Spring training Q&A: Dan asks, you answer

Today, it is your turn to answer some multiple-choice questions about the 2026 Astros. Please, take a swing at this. There are no wrong answers. Yet.

  1. Which of the following likely starting rotation pitchers is most critical to the overall success of the Astros in 2026, and why?
  2. Which of the following possible starting rotation pitchers is most critical to the overall success of the Astros in 202,6 and why?
  3. Which of the following injured pitchers would you want to have back (the most) in 2026, and why?
  4. Which of the following Astros’ pitchers do you want to see in the swing position in the bullpen – multiple innings of relief and spot starts and why?
  5. Which of the following Astros’ position players do they need the most to improve from 2025 stats towards their norm and why?
  6. Which of the following Astros’ position players do they need to repeat 2025 results the most rather than regress towards their norm and why?
  7. Which reliever outside Josh Hader is the most critical to their 2026 success and why?
  8. Which prospect do they need to grab a starting OF spot by the neck and why?
  9. Who has the best chance of helping out in the bullpen and why?
  10. Who is more on the hot seat for 2026 and why?
    • Manager Joe Espada
    • GM Dana Brown
    • They are sharing the same love seat

Thanks for reading and participating.

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5 responses to “Spring training Q&A: Dan asks, you answer”

  1. Dan, here are a few answers.

    1. Hunter. Everything rises or falls with him. If he has a Hunter Year, the others will follow I believe.
    2. Arrighetti. When he’s on, he’s a solid #3 if not #2.

    Yordan has to be better. Much better. But most of all, he needs to be out there in 120+ games. There’s been a LOT written about Walker, but if he can hit .250+, he’ll be a key player in the infield because of his solid defense. I’m not entirely ready to write him off just yet. Man, if you could just put his defense together with Altuve’s bat and come out with one solid mid-30s player.

    As for the hot seat, it has to be Brown. Look what Joe did last year with all the injuries. Give him a decent roster, and I believe he’ll bring a division title. Maybe not a GREAT manager, but he ain’t the problem in my book. We’ll get a much better read on Brown by the All Star break.

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    • Chip – I think Brown should be on the hot seat first – because I agree that I thought Espada may more lemonade from lemon Pledge than Brown did. But Crane may think he was just doing his job. I have more patience for Espada, but my vote does not count. s

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    1. Hunter – must be 7-10 games over .500 in his starts as a team. If the team goes 21-11 in his starts versus the 18-13 they were last year. He has to be even better. Honorable mention to Imai though – he can close that gap IF he goes 5-7 games over.
    2. Of that list Arrighetti, because he has the arm talent. If he finds command, and become a plus .500 guy instead of a sub .500 guy…..
    3. Thats easy, Ronel is easily the best of those 3.
    4. Blubaugh – again, just more arm talent. Command of multiple pitches with consistency has stopped him from dominating the minors, but sometimes command shows up at weird times.
    5. Yordan – because improvement just means he is playing. The most important player to the offense.
    6. Pena – because Meyers really wasn’t overly effective despite hitting for average. I’ll take a repeat of a .342 OBP out of the 9 spot though. But if Pena doesn’t continue and regresses back towards his career numbers, the leadoff spot in the lineup could be a challenge to fill.
    7. Abreu, because of any of the rest of them could go Tay Scott and get replaced. Lose your one leverage arm and that is going to be hard to fix.
    8. Any of them. Dezenzo may have to most “natural” swing of all those guys, but he bats from the wrong side to probably make this team out of ST. I really would have no problem with them putting Dezenzo in LF for 110 games next year, but watching him play 1B on Saturday was an adventure.
    9. They all 4 have good enough arms. Just don’t walk people, something none of the 4 have been good at.
    10. It’s cozy on that hot seat for 2. I don’t like Espada being on it with him, but it is what it is with Crane.

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    • Steven

      I waver on Hunter being the most important – in 2025 it was actually the man behind him – Framber Valdez who was most important to their failure. I certainly would love to see Imai pitch well and be poised when we need it the most.

      In the back of my mind I sure would love to see a lot more Blubaugh than let’s say McCullers this year.

      I get your Dezenzo wish – seemed to have a solid bat – not sure how good of an OF he is. But I lean towards Cam. I am hoping there is a lot more first half Cam inside him than second half Cam.

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  3. I agree: More Blubaugh. I hope the Lance situation can be resolved in spring training and not extend to the regular season and cost us games .

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