Lance wanted money in the bank before the season started and I don’t blame him. It’s also true that he in all likelihood would’ve inked far more than 6/85 on this open market all options considered, but it doesn’t make the prior a poor decision in hindsight. I’m happy for Lance because he’s clearly happy with how everything turned out, he’s been vocal and nothing short of great even with some bumps along the way. I’m not too worried about 160ip—he should hit 200 yearly considering playoff mileage
No pitcher in the American League will reach 200 innings. Been 120 years since that’s happened. It’s a new age
typically, baseball players will get their money if they keep playing MLB standards. I remember when Castro turned down the Astros offer back in 2015/16, a lot of folks laughed, but Castro ended up making more money by not taking the security the Astros offered. Getting his one year or two year deal(s) and being a journeyman, paid well. As long as a pitcher is merely average, he’s gonna make 15 million a year. But if he’s pitching like an all star, that goes up to 20-25 million a year. If the pitcher has a top 3 CY Young, he’s looking at upwards of 30 million a year. I too think McCullers wanted to be here, and that is amazing. I’ve always thought he had #1 abilities, he just needs to stay healthy long enough to figure out his tendencies, those that separate Aces from the rest of the starting pitchers.
I think Lance McCullers Jr. always had arm discomfort since his Rookie Year, he always came out of games. Now with Tommy John Surgery he is a Completely Different and even more Confident Pitcher. He Physically is Stronger and Mature in the way he uses his slider as an out Pitch against Hitters. Plus Knuckle Curve is Unhittable late in games.
While you sometimes don’t want players to be all about their stats… the way Lance is acutely aware of where he ranks in every metric speaks volumes to his competitiveness… and if there’s ever a position in team sports where players can be as selfish as they want about their numbers, its starting pitchers.
I like that Lance knows which stats are important. He doesn't seem to get as upset as he did earlier in his career about the shift.
With the type of season Lance just had, he’d be looking at a hefty salary increase from what he signed. I think McCullers still has youth, he’s never embarrassed himself being T ball pitcher, and he’s proven that when healthy (he can be a top of the league). Folks can be depressed that Correa might be on the move; but on the bright side, McCullers is here for the foreseeable future on a very reasonable contract.
Technically Eovaldi could if you include the playoffs 182.1 regular season and 10.1 so far in the playoffs. So 192.2 and only 7.1 away.
McCullers being full strength is very important to giving the Astros the best chance to prevail in The post season goals. But it sounds like just minor concern, but the Astros would rather be on the side of caution, given McCullers past history with injuries. That devastating curve ball, even though the coaches have said he throws it so that it isn’t hurting him; always has me thinking some of his injuries are because of the toil it has on his arm.
The way Ross Bolen is tweeting I'm not just worried Lance is out for the rest of the playoffs but that this could be another TJ that keeps him out next year.
