***** Official 2017 Astros Off Season Thread *****

287,991 Views | 2546 Replies | Last: 7 yr ago by Mr.Bond
iBrad
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Not sure I'd want to pay a guy $9M in arbitration who may or may not be healthy in 2017. Risky, but could be a nice addition to the rotation for someone.
titanmaster_race
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Am I the only one who remembers how dreadful Gattis has been as a DH? I am shocked at how many of yall want him to get significant time at DH next year. He's a solid backup to McCann behind the dish. But I hope that's all he does.
Sq16Aggie2006
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titanmaster_race said:

Am I the only one who remembers how dreadful Gattis has been as a DH? I am shocked at how many of yall want him to get significant time at DH next year. He's a solid backup to McCann behind the dish. But I hope that's all he does.


Gattis hit more HR and for higher average than McCann last year, why do we assume Gattis is backing up McCann?
titanmaster_race
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He cost 2 prospects and $23mill (total). I would be shocked if he is Gattis' backup.

That being said, I guess I've been assuming McCann would only catch. As has been discussed on here, 1B and/or DH could be real possibilities.
iBrad
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He wasn't dreadful in 2015 as the DH. He didn't put up ideal numbers, but he was serviceable.

One thing that contributed to his C-DH splits last year was his R-L splits. He was much better against lefties, which usually came when he was catching.

Limit his DH opportunities against righties a little more and his numbers will look better whether he's C or DH.
Ag_07
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I think (at least for me) it's not so much we want him to DH but more that we expect he will be used as a DH.

This staff continued running him out there at DH last year after it couldn't be more blatant that he was not a good DH (compared to his numbers behind the plate) so I dont expect that to change.

It's more of just a safe assumption.
Sq16Aggie2006
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Ag_07 said:

I think (at least for me) it's not so much we want him to DH but more that we expect he will be used as a DH.

This staff continued running him out there at DH last year after it couldn't be more blatant that he was not a good DJ (compared to his numbers behind the plate) so I dont expect that to change.

It's more of just a safe assumption.


So THAT'S what killed the vibe in Club Astros, DJ Oso Blanco on the 1's and 2's wasnt poppin
irish pete ag06
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Sq16Aggie2006 said:

Ag_07 said:

I think (at least for me) it's not so much we want him to DH but more that we expect he will be used as a DH.

This staff continued running him out there at DH last year after it couldn't be more blatant that he was not a good DJ (compared to his numbers behind the plate) so I dont expect that to change.

It's more of just a safe assumption.


So THAT'S what killed the vibe in Club Astros, DJ Oso Blanco on the 1's and 2's wasnt poppin


Sq16Aggie2006
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oddly appropriate
irish pete ag06
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titanmaster_race said:

He cost 2 prospects and $23mill (total). I would be shocked if he is Gattis' backup.

That being said, I guess I've been assuming McCann would only catch. As has been discussed on here, 1B and/or DH could be real possibilities.


I think this will be a near even catching split. Something like 90-100 games for McCann and 60-70 for Gattis.
Deluxe
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I've always assumed McCann starts vs righties and the occasional start at 1B/DH. And Gattis starts vs lefties plus the occasional start at DH when he's hot.
irish pete ag06
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Deluxe said:

I've always assumed McCann starts vs righties and the occasional start at 1B/DH. And Gattis starts vs lefties plus the occasional start at DH when he's hot.


I think that's exactly right.
. . .
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Jayson Stark said:

Even while the Astros shop for an ace, they're also dangling two of their current starters, Collin McHugh & Mike Fiers, to create roster and payroll flexibility.
titanmaster_race
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Does this mean there's a chance Fiers could go? Don't tempt me
Sea Gull
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Ok, so I digested the Beltran deal. I'm ok with it. I will root for the guy because he plays for the Astros now.

I think 2 things were at play here. I think the Astros were looking for a clubhouse guy and, of course, a quality bat. From all reports, Beltran is a good clubhouse presence and a good veteran leader. If he can produce with last year's numbers, he'll be a huge addition to the team. And what's to stop the Astros from playing Beltran in left? MMP has a fairly small left field, so I think it'd be a good fit for him.

I also think if they could still land EE, this team would be the early favorite in the AL because I don't even think Hinch could screw up that lineup. Although this seems unlikely now.

As far as pitchers go, I think Archer would be a more realistic option, especially with reports coming out that the Astros have slowed talks with the White Sox regarding Sale as they wanted too much. If they could somehow land Archer without giving up any core guys, it would be huge.

Of course, all this revolves around Keuchel having a bounce back year, and Lance staying healthy. Also, it baffles me as to why they are shopping McHugh. Dude eats innings and is usually gives quality outings (minus the few where he gets ass pounded). He's a good #3 starter IMO.
Farmer1906
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I was looking back at Beltrans #s with the Astros. Remember when Andy Pettitte was our #3. He was a slight improvement over McHugh, huh?
Sea Gull
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He was a dirty cheater.
Farmer1906
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But he was our dirty cheater those 2 somewhat magical years.
k20dub
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Speaking of our dirty cheaters, I remember getting pumped for "the return of the rocket", when Clemens announced he was coming back.
irish pete ag06
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Beltran will be a great club house fit, he's probably at least a quasi-childhood hero of Carlos Correa's.

As a matter of fact, Beltran called Correa the night he got drafted to congratulate him.
Ag_07
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This

Quote:

It's possible the Astros will add an ace-caliber pitcher via trade this offseason, but it's not going to come at the expense of 22-year-old infielder Alex Bregman. Astros executives are telling teams that there's "no chance" Bregman will go anywhere, reports ESPN's Buster Olney (Insider required and recommended). That's hardly a surprise, as Bregman is controllable through the 2022 season and has been resoundingly successful since the Astros took him second overall in the 2015 draft. After racing through the minors, Bregman thrived in his first taste of big league action this past season and now looks like the Astros' long-term solution at third base.
Mr.Bond
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Ag_07 said:

This

Quote:

It's possible the Astros will add an ace-caliber pitcher via trade this offseason, but it's not going to come at the expense of 22-year-old infielder Alex Bregman. Astros executives are telling teams that there's "no chance" Bregman will go anywhere, reports ESPN's Buster Olney (Insider required and recommended). That's hardly a surprise, as Bregman is controllable through the 2022 season and has been resoundingly successful since the Astros took him second overall in the 2015 draft. After racing through the minors, Bregman thrived in his first taste of big league action this past season and now looks like the Astros' long-term solution at third base.




Thank you sweet baby Jesus
Farmer1906
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AG


Not liking this
Sq16Aggie2006
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Is anybody else worried that the absolute ridiculousness of McCullers' curveball puts such a strain on his arm that he's never going to be able to throw for a full season; and likely not for anywhere close to a full career?

I saw a chart that showed in 1 game this year he threw a 91 mile per hour curveball with like 11 inches of vertical drop...how in the hell can you do that without ripping your shoulder out of socket and breaking your wrist?
Sea Gull
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aggie1906 said:



Not liking this

I swear...if Luhnow lets him go to the Rangers...
iBrad
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If the Rangers want to lock him into a five year deal for $25M per, more power to them. They are obviously feeling the need to keep up with our offseason acquisitions.

I'm all for signing Encarnacion, but I don't want it to interfere with keeping our young guys when they reach free agency.
Farmer1906
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He throws it on avg of almost 50% of the time at around 85 mph. It would make sense I guess.
superaggie73
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If Encarnacion goes to the Rangers...how do you feel about bringing in Mitch Moreland for say...3 yr/27 million? Then Reed and/or White could be used as pieces to Archer deal along with others.
Farmer1906
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I think we have enough pieces to fill out DH/1B. However I am always open to adding a game changing player. Edwin's bat is just that. Mitch's isn't.
iBrad
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White and Reed would be dealt today for Archer. The problem is that teams trading frontline starters are asking for Bregman.
Farmer1906
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titanmaster_race
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I guess the Rangers aren't too butthurt about the Jays if they're trying to get EE.
Farmer1906
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Good article on how the suitors moved on from EE.

http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/whats-happened-to-the-market-for-edwin-encarnacion-120516
AustinCountyAg
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I can almost guarantee you the Astros are dangling Springer out there as trade bait
mAgnoliAg
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The rangers fans on their thread were laughing at the possibility of us giving EE a giant 5 year deal. Now they'll come out and say what a great deal and great signing.
 
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