Blackie Sherrod of the Dallas Morning News used to share his scattershots in his weekend column years ago. When I was in radio, there was something called Open Mike Friday.
Then, several years ago, while at the Chronicle (don’t spit, please), I introduced the Free Blog Weekend. It was designed to start a conversation, which is all that Dan and I have sought to do for…yes, the past 12 years! Has it been that long? Really? Yep.
And the Free Blog Weekend lives on. Today, I’ll start the conversation, then you can run off on any tangent, down any baseball alley, out on any ledge and deep dive into the left field stands.
So let’s get started. Earlier this week, I submitted a subject that isn’t so easy to think about. Can the Astros hang onto to their core over the next few years while salaries skyrocket into arbitration and free agency?
Today, though — with four starters, including the league ace, on the disabled list — Jeff Luhnow is now wringing his hands over which of his young, potential, up-and-coming stars he may have to part with to bring in another starter for the second half.
The Astros still have a strong farm system, but it’s clear the years of high first round choices is in the past. The situation is reversed from previous years. Instead of selling off the major league talent to add to the minor league mix, Luhnow is now faced with the likelihood of selling off some of the top minor league talent to fill holes on the major league roster.
It’s an excruciatingly painful, yet probably necessary, process that many contenders go through. How Luhnow navigates that road, though, may determine how the organization heads into the next decade.
Francis Martes, Kyle Tucker, David Paulino, Derek Fisher, not to mention Alex Bregman and others have been, and will be, part of any discussions with teams potentially giving up top-of-the-rotation starters.
And, a few other thoughts…
- The Astros will have 100 games left after tonight. If I would have told you 61 games ago that, on June 9, Marwin Gonzalez would lead the team in OBP (.409) and OPS (1.044), that George Springer would be far-and-away the HR leader (16), that three starters would have 4+ ERAs, that Dallas Keuchel had been on the DL twice, and that Dayan Diaz, Brad Peacock and David Paulino had each started games, what conclusion would you have reached?
- This team clearly has some bright spots in its pitching department. But, make no mistake, this is a hitters’ club. Much like Thursday, the hitters can carry the club when pitchers have bad games or end up on the DL. A 4-0 record in extra innings and 9-4 mark in one-run games, plus 13-3 in blowout games (games decided by 5+ runs) point to a strong hitting team. On any given night, from any point in the order, and perhaps from the end of the bench, Houston can win a game in the last at bat. Frankly, it’s hard for A.J. Hinch to do wrong with this lineup.
So, a few questions to light the fire and whet your whistle.
- Which of the leading prospects, including Bregman, should be off-limits for Luhnow in trade discussions?
- The Astros have already seen issues this season. Keuchel to the DL twice, Correa and others not starting off gangbusters and unexpected players stepping up. What one or two things might sink the ship or might be difficult to overcome?
- Who should get the most credit for the start to the season: Jim Crane, Jeff Luhnow, A.J. Hinch?
- And, a fun question: Assuming they are healthy, how many Astros — and which ones — will be on the All Star team?

226 responses to “FREE BLOG WEEKEND: Gulp, Luhnow may have to pay the piper soon”
We can list them in a different order, but DK #1, McHugh #2, LMJ #3, Salty #4, Fiers #5, Peacock # 6, Musgrove # 7, Paulino, Martes, Diaz, etc.
Three of our top four starters are missing starts. We have a lead that should allow a couple of them to get healthy and return. Maybe all three by July. No one should expect your #6-#9 starter to carry your team to the pennant.
We don’t need pitching, we need a TV evangelist faith healer or a witch doctor.
LikeLike
Boys and girls. …..Musgrove will be on an innings, and pitch count tomorrow night.
And then on Tues here comes Peacock. I hope it doesn’t happen, but we could lose all three games this Mon.- Wed. DANG😠
LikeLike
The panic is very real in here. We discussed this early in the year that the Astros would have a stretch where they lose 7 out of 10, or something similar, and that even the Cubs of last year lost 10 out of 15. We discussed that every great team will have a rough patch during the season, but there should be no reason to panic, but, unfortunately, the panic has come to fruition. I am certain most of us knew the Astros would not continue winning at a .700 winning percentage, but it still has not stemmed the worrying. There is a reason this team got off to such a great start and it’s the same reason they will win this division by a sizable margin. I’ll urge you again not to panic, but I expect it to fall on deaf ears any way.
LikeLike
Tim, it’s not just a losing streak.
The rotation was questionable before 3/5 went on the DL.
The bullpen is taxed to the point of exhaustion and the AS break is a month away.
Sure, this team has a great offense, but the pitching is a wreck. We don’t even have a time line on Morton, McHugh, or Keuchel.
Even if Mc Cullers stays healthy and Fiers continues to pitch well, they can’t win every time they’re on the mound. The bullpen can’t continue to pick up the other guys when they only last for 3-5 innings. And the offense can’t score 15 runs every day.
This is a serious problem.
LikeLike
It’s not really a serious problem because we still have a 12-game lead. If we look at this another way these injuries are allowing some young guys to get some valuable experience and limiting the innings of our starters, which should be beneficial once the playoffs start. Also, would you be surprised to hear our bullpen is around the middle of the pack in innings pitched? Feliz had a bad outing yesterday, but it wasn’t due to him being tired. He just failed to adjust to the Angels sitting on his slider and getting hits, or a home run in the case of EY, Jr. None of the injuries are expected to be season ending injuries, although we are not completely certain on McHugh. Also, you can be assured that Luhnow will acquire another starting pitcher before August 1st. I really don’t see the problem considering our sizable lead in the division and how weak the rest of our division is. They will still be playing multiple games against us and the rest of the division. There is really no reason to panic or worry. The Astros will win the AL West and probably by 10+ games.
LikeLike
Keuchel helps the BP – he has only failed to finish 6 innings one time, and if I’m not mistaken that was a game in which the Astros jumped out to a huge lead and Hinch was moving to save his arm some.
I have concerns as well about how many times in a row the bullpen has found itself in the game during the 5th inning – thats the part that gets taxing, not necessarily just the number of innings. Its also true that as much as we feel angst about the rotation, there are at least 20 other teams in a worst spot with their rotation doing even less. Nevertheless, its about the playoffs and how we set up for that, and right now this rotation doesn’t look like it will make this team the favorite in that scenario – but a lot can change, its still just June.
LikeLike
Are you telling us not to panic because we still have Marwin Gonzalez?
LikeLiked by 1 person
He and Jake the Snake are big reasons not to panic.
LikeLike
What’s disappointing is the 115K fans who came to see 1st place Astros and came away watching something else. I don’t believe they got their moneys worth and we’re at a panicing situation yet but there is definitely cause for concern. I am sure the braintrust of the Astros are looking at their options as we blog here. Keep the faith baby.
LikeLike
I am very concerned by a few observers here saying Correa and Altuve are hot dogging (or not dogging). Hope it’s not true but if others have noticed, please comment. Why they would do this I cannot fathom.
LikeLike
That little toss in the direction of home plate with nobody there to catch it tonight is just another illustration that Carlos does not have his head fully in the game right now, for whatever reason. These are the kinds of things that good high school ball players don’t do.
LikeLike
In my opinion kids will be kids. Looks to me like they got caught up in all the hype about how great this team is and just aren’t focused. They seem to take winning for granted.
LikeLike
Sandy, with the SP staff and the games we have ahead, it is beyond me how anyone could take winning for granted, especially when you’re talking Astros. I think overall when players feel there’s someone to pick them up, they play well; but when things start going south and the pressure to perform is on, not so much. Picture in paper today of fans watching the 3-run homer take flight, with headline “Kiss it goodbye.” That’s probably good advice.
LikeLike
Paulino got hit because of his pitch location.
Feliz got hit because of terrible pitch selection on the part of his catcher.
Hoyt had bad luck on the high bouncer and bloop hit, But, he walked a guy before that and it hurt him.
Astros pitchers and catchers let the Angels run wild on them.
Springer sat and the Astros lost.
Maybin sat and the Angels lost.
Correa sat and the Astros lost.
Could you imagine Trout in the middle of the lineup that blew the Astros away in that series? We were lucky to take one game.
I’m not sure I want to watch the Rangers series. My heart can’t take it.
So many grandchildren! So many farm animals! A horse got added to the mix yesterday. So little tequila!
LikeLiked by 3 people
I’d just like to figure out a way to take 2 of 3 from the Rangers. Then all is good in the world, at least for the time being!
LikeLike
Miracles do happen so can hope.
LikeLike
Alas, rookie pitchers do not get marginal calls from major league umpires. Go figure. It has been that way forever – and will continue to be that way. So rookie pitchers have to try to stay in the middle of the plate and hope their secondary stuff is good enough and their catcher is smart enough to keep hitters guessing.Some guys, like Chris Devenski, have a good enough secondary pitch to make it through their first year. If a rookie pitcher does not have a good secondary arsenal, major league hitters will sit on their fastball, and will absolutely murder it. Welcome to the last two series!.
We are, unfortunately, suddenly having to rely on lot of rookie pitchers. They are not getting any Keuchel-calls. Their secondary stuff is not that good. Their catchers are used to experienced pitchers and apparently have not figured out a way to help them compensate for their blatant lack of polished secondary stuff. And they are, indeed, getting murdered.
The rookie pitchers will catch up to the speed of this game – or be gone. The catchers will figure out the guys throwing to them need a lot more help than guys like DK and Morton. And somehow, we will learn to hold teams to less than 10 runs on at least 3 out of 5 nights. Then the pressure will be back on our high-octane, high-dollar offense, which has suddenly become irrelevant in most games.
LikeLike
Bullpen status update – ERAs and WHIPs
Harris: 2.13/0.91
Devenski: 2.45/0.79
Feliz: 3.86/1.21
Giles: 3.91/1.07
Sipp: 4.15/1.21
Gregerson: 4.68/1.48
Hoyt: 4.87/1.28
Martes: 9.82/1.64
Diaz: 11.57/1.93
We need more from Gregerson and Hoyt at least.
LikeLike
We really need more from Sipp but I guess that’s too much to ask.
LikeLike
Should we be looking to strengthen the BP ate the trading deadline or before more so than starting pitching? Or is it a 50/50 proposition?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I could be talked into either side on that argument. I think we need a LHP who can get LHB out reliably. I also think Peacock would be best used out of the pen, but the injuries to the SP make that tough. If we got 6 innings out of the starter each night then there are enough arms in the bullpen to dominate. When they’re going less than 5 and Hinch is warming guys up in the second inning it makes it really tough.
LikeLike
Well, I am about to set this blog on full panic attack mode…LMJ just went on the DL with lower back discomfort. That makes all 5 of our projected starting pitchers going on the DL this year. Musgrove will be activated to replace LMJ.
LikeLike
Tim, I’m sure this is all a master stroke of genius by Jeff Luhnow to keep the inning count on all our starters down. Come August when every other team is worn out we’ll be throwing fresh arms at the opponent and not have to worry about who is pushing 200 when we get to September! It’s all in the plan!
LikeLike
There may be some validity to this statement. I think the Astros are just being super cautious with any soreness or ailment, which makes sense with a big lead.
LikeLike
I don’t buy that theory. These trips to the DL are compromising the pen. And let’s face it, we have zero depth, actually negative depth, for starters at this point. We might be looking at Corpus next.
Luhnow and Hinch really get to earn their money right now.
LikeLike
I don’t see it Dave. Our bullpen usage is middle of the road in baseball. I’m not saying they are faking injuries, but just taking it very cautiously with any minor injury. It serves 2 purposes: 1. It helps the player heal quicker to avoid longer term injuries 2. It reduces the innings for our pitchers. It’s not a coincidence our DL is filled with pitchers instead of positional players.
LikeLike
Tim, I don’t buy the theory of Luhnow keeping the innings count down right now. There are too many other better ways to do it. And I will not accept the premise that both Keuchel and McCullers are siting against the Rangers for innings related reasoning.
And I am aware of how many innings our pen has thrown. We were talking about it last week. They are in the middle of the pack, but are trending in the wrong direction. It’ll soon become a real issue if any of these DL stints get extended.
LikeLike
Dave,
You clearly misread my comment. Reducing the innings is a byproduct of being overly cautious with minor injuries. Luhnow is not gaming the system by using the DL to rest starters, but he’s also not going to be hesitant to put someone, especially his pitchers, on the DL if they have a minor ailment. I’m guessing some of these injuries are minor enough that they would pitch if it was the playoffs.
LikeLike
Middle of the road yes, but how does our BP usage compare to the other contenders? Less concerned about how our BP usage lines up with the A’s or other middle of the roaders, and more concerned about not having 2 or 3 pieces available or at their best when we face the Red Sox or Indians or Cubs – not to get ahead of myself.
LikeLike
Steven,
The Astros also have 2-3 guys in the bullpen that can go multiple innings. Thus, considering we are near the middle of bullpen innings pitched, yet have 1-2 more multiple inning guys than other teams seems to indicate, at least at the present time, our bullpen is not over used.
LikeLike
jumping gee hose a fats! LMJ to the DL.
LikeLike
OH….MY…LORD😢
LikeLike
AND….WE HAVE NO TIME LINE, WHEN THESE GUYS WILL BE BACK!!!
GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
LikeLike
Nolan Ryan, it’s time to suit up. Get out there and start warming that arm. Think I’m kidding? No way, Altuve.
LikeLike
I guess we know exactly how the Mariners feel, except we lead our division by 12 games.
LikeLike
I’m not sure I ever remember all 5 SP On the DL before the middle of June , and yes I know Musgrove is coming off.
LikeLike
Okay, somebody tell A.J. Reed he needs to get in the bullpen and start warming up! If he can still throw like he did in college, he could get to the majors quicker as a lefty reliever AND occasional pinch hitter.
LikeLike
I feel the club will move Devinski into the rotation for the time being. After all, he was a starter and did start a few games last season. Then we shall see who comes up to join the bullpen.
LikeLike
Sarge, with Musgrove getting a max of 4 to 5 innings tonight, I think we’re going to need Devenski out of the pen, unless of course we get beat up early. And Devenski is not really stretched out at this point. Against pretty good odds now, I still want to win this series. I’m just not sure how it’s going to happen. Musgrove has got to get us off to a good start, even if its for only 12 or 15 outs.
LikeLike
Dave, I was looking at the fact that he has been going three to four innings this season and that could be stretched in a matter of 6 starts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So who is it going to be? David Martinez? Rogelio?
LikeLike
We’ve got Armenteros, Kyle Smith, Josh James, and maybe Kent Emmanuel ready to move up from CC to Fresno. Just wish Trent Thornton and Dean Deetz had gotten off to better starts when they made the move. We seem to have difficulty getting pitchers ready for AAA – and thus for the MLB.
LikeLike
OK this is the game changer for me – I thought they could stay afloat with LMJ, Fiers and Musgrove back. Now they have to get serious about getting outside help
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well. ….it was fun while it lasted.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I still have a feeling we will prevail…call it a hunch, call it blind faith, doesn’t matter.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Astros are bringing Peacock back on 3 days rest tomorrow. ….Martes pitches wed.
Glad you’re optomistic Billy……..I’m not.
LikeLike
Becky, I’m pessimistic in the short term but optimistic in the long. I think the goal right now should just be to weather the storm. As a fan, losing 2 of 3 to the Angels seemed terrible, but the reality is they only gained one game on us in the standings. The key has to be not letting any of the teams gain more than 1 game on us per series. We’ll get some help either by people getting healthy or trading for established players.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Well said Devin
LikeLike
Well, it’s not like Peacock isn’t rested. What did he pitch in his last start? Three innings or so. Good, start him on three days rest. That’s what they did for a hundred years or so in baseball. I would imagine he can’t wait to get back out there and redeem himself.
LikeLike
SHOW TIME. Let’s all pray.
LikeLike
Astros select JB Bukauskas, RHP from North Carolina. I did not pay a bunch of attention to him because he was projected by everyone to be a top 10 pick and was going to be long gone before we picked.
LikeLike
Now my best guess is that Reddick just got pulled for concussion protocol from his try against the wall
LikeLike
The injuries are definitely starting to pile up. This is the rough patch that I knew was eventually going to come so I’m still not concerned. I expected the division lead to ‘dwindle’ to 7-8 games, but have no concerns about not winning the division. They are the best team in the division. If they lost Keuchel and McCullers for the season then, yes, I’d be concerned. Otherwise, I still like our chances very much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ya’LL having fun yet? Hinch is getting ready to take Musgrove out of the game, and Dan I suspect you’re right about Reddick. He hit that wall hard. Soooo what game is the manager of the arlington little league, gonna start a fight? My money is on tomorrow.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I want to point out that Yu Darvish is pitching a no hitter heading into the bottom of the fifth inning. A no-no. Zero hits. And no I am not afraid that talking about it will jinx his NO-HITTER….. Jinx – jinx – jinx – jinx – jinx
Yes I am heading for baseball protocol Hell
LikeLike
Bregman breaks up the no-no and the shutout…..
LikeLike
They just confirmed that Reddick left with a mild concussion. I think a mild concussion is when it happens to someone else….
LikeLike
Musgrove did his job tonight. If Reddick goes down for a 10 day, seems that Fisher will get a look.
LikeLike
The concussion DL is 7 days.
LikeLike
We need an Angels in the Outfield miracle finish to this game.
LikeLike
Welp…..we lose game one…..two to go☺
LikeLike
Ain’t over yet
LikeLike
Seems like once we lost all our pitchers, our guys forgot how to hit
LikeLike
Billy…..as your pitching goes, your team goes. Oh well, it is what it is.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Billy, this is what I meant when I said yesterday that when all are playing well, well, all play well. Because they know someone’s there to pick them up. It’s when the load shifts that the zeitgeist seems to shift too. Anytime our guys start to feel the pressure, things tend to go south. It’s human, I know. It was just so great to see them playing the game as though the game could conceivably be fun.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Without reliable pitching the position players start to press.
The team that was winning consistently was relaxed and enjoying the game.
You can see the tension on all their faces. Even Hinch.
LikeLike
I lend some credence to this. I think the offense is pressing feeling they have to pick up for the lack of pitching. This is where guys like Beltran and McCann will come in handy. Having that veteran presence in situations like this is one of the primary reasons they acquired/signed those 2 players.
LikeLike
Texas Rangers = Ivan Drago. Houston Astros = Rocky Balboa.
This series is just one of the early rounds, when the arrogant, foul-mouthed bully actually thinks he is going to win.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just to put things in perspective…when the Rangers were in the midst of their 10-game winning streak last month they reduced the Astros division lead to 5.5 games. Since that time the Astros have added 6.5 games to that lead. Yes, it was a bit larger at one time, but still a very sizable lead. Even if the Rangers sweep this series the Astros are 10 games ahead of them. If they win one of the next 2 the lead stays at 12 games. I think we’ll be fine, but the rash of injuries is concerning.
LikeLike
Tim, I also voice the concern, but if we can win at least 1 of 3 then we only lose a game. It’s a trying time in Astro land and hopefully we’ll all get through it. However, the need for another starter and a LH reliever looms large on the horizon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Anyone else watching the draft? I, obviously, like Bukauskas, but think his velocity is overstated. I know nothing about Martin from A&M or the hs 3B. The final pick from yesterday, Matijevic, sounds like a lhh Tyler White. Some articles claim he throws lefty as well, but that’s a mistake, right?
LikeLike
While we understand baseball players are paid millions to play the game, it only takes a few hiccups to put them on their heels. All we as fans can do is pray very hard that our pitchers who are on DL, make it back soon before the position players plant the seed of losing in their minds. It doesn’t take much for the tide to turn, good or bad. These next few weeks will test this club, and the fans. My hope is we can weather the next few weeks, and come out still ahead in the AL West. I’ve made no secret how much I despise the other team in Texas. Having been the laughing stock of the American League for so many years, and the rangers laughing the hardest, has poisoned my attitude of that club. I’ve talked long enough…….Becky⚾
LikeLiked by 1 person
Like!
LikeLike
Becky, at first I thought you wrote “before players plant the seed of losing their minds.” I thought aw shucks, Becky, it ain’t that bad. Is it? lol
LikeLike
Not that bad yet……but it doesn’t take much. I’m angry, ALL I want is to beat these idiots every single time we play them. SPIT. SPIT. SPIT……
LikeLike
I would not want to be pitching to this strike zone tonight.
LikeLike
Finally got to turn the game on at work…did Peacock really strike out TEN in 4 innings? Yeah, he walked 4, but he struck out ten…?!
LikeLike
Yes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Harris comes in does his job. Peacock gets bad calls from umps. But Devo gives up a long ball to Becky’s favorite….Odor. I would not have put Devo in. Keep Harris and rest Devo for another night, but I’m not the mgr.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sorry, but why pitch a guy 2 – 3 nights in a row. Even if its for 1 inning. I don’t see the logic.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is one of those stretches where the pen is not helping the manager look very smart.
LikeLike
GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LikeLike
I’m so angry I could cuss a blue streak.
LikeLike
I feel your pain.
LikeLike
As Lloyd Bridges said in “Airplane”, “I picked a bad week to quit sniffing glue.”
LikeLiked by 2 people
apropos.
LikeLike
They will FEAST on Martes tomorrow. I don’t think I will watch the game, I can’t stand to see our guys go down in a sweep, visions of 2013-2014, and I can’t take that anymore. Sorry.
LikeLike
I wonder how comfortable Martes will be throwing inside on Odor. I hope McCann is catching.
LikeLike
I don’t blame you. I don’t think tonight is going to go well for our favorite baseball team. Last night was the one favorable pitching matchup and we couldn’t get the big hit against Nick Martinez. Cashner is not good, but he’s probably better than Martinez and our offense is slumping right now. It is painful to watch, but they will break out of it eventually.
LikeLike
“If we need to make a move, even if it’s painful, to help the Big League team right now, we’ll make it happen.”
This is a quote to Mark Berman from Jeff Luhnow. I was afraid of this and I think we can probably say goodbye to Kyle Tucker and, possibly, Derek Fisher. There are so few sellers out there right now so it looks like it will be an over pay, if it happens. I think if the Astros lose tonight Luhnow may make a panic trade, and I don’t like it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll mention this only because it involves baseball. Multiple shooting at congressional baseball field early this morning in Virginia. Rep Whip Steve Scalise shot in hip, several others. Shooter was behind third base dugout. Prayers it’s not more extensive.
LikeLike
We’ve lost 6 of 8 now. Over those six losses, we’ve gotten 24.2 innings from our starters, and 28 innings from our pen. Starters have given up 18 runs, relievers 29. That’s not a good recipe. Problem is that until the rotation gets fixed, the pen does not get corrected either. They obviously can’t handle the burden of innings. And none of the guys brought up to help have really helped much. Our real weakness has been exposed. We have no major league ready pitching talent at the minor league level.
So Tim, Luhnow might be forced to overpay. What I’m concerned about most is that he might be willing to overpay because he knows more about Keuchels injury than we do. I’m looking forward to next Mondays road trip. At least the bats should wake up.
LikeLike
Nobody likes somebody who says I told you so, but I told you so. We should not have gotten so high-handed when we walloped the Strangers before. Dang, folks, not in baseball. Like Bagwell once said, “I don’t see how anybody can get the big head in this game.” Okay, maybe the 21-year-old comes out tonight and shines. I hope so. Let’s play nice, even if we have to fake it. 🙂
LikeLike
Multiple sources are indicating Derek Fisher is being called up. If that is true there needs to be a corresponding move on both the 25-man and the 40-man.
LikeLike
I can’t imagine going down to 12 arms. And I can’t imagine anyone but Aoki getting walking papers. Am I missing something?
LikeLike
That was pretty dumb of me.
LikeLike
I would expect Brady Rogers goes on the 60-day DL to free up a spot, right?
LikeLike
That might happen, but that also means they would have to move him to the active roster, which actually uses up a year of his major league clock. He is using up a spot on the roster, that is true, but is not accumulating MLB time or drawing a major league salary. He got hurt while on the AAA roster,so he is not on the clock until he is healthy again next spring, if he makes the 25 man squad.
The Astros would not do that unless they think Brady doesn’t have a future with them.
LikeLike
Watching last night, no one like to loose, but the body language I’m seeing from Altuve , CC, Margo is a bit disturbing to me. Its almost this arrogant childish look I haven’t seen before. They have some veterans here but man they looked so much like the old Astros the last 2 nights , I don’t even recognize this team the last 2 games. I think Hinch needs to drop the buddy routine for a bit, and kick some young guys in the ass…
LikeLiked by 2 people
Alas, our primary veteran mentor-type is slashing all of .234/.282/.690 [the worst combo among all our regulars] and has become one of the most frequent strikeout victims in our lineup. He may be wise, but any real leadership has to start with good performances on the field and in the batter’s box. Unless and until Carlos Beltran starts to come around to something within a few points of his career numbers, it is our young, talented but moody gang of banty roosters are going to stay in charge.
LikeLike
I have tried to back away from judging by body language to account for performance.
My belief is that the players thought they were bullet proof and are now bleeding from multiple wounds and are, sort of, in shock. I believe also that Altuve’s problems are the result of his home field performance this season and he is really pressing. He is swinging at everything and the snowball keeps getting bigger for him. Every time he fails at home it eats him up a little more.
Right now, the Astros need that veteran leadership to help them get back in the groove.
Aoki has come out of his slump. We have been waiting for that for a month. Why would you can a guy who has 5 hits in his last three games? Especially with Reddick facing a week off.
LikeLike
Could they be putting Reddick on concussion list and bringing Fisher in?
LikeLike