Spoiler Ken Rosenthal says the Astros could become sellers at the deadline. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Latest trade rumblings on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Astros?src=hash">#Astros</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Athletics?src=hash">#Athletics</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Indians?src=hash">#Indians</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Phillies?src=hash">#Phillies</a> <a href="https://t.co/erhlbOBqXI">https://t.co/erhlbOBqXI</a> <a href="https://t.co/yYFtBZYlhI">pic.twitter.com/yYFtBZYlhI</a></p>— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) <a href="https://twitter.com/mlbtraderumors/status/734190366665105408">May 22, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Where do you draw the line? Luhnow said they need to be .500 by mid-June to be buyers/in the mix. That's 3 weeks away and they're 9 games under .500. If they don't turn it on in a big way and right soon (like this week), the GMs publicly declared benchmark becomes realistically unreachable.
The team needs to be sellers at this point. See what can be had for any of the non core guys and bring up more youngsters from double and triple A who the team feels are apart of the future and see what they can do.
Yeah Porter wasn't given much of a chance considering the team he was given. Hinch has more to work with and the team is steadily regressing. I guess Hinch is more attuned to Luhnow's analytical approach than Porter was but Hinch like most puppets is just a bad coach. The overall coaching staff period is sub par really.
So they weren't a bullpen piece away, just as the Rockets weren't a PG away. Rosenthal: It's too early to count out the Astros. Starting next weekend, they begin a month long stretch in which they mostly play teams at .500, around that or just below. Still, if the Astros don't recover, they could make for an interesting seller. Their potential free agents include Doug Fister, Colby Rasmus, Scott Feldman & Jason Castro. Carlos Gomez is also on the list but he doesn't have much value right now. Keep in mind, the Astros gave up multiple prospects for Gomez & Mike Fiers & and then for Ken GIles. Their system remains strong but they might want to recoup some of that young talent. Spoiler Sorry Kenny. Astros can't look down on anyone. Rangers(1) 24-19 Orioles(3) 25-15 @Angels(3) 19-23 @DBacks(2) 20-25 June DBacks(2) 20-25 Athletics(3) 19-25 @Rangers(4) 24-19 @Rays(3) 20-20 @Cardinals(2) 23-20 Reds(3) 15-28 Angels(3) 19-23 @Royals(3) 22-20 @Angels(3) 19-23
Sadly, this team hasn't shown any indication that they are a good ball club since spring training. It's just not there with this group for whatever reason. If they don't go on a pretty substantial winning streak really soon there is no reason for them not to be sellers. What a damn shame.
Right a fluke run by the Rox over inflated expectations and underestimated needs coming into this year. The same thing can be said about this Astros team. The Astros definitely can't look down their noses at anyone, lmao! Astros are themselves slump busters to most teams. The Rangers I'm sure were glad to see the Stros after coming off their pitiful series with the As.
The fact of the matter is, this team is as bad at the plate as the Atlanta Braves. Even their best hitters are bad (sans Altuve). And the problem is, I don't think it is because of ability. Correa can be a great hitter. Springer could be a great hitter. This team doesn't just need better players, they need a complete overhaul of their gameplan at the plate.
Between this and your unhealthy love for a .100 hitter, it's a wonder you can even use a computer. Sure, harken back to a manager who doesn't know basic rules of the game and likes to double switch pitchers by putting one of them in the field. Say what you want about Hinch, but Porter, and his antics, wouldn't be suitable for little league... Let alone the MLB level. I'd actually take the 1M, if he were still willing to teach. Marlins made a similar turnaround with the almost dying Jack McKeon.
Actually it's a cellphone and I can barely use it. Who cares they are both equally as bad. Why can't this organization get it right? Stop with this crap already and hire a competent manager.
Dang Thought getting Gomez and his bad influence out of the lineup was gonna spark a big winning streak
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Most batting swing & misses by team:<a class="hashtag" action="hash" title="#Astros">#Astros</a> 859<a class="hashtag" action="hash" title="#Rays">#Rays</a> 802<a class="hashtag" action="hash" title="#Padres">#Padres</a> 771<a class="hashtag" action="hash" title="#BlueJays">#BlueJays</a> 724<a class="hashtag" action="hash" title="#Brewers">#Brewers</a> 724<a class="hashtag" action="hash" title="#DBacks">#DBacks</a> 716<a href="https://t.co/fA4px4Ndnr" title="https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/statcast_search?hfPT=&hfZ=&hfGT=R|&hfPR=9|18|19|20|&hfAB=&stadium=&hfBBT=&hfBBL=&hfC=&season=2016&player_type=batter&hfOuts=&pitcher_throws=&batter_stands=&start_speed_gt=&start_speed_lt=&perceived_speed_gt=&perceived_speed_lt=&spin_rate_gt=&spin_rate_lt=&exit_velocity_gt=&exit_velocity_lt=&launch_angle_gt=&launch_angle_lt=&distance_gt=&distance_lt=&batted_ball_angle_gt=&batted_ball_angle_lt=&game_date_gt=&game_date_lt=&team=&position=&hfRO=&home_road=&hfInn=&min_pitches=0&min_results=0&group_by=team&sort_col=pitches&sort_order=desc&min_abs=0&xba_gt=&xba_lt=&px1=&px2=&pz1=&pz2=#results">baseballsavant.mlb.com/statcast_searc…</a></p>— Daren Willman (@darenw) <a href="https://twitter.com/darenw/status/734376140756910080" data-datetime="2016-05-22T13:31:30+00:00">May 22, 2016</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
We will probably be 17-28 after this game... here's a hot take... Promote Bregman or trade for a power bat. Our pitching isn't necessarily the issue and it's actually been getting better. Yeah, Keuchel isn't the same so far but we need guys who have pop and can drive people in. We need more jolt.
If you're looking for the biggest difference between this year and last year.... statistically, its starting pitching.
