If Fisher ever learns to make more contact, he will be a star. He is an excellent athlete, an underrated outfielder and other than 3-4 guys, he gets around the bases as well as anyone in baseball. I am not counting on Marwin or Jake or Evan to get the job done. I think we can improve our club... but hate? They all bust their asses and they all helped us win a title. Also they all want to remain Astros. I don’t see how anyone that is an Astros fan can “hate” them. As for Dallas... he was here when we were **** and got the job done. He won a cy young here and pitched well in the playoffs when healthy. He also stood up for his teammates and challenged the front office and ownership to get another pitcher after Luhnow didn’t do anything. I don’t know that we get Verlander without Dallas speaking up. Do I want to spend $100,000,000 on him? No, but I don’t see how Astros fans can hate what was the only bright spot on the team for awhile.
At the right cost, a number of their players could be good targets. Moustakas can give us someone that has pop. Herrera is a quality arm to fortify the pen. Salvador Perez is under long term contract and would solidify catcher for us for years.
I'm starting to think we won't be shopping for a bullpen arm. Giles, Devenski, Harris, Sipp, Smith, Rondon, Peacock, McHugh... Which one goes to make room? I don't see the Astros cutting ties with any of them. Sipp is being that left handed specialist right now. Left handed hitters are 1-17 against him. Then you know one of our starters would be in pen during the playoffs. Maybe McCullers? Who knows at this point. Smith is signed for big money next year and is a veteran so he will get the chance to correct himself. Unless we have an injury that moves McHugh or Peacock into the rotation or a bullpen guy goes down, I don't see Luhnow spending top minor league talent to get a difference maker in the pen. Plus, 4 of our starters are free agents in the next 2 off seasons. Keuchel and Morton after this year and Verlander and Cole after next season. We may need to keep those minor league arms because I expect to lose Keuchel for sure, and other teams will be opening up the bank vaults for those other guys as well.
Few thoughts in regards to our pitching: -The resurgence of Tony Sipp has been shocking and a breath of fresh air. The guy hasn’t blown anything all season. -Smith still looks pretty bad -The jobs Devo and Peacock do is amazing. The numbers those guys are putting up are phenomenal. -Harris has mostly been in form and Rondon has been good. He gets things done. -McHugh’s acceptance of his role and dominance in it has been a pleasant surprise. I don’t think enough can be said about this guy doing what the team needs from him. -I don’t mind losing Keuchel next year. -I hope we can keep Verlander, Cole, and Morton (if he doesn’t retire) though. Of course that’s harder done than said. -Giles is Giles. Always shaky and can’t consistently get strikeouts... or have proper command of his fastball. Even still, he’s been doing better lately. Ultimately we probably can’t rely on him to close in tough situations though.
Kelvin Herrara and Salavdor Perez would be the breath of fresh air the Astros would love to have. Perez and Stassi for years to come. Think about that. Astros would have to throw in a salary dump or 2 Perez contract is kinda high. Not to bad but 10 million ish. So if you could add Gattis or someone with a salary around there you could be ok with the package you send of maybe J.B. and 2 mid levels plus Gattis. Then just worry about a OF / DH
Jumping in again on the Giles comment. Define lately. Since April 6, 6 weeks ago, he has pitched in 15 games. In 14, he has given up 0 runs and a total of 6 hits. He had the one awful game against the Yankees on May 1. He has yet to walk a batter. He has yet to blow a save. The only thing he hasn't been very good at is striking people out. I've been told that will eventually catch up to him. A quarter of the way through the season, it hasn't.
No I understand he was here when we were bad but who cares you cant pay this guy and be ok with it when resigning Cole or even convincing Verlander and Morton to stay alittle longer. That's just silly. Dallas keuchal messed up just like Marwin Gonzalez when he signed Darth Boras. No way I repeat no way you have the money to spend on him with the not so great season he is having. A Team like the Yankees will swoop in and offer the world for Dallas. And Marwin will get swayed by the Red Sox
I still wouldn't trust face puncher. He just has the meltdown written all over him. Kinda like .McCullers letting him set out there and further burn himself isn't the way to go. See him get into trouble let him make the next out then pull him
FYI I would be all over Marwin to the Red Sox as we speak for help for us. I understand there contenders but so are we. And I would rather move the 8 million off the books and get a player I want them lose him and maybe get a pick in the draft
What are you saying? You have no confidence in McCullers either? If Hinch sees a pitcher in trouble, he should wait until he gets the next guy out and then pull him?
No I'm saying McCullers was in the same boat last ur. Seems like he is learning from the vets. Giles just isn't willing to learn.
Uh....how is Giles not willing to learn. He has had the one awful game against the Yankees, which has clouded most fan’s judgement.
What 8 million? Marwin is making 5.125 million. The Astros aren't offering Marwin Gonzalez a qualifying offer so we aren't getting draft compensation for him either. Again, who loses their roster spot in the bullpen to make room for Herrera? You only get 25 spots. Not to mention, the Astros aren't trading for a catcher during the season unless they have an injury. Stassi has no more options left and McCann works really well with our pitchers and they are comfortable with him.
In a small sample size, it is not appropriate to discount >5% of the results because it doesn't match your position. That said, Giles has two games in a row that his slider has had his normal sink since last year before the postseason. Hoping his slider is back as it is not sustainable being a one pitch pitcher in which the batters routinely make hard contact on that one pitch.
When it comes to antics ie punching face that's not learning. When it comes to your supposed to be cool as water but play offs hot water
2 people lose there spots. Gattis if you get Perez and Gattis if you only get Harrera. Jake in any situation and it may be an unpopular choice but Joe smith would get sent down in Hope's of someone claiming him
You can't "send down" Joe Smith and nobody is claiming him on waivers. You would have to eat his 8 million dollar salary next year. That's never happening. So if you only get Hererra you think the Astros are going to cut Evan Gattis for a roster spot? Astros carry 13 pitchers already. They aren't going to 14 pitchers and 11 position players.
