime Melendez O’Neill: Hunter Brown and Enoli Paredes Seth Brown: Pedro Leon and Forrest Whitley Ian Happ: Yainer Diaz and PTBNL
Mets signing JV- confirmed 2 yr $86M thanks for the memories JV! Will always appreciate what you did for the Astros. Too bad you won’t make it back to the WS to see your former teammates.
What are you talking about? Yes, Randy's age 41-45 seasons were not on par with his age 40 season or many of them prior, but he had a few "quality" seasons. Age 41= 225 2/3IP in 35 starts. 17 wins 5.8 bWAR Age 42= 205 2/3IP in 34 starts. 17 wins 1.7 bWAR Age 44= 185IP in 30 starts. 11 wins 3 3 bWAR. his ERA was noticeably up in his ages 41 and 42 seasons but he still averaged over 6IP / gs and WON Ages 40-42 ( years that JV wants) 50-33 in 102gs. 676 1/3IP w/ 200+ each year. 3.73 ERA. 1.078 WHIP. 15.9 bWAR. I don't think you can use Randy Johnson as a reason to not sign JV
JV to the Mets for 2 year / $86M with a 3rd year vesting option. Always a Houston legend! Thanks for everything. Now let's go spend that money elsewhere
If you don't work Lee and/or Diaz next season they will still be inexperienced for 2024 and Maldy will be another year older. This team should be about the post season. There is no reason Lee or Diaz should be riding the pine the majority of the season. Maldonado caught 113 games last season. There are roughly 100 games by the 2023 trade deadline. If Lee or Diaz can get half of those starts and 300 PA. We can save Maldy for post season by having him catch 80 plus in the regular season (very few back to back starts), see if rookie can adjust. And if need be get a vet catcher to help out at trade deadline. Who knows Lee or Diaz might actually be decent. You could even start a rookie and bring Maldy in for the 7th to close out the leads in most games. Get the best bat you can get and start him at DH and platoon in the field where ever at makes sense. We have every position covered to a decent degree but DH.
Ok JV is a Met ( unless this is another "Brantley to the Blue Jays" report) If he has a player or vesting option for a 3rd year them good for him. If it's flat 2 year deal - screw him he's a mercenary he could have returned for an amount of money that does not impact him or his life and family. I completely understand the 3rd year at his age. It sucks for the Astros fans. I was hoping to see him win 300 in an Astros uniform and on to the HOF with a star on the cap. I also understand Crane not going that far. It has served the team well and hope they keep winning. I am excited to see who gets brought in to be the newest Astros I will root for.
They have a lot more room to spend if he wants to even get close to the tax. Will be interesting to see where that goes. Hopefully the rest of the staff performs/stays healthy. I could see another scenario where this team ends up trading again for more pitching at the deadline (vs. just outright signing guys), especially if there are concerns with some of their starters lasting the whole year.
Even without Verlander, there just isn’t a need for more pitching. Fine with it as a “want”, but $43/year goes beyond “want”. The lineup needed reinforcements. Abreu + 1 other bat does that. Ideally you come out of this offseason with a lineup 7-8 deep, a rotation 6 deep, a fully stocked bullpen, and all of your top 10 prospects still in the farm system.
If JV is out the door. I think the calculus on Catcher does shift a bit. It’s a whole lot easier telling your staff who’s gonna catch when you have younger guys and financial control. Especially when JV doesn’t have a personal catcher. Not saying Maldy will be surpassed by a new addition. Just makes it easier with JV gone.
I suspect the Astros roughly had two plans 1) JV signs for X such that they have enough left to fill holes with leftover money. 2) JV wants more than X, quickly pivot to fill offense with some really good/great players. I think Astros figured it out very quicky that JV wanted more than they would be able to pay and still fill out roster. I don't think enough teams do this. Make your offer. If it isn't accepted, move on and fill your roster out. I will laugh really hard if the Yankees aren't able to get Rodon or Judge, and Cashman has to bring a Brink's truck to Correa to save face.
