Highly doubt Hader just falls apart. His peripherals were good last year. Now if Hader or Abreu go down with an injury, we are in trouble. Relievers are so volatile though it’s hard to say what the rest of the pen is going to do. No one had Scott becoming a key piece last year. Good chance he could become the next Montero and end up a fluke.
I definitely think Houston would’ve been smart to go get one more proven RP (like bringing back Neris). But Houston has consistently been able to piece together a good pen every year for going on a decade and there’s no reason to think they won’t be able to this year. These were their 6 primary RP in the years they won rings: 2017: Giles, Devenski, Harris, Hoyt, Feliz, Gregerson 2022: Neris, Montero, Abreu, Pressly, Stanek, Maton Neither of those were groups anyone would have looked at as stacked when those seasons started.
Under Dana’s regime, I’ve often wondered “who the **** is this guy” several times when a new RP is signed. And then that RP goes and dominates. I’m not worried about our bullpen. Whatever we don’t have now, we will somehow get as the year goes on.
Agreed and if one of these guys or a guy that starts the year in the minors doesn't come through, then Dana will trade for a 7th inning Yimi type guy.
With Gusto being optioned it looks like the opening day rotation will consist of Framber, Brown, Spencer, Blanco, Wesneski. With hopefully LMJ coming back first month of season the season
Hader: 9th Abreu: 8th Okert: 7th/lefty King: 7th/lefty Beeks: long relief VanWey: low leverage Scott: middle relief Contreras: low leverage (placeholder for Ort) Framber: SP1 Brown: SP2 Blanco: SP3 Arrighetti: SP4 Wesneski: SP5 (placeholder for McCullers) Whitley and Dubin are gonna have to look good in their rehabs to get their spots back.
Could be a very productive group. If Smith and Dezenzo hit this season then they could be contenders.
So we seriously going into the season with a flimsy McCullers as our ONLY backup option at starting pitcher? No Bueno.
