If you're in charge, do you let Gerrit Cole walk or pay him?

Adapt or die. It's only been that way for a billion years or so.

 

I don’t think you can get that roster in for less than $209 million, and that’s a weaker playoff team. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still really ****ing good, and might win more games than 107 if it stays healthy, but without Cole it’s be a little step back imo.

 

Alvarez and Tucker for a full season will be a step UP. Cole's departure will definitely hurt, but with another shrew trade or signing, we are right there. You can get that roster for less than 208 million by trading away Devo and Reddick, signing Harris and the 2 C's, then trading or signing for one inexpensive pitcher. It will be close to the threshold, but it's possible to do.

 

Well after listening to the Twelve Six podcast today from months ago, I think Cole truly wants to be on the west coast. Happy wife happy life. Sux.

 

Yeah, it's always been pretty inevitable. And just like Randy Johnson people will complain that we didn't do enough to sign them.

 

Hilariously, CBS Sports has the Astros as one of the top 5 teams to land Mookie Betts:

I mean, it's not really possible, right?

(Top 5: Boston, Atlanta, St. Louis, Houston, and the Dodgers.)

 

He really was largely viewed as an excellent pitching coach (even the top) by a lot of front office people around the league. I know Theo Epstein had a very strong interest in him and the Padres as well.

 

didn’t catch it, but what did they say that gave you that impression? I don’t doubt it, just curious

 

Verlander, Greinke, LMJ won't be a worse top 3 than our AL opposition. Very well may still be the best. Ideally we find a good value free agent that can push LMJ to 4.

Astros fans are spoiled. 3 aces is not a realistic expectation.

 

In fairness, Morton got way better under Searage (just not the elite and healthy pitcher he became). Cole also had great early success.

But I do think the same thing because they were being praised for saving careers (AJ Burnett, Liriano, Melancon, JA Happ) and then suddenly they apparently had no idea what they were doing. Speaks to a changing game, and their inability to adjust their philosophy.

 

If this is Cole’s last year with the organization I hope it comes after a 2nd WS for Houston.

Verlander and Greinke next season will still be one of the best duos in baseball. I think as long as the bullpen quality improves (my hope is elite) the team will be fine. A strong bullpen should be able to stabilize most inconsistent pitching at the bottom of the rotation.

 

Getting McCullers back helps, as does Urquidy’s emergence. A rotation of Verlander-Greinke-McCullers-Urquidy-Peacock isn’t ideal, but it’s probably better/deeper than any rotation they’ve started the season with previously. They’d just be setting themselves up for needing to make yet another big deadline splash. Whitley isn’t getting mentioned now, but he certainly could be a big factor next season.

 

McCullers innings next year will be limited as well after coming off TJ.

 

Yep. If Astros make a small move to trade Reddick to sign a catcher, Astros are basically a trade away from deadline to having 3 aces and possibly the best lineup ever headed towards the postseason provided team stays healthy, doesn't regress.

 

I'd keep an eye on DK60 potentially coming back this winter... just heard a little whisper in the wind.

 

I’m sure Keuchel will be on the list of backup plans if Cole proves to be unsignable. There’s a deep 2nd/3rd tier of pitching (Odorizzi, Gibson, Pineda, Keuchel, Bailey, Bumgarner, Hamels, Hill, Miley, Porcello, Roark, Teheran, Wacha, Wheeler, Wood, Gonzalez, Lyles).

That’s why while it’s fun to fantasize about Houston going over the tax and resigning Cole, I’m not sweating it. If they have even just a little money they will be able to fill their needs (although a Dream offseason of Cole, Grandal, Chirinos, and Harris would be a pretty exciting “BEST...TEAM...EVER!!!” scenario).

 

I'm thinking as well. Signing Cole to a crazy contract is not what got the Astros to where they are. Taking an undervalued talented player they can make better is. Bleecherreport has Zach Wheeler as a top landing spot for next year. He's the kind of higher upside guy the Astros can get more out of than he's worth.

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Will Josh James as a starter be revisited?

 

Likely is allowed to compete in Spring. Odds not good he wins a spot as I think they like him more in relief.