Astros have wanted a playoff starting pitcher at the deadline for nearly two months now. I hope they get Cease, they also have asked about Rasmussen and looked at possible deals - but Cease should cost less and his stuff is electric. He has a Jake Arrietta feel to him. Astros have also targeted good defensive guys, which is why they had interest in Urias, who is a very good defender. Roll out three dominant starters- field well and count on your pen… can win a good number of playoff games with only 2-3 runs with that formula. Lots of bats left - more concerned about locking down Cease.
Solid move for them - not surprised they got him. They have a very solid farm system and they are very desperate to make and win in the playoffs. They have nothing to show so far. I think their GM will try to make another move.
He is just a rental with a history of contact issues - he was almost DFAed a couple years ago. He has been exceptional hitting homers but teams knew what he is and isn’t.
Projected playoff lineup after the Urias trade: SS Pena LF Altuve DH Alvarez 1B Walker C Diaz 3B Urias RF Smith CF Trammell 2B Matthews Bench: Dubon, Caratini, Melton, Salazar
Ok- so I'd love to see all of those happen but if I'm prioritizing it's elite bat. Currently- your best 9 arms in the playoffs in order of importance (My opinion on rankings, and guys 10-13 don't really matter, they aren't a part of the path to victory, they are there to soak up innings: Framber, Brown, Hader, Abreu, Arrighetti, Javier, Sousa, Dubin, Okert, If you add Cease that's him going 3rd and pushing Okert out of the path to victory guys. I don't mind Okert in there at all. I also haven't mentioned Garcia or King or Walter who I'm absolutely fine with all of them. So, you could take out anyone other than Framber and Brown and replace them with one of those other 3 guys and I'm ok. Now, bats power ranked by who I think will be back and playing ability: Altuve, Yordan, Smith, Diaz, Walker, Caratini, Dubon, Urias, Trammel I have Altuve over Yodan because I don't have Yordan being himself all year. An elite bat would slide in between Yordan and Smith, and the chasm there is huge. An elite bat smooths that over. Also, it knocks Trammel out of the lineup which is a good thing. And, it means Yordan doesn't have to play LF, in all likelihood, nor Altuve at 2B to squeeze all the bats in the lineup.
I agree. Maybe it’s just stupid optimism or a reasonable conclusion but I think Crane is going to go all in for this season and next. He wants another ring for himself (before its time to step away), for the city, and for Altuve.
I would start Dubon before Matthews... That said, we need to get another bat so we don't have to start either one.
This is a better fit imo than cease. I think the pitching staff can make some adjustments with him. His last two starts showed promise imo
He has team control and lets the Astros move on from Framber after the season. It’s too bad because I think staying with this organization is best for his performance and sanity. The Astros know how to handle him and he will not get the protections he gets with the Astros. Two or three teams want Alcantara now, but his cost is likely going to be high.
If our pitching staff thinks they can fix him, then this would be a no brainer. He's under contract next year and then has a club option for a reasonable $21M the following one.
I really like Framber. I think people underestimate his durability he has shown. I know he has his mental letdowns, but Houston has done a great job with him. Houston doesn’t win the 2022 without him and Pressly. I felt those two could have been the MVP for the World Series. I think the cost of what Framber is going to get is something Houston doesn’t want to spend on.
Suarez was for Mariners #9, 16, and 17 prospects. Light return considering all the hype around Suarez.
