If the Astros were able to pick up only one of Framber (3 years/ 90 mil) or JV (1 year/ 15 mil). Who would you rather have?
Framber in a heartbeat. That is a steal. Framber in a down year was 11th in fWAR among pitchers last year. Probably the safest bet for 180 innings at a #2 or better SP level in MLB. And we get so much more to talk about for 3 seasons.
He had raw power. Was fast too. Just didn't put it together here. Too bad . I'm glad he made something out of his career
I want neither of them back, but if have to choose Verlander in a heartbeat. Framber ofcourse is better value for money especially if one was watching those JV games last year on his good late run. Every inning was a struggle, no control of zone (umps tried to help HOF), but big park and good defense. The reason I would pick JV is that 15m for future HOF leader mascot can't derail our whole season but Framber is one of the few who could. He could sulk all season to every person on a planet for not getting what promised as free agent. Also there must be some guys in the clubhouse who are relieved that this primadonna is finally gone. Framber's recent record on crucial games is horrible, his hard hit rate keeps climbing and swing and miss getting more rare inning by inning. I know he's GB machine but we all know he's a cancer and I don't want go season listening leaders like Correa have to make up excuses for teammates when we have gone so far away from having accountability in clubhouse. I would rather have old punching bag like Bassitt eating BP innings for 15m than Framber for 20m. Other one looks and tastes like old gritty vet leader who shows we are here to fight and not b*tch about s*it 24/7 and other one only thinks "me, me, me, me....sulking...me, me, me...". We got what there was to get from Framber. He might be even be better fit in other team. If he steps into Philly or Dodgers clubhouse with that childish attitude he would be put in his place pretty quickly. We don't have that leadership right now in Astros and Framber knows in Houston he can throw Espada to the field from Crawford boxes and everybody be laughing how fun and corky Framber is .
First of all there is no way Framber "only" costs $20M. You are looking at $15M more than JV not $5M. I can't fathom that an actual fan who likes to see the Astros win would rather have an old #4 or 5 starter than Framber over a $5M, or even $15M difference. The only way the Astros would think if bringing Framber back is on a short term deal. It may have the same structure as Imai, but there is no world he doesn't get 40% more AAV as a minimum. If Framber is on a shorter term deal with opt outs, he is going to do everything in his power to strengthen his case for a big long term deal in 2027. He could win a Cy Young.
James Mouton, Andujar Cedeno, Daryl Ward, Cameron Drew, Willie Ansley and Wayne Twitchell are in the que.
