Well, it’s not like they have the farm to be major players so that SHOULD be the expectation and the opposite the surprise
While I agree that a TOR starter with control for at least 2026 would be a huge move, I do not see it as the only , or even the best, option. This team needs a legitimate lefty bat. He does not need to be a stud, just a guy who projects to be 110 or better and can play everyday vs RH starters. But here's the kicker - he can not be a guy who is limited to a single position regardless of what that position is ( except maybe CF if Meyers doesn't come back or he's a big upgrade) Altuve MUST be able to move between 2B and LF depending on the situation. And a traditional L/R platoon is not how that will be determined. A player that pins Altuve to 2B or LF everyday would need to be a very very big upgrade to overcome the defensive negatives. Mullins could play CF and then possibly LF if/when Meyers returns. O'Hearn could play LF and be insurance for Walker continuing to struggle. Willi Castro may be a perfect fit playing nearly everyday between 2B and LF and reasonably affordable without requiring a bidding war. Donovan or B Lowe are still my dream, andxI would be willing to pay a lot for them, but neither are likely available.
I would say the farm is better than this time last year. They managed to get Kikuchi. A rental that can be had for 3 marginal prospects is fine as long as he is the right guy. With health, this team actually dos not need much. Just an impact bat vs RHP who can play 2B, LF, and/or possibly CF and does not pin Altuve to a single position. If 2 of Arrighetti, Javier, and Garcia get healthy and get to where they were pre-injury the pitching is good and deep. Getting Dubin back would be a bonus. Yordan and Pena coming back completely transforms this lineup. Melton and Dezenzo would be solid on the bench. Meyers is the glue (I can't belueve I'm even saying that) and the one I worry about the most.
I'd temper my trade deadline expectations Yordan is that bat RP is likely target SP/MoR guy is Javier, Garcia, Arrighetti are those guy(s) This is a great plan except what are you trading to acquire that #1 arm? Just about any team can send a better package than the Astros.
Everybody good with McCullers over Framber today? Just checking in before y'all melt down after the fact tonight.
Melton and Dezenzo have never done anything that says they would be “solid on the bench” We simply don’t know
Of course anyone who understands isn’t gonna be good with it. Yet, aside from RVO, puppet master, and mr. Scarface, the rest of us would still be very happy with a good game from Lance and a victory.
