Carlos Correa at the crossroads?

Does it seem possible that SS Carlos Correa has been in the Astros organization for parts of seven seasons? The word “parts” may be the most significant word in that particular sentence. Obviously, he only played a part of the 2012 season after being drafted overall in early June of 2012. He was only 17 at the time and played okay in 50 games at rookie ball.

In 2013 he played very well in a full season at A ball with 9 HRs, 86 RBIs and an excellent slash line of .320 BA/ .405 OBP/ .872 OPS. In 2014, the injury bug bit hard as he broke his leg sliding at the end of June cutting short a promising season at A+ Lancaster where he had 50 runs scored and 57 RBIs in only 62 games.

This did not slow him down in 2015, when he tore up AA early in the season, played so-so at AAA before being promoted to the big time, where in 99 games he earned Rookie of the Year honors with 22 HRs and 68 RBIs and was a catalyst on a surprise Astros’ playoff team.

In 2016 he played basically the whole season but regressed in performance a tad, which is to say, at 21 he put up as good of a season as a Houston shortstop has ever put up, but not quite an extension of 2015.

In 2017, he was an All Star and cranked out great numbers in 109 games as an injury (a torn up thumb while sliding) cut into his season. His missed a chunk of time bridging July, August and early September and took a while to find his bat again, but he did and helped lead the team to the franchise’s first World Championship.

In 2018, he started off hot in April and then slumped in May before steadying his hitting in June. But June is when he went down with a back injury that he either a) Never fully recovered from or b) Learned bad habits compensating for. He had gone from one of the best offensive SS’s in the game to a below average one by season’s end.

The thing about Carlos is that people like me take his partial seasons like 2015 and 2017 and extrapolate what could be. If you take his numbers for 2017 over 162 games you are looking at someone with 121 runs, 35 HRs and 124 RBIs even with how much he struggled in September returning from the injury. But the big question with Carlos is will he ever reach his potential? Will he stay healthy enough to do it? Does he have enough of that Jose Altuve — never be satisfied — attitude to become the superstar folks expect? Or will he be this generation’s Cesar Cedeno — good to very good, but never matching that talent?

No matter what anyone thinks about Carlos possibly leaving for free agency when he is eligible, it is important to remember that he is under team control through arbitration or through any potential deal for three more seasons. That is enough time to leave a legacy or to fall short.

Something else to remember is that at the end of the 2017 season, Correa, when compared to all shortstops who had played 100 or more games in the majors, was ranked thusly:

  • .315 BA – 1st
  • .394 OBP – 1st
  • .941 OPS – 1st
  • 82 runs scored – 6th
  • 24 HRs – Tied for 5th
  • 84 RBIs – 5th
  • And that for runs, HRs and RBIs, Correa who only played 109 games was trailing shortstops who had played 140 or more games

In 2018, he was a literal disaster. Again vs. shortstops who had played 100 or more games in the majors he was ranked:

  • .239 BA – 25th
  • .323 OBP – 14th
  • .728 OPS – 15th
  • 60 Runs scored – 19th
  • 15 HRs – 13th
  • 65 RBIs – 13th

It is pretty hard to look at those numbers and not think that his back problems hurt him before and after his trip to the DL. For the cynics among us, there are two potential positives relative to the 2018 performance. First, it may hold down what Correa gets in arbitration a tad or even force him to agree to a 2 year or 3-year contract that buys out his arbitration. Second, the next three years he should be highly motivated if money is really what drives him as he will be likely playing for a good arbitration ruling after 2019 and 2020 and for a mega-contract after 2021.

So, what does the future hold? Well, one way to look at Correa’s Astros’ career is that he has only played 471 games for them in his first 3 1/2 years with the team. If he played an average of 157 games the next three years he could match that total. So he may only be halfway through it. And if he can play that many games in a healthy manner he could return to the 2015/2017 version of Correa and be one of the best young SS’s in the majors. The expectation is that if he did that, this team might return and grab the brass ring one more time or beyond.

But as that great philosopher Rick Blaine once said in a northwest African café, “We’ll always have Paris.” The 2018 season and championship and the performance players like Correa cranked out can never be taken away from us.

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115 responses to “Carlos Correa at the crossroads?”

  2. I think this is a bit overly dramatic. If you called up any of the other teams and asked if they were interested in acquiring Carlos Correa they would jump at the chance. There are only a handful of players who team would not surrender in such a trade. But let’s talk about stats.

    2018:
    Home: .195 / .298 / .340 58 K 200AB .230 BABip
    Away: .282 / .348 / .470 53 K 202AB .331 BABip

    1st Half: .268 / .352 / .480 77 K 269AB .317 BABip
    2nd Half: .180 / .261 / .256 34 K 133AB .218 BABip

    2017
    Home: .333 / .406 / .581 31K 186AB .349 BABip
    Away: .301 / .379 / .525 61K 236AB .354 BABip

    1st Half: .325 / .402 / .577 .358BABip
    2nd Half: .286 / .356 / .467 .333BABip

    A couple things stand out to me. First, he was awful at home in 2018 but solid on the road. The strikeouts didn’t spike one place verse the other – he just wasn’t making enough solid contact and was (possibly) hitting into some bad luck. In 2017, his numbers are pretty similar except for a spike in strikeouts on the road. Take those away and his numbers probably even out between the two.

    I don’t think Correa is the only Astros hitter to experience a rough, offensive season at home last year. It drives me nuts as MMP is suited for him – pitchers who attack the outer half of the zone are giving him a gift with his natural talents and he’s strong enough that as long as he can get the barrel on the ball on the inner half he could still reap the benefits of that ridiculous Crawford Boxes section. From the BABip number, however, it looks to me like he was not making consistent, hard contact. That’s matches up with what I remember – too many weak pop flies.

    The plan for 2019 has to be to get Correa to come to spring training healthy. The injuries he has sustained through his career on hustle plays will, hopefully, diminish as he learns to judge when to make those attempts better. Also, with Bregman’s improving defense you have to expect Hinch will have the confidence to give Correa more games at DH over the season. My concern level for Correa is very low as we begin this long offseason.

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    • Devin – I could see Correa bouncing back to 2017-ish numbers, but if it is a chronic back problem – I could see less. Not trying to be overly dramatic, but I’ve lived through other guys who looked great and then dissolved (Morgan Ensberg? Richard Hidalgo?) of course there may have been some chemical assistance going on there…..

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    • I am surprised how high Keuchel is – Marwin is projected at almost exactly what I had guessed when having a conversation with another fan at work about him. Keuchel would get more than Kershaw and more than Corbin per this article – that doesn’t feel right.

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    • With so many teams in rebuild mode, and so many contenders at or over the luxury tax level I just don’t see enough buyers to drive up FA bidding. I believe that last year set the new “norm”. There will be a lot of bargain shoppers in the market for talent, but I just don’t see the demand for big/ long- term FA contracts. I believe we will once again see a lot of people out of work up to spring training before settling for lesser and/ or shorter deals.

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  4. The ‘dynasty’ part of the plan revolves around Altuve, Springer, and Bregman serving as a ‘David’s Mighty Men’-quality supporting cast, while Carlos Correa anchors both the offense and the defense. The dynasty dream requires dapper young Carlos to stay healthy, stay focused, and smile broadly for the camera as he makes plays and puts up stats that put Lindor, Bogaerts, Andrus, and Andrelton Simmons to shame. But then came 2018. In 2018 our Captain took a rough tumble. The ‘Mighty Men’ were there – especially Bregman; for several reasons, Carlos just could not drag himself out of the basement to answer the bell. So, in a Grand Funk, to the bustling sounds of the railroad that runs through Union Station, I can imagine him singing to the rest of the team:

    Everybody . . . listen to me!
    Don’t forget I’m Jeff’s first pick!
    I’m your Captain, I’m your Captain!
    Don’t give up ’cause I got sick!

    I’ve been hurt now . . . days uncounted.
    It’s been months since . . . I’ve been whole.
    Can you hear me? Can you hear me?
    Comprehende’ Espanol?

    If you seclude me . . . from Daniella;
    I’ll get my strength back . . . just you watch!
    Just rub my back, A.J.! Get me back on track, Jose’!
    And could I have . . . a drink a scotch?

    Am I in my Penthouse dreaming?
    Is Alex Bregman scheming
    To beat me out for MVP?

    I’m Your Captain, Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah!
    I’m Your Captain, Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah!
    Am I getting closer to the SkyDome?

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  5. Well, Dan, you asked for it.
    -Correa has an ego the size of China.
    -I thought his Hollywood engagement stunt after the team won the WS was one of the most arrogant pieces of crap I have seen in my life. The media loved it and helped make it all about him. I thought it was supposed to be a team moment.
    -I have never had the impression that Correa was a guy who would listen to any coaching, but followed Plan Correa, including in his offseason work.
    -Anyone who watched Correa at the plate this past season could see he was clueless when he came to the plate and clueless when he finished.
    -He’s wasn’t The Captain, he was a 200 pound middle-of-the order dragging anchor.
    -How can a guy plan so perfectly a five year Adidas deal for an exit strategy to free agency, and not be able to plan on hitting a 92 mph fastball right down the middle on the very first pitch of so many at-bats like he watched this season?
    Anything else?
    -Oh, yeah. Shave that ugly stuff off your face.

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      • I enjoyed the guy jumping down and breaking his leg on the stage. Does this dress make me look heavy, dear?

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    • OP, is the song you are singing to Carlos ‘You’re so vain?’
      Should we gather from your post that you don’t send him flowers anymore?
      Is it because there is a new kid in [or coming to] town?
      Is it safe to say you used to love him, but it’s all over now?
      Has affection for Carlos become ‘Love on the Rocks’?
      Are we to assume that its allright now, in fact its a gas?

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    • OP thanks you said it way better than I. I think he has the heart of a Lamb and Zero It factor! He has the physical attributes I would have dreamed of having, but not the drive of Champion

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  6. Isn’t it interesting how we now look at CC in an entirely different light than we had previously. Maybe Altuve can beat some sense into him. Sometimes these players start to believe all the hype about themselves and figure they have nothing to prove anymore. Me, I’m just perplexed.

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  7. I think you folks know me by now – while my politics may be all one-sided, my baseball takes are a bit more middle of the road. So I’m not ready to throw Carlos under the bus.
    I still have in mind the Carlos who was tough in late inning situations and had a number of walk offs along the way.
    Look at what he has done in the playoffs to date. In 32 games he has 8 HRs and 24 RBIs. Biggio and Bagwell have 4 HRs and 24 RBIs – together – Bidge with 2 HR and 11 RBIs in 40 playoff games, Bags with 2 HRs and 13 RBIs in 33 games.
    So I don’t think he is some sofite who does not care, but I can buy that he may be looking for a big payoff when he gets to the end here. It’s not the same thing to me.

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  8. I still believe that CC is a generational talent that is more than capable of delivering consistent MVP level production. I haven’t worried about his previous injuries, as they have been more a result of bad luck than being injury prone. I am however, worried about the back injury. Based on the amount of tie he missed it must have been more serious than we were lead to believe (as most of us already suspect to be the case). I am no medical expert, but I can’t recall anyone having a problem with their back only one time. It seems like back problems never fully go away and even get worse over time (see Kershaw). I certainly hope this is not the case with CC.

    I don’t mind players with big egos. Every superstar has a big ego; its part of what separates them. The challenge is to keep it healthy and productive and not let it become a “selfish” drive and motive. I hope CC is dedicated to put in the level of work that it takes to become great. There are no shortcuts and no one is entitled to greatness; it is earned not given.

    I’m not sure to what extent CC’s back problems lead to his decline in production, but I am sure that his lack of pitch recognition contributed. Guessing doesn’t cut it. You have to be able to recognize a fastball and breaking stuff or you will never consistently hit; regardless of bat speed. A 90 MPH FB is a 100 MPH FB is you don’t recognize it early. You will never catch up to it. Likewise an average breaking ball is a knee breaker if you’re late seeing it. CC was fooled in almost every at bat in the 2nd half of the season. Combine that with injury and you have poor numbers.

    I believe CC’s problems in 2018 were equal parts mental and health. I expect he will figure out the mental part and the team will come up with a management program for his back. I expect him to have a huge season in 2019.

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  9. During the WS victory parade, Boston fans broke the trophy hurling beer cans. There’s video of the spires breaking off. Just thought I’d post in case anyone has the perfect riposte, above and beyond quality 0f materials/workmanship.

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  10. So . . . if for whatever reason Carlos Correa is not manning SS for us next April, who might be?

    1. Alex Bregman? [okay, so who’s on 3rd? White? Davis? Toro? Gurriel?];
    2. Alex De Goti?
    3. Anibal Sanchez?
    4. Jonathan Arauz?
    5. 18 y/o Freudis Nova?
    6. FA?
    7. Someone for whom Jeff trades?

    Point is, no one in our organization is exactly threatening to Wally Pipp El Capitan.

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  12. I will admit to questioning CC’s post-WS proposal — like, bub, are we violating baseball protocol/ethos here? But then I just reminded myself I’m an old *** and he’s a young one. One thing I absolutely loved about Carlos in the playoffs of ’17 (much better than the winter of aught 9) was his joy. I clearly remember him vaulting out of the dugout and running along the sidelines screaming and yelling and smiling and motioning with his hands to go, go, guys! He was a little kid, which of course, basically he is. Yes, I’ve seen hints of the ego, but as vewill1 said, that’s part of it. You got fragile ego, you got problem in this particular business. As Dan said, he’s not throwing him under the bus; he’s just asking discussion questions. I’m hoping for the best.

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      • “By cracky”??? What precincts are you from? Haven’t heard that since my grandma was topside. When your milk is heading south, I bet you recognize it’s “blinky.” Right?

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      • If I remember right the club option would only go to $8.5 million with some performance incentives that were unreachable – like finishing X amount of games

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      • Well it is not my money, but he was overpaid on his $2.8 this year. So at double that, he would be way overpaid, unless he becomes a much better reliever this year. If so, he will get his money next year someplace.

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  14. I give Carlos a free pass for 2018. Without him, we don’t win it all in 2017. He was as good as anyone last year. And we have absolutely no idea what the extent of his injury was/is. I didn’t like the on field proposal either. And I’ve suggested he might be a bit of a momma’s boy. That said, I’m looking forward to the healthy version in 2019. But I think it would be great to sign Donaldson for a year or two, just in case.

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  15. As to Carlos. First, very early in the season, he took a Springer-esque swing and immediately got out of the batter’s box. Don’t remember the game. But I think he hurt himself very early on. Then for the rest of the year, most swings had his hands high and bat tip low. That means pop ups and lazy fly balls to the right side. But his defense was stellar, especially if he had back issues. So I am very ambivalent on CC. Let me get back to you after 100 ABs in 2019. Really not sure if his problem was head or back or both.

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    • Quote from Adam J. Morris, SB Nation, Rangers: “Ken Rosenthal says the Rangers interviewed Dodgers bench coach Chris Woodward today.”
      Then at the bottom of the article, ” …..though at this point I’ve lost count of who all they’ve talked to.”

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  17. Astrocolt45…..Jon Daniels is not very well thought of. My sister and her family tell me how much they dislike him. The arlington little league will never forgive him for running Nolan Ryan out of town. Word travels fast in this age of social media, and who knows what information has been passed around about their organization.
    Guess what happened one year ago today?!!! Our beloved team won thier very first World Series!! How can anyone forget that night! Still gives me chills everytime I hear that last out! I’m not trying to get political here, but when you are invited to the White House to be recognized for your big accomplishment please don’t make it all about you. I get it that this is not the most popular president, but he is still the leader of the free world, and he’s the president of the United States. Correa and Beltran skipped it last year and no one made a big stink about it. Alex Cora is the manager of your team and he’s your leader. If you decide not to go as a complete team don’t go, but you will pay the price with your fan base. Several things Cora has said and done have really soured on me….sorry dude I’ve lost all respect for you. Becky⚾

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  18. OP…I read that article tonight….good HEAVENS the amount of money this guy talks about is UNBELIEVABLE!! I’ve decided when I come back after I die, I’m coming back as a baseball player, or an agent!

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  19. Chip probably can pull down comments but I can’t – so just please stay away from politics if you can. This place is supposed to be a resting place where we don’t have to think about that.

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    • Dan I watched game 7 again last night and cried again. No matter what the future holds we will always have that trophy. And we beat Boston, New York, and LA. To get there.

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  21. Preston Tucker was removed from the Braves 40-man roster yesterday and former Astro outfielder Brandon Barnes cleared waivers in the Cleveland org and was released and is a free agent.

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  22. Just in case you might have misrememberd, Qualifying offers have to be submitted to players by 4pm Central Time today
    AND!
    That is the moment free agency begins.
    This is a big day for baseball.

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      • i think maybe keuchel and maybe marwin, to get a pick if they leave. i dont think any of the four stay with the astros unless the team thinks marwin is half of a solution for LF.

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      • Morton should get one if he wants to kepi playing. If he wants to go to Philly (home) it would be give him one and if he declines and goes to Philly we’ll get a draft choice. Same with Keuchel should he wish to go elsewhere. Marwin may not get a QO.

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      • I think DK gets one.
        I think the Astros are trying to work a deal with CM, if he is healthy.
        I think if they can’t work a deal and he is healthy, they ought to offer him a QO.
        I think if he isn’t healthy, they would not offer him a QO.
        I don’t think they will offer Marwin a QO.

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  23. I’ve long had a love-hate relationship with Marwin. He proved me so wrong in 2017 with his steady defensive and remarkable offensive play during his career year to date. Career year by far. But even with the .300 plus average, the .377 OBP and the .907 OPS in 2017, his career .OPS of .737 just does not qualify him to be a regular corner infielder or outfielder. He’s gotten 500 plus plate appearances in each of the past three years. That’s too many for the utility guy. We might get him back if he finds the dollars out there are not what he thought they would be. I think that’s a real possibility. But even if we lose him, I think we can design a roster that will produce more offense and still play excellent defense overall.

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  24. Jeff Passan reports that the Astros will not offer Morton a QO. The only reason I see for not doing it is that they don’t think he is healthy.

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      • Ray, I don’t think so. For a guy who was one of the top 45 pitchers in baseball, $17.9 mil for a year is a really fair deal. But if that guy has arm “discomfort” it is too big a gamble.

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  25. No on Charlie, and I doubt seriously that Keuchel is offered one.
    I hope they can offer Marwin a 3yr $25-30 million dollar deal.
    Trust me there are a LOT of teams who would give him that deal!
    My hope is Luhnow works out a 2yr $25-30 million dollar deal.
    Charlie wants to stay with the Astros…..and I feel good about Luhnow signing him again. Who wouldn’t to sign here with Verlander and the” Cole Train “at the top of your rotation!!!! I’m so excited about the off season….we have an *AWESOME* team let the trades begin!!

    P.S. I apologize for a political statement yesterday. It’s time for Alex Cora to keep his mouth shut.😠

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      • Hmm…my post disappeared.

        Anyway, he’s nothing like Gattis aside from his low average and obp, as he has limited power

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  30. In August Charlie Morton went on the DL with shoulder discomfort.
    On Sept 23, he went 1 inning against the Angels and left the game with shoulder discomfort.
    On Sept 30, he went 3 innings against Baltimore.
    He went 17 days without pitching and then went 2.1 innings in the game 4 start against Boston.
    Something happened to him and he was not right for the rest of the season.

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  31. Please allow me one my comment on politics. Several years ago, on the Sunday, just like the one this weekend, there was a big election coming up the following week. The pastor said, he had been approached by several leaders in the church to get up Sunday and tell everyone how to vote. He said, first, they probably wouldn’t listen to him on politics anymore than they listened to him each week. He concluded with the following.

    He said that we should study the issues and candidates. We should the pray sincerely how God would want us to vote. Then come election day, there would be any doubt in anyone’s mind who they should vote for……. (and then a long pause)…. and he said and some of you will vote Republican and some of you will vote Democrat.

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  34. Some thoughts:
    -Who would have guessed that Bregman would have led the team by a wide margin in HRs and RBIs?
    -Yuli Gurriel had five less homers than in 2017, but had 85 RBIs(14 more than in 2017), which was second on the team. I sure would like to see him completely healthy in 2019.
    -The Astros introduced Cionel Perez, Framber Valdez and Josh James into the mix of pitchers in 2018. It would be nice if they could weave those three pitchers into the mix in 2019 and then add in three more pitching prospects into the mix as the year goes by. That is going to be the way they can control their payroll in the years to come.
    -The Astros top 3 position player prospects are all left-handed batters. That’s Tucker, Alvarez and Beer.
    -Do you give up a bunch of prospects for two expensive years of Realmuto, or give up no prospects for several expensive years of Ramos?

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    • OP, it would depend on what prospects we’d have to give up to get Realmuto. But I still lean in that direction. Ramos is a tank. He’s listed at 245 which probably means he’s at least ten pounds heavier. He’s already had a torn ACL and hamstring issues. Can his knees carry that load much longer? I think Ramos would be a relatively high risk signing, especially at three years.

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    • I’d live with that. He’s been remarkably consistent offensively and is solid behind the plate. We would be cursing his whiffing though.

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  37. Guys, my son and I put a feeder about 100 yards from my house after I hurt my back two months ago because I knew I couldn’t walk far. Yesterday, my boys moved my blind from where it has been for years and positioned it about a 40 yard walk from my front door, looking at the feeder. I’ve taken three bucks from that blind in the last five years since my stroke.
    This evening, I’m going black powder hunting. Yeah, I’m hurting, but not so much that I can’t walk 40 yards.

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    • Almost hit a 3 point buck this morning about 5 miles form the house. I usually see doe’s but 1st time Ive seen a buck like that. Good hunting OP! Deer meat chili….very tasty!

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      • I made two huge pots of Venison chili this week. We freeze one and we eat one. I didn’t see anything tonight because they were all down in the creek bottom where my son and daughter in law were hunting. She got a nine point and it is being cleaned now while I grill bacon wrapped wild turkey breast cutlets for dinner. Life in the country. Tomorrow is the last day of black powder.

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      • Funny you should mention that. My kids picked up the fatted calf from the processor on Friday and we’re having home grown steaks for supper.
        Living in the country may seem like heehaw, but it’s really not.
        My daughter and her husband just bought a small farm up here and the USDA came out and counted 350 pecan trees on it. They will raise their own beef and pork and eggs and chicken. They already have planted their orchard with pears, peaches, apples and cherries. They have always been into vegetable gardening, and that is already laid out, even though the house is only half built. He works a city job remotely, so that is great. With all those pecan trees, the place is alive with deer, wild turkey and wild pigs. The turkeys supplied the meat from last night and the wild hog we smoked a couple of weeks ago came from over there.
        It’s a pretty good life for a family that was from Houston and has now found a way to move out into the woods and finally escape the traffic.

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  38. Just for reference, McCann caught 1529 games and is 34 (WAR 2018 1.0). Perez 874 and 28 (WAR 2.4). Ramos 729 and 30 (WAR 2.7). Grandal 631 and 29 (WAR 33.3). Realmuto 484 and 27 (WAR 4.3). And Maldonado 558 and 31 (WAR 2018 0.5)

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  39. Interesting article on top free agents… Astros lose Keuchel to the Nationals, Marwin to the Twins, Morton to the Phillies. They pick up Ramos at catcher from the Rays and Zach Britton from the Orioles (sorry Yankees). Britton is the one I’m curious about. Where does he fit in with our reliever corp? 3 years at 33MM sounds like a closer to me. Where does that leave Osuna?

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    • Osuna struck out 11.7 per 9 in 2017. He struck out 7.6 per 9 in 2018. That’s a huge drop. I don’t think his role as closer is a certainty. We need a guy that will miss more bats in that role.

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  40. I don’t know what’s in store for the Astros this offseason. What I do know is that the Astros were favored to win the whole enchilada again in 2018 and they didn’t. The reason they didn’t is because they didn’t hit and because the Red Sox spent money, filled their needs and hired the right manager.
    Now the Astros need to bounce back if they want a second championship.
    There are guys on the Astros who didn’t produce. Some of them are gone and maybe some of rest need to be gone and replaced by guys who do produce. It’s up to Luhnow to make that happen. But, it’s still fun to play the Hot Stove along with him.

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  41. something i found out recently that may help folks 65 and over vote easily. you can fill out a form (from local county election clerk) and they will send you the ballot for each election to your home. you fill it out (same as you do at the voting booth) and mail it in. low hassle, quick, easy.

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  42. I recorded the Arizona Fall League All-Star Game last night and watched the performances of Forrest Whitley and Trent Thornton this morning.
    I will say this, Whitley did not have his best stuff but did not give up a hit in his two innings against the best minor league hitters in baseball. His fastball was good and his changeup fooled batters. He did not have his breaking stuff. When he is on, he will be very good.
    Thornton will need to be protected in the Rule 5 draft. His fastball sat at 96 and it was sneaky good. Vlad, Jr roped a bad curve leading off for a double and went to third on the bad relay throw and Thornton worked out of the jam without giving up the run. He got sharper as the inning went on.

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  44. OP I grew up on a farm, and T bone steaks were something we had frequently.
    My father and my three brothers hunted a LOT. We had chickens and all the rest of “Old McDonald’s farm” animals, so I can relate to your way of life! When I was 12 my father was transferred to Beaumont, Texas….so that’s the reason we left our country ways behind in southern Ohio. I gotta say my childhood was pretty awesome….and I had a healthy respect for the pigs!! Great memories are being made with your grandchildren….trust me they will be talking about you and the wonderful childhood THEY had long after you leave this earth for your eternal home!
    ASTROS: Keuchel got his 4th gold glove this evening, we will miss his starts and how great he was for us. I remember his first game was against the arlington little league in their ball park. He held his own against some pretty good players and I remember how impressed I was! I hope he has continued success in this crazy game we all love. I still think Charlie will give Luhnow a shot at keeping him here…..at least I hope so. EVERY SINGLE club is looking for starting pitching, and the Astros are right there in the mix. This is what I don’t want to happen…….trade young talented arms like Josh James or Cionel Perez. We already know Forest Whitley is untouchable…..but he’s a year away from making an impact in our starting rotation. Remember Verlander will be gone and Cole will be a free agent in 2020. If I could say one thing to Luhnow it would be to quit trading our home grown pitchers.
    Next for me is paying Marwin Gonzalez. The guy is rarely on the DL and has played every position he has been asked to play. It’s time……I will be extremely disappointed if Luhnow let’s him walk.
    Tyler White has GOT to tone his body up, and come to spring training ready to grab the bull by the horns!

    *I voted last week, and ran into some of our Firemen who are rarely thanked.
    I pray every night for my country. I’m blessed that all of our children and grandchildren are doing well, and I have two grandsons who are great little baseball players…..and everyone is an Astros fan⚾!

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  45. I see a lot of the Geek squad for the Astros is departing. I wish them well. My only suggestion is, if they catch on with another major league team, I would not use the same password.

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  46. Hi folks – been out of town over the weekend visiting two of my sons, one daughter-in-law and our only grandchild – so have been only checking in once in a while.
    I have a new post in the cue – expect it up today. Thank you for your continued support and interest!

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  47. I know it’s late. I know you’re weary.
    Wait! that’s not what I wanted to say.
    I know there is a new post coming, but I wanted to blurt this out anyway.
    -When Collin McHugh was a starting pitcher for us he was considered our #2 or 3 guy. McHugh is still here and he has added a slider to his repertoire. He has never had a losing season pitching for the Astros and his projected salary for this coming season is $5.4 million.
    -The last time Brad Peacock was a starting pitcher for the Astros was in 2017 and his record that year was 13-2. His projected salary for this coming season is $2.9 million.
    -Framber Valdez was very wild in 2018, but proved that his stuff is good enough to get out of jams. What if he improves his control enough to not put himself into jams? He is a league minimum salary guy.
    -Josh James was a revelation to all the minor league gurus in 2018 and he proved he can carry this on to the majors. He is a league minimum salary guy.
    – What About Rogelio. In a hitter-dominated league he has proven himself two years in a row. He is a league minimum salary guy.
    My point is that we have good pitchers waiting to start for this team that would afford us the opportunity to go out and spend money to fix the holes in the position player portion of this team. These pitchers also give us time to get Whitley, Bukauskas, Thornton, Hartman and Corbin Martin to the level they need to be at to help us fill the holes we will need to fill in 2020 and to get LMJ healthy.

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