This is a big part of my reasoning as well. Most like 1-3 of the guys in the pen are going to have a mediocre year or get hurt. The more bullets I have in the pen, the better
I can tell you why Stanek did not play much in the WS, and I would assume this is try for the playoffs as well.... they were concerned about his walks. I asked that same question and got an answer.
Sad but it is true. A lot of knowledgeable posters in here and maybe some real insiders. If you don't know the history of this forum, you should keep an open mind.
I would add that besides the 18-inning game, and Verlander and Lance's World Series starts, the other teams never played well enough to get to pen besides for the 4 guys Dusty used. It isn't Dusty's fault Framber and Javier kicked butt, and that the Yankees suck.
There aren't any credible rumors going around that it had an option. Chandler is literally making **** up now.
Neris has such good peripherals that I have to think he puts together a great season at some point. Neris last year finally avoids the longball which has plagued him a bit, and he still posts a 3.72 ERA. Stanek I get, as he walks too many guys, but he basically turned into Nolan Ryan last season. Right now our bullpen is: Pressly Montero Abreu Stanek Neris Maton Urquidy (I'm assuming Brown would be in the rotation) With Seth Martinez & Blake Taylor right there. Like anything else, other moves could bring more justification to the choice. Pitching depth isn't a bad thing at all, but the team could definitely afford to trade away at least one arm out of the pen and be set. If they re-sign Verlander, it would seem to me that Urquidy or Garcia are destined to be moved. I'm just not sure how many teams value Garcia as much as I believe the Astros do, which is why I see it less likely he is moved of the 2.
WOW. This makes zero sense especially since we know Crane is involved in everything and didn't he offer click a contract? And the rumors are that Crane was the one who offered the contract.
Unless something has changed since Click was let go, yes he is still a possible starter. The Astros former pitching coach felt he would be a durable, long-term starter eventually and Miller is similar.
Less than a year ago, Garcia was viewed as more valuable around the league that Urquidy and I would assume that is still true. There isn't a "stuff" question with Garcia but there are some that question whether he is a long term starter. The Astros were asking for more in return for Garcia.
I think the Astros have accepted they aren't getting Verlander, DeGrom, or Rodon. The Astros should have plenty of resources to add a 1B, a LF/DH, and a catcher. Unless all three of Nimmo, Contreras, and Abreu want to come to Houston, I don't see Montero's signing affecting any moves this offseason.
That was my assumption. 5.1 per 9 innings is extensive. IMO Stanek just needs to trust his stuff more. It feels like that's what Abreu did to make his jump.
I would assume this too Garcia looks to have better "stuff" and a higher ceiling than Urquidy not to mention an extra year of control.
I view Garcia as a starter who could go 6 shutout innings or blow up for 5 earned runs in 2 innings any time he goes to the mound. I find Urquidy much less likely to pitch a shutout but also much less likely to have a short bad outing.
Abreu had his fastball jump up 2 ticks and his amazing slider that stopped cutting in 2020 and 2021 was back with a vengeance (93% more cut than average for an 88-mph slider).
Starts less than 5 innings with ERAs greater than 3. Urquidy 4 Garcia 2 Games with ERAs greater than 5.40 (3 ERs for 5 innings) Urquidy 9 Garcia 7 The last two years, Garcia has had the lower ERAs, lower xERAs, lower FIPs, and lower xFIPs. Garcia had a couple of bad months while Urquidy was going bonkers great this season. Outside those two months, Garcia has been better.
