<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">BREAKING: The Astros have promoted SP Joe Musgrove to Triple-A Fresno, as expected. Had an ERA of 0.34 in six Double-A appearances.</p>— Ian Steele (@IanSteeleKIII) <a href="https://twitter.com/IanSteeleKIII/status/730791507192504320">May 12, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
to help others--a couple of clicks and a scroll showed that it's an aneurysm in his throwing shoulder. Potentially really bad health-wise, but from a baseball perspective (secondary here, I know), it's good that it's not structural. i.e. not involving muscles/ligaments/bones/etc. as far as I can tell
Another pair of hits, a walk, and steal for Tucker. OBP is creeping up towards .400, and he leads the Midwest league in steals.
D.J. Fisher just hit a walk-off homer for Corpus. It was his 2nd of the night; he's now got 7 on the year.
Would love to hear a report about some of the top guys if you can, mainly Bregman. I am excited about these guy as he seems to have a ton of confidence and a true baseball player. I am looking forward to him contributing to the Stros. Would only consider trading him for a true ace pitcher that has a multi-year deal. Do you guys think his start to the season is worthy of stud/all-star potential? How has his defense been at Shortstop so far?
With what Bregman has shown, you tab him nearly untouchable. The Astros will find him a position if Correa cements SS. Third base, outfield, even first base, or DH. You can't rely on guys hitting .200 if the Astros want to compete. It's looking like the look lineup with the muscle to make the Astros a contender will consist of Altuve, Springer, Correa, Bregman, Kyle Tucker, hopefully Reed, still hoping Moran turns it around on the slugging %, no idea on a catcher ( maybe Gattis figures it out).
You don't trade Bregman, especially with how frugal the Astros have shown to be so far. Want to know one of the major reasons the Astros are sub .500% with half a line up sub .250 line up while a team like the Cubs are doing so well? John Lackey Jon Lester Ben Zobrist Jason Hayward Miguel Montero Dexter Fowler The Cubs signed 4 as free agents (Lester/Lackey/Zobrist/Hayward) to fill major holes, traded for another one with what some thought had a big contract (Montero) and resigned another one (Fowler). The Cubs used free agency to fill glaring holes in their rotation and line up. Who did the Astros add via free agency? Feldman, Fister, Gregerson, Neshak, Rasmus...... and other than Fister they added no one of note coming into this season. So since this is apparently how the Astros are going to operate, they need to keep their prospects.
And then you look at Rasmus vs. Heyward and say, damn, I'm sure glad the Astros aren't on the hook for $184M for someone who's as bad as Gomez right now (well, almost as bad). That direction comes with significant risks...and yeah, I don't know if the Astros will ever be on the level of the Cubs/Yankees/Red Sox/Angels/Dodgers in terms of absorbing big money / long-term risk consistently. And please don't include Fowler on the list...he's at least on the same level as Rasmus. He's a guy they traded for that performed as expected, re-signed unexpectedly due to weird market forces, and has had a great 30 games.
Not so great a start by our minor league affiliates. A sign of depletion? Fresno (AAA)......14-19 CC (AA).............17-15 Lancaster (A+)...12-19 Quad Cities (A)...14-19
Of course it comes with risk, and it doesn't always pan out. There is a balance that needs to be struck. I don't expect the Astros to spend as much as the Cubs, they lack the financial resources. However I do expect the Astros to spend far more than they have. The Astros traded Fowler in part because they did not want to spend the money to resign him when he was a free agent. I am not even critical of the Astros not wanting to keep Fowler (although they got very little for him), however he filled a need for the Cubs.
I think they will. They were contenders a bit early and overestimated (I'm guessing) the ability of the kids to be consistent and replicate success. The Cubs, given their larger bankroll, were able to go get Lester as the window of contention opened because (a) Chicago was attractive even when they weren't contenders yet (b) They could afford to spend early, knowing that more spending would be around the corner regardless. It's not quite on the same level, but attempting to spend on Andrew Miller, Hamels, etc. was making an attempt a year early. Guys just didn't want to come here. That's fine, and I agree. I'm just saying he's no more critical to the Cubs than the Astros signing and then retaining Rasmus. Fowler just happens to be off to a hot start this year...but we know he won't keep that up based on history.
Lackey, Zobrist, Heyward, & Fowler all took less to sign with the Cubs. Meanwhile, Andrew Miller took less to not sign with Houston.
