We can fantasize all we want but LMJ can't be sent to the minors and he can't be traded. The only 2 options are keeping him on the roster or releasing him and eating all the money on his contract. Brown and Crane are not going to release him when half the rotation is made up of AAA guys and he POSSIBLY could pitch 5-6 innings of 2 run ball in any given start. Furthermore, they are not going to put him in the bullpen when it has been hypothesized that the irregular routine could elevate his injury risk. If any combination of Arrighetti, Javier, and/or Garcia return, then Gordon, Gusto, and Walter all get sent to AAA before they change anything about Lance's spot on this team. Of course that goes out the window in the postseason, just likeceith JV last year. But status quo until then. And I root like crazy for him every single start.
If LMJ gets 3-4 mph back on his FB he will be what most on this MB want him to be. If he cant then he needs to be pitching in long relief.
Maybe he does need to be, but I simply don't see it. I think Walker gets benched or released before Lance does and I don't see that happening either
Who should start in his place? Gusto and Gordon don’t consistently pitch better than him already, so who is it that you think gives us a better chance to win in those starts.
The Astros front office has a pretty good grip on what the team needs under Brown. They don't always fill the needs because the cost is higher than the benefit, or because of the market -- but they are usually good at identifying what is going to be the issues. The Astros have targeted hitting, but they also have wanted a playoff starting pitcher and have been pursuing one for nearly a month. It doesn't mean that Brown ends up getting one, I assume the cost will be high and the caliber of player would have to be decent for them to go into the tax. However, they are looking for one. I could see the Astros trying to get Morton and someone like Jordan Westburg possibly. I know that Westburg is someone that the Astros have asked about in the past. He has years of team control and can play 2nd or 3rd base. He is also the type of player that could justify the Astros moving someone like Brice Matthews or other higher-level prospects or a young pitcher. He isn't a star and likely never will be, but he is solid with pop. To be clear this is just my opinion.
Would be happy with Westburg - 26, lots of club control, cheap, was an All Star last year. But he's not actually good defensively at either position and is right handed, so more of a solid double than a home run acquisition. I know people here love Uncle Charlie but he's declined quite a bit since he was here. He's 41 with an awful WHIP and ERA. He's gotten a little unlucky this year, to be fair. But the statcast page is below average across the board.
As for Brice Matthews, I think Brown views him as the Astros primary 2B next year. He also knows that the team simply must have some lefthanded balance and that 2B ( unless Melton can unseat Meyers in CF) is the only position that makes sense to upgrade. Matthews may be more expendable because he hits right handed. This is also why I think there is a very good possibility that Caratini is brought back.
Morton has been a consistent, healthy innings-eater the past four seasons, and has been notably better his last 8 starts (2.85 FIP and 10.3 K/9) If he's our game 3 starter, that's probably not ideal - but those numbers would play in the postseason.
Seems like Houston is really interested in post-hype prospects who can play 2B and that they think have untapped offensive potential. Gorman and Westburg fit that mold, as does Lux to a certain extent. I wonder if they’ve talked to the Mets about Brett Baty.
Yeah - Westburg isn't a star and he doesn't have a fantastic on base percentage, but he does have some pop and a decent OPS. He would be an upgrade over Dubon and is fairly consistent long term. I personally prefer him at second over third defensively, but he is mediocre either way. I do think there is some untapped upside power wise though.
My speculation is that they think it could be a "value grab", you get someone under team control and at a position where the player doesn't have to tear the cover off the ball. If they can internally plug the hole with a 780-800 OPS guy under team control, they have a major win.
Umm, any team in baseball would be thrilled to win 50% of the games when starting their weakest starting pitcher. You'd end up being one of the best teams in baseball, which is exactly where the Astros are.
