The weather in Houston has turned from lingering summer to near winter conditions or winter as defined in southeast Texas where frost is considered the equivalent to a full out blizzard.
So our minds wander to questions that may or may not matter in the coming season.
- Of the following players, who will have a comeback season offensively in 2016? Jason Castro, Chris Carter, Luis Valbuena, and/or Evan Gattis?
- Of the following players, who will be with the Astros in 2016? Jason Castro, Chris Carter, Luis Valbuena and/or Evan Gattis?
- Who is most likely to play in more than 140 games in 2016 – Carlos Gomez, Jed Lowrie or George Springer?
- The following minor leaguers are currently protected on the 40 man roster – IF Nolan Fontana, RHPs Juan Minaya, Joseph Musgrove, David Paulino, C Alfredo Gonzalez and OF Andrew Aplin. Of these 6 players, will any make the team out of spring training? Who? Will any be called up during the season? Who?
- Which pitcher is most likely to repeat their number of wins from 2015, Dallas Keuchel (20), Collin McHugh (19), Luke Gregerson (7), or Will Harris (5) in 2016?
- Carlos Correa’s 22 HR and 68 RBIs is the equivalent to a 162 game average of 36 HR and 111 RBIs. Do you think he will hit post 30 HR and 100 RBIs or better in 2016?
- In your opinion, what is the most critical need to be addressed in the off-season:
- A strong armed shut down closer
- A first baseman who is not a Putt Putt windmill
- A DH who can get on base more than 28% of the time and can actually play a position?
- Fill in the blank – If there is one guy I want off this team headed into 2016 it is _____________.
So, what do you think?
ALL THINGS ASTROS 
186 responses to “A menagerie of off-season questions”
1, I hope Castro is the only one able to have a “comeback” this year for the Astros. 2. See #1. 3, Gomez. 4. Pass. 5. DK. 6. Barely but Yes, I hope. 7. All of the above (Yes, I know that is cheating)
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I like all your answers and am happy to say they are mine also.
I will be happier to see Gattis traded because there is so much blind sentiment to keep him and that should not happen with White just sitting there ready to play and hit better for much less money.
Also, with Musgrove added to the 40-man, I could see him added to the team in September if he has a good year in Fresno.
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Of the following players, who will have a comeback season offensively in 2016? Jason Castro, Chris Carter, Luis Valbuena, and/or Evan Gattis? Relatively speaking, I think it will be Valbuena, which means I think he will hit above .230 with an OBP around .330.
Of the following players, who will be with the Astros in 2016? Jason Castro, Chris Carter, Luis Valbuena and/or Evan Gattis? I think all, but Carter will be, but I prefer it just be Castro and, maybe Valbuena.
Who is most likely to play in more than 140 games in 2016 – Carlos Gomez, Jed Lowrie or George Springer? Springer
The following minor leaguers are currently protected on the 40 man roster – IF Nolan Fontana, RHPs Juan Minaya, Joseph Musgrove, David Paulino, C Alfredo Gonzalez and OF Andrew Aplin. Of these 6 players, will any make the team out of spring training? Who? Will any be called up during the season? Who? I don’t see any making the team out of ST, but I can see Musgrove and, possibly, Aplin making the team during the year. In Aplin’s case it will be because of injury to one of our OFers.
Which pitcher is most likely to repeat their number of wins from 2015, Dallas Keuchel (20), Collin McHugh (19), Luke Gregerson (7), or Will Harris (5) in 2016? Keuchel
Carlos Correa’s 22 HR and 68 RBIs is the equivalent to a 162 game average of 36 HR and 111 RBIs. Do you think he will hit post 30 HR and 100 RBIs or better in 2016? Yes, if he can play in 140+ games.
In your opinion, what is the most critical need to be addressed in the off-season:
A strong armed shut down closer
A first baseman who is not a Putt Putt windmill
A DH who can get on base more than 28% of the time and can actually play a position? All, but for the sake of this discussion I think game 4 showed the Astros need a shutdown closer.
Fill in the blank – If there is one guy I want off this team headed into 2016 it is _____________. Chris Carter. We just can’t wait around for that possible hot streak to happen while he hits below the Mendoza line.
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I answered without looking at the stats. Obviously I had forgotten how poorly some of the mainstays hit. Bottom ranking for OBP – JFSF (.281), Castro, Gattis, Carter, then Valbuena. OPS – same guys with Castro in last place.
Actually all but Castro were near their career numbers. (Jake and Gattis played little prior to last year).
If we keep those same guys, we better sign 2 or 3 TOR pitchers with WHIP less than 1.00.
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If we keep those same guys we can’t afford to sign TOR pitchers. If we get rid of the expensive arb eligilble guys like Gattis, Carter, Valbuena and Conger we can afford a closer and another starter, White and Reed are the future at DH and 1B and the future is now.
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1. Castro. I think the other guys performed about up to their potential. Carter is the only other one I would consider…pretty easy for him to break out a hot streak in both halves.
2. Castro and Gattis
3. Springer. Gomez has topped 140 games only 3 times in 9 seasons.
4. Minaya. I think he has a legit shot to take Fields’ spot in the pen. VV and Feliz begin the year as Fresno starters/tandems in this scenario.
5. Keuchel
6. 30HR should happen…100 RBI requires men on base…not as likely.
7.a. DH is my choice. If Gattis can’t be backup catcher you need to consider moving him.
7.b. Guy I want off the team….I must be in a charitable mood with tomorrow being Thanksgiving. Here are my thoughts:
– Conger…easy target…has to be better than last year.
– Gattis … Hitting 7th in the lineup would be a dangerous bat and not kill the rallies.
– Valbuena…when he doesn’t swing up like Phil Plantier he can be pretty good. He had some of the only good at bats in Sept for the team…battling for walks or striking out after seeing a ton of pitches. Defensive versatility adds value to counter the Conger/Gattis defensive vacuum.
– Carter … Seriously…the avg and Ks were bad, but the OBP and power are not. He struggled (being charitable here) against fastballs over 93mph through August, then adjusted. The salary is the problem…you have to commit BC he won’t be easily moveable to clear a spot for Reed/White/Singleton/Duffy if he is the bad Carter early on.
– Castro … Offensively limited, but smart enough to try to adjust. Defensively valuable…pitchers may mutiny if he is not retained.
– Harris … Quality for us for almost the whole season. I get the sell high argument, but loyalty still means something.
– Perez … OK, I’d prefer he pitches elsewhere.
Bonus you didn’t ask: which former Astros should they try to bring back? I vote LaTroy Hawkins.
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LaTroy Hawkins retired last week.
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Jed Lowrie has been traded to the A’s, again. The report doesn’t say who the Astros got in return.
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baltimore apparently got hoes as well.
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Good riddance. Was never impressed by him.
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Thanks for the heads up Tim – like you said no word on who they got for him.
He was good – when healthy – but we know that was a struggle. Helped carry the offense with JFSF early in the season. And then had two huge at bats late in the season with a dramatic grand slam and then the miracle 3 run homer to win two of the few games the team won down the stretch.
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It appears we just traded Jed back to the A’s.
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And he aint too happy about it either…….
We traded Hoes back to the O’S for cash considerations. Looks like Luhnow is returning all his Christmas gifts back a month early……or regifting.
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i guess this was in the works before setting the rule v players. makes keeping fontana make more sense for sure.
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Astros are getting Brenden McCurry……….he has some lights out stuff. He’s been in their bullpen…..and the Scouts said he was a clone of Dull. He’s 5’10 165lbs.
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http://astros.mlb.com/news/article/158163940/oakland-as-trade-for-astros-jed-lowrie
i like this trade at first glance. thats a link you may have to copy and paste
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http://blog.chron.com/ultimateastros/2015/11/25/report-astros-trade-jed-lowrie-to-oakland/
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that one works
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We get a bullpen pitcher and free up $7.5mil this year and $7 mil next year and at least $1 mil in Lowrie’s 2018 option.
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yeah op. looks like they may be gathering salary to go after a TOR or closer.
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McCurry’s WHIPs, ERAs and K/9 look really good. I presume our folks saw him pitch at Stockton [vs. Lancaster] and at Midland [vs. Corpus]. Now, can he keep those great numbers, cut down the BBs, increase the GO/AO ratio, and do it all at AAA and ultimately MLB levels?
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I like Jed…..but his position was a question mark at best going into 2016. I REALLY like the young pitcher we got back!! OP is right, his trade frees up more money to sign someone who we REALLY need!! Win- win all around!
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It’s all about not having to pay Lowrie. One fewer lefthanded bat in the line up, especially one that might have worked near the top of the order. I have to figure that issue will be addressed. But from where?
McCurry looks solid, but I don’t expect him to help the pen right away.
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The only thing I hate is trading within the division. Whatever secrets about our hitters, our pitchers’ game plans, our shifts, our who-covers-2nd program, etc. that Lowrie knows, Oakland will now know.
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Pay him a million dollars to keep his mouth shut!!!!
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LOL – No, hopefully our coaching staff will reinvent the wheel on the most critical issues next year and the players we will have – hopefully including a new 1B, DH, and back-up catcher – will be good enough to dominate Oakland again anyway.
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By the way I wrote this the other day when it was upper 30s / lower 40s here in Houston. Today it is overcast and in the 70s – typical Houston weather.
Lowrie is not one of the ones we’ve talked about much. If…. He could play 140 games for you – he would earn his bucks, but year on year out he misses chunks of season.
So this tells me Valbuena and Mar Go have third base (unless a trade or a FA signing pop up).
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Your talk of “winter in Houston” made me laugh. … And cry.
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I was a kid in Wisconsin and Illinois so I know what you are facing up there in Minnesota Brian T
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Gattis. His BABip was incredibly low. He makes contact (less than 20% Ks), he hits line drives, and he has power.
Carter. Please.
Gomez and Springer. Though I’d say Gomaz is 1A and Springer is 1B. … Lowrie. Ha. You’re funny.
Probably Musgrove as a reliever out of spring training. During the season, I’d say Aplin if there’s some wear and tear on our outfielders.
Harris. If this were a game of craps, I’d say 5 is an easy point to hit. That said, I don’t think McHugh or Keuchel will be far off. At least 15 wins apiece.
I think 28 is very possible. So is 95 RBIs. 30 and 100 from a shortstop is MVP material.
The closer. That’s the most critical need. I think we have the first baseman. Pick from either Duffy, White or Reed to start the season, then Reed to finish it. Or maybe Valbuena starts the season at first with Lowrie at 3B.
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I read No. 2 wrong. I thought it said who WON’T be back. Carter.
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With Lowrie gone that’s 7.5MM this year and 6.5 next year. I like the guy but this was business. We can use that money for a closer or Keuchel’s upcoming salary renegotiation. I also didn’t see a place for him, Valbuena and Margo all vying for 3rd base and playing time.
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A lot of talk about Chapman as closer. I personally don’t think he’ll be worth the asking price (way too high). I’m reminded of Mark Melancon who used to pitch for us. He’s now a top closer with a low ERA, WHIP and 51 of 53 saves last year. A shame we didn’t keep him because I though he was pretty good. There’s probably some good ones out there for a lot less or maybe we can find a Home grown closer. We’re pretty close to the WS and don’t want to sell the farm or hand-strap ourselves with a big long term contract.
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I hated the trade sending Melancon to BOS for Lowrie. I hated the trade sending Lowrie to OAK. I loved the move bringing Lowrie back to Houston. I don’t like that we’ve sent him back to Oakland because it was a salary dump. Obviously I can’t talk about Lowrie without that “if he could stay healthy” hypothetical…but I firmly believe he was a better, everyday option at 3B than anyone else on the 40 man. Hopefully McCurry makes me look like a fool by being outstanding.
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Castro, I hope, or Valbuena. I would hate to see Castro go because he appears to have a good relationship with the pitchers. I can see a good hitter waiting to happen in Valbuena.
Castro
A. Springer B. Gomez
Pass on the kids.
Harris. Hope it’s Keuchel and McHugh though.
Hard to call on Correa. The league has had half a season to get acquainted with him. He may regress a tad bit. I’ll say 28 HR and 90 RBIs
A first baseman
I want at least two guys off this team.
Carter and Gattis.
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Brian, I swear I wrote my answers before I read your post.
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◾Of the following players, who will have a comeback season offensively in 2016?
I feel it will be Evan Gattis myself. He knows his role on the team, going into spring training and can focus on that.
◾Of the following players, who will be with the Astros in 2016?
Jason Castro, Luis Valbuena and Evan Gattis.
◾Who is most likely to play in more than 140 games in 2016 – Carlos Gomez, Jed Lowrie or George Springer?
Gomez. If Lowrie does, he does it for the Athletics! 😉
◾The following minor leaguers are currently protected on the 40 man roster – IF Nolan Fontana, RHPs Juan Minaya, Joseph Musgrove, David Paulino, C Alfredo Gonzalez and OF Andrew Aplin.
None will make the team out of spring training.
Fontana will get a callup in case of any infield injuries.
◾Which pitcher is most likely to repeat their number of wins from 2015?
Dallas Keuchel (20), Collin McHugh (19)
◾Carlos Correa’s 22 HR and 68 RBIs is the equivalent to a 162 game average of 36 HR and 111 RBIs. Do you think he will hit post 30 HR and 100 RBIs or better in 2016?
Yes, 100 RBIs if runners are on base when he comes to bat.
◾In your opinion, what is the most critical need to be addressed in the off-season:
A first baseman who is not a Putt Putt windmill.
◾Fill in the blank – If there is one guy I want off this team headed into 2016 it is:
Chris Carter
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OK, I’m selfish. I want Carter, Gattis, and Conger gone.
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Interesting in moving Lowrie. It would appear (today) that 3rd is Valbuena with MarGo utility. Wondering what is going to be the next one out the door (if anyone).
Also interesting that Lowrie’s trade value is a AA pitcher. One has to wonder if Carter or Conger have any value at all.
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AC45, I think Lowrie’s real value wasn’t a AA pitcher. His real value was -7.5M this year and -6.5M in 2017. Both Carter and Conger are less of a salary drag than Lowrie – though in Carter’s case the salary is still so high we are likely to see a non-tender instead of arbitration.
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Agree. I just meant his value to another team(s). I would imagine he was shopped with his salary, and this was all they could get. So my thought is that a non-tender to Carter has a “lot of value” to the Astros. Even though another team will probably sign his HRs and Ks.
It is easy for me to sit at home and say “trade…….” but it requires another team to make that work. And they do not appear to be kicking down the door to sign our 7th, 8th, and 9th best hitters.
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AC 45, It will be interesting to see if any team will take either of them.
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Bud Norris is now an Atlanta Brave. Good luck, Atlanta.
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He thinks he’s a lot better than he is…….
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Well, I *was* a Braves fan…
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When was the last time you heard Luhnow say…”We’re not constrained by a budget”?
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As a group we have a few things to be thankful for:
We Have a team that went to the post season for the first time in a decade. We have the AL CY Young and Rookie of the year. We have each other to celebrate with and at times be sad.
We have our friend OP on the mend and we have the off season with NO BUDGET CONSTRAINTS.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving friends.
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Same to you and your family, Sandy and others on here.
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Last complaint on the Lowrie trade. I recognize it makes sense on paper and due to our perception of Crane, but you can now be sure EVERY free agent we talk to will try to force inclusion of NTA before signing with us.
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Sandy….you’re so right, we have a lot to be thankful for as fans, and as a pretty dang good baseball team!! Other than OP’S close encounter with his appendix, most of us are in good health…thank the Lord!! I’m excited for this team going into the 2016 season. Most of the guys that made it to the post season will be returning, and our farm system is finally producing some MLB ready guys!! We have the BEST outfield
In the majors….other than the black hole at first, we have a terrific infield! Speaking of first base, the experiment with making Tyler White a catcher, has been scratched.
I doubt we will see Carter on this team next year….but unless Luhnow can find a team willing to take Gattis…..he will probably still be here. I REALLY want to give White a chance to man first next year, but I have a feeling he’s gonna still be in Fresno……used as trade bait. 😠 One *big* thing that absolutely has to get done is a contract for Keuchel. Luhnow needs to get this done ASAP! I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving with your families, help with the dishes….and don’t forget to kiss the cook!👑
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Amen Becky and Sandy – a lot to be thankful for with the Astros and a lot to thank the cook for tomorrow
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And we *all* are thankful for you, Brian, and Chip for producing this blog!!! You guys are just the BEST!! ⚾⚾
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I second what Becky said. Without you guys where would we be.
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This is so much fun because of y’all. I love seeing all the comments and thoughts of all of you.
If a tree fell in the forest and no one heard it….if a post is written and nobody reads it or comments on it – it has no meaning. So thank you folks too.
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Have a peaceful Thanksgiving all.
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Happy Thanksgiving morning all you loyal readers and commenters. Hope you all have a wonderful day full of food friends and family. There is much to be thankful for today and I pray that God blesses you and all you love.
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Happy Thanksgiving! May God continue to bless all of you as we give thanks for the blessings bestowed upon us. I am thankful for my family, friends and everyone here who takes time to make this my favorite Astros blog. Most of all I am thankful for our Lord and Savior and that He has given me another day to be me today.
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Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. I am thankful for warmth, a roof, a meal, friends, faith, family, quiet time.
I am ready for the Hot Stove to heat up, but I am encouraged that guys we paid money to last season and who underperformed, are being moved out in exchange for relievers. Let’s hope that is a trend.
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Need a lefty in the bullpen?? Wanda was just released by the Royals!! Just kidding!
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Is this Thanksgiving or April Fool’s?
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Sorry for this misspell….Wandy….not Wanda! Yeah….April “FOOLS” day!!!
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Wow, we’ve come a long way. Remember when Wandy was our best?
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Wandy has earned $52.7 million in his pitching career. I won’t worry about him.
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Too bad he never got called up from their triple A team, or he would have gotten a World Series ring. I liked him, but dang……that guy sure started off on the wrong foot with the Umps! His on the mound antics really pi$$ed the Umps off!! It took him a couple of years to get that in check. Are you guys as stuffed as I am?? I may never eat again!!
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I am stuffed beyond comprehension
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Yeah…..and don’t forget he was a barber in the off season!!
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A barber like Sal Maglie?
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Happy Day After Thanksgiving, everyone ! Where IS everyone ?
LOL
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On Black Friday, which has started off with four inches of rain, I offer the things I would do to bring the World Series to Houston in 2016.
1. After trying every team in the league, If I cannot get a minor league relief prospect in trade for them, I non-tender Gattis, Conger, Carter and Valbuena at a total savings of $15million.
2. With that money in hand I go after David Price, failing that, Jordan Zimmerman. Get one of them.
3. Offer extension/arbitration to Dallas Keuchel. Eventually, when Feldman is healthy, I trade him for a position prospect or supplemental round pick that is my replacement prospect for the draft pick I lost signing Price/Zimmerman. Feldman’s $8million covers Keuchel’s first year.
4.Trade Brett Ober for Danny Valencia to play 3B. This also means the Astros don’t have to face his bat 19 times. He and Marwin play 3B until Moran is ready.
5. Add Reed, White and Kemp to the 40-man. Reed is my 1B and White is my DH. Danny Duffy starts the year off as my everyday DH in Fresno so that his bat is available immediately if either Reed or White struggle. Reed and White are interchangeable at 1B/DH and batting #7 or #8 in the lineup. Whichever one looks better defensively plays 1B and the other DH’s
6. Trade Singleton.
7. Trade Tucker, Neshek and one of VV/Feliz to the Yankees for one of their closers. Yankee Stadium is tailor made for Tucker’s power.
Lineup:
Altuve 2B
Springer RF
Correa SS
Rasmus LF
Gomez CF
Valencia 3B
Reed 1B
White DH
Castro C
After Reed and White settle in, they can be moved up in the order if needed.
Bench;
Stassi, Marwin, Marisnick, Kemp
Rotation:
Keuchel
McHugh
Price
McCullers
McFiers
Bullpen: Miller, Gregerson and five other flamethrowers.
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YOU’RE HIRED!!!!!
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BONUS! Price doesn’t cost me a draft pick!
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I still think Springer and Correa should be 3,4, in no particular order. I’d love to have a lefthanded bat in the two slot. But that’s a minor quibble. I endorse the 1OP message.
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My thinking is that, by September, Reed will own that #4 slot.
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That would be a great problem to have, because I’ve already committed myself by saying that 2016 is Springers breakout year. He’ll be too busy killing the ball to hit second.
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I would love to see that happen, but I don’t see Oakland trading us Valencia for Obie straight up and I really don’t see the Yankees trading Miller or Betances for the package you suggested. I think the Yankees will want Appel in the package. Depending on what else they wanted I’m concerned Luhnow may do it. They might do Appel, Feliz and Tucker for Miller. If we’re giving up that much I’d prefer Giles who has longer team control and cost substantially less.
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Oakland has Lawrie and Lowrie and Valencia. They need a LH starter and they need one at low cost. Ober fits that. If they need something else to sweeten the pot I’m willing, but not a top 15 prospect. They got Valencia as a trade piece and I think we can do that deal.
If the Yankees want Appel and Tucker, that’s fine, but Neshek is part of the deal because Neshek’s salary is a big part of that deal. Getting Miller for three years is why they get two prospects and Neshek. It’s a fair deal.
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I agree they will probably trade Valencia or Lawrie. Rumors are they will probably trade Lawrie and I’m not interested, but if we could get Valencia for Obie and another middle prospect I am interested. Your revised proposal for Miller might work. Would you rather have Miller or Giles? I’m just curious.
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Well, I’d rather have Miller because I know what he is going to cost and what he will deliver. Giles doesn’t have much history. He doesn’t even have minor league history. And Philly won’t take Neshek, whereas I think NY will.
Appel in NY would be hilarious! just hilarious!
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I have no problem with Appel being part of a trade that would bring in the closer we need. On a separate note, A.J. Happ, three years, 36 million? It’s good to be lefthanded!
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Well op they took your appendix but your brain is still intact. I wonder how much we an expect from Luhnow….
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I didn’t go crazy with Crane’s money. I cut $40.6 million from the payroll with the elimination of Lowrie, Feldman Valbuena, Conger, Neshek, Carter, Singleton and Gattis. But Luhnow started the ball rolling when he traded Lowrie for a minor league reliever, which is a big loss of a trade, player for player, but a win if you count the roster clearance and salary. Luhnow is now at the point where he has to win championships, not trades. Getting rid of players who will not add wins and adding players who will is the key to his success.
Rasmus got the better of him, but JL can still come out a winner if he can dump half of Rasmus’s salary in July and still win the world series.
In 2013 Bryant won the Golden Spike, in 2014 he was MILB POY, and in 2015 he was the ROY in the NL
Reed could follow that same path if Luhnow allows him to.
White can make Luhnow look like a genius if Luhnow will let White do what he does best: Hit.
Adding Price, Valencia, Miller is going to cost almost $40 mil so the money evens out. If you put the team I assembled on the field it will come out to a $90mil payroll and the lineup is dynamite, the rotation is the best in the AL .
What we gave up is Tucker, Ober, Neshek, and one of our pitching prospects, which we have a ton of. I got rid of no top prospects
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AWSOME !! OP. Could we somehow get this message to Crane/Luhnow?
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I built a blind this summer that has a big bench seat from a truck in it. It was for multiple hunters with the Grandkids in mind.
With my surgery, and then the flooding, that blind had never been hunted. My daughter-in-law told me she would be in that blind this morning. It faces away from everything and covers one side of the property we have never hunted, but is visible from the window in my room. I was awakened by two shots at 7:20am this morning and she has a really nice buck to show for her hunt in the freezing rain.
She loves to hunt and it has been my pleasure to be able to give her some comfortable, convenient, warm and successful places to do it.
Guess what’s for dinner.
Venison, deep fried!
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Haven’t you hunters learned it is cruel to kill animals? You should go to Safeway and buy your meat where they make it and spare those critters!” As published in a San Francisco newspaper letters to the editor. LOL!
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Old pro – she earned that buck as it is miserable weather outside. Glad you could give her a comfortable blind to take down that buck.
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Save a piece of back strap for ME!!
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Oh man, I sat up late out here in the tropics watching Baylor/TCU and 60,000 plus onlookers deal with that cold hard sideways rain for four plus hours including overtime. I don’t think I could have gone out today into that icy, freezing, wet gray morning for anything more than an urgent cup of coffee. She’s tough! And that’ll be a great table to be sitting around tonight.
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128 days until opening day #arewethereyet.
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lol becky. i like it!!
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I’m ready.
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Me TOO!!
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I already have purchased our airline tickets and reserved our condo for spring break in Kissimmee. The boys and I can’t wait for our annual spring training trip.
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Sounds like fun and good father-son bonding Tim. Are you going to follow them to West Palm Beach when they move in 2017?
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Absolutely. We have a timeshare that we can exchange to different locations. There are numerous options in Florida. The boys will miss Kissimmee as we always work in a day or two at Disney World.
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The old saying “even a blind hog finds an acorn every once in a while” applies to most MLB general managers. But what about a GM who has a whole chest of acorns that nobody else picked up?
AJ Reed- 42nd player chosen in the 2014 draft and was the MILB Offensive POY in 2015. 41 times this guy wasn’t worth drafting?
Lance McCullers Jr.- “This guy won’t sign. He wants too much money” Now a starting pitcher in the majors at age 21.
Francis Martes- Throw in arm in Cosart deal. Now the #8 prospect in our system.
Daz Cameron- Throw in supplemental pick in Cosart deal. ” He’ll never sign”. Now the #3 prospect in our system.
Joe Musgrove- A throw in pitcher in the Happ deal in 2012. Now the Astros minor league Pitcher of the year. and our #9 prospect.
Matt Duffy- Matt Who? Fresno’s AAA Championship team’s MVP for the year. 20th round pick in 2011
Jon Kemmer- CC Hooks MVP! batted .327 for the year with a higher SLG in AA than AJ Reed. A 21st round pick in the 2013 draft!
Tyler White-Seriously? The guy whom the MILB fans voted the best hitter in the minors in 2015 was a 33rd round draft choice of the Astros in 2013? And he still rates as only the #29 prospect in our system. This guy is an oak tree, not an acorn.
David Paulino- PTBNL in the Jose Veras trade with the Tigers. Is our #19 prospect and was added to the 40-man last week. Is closer to the majors than most people think.
Akeem Bostick-Is only 20 years old with a monster body and is a Top 30 prospect who we got for Carlos Corporan, who was looking for a job recently.
How about some acorns that Jeff found that I left out? Anybody?
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Yet some still doubt Luhnow. Yes, he has made mistakes like every other GM, but his draft history is, without question, a huge success. He’ll learn from his mistakes, but keep finding those hidden gems in the draft. Let’s not forget he drafted Maverick in the 6th round.
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Let me add this is another reason I don’t sweat the trades for Kazmir and Gomez. I think we will draft comparable players to, eventually, replace them.
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Guilty as charged. Those doubts will be removed when he wins it all.
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That’s a shame, Dave, because 29 teams don’t win each year, but Luhnow’s success speaks for itself. You’d probably be one of those Rangers fans that wants JD fired because they haven’t won a WS under his watch. Sheesh!
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Apparently, Dave, you didn’t approve of any Astros prior owner or G.M.
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I so want that 33rd round oak tree to get a real shor at being our DH in 2016.
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I so want his new nickname to be “The Oak Tree”
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I would like to see Carter and Marisnick gone for Reed and White. All 3 of your outfielders can play CF, none need defensive @ replacements and none need to be pinch run for. Gattis can get starts in LF against lefties, white can DH and Reed at 1b. When White proves himself Gattus becomes expendable, if White struggles Gattis gets the job back. With marusnick still having options he can stowed at AAA to see if his bat finds consistency.
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Steven, I’ll see your Carter and raise you a Conger. But on a serious note, we do have too many OFers by the time we leave ST. We can assume we will have some trades. But there is no room for the 3 above plus JFST, Tucker & Gattis. Also there is no room for 4 catchers. And about a 1/2 dozen too many at 1st.
But it is a long time before they leave Kissimmee.
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Yup I’m still guilty Lun has found a lot of good nuts. If he can somehow get us to a WS I’m really guilty and happy.. BUT in the mean time I still see Conger, Carter, Gattis, Val No Buena, on the team. no closer so jury still out IMHO
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Kevin, here is current 40 man (39 actually with Lowrie gone).
http://houston.astros.mlb.com/team/roster_40man.jsp?c_id=hou
We can expect maybe a dozen gone by end of ST. I think we need to have a little patience until JL has time to move some of the chaff. The Astros were 6 games over .500. Most years, that does not get you into the post season. So he still has work to do and a few months to improve the 2016 club.
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Totally agree and looking forward to see what he does, In the mean time I have quit calling Lun names Sigh, it was just really fun, I’m sure Jeffy is a nice guy! I’m just an old fart and have little use for arrogance and smuggery, and yes this is not a real word.
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Who, in their right mind, would pay a guy who hit .199 and plays below average defense $5million to play 1B, instead of a guy like White or Reed who couldn’t hit that bad in your worst nightmares and would make $510,000. It doesn’t seem like anyone could be that stupid.
We’re talking about a guy who played 1B for us all last year and could not get his average up to .200 and was so bad that even with 24 HRs his WAR was -0.1. If you tender him, you’re gonna have to pay him whatever he gets in arbitration. That is a Purpura-type move right there.
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Guess I’m guilty also. I agree with you Tim.
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But that’s where you’re wrong, Kevin. They are much closer than you, I or anyone else thought they would be right now. 86 wins and nearly knocking off the eventual WS champs despite those players shows again what a great job our front office is doing.
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Personally I think the assistant GM that we lost to the Brewers, was the one you need to give the kudos to. He was the one who did the homework, in drafting these guys.Luhnow had to have the final say, but David Sterns had a pretty dang good eye when it came to these guys. That’s why losing him was a shock to Luhnow. We have had some REALLY good scouts in the past 4-5yrs. A.J. Reed is a *beast* he is built like Mike Trout……and having a guy who can hit homeruns like he does, will remind us of a young Berman at first, only Reed isn’t a switch hitter. It’s days like this when it’s cold, and rainy….and dark that makes me miss baseball. At least I’m doing something constructive……I made a BIG pot of chicken and sausage Gumbo!!
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Who hired that assistant G.M.? Part of being a great boss is hiring the right people to work below you. Just another example of Luhnow doing it right.
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Yum! Absolutely one of my favorites, Becky
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