Dusty is a joke. Just brilliant to get Alvarez time in LF right after he gets back. You have all season to make sure he is healthy, why take the chance now while he just starting to get out of his hitting funk? I can’t stand these asinine decisions, especially his handling of the bullpen.
-------Greinke 2004 146.0 2005 183.0 2006 6.1 2007 122.0 2008 202.1 2009 229.1 2010 220.0 2011 171.2 Odorizzi 2012 212.1 - 7.1 2013 177.2 - 29.2 2014 202.1 - 168.0 - McCullers 2015 222.2 - 169.1 - 125.2 2016 158.2 - 187.2 - 81.0 2017 202.1 - 143.1 - 118.2 - Valdez 2018 207.2 - 164.1 - 128.1 - _37.0 - Urquidy 2019 208.2 - 159.0 - __0.0 - _70.2 - _41.0 - Javier - Garza 2020 _67.0 - _13.2 - _55.0 - _70.2 - _29.2 - _54.1 - _12.1 2021 _73.2 - _13.1 - _51.2 - __4.0 - _50.2 - _52.3 - _53.0
I think a future tandem of Valdez/Javier and Urqidy/Garza might wind up happening since none of the four have ever pitched 100 innings in a season. That would relieve the relief corp. We should be able to get 8 or 9 innings from the tandems and 7 or 8 from Greinke. That would leave the pen to cover McCullers and Odorizzi middle relief and setup and closers. It will be interesting to see how Framber has progressed when McCullers returns.
McCullers isn't expected back until Mid June. On June 15th the Astros start a run of 20 games with no days off. I expect Javier to be a tandem for McCullers his first couple starts back like he is/was for Valdez. Then the Astros will use Garcia as a 6th starter somewhere in that 20 game streak to give the rotation an extra day off.
If Odorizzi sucks for a while, will it be time to trade for some relievers and get Javier back in the rotation? I’m also ready to do something with Straw. I admit I favored giving him a shot rather signing one of the FAs, but we need to get at least 8 deep on offense. We are too close to being World Series contenders for several more years to not go for it this year and next.
I don't see Odorizzi being traded at the deadline. If he's bad he won't have trade value. If he's good we will want as many arms as possible for the playoffs. I think it could be possible to move Odorizzi in the offseason if the Astros want to bring back Verlander and/or Greinke. I would like an upgrade in CF but feel it will be difficult to pull off via trade. There aren't a ton of CFers that will be available. Starling Marte is probably the best case scenario but Click will have to outbid other teams (maybe the Yankees) and try to get some cash back in the deal to stay under the luxury tax.
Robel Garcia is the only switch hitter on the roster. The only other one on the 40-man is Toro in AAA. Update your spreadsheets.
