<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Luhnow said Asher Wojciechowski, Jesse Crain and Alex White are likely to open the season on the Major League DL. Not a surprise.</p>— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) <a href="https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/statuses/447363704502616064">March 22, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Astros release J.D. Martinez, cut Amador, Downs, Petit: <a href="http://t.co/cbSx0op4I9">http://t.co/cbSx0op4I9</a></p>— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/statuses/447364274269077504">March 22, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Astros have 31 healthy players remaining in camp, meaning the have six cuts remaining.</p>— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) <a href="https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/statuses/447364794916823042">March 22, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Yep... and unfortunately the ST results/numbers for the regulars are starting to mirror what happened last season.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Jesse Crain threw off a mound on Friday. Catcher wasn’t all the way back. Targets his first full bullpen session end of upcoming week.</p>— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/statuses/447475874670342144">March 22, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Jesse Crain’s timetable: "I'd say end of April, beginning of May, somewhere in that time frame” His calf has been non factor for week or 2</p>— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/statuses/447476040609574912">March 22, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Astros do not expect either Alex White or Asher Wojciechowski to head to the 60-day DL to start the season.</p>— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/statuses/447480908992741376">March 22, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Hard to argue with this .. Astros Spring Training Roster Moves Of the 34 players remaining in big league camp, four will almost certainly start the season on the DL: RHP Alex White, RHP Jesse Crain, Asher Wojciechowski and RHP Peter Moylan (who is looking at possible TJ surgery according to reports from yesterday). That brings us to 30 players, two of whom (Catchers Rene Garcia and Carlos Perez) are destined for the minors, barring any unforeseen injuries. That brings us effectively down to 28 players. If the Astros break camp with 13 pitchers, they will need to cut one from the list of healthy pitchers. I think it likely that the odd man out will come out of this group: Harrell, Keuchel, Valdes and Williams. And they will need to cut two position players. Since Adron Chambers and Cesar Izturis aren't currently on the 40-man roster, they are probably the most likely victims as far as position players go unless the Astros decide to part company with Jesus Guzman who has not had a great spring. Taking out the four DL players and the two extra catchers: Pitchers RHP Scott Feldman RHP Jarred Cosart LHP Brett Oberholtzer RHP Brad Peacock LHP Dallas Keuchel RHP Lucas Harrell RHP Jerome Williams RHP Matt Albers RHP Anthony Bass LHP Kevin Chapman RHP Josh Fields RHP Chad Qualls LHP Raul Valdes RHP Josh Zeid Catchers Jason Castro Carlos Corporan Infielders Jesus Guzman Jose Altuve Jonathan Villar Matt Dominguez Marwin Gonzalez Cesar Izturis Marc Kraus (IF/OF) Designated Hitter Chris Carter Outfielders Robbie Grossman Dexter Fowler L.J. Hoes Adron Chambers
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Astros manager Bo Porter said Jerome Williams has made the club, either as a starter or reliever.</p>— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) <a href="https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/statuses/447750691000692737">March 23, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Porter expects closer for committee for opening day. Could change but no one has separated self</p>— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/statuses/447750480798973952">March 23, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Porter on Astros closer: "I think that if we had a guy, I think that it would have been decided by now"</p>— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/statuses/447763151267037184">March 23, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Some RPs like role definition. Bo Porter: "You know what your role is? When your phone rings and your name’s called, go get people out."</p>— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/statuses/447763733419683840">March 23, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>I imagine Astros at least will give consideration to Chad Tracy and Carlos Pena to help at first base. But that’s just my speculation.</p>— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/statuses/447765160279949312">March 23, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Perfect world, Jim Crane wants to see the Astros get to .500 this year. Also indicated the Astros have to be better this year.</p>— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/statuses/447773349226504192">March 23, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Crane said the Nats and Astros are figuring out which spring training site would make the most sense.</p>— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/statuses/447773450787373056">March 23, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>It’s going to be easier now for the Astros to put Jerome Williams in a swingman role, which is what I think they wanted all along.</p>— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/statuses/447797088743854081">March 23, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Matt Adams homers for the second day in a row, a 2-run shot, and now it's 6-0 in the third. Williams has allowed three homers.</p>— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) <a href="https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/statuses/447794063300108288">March 23, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Yadier Molina just had an RBI triple -- yes, a triple -- and now it's 4-0 Cards here in the third. Williams struggling.</p>— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) <a href="https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/statuses/447793623896453120">March 23, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Is it possible the team could be "worse" this year? They're certainly starting to bottom out in terms of spring training performance (which means nothing).
Of course. Bullpen appears better, but not fully healthy. A lot depends on growth from our young players, which is hardly guaranteed.
Hopefully not worse record-wise, ha. As I was about to type in the predictions thread (but held off), after bottoming out in 2011 at 56-106, they've managed to go backwards the last two years (record-wise). I think they'll be in the same neighborhood as the last three years and another number one pick.
The better question may be whether the other teams made more improvements than the Astros did. In such a case, we could actually field a slightly better team and still have a worse record than last year.
They could, but I think it is unlikely Fowler is an improvement in center, and the pen will be better (even if the guys we signed don't set the world on fire there) if for no other reason that it would be hard to be as bad in the pen again Not sure if any of the other everyday players will improve or not, but with Altuve, Villar, Dominguez, Carter I think it is more likely that they improve than they regress. Not saying that makes them good major league players, but comparing them from last year not much reason to see them getting worse The rotation . . .well, it's not good . . .but it's likely to be better than last year. Cosart won't be as good as he was last year in limited time, but he should still be quite a bit better than what we were running out there in that spot early in the year last year. Feldman, didn't like the signing, but again can't see him being "worse" I still think we are "better" this year, but will still be in the running for the first pick
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Opening series match-ups for Astros & Yankees: Sabathia vs. Feldman; Kuroda vs. Cosart; Nova vs. Oberholtzer</p>— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/statuses/448141135777890305">March 24, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Source: Cesar Izturis did not make the Astros. Will opt out.</p>— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/statuses/448145753970839553">March 24, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Josh Zeid has been optioned. Adron Chambers reassigned. Rene Garcia reassigned. Cesar Izturis officially released.</p>— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/statuses/448154042314031104">March 24, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>J.D. Martinez lands quickly, with the Tigers on a minor league deal.</p>— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/statuses/448153941839470593">March 24, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Jeff Luhnow says Marwin Gonzalez has made the Astros. No one else was told as much today</p>— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/statuses/448155726163476480">March 24, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Zeid had a solid Spring. Disappointed to see him not make the club. Seems like that pretty much sets the club for opening day, unless the club acquires someone over the next week.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Porter said Astros will have right field platoon to start year most likely. Porter acknowledged if you look at roster right now, its set</p>— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/statuses/448191569909547008">March 24, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>So Astros will go with eight pitchers to start year. Woes of last April were instructive</p>— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/statuses/448191712234860545">March 24, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Astros have 26 healthy players in camp, incl. 3 catchers, so roster appears set. They'll carry 13 pitchers, Krauss, Guzman & Valdes make it</p>— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) <a href="https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/statuses/448191896087957505">March 24, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>What two pitchers fill out the rotation is still TBD. But barring injury they should all be on team</p>— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/statuses/448192002715553792">March 24, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
So when can we call up guys that actually have some potential? There's only about 3 or 4 guys I see on this roster that I think will be big parts of our future improvement.
