I don’t think the Stros will spend big money on the pen and nor should they. Jansen, Kimbrel all those guys got hit in the playoffs. No amount of money will guarantee you a great reliever. Better to look internally at Martes, Whitley etc.
The Cubs had extended a qualifying offer to Wade Davis. If Davis doesn't accept it, whoever signs Davis would also have to fork over a high draft pick on top of paying the high salary.
I'd call Brandon Morrow's agent and ask what he wants, was only making 1.25mill this previous season. The Astros touched him up pretty good at times in the WS but Roberts overused him. He could be another long reliever to put in the mix or he could be plan B closer if Giles keeps stinking.
Great point. He was really good all season. I think it's just gotta be an eye test thing from Strom & AJ. Is his confidence back? Is his stuff back to elite? They have to keep a close eye on those two things and when they can answer yes to both he'll be worthy of another shot. Now that still won't answer the playoff question but if I remember correctly his fastball was around 96 towards the end of the playoffs. It's just different pitching that much. Like Morrow was exposed. Giles probably won't be that 6 out save guy they were trying to make him be. Those guys are few and far between. Just gotta really understand what he can and can't do.
Don't get why people blow Ken Giles postseason out of proportion, unless there's actual irreparable psychological damage or something. If you actually believe that postseason results are so indicative of the future, the Astros bullpen's fine cause we just need to use Charlie Morton, LMJ, Peacock, and any other starter we pick up later. I don't mind getting Davis or any other closer quality pitchers to bump Giles down a notch, but also not gonna freak out if he enters next season as the definitive closer. In the end we just need more quality pitchers. Their role to me is secondary since it's clear at this point that the Astros bullpen have no set roles in the postseason.
That's the thing about Giles...we don't know. He could have another excellent season, and then we get to October. Maybe he rebounds, maybe he doesn't, but that's one hell of a stick of dynamite to be sitting on.
Does this mean if you're the Dodgers you're looking for Kershaw/Jansen replacement? Or the Red Sox needing to find some backups to Sale and Kimbrel? If the Astros approach the offseason to search for post-season certainty they will end up doing nothing because every pitcher is a dynamite in the postseason. Unless maybe trade for MadBum or something.
Giles posted an 11.74 ERA and a 2.21 WHIP and struggled in every outing. He didn't just have a slight hiccup.
He was so bad that he was formally removed from his closing duties in the middle of the World Series.
I'm usually not one to put much in to small samples, but he gave up 4-5 months worth of runs in the postseason. Hell, there are high leverage relievers that only gave up that many runs in the entire regular season. If something wasn't physically wrong, that is significant.
Josh Redick posted a .440 OPS in the postseason. Yet there's no post talking about benching him next season.
That would be similar if Giles's ERA or FIP about 4.5. Astros should keep him, but he has lost a lot of his shine.
Good point. But dont think just because someone posts something that that in any way signals what will happen or what the FO thinks. Reddick and Giles both will very much be around next season playing barring something very unforeseen.
You don't see the difference between 1 out of 9 batters struggling and your closer being a gas can? Giles being terrible is a much much bigger problem than Reddick struggling.
Could be. Pitchers on both sides also reported that the slick ball effected the slider and this is the most important pitch in Giles' arsenal. His fastball clocks in at 100MPH but there is little movement.
He throws fastballs when he is down in the count. He throws sliders about 75% of the time when he is ahead in the count. Tipping pitches is of limited help against Giles when hitters should know what he is throwing 80%+ if the time based on count. Only thing that could be redeeming is if he was hurt or the ball was truly slick. He wasn't good before WS, but he was playable.
Yeah I believe the front office will definitely act based on Giles being a good reliever going into the future. I'm just surprised so many here are placing so much stock on such small sample.
Astros won't get rid of Giles for nothing, but they aren't going to pretend the small sample didn't happen unless there was another factor (e.g., injury). The small sample will be factored in with his other work to form a larger sample. It changes his FIP to about 3 the past three years instead of low 2s. ERA is back over 4 since he's been an Astro. Astros probably negate a little of the postseason based on better hitters, but I doubt they see him as the low 2 ERA/FIP closer he was entering the postseason. Caveat: numbers are eyeballed and probably have some error. The important part is that his numbers in larger sample sizes don't look as elite as they did before the postseason.
