shano0603 said:

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Ag_07 said:

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And just a quick update on the BP's numbers

The Astros BP ranks 9th in AL in ERA (3.91). However, we're 2nd in FIP (3.21) and 1st in WAR (5.0). That's all with the 5th most IP (265).

BP is getting a bad rap when in reality they're performing pretty well especially considering the workload they've had.

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Because everyone on this thread expects them to come in and not let anyone get on base every outing.

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Everyone wondering why we can't trade for Kimbrel and Jansen.

Quote:

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The Astros BP ranks 9th in AL in ERA (3.91)

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Not sure where to find BP rankings. Where does the Astros BP rank in regards to other contenders?

Frok said:

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Quote:

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The Astros BP ranks 9th in AL in ERA (3.91)

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Not sure where to find BP rankings. Where does the Astros BP rank in regards to other contenders?

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Alright only because it's Monday and I'm avoiding work. Here's what I got for AL contenders


ERA FIP WAR (AL ranking)
HOU 3.91 (7) 3.21 (2) 5.0 (1)
BOS 3.03 (2) 3.31 (3) 3.8 (t5)
CLE 2.56 (1) 3.19 (1) 3.8 (t5)
NYY 3.35 (3) 3.40 (4) 3.7 (6)
MIN 5.01 (14) 4.93 (14) 0.0 (14)

Indians gonna be tough.

Off days

I see this morning that the Mets are now officially in sell mode and have opened the doors.

They've got a couple decent RPs...

Jerry Blevins (LHP) - 2.45 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 2.67 FIP, 12.97 K/9, 0.7 HR/9, 40% GB%
Addison Reed (RHP) - 2.82 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 3.19 FIP, 9.16 K/9, 1.17 HR/9

Reed would be a rental but Blevins has a team option for 2018.

See what it would take (safe to think it'd be a shlt ton) for Degrom/Blevins deal.

I'd also kick the tires on Matt Harvey in a Harvey/Blevins deal. He'd be super cheap and more of a lottery ticket, but if he got a chance of scenery and gets his ish together he could be a nice #3. If not then he's a FA after the year and we're free of him and we'd still have Blevins so not a total loss on the trade.

Ag_07 said:

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I see this morning that the Mets are now officially in sell mode and have opened the doors.

They've got a couple decent RPs...

Jerry Blevins (LHP) - 2.45 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 2.67 FIP, 12.97 K/9, 0.7 HR/9, 40% GB%
Addison Reed (RHP) - 2.82 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 3.19 FIP, 9.16 K/9, 1.17 HR/9

Reed would be a rental but Blevins has a team option for 2018.

See what it would take (safe to think it'd be a shlt ton) for Degrom/Blevins deal.

I'd also kick the tires on Matt Harvey in a Harvey/Blevins deal. He'd be super cheap and more of a lottery ticket, but if he got a chance of scenery and gets his ish together he could be a nice #3. If not then he's a FA after the year and we're free of him and we'd still have Blevins so not a total loss on the trade.

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I'd be good with Blevins, but no thanks in Addison Reed.

Agree.

But if that becomes an option I think you make it clear that there is zero tolerance. With our veteran player presence and Strom I think it could work.

That's also a reason you would include Blevins in the deal. Harvey would essentially be a throw in lotto ticket.

I'm all for trading for quality back end arm especially a lefty. Not a big fan of an ace. Healthy starters are as good as any.

You could give up guys like Reed, Hernandez, etc. for a bullpen guy. Guys that realistically won't start for the MLB club anytime soon. A starter would require giving up potential star players. Astros lived in the cellar for too many years to sell it all for a 2 year window.

Rangers sold it all for their window, didn't win it, and now have a bleak future.

Here's the kicker in my opinion:

Astros organization has only been to the WS once in our history, which was a sweep.

At what point does the balance shift to let's win it this season? We've never won one in our history, and there is no gaurantee for the future. We've had issues with both Dallas and Lance this year as far as health goes. You've got the best record in baseball with and offense that is potent. I'm in the camp of let's win it this year so try to add someone who is under control for a couple of years. Lunhow has proven he can build a system and spot talent. At this point I'm comfortable with a 2-3 year window if it means we're in a competstive WS once or twice in that window.

Beat40 said:

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Here's the kicker in my opinion:

Astros organization has only been to the WS once in our history, which was a sweep.

At what point does the balance shift to let's win it this season? We've never won one in our history, and there is no gaurantee for the future. We've had issues with both Dallas and Lance this year as far as health goes. You've got the best record in baseball with and offense that is potent. I'm in the camp of let's win it this year so try to add someone who is under control for a couple of years. Lunhow has proven he can build a system and spot talent. At this point I'm comfortable with a 2-3 year window if it means we're in a competstive WS once or twice in that window.

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You see I don't think you can make any moves that "guarantee" you a world series. I think you need to plan to make the playoffs every year for a decade and a world series win or 2 should happen then.

Playoff sample sizes are just too damn small. You can't guarantee anything.

CSWendt said:

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Baseball is a weird sport where rarely the best team wins it all. It comes down to the hottest team during playoffs. In my opinion, 4-5 years of playoffs is a better chance at winning a title, than going for it all one year, and hoping you get lucky that year.

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Bingo, you want to increase the amount of times you make the playoffs. Post-season baseball can be a crapshoot most years. I think this team is fine as is but if you can add a BP arm on the cheap then it's worth it. Otherwise teams are just going to fleece your farm for their average starter. Much like we did to everyone else while rebuilding.

I think the kicker to this team is that we have the luxury of giving up a bunch and it not setting us back as far as farm system goes.

We're deep on the big club with young players and we're deep in the farm with amount of prospects. Essentially you can afford to overpay a bit.

However, the argument spelled out in that Crawfish article is a good one.

I just want to make it clear I am in no way in favor of becoming the Marlins.

I absolutely agree with wanting sustained success over a quick window. Lunhow has turned us into a solid organization from the top to bottom.

That being said, I'm just stating that maybe a calculated risk this season may be worth it given the top end of the rotation has been experience some health issues. Of course there is no guarantee.

There is also no guarantee that Springer, Correa, or Altuve will be here when their contracts are up. That right there shortens the window itself.

It was a fantastic road trip. Winning 6 of 7 against divisional teams who had been playing better baseball leading up to us was a definite success.

They become UFA in
Altuve - 2020
Springer - 2021
Correa - 2022

If this is our core then we have a window of this year, next year and the 2 years after that. If we can extend Altuve then we have, at a minimum, a 5-year window with those 3.

Guess I just don't see things turning out with Altuve with Boras as his agent.

Granted, I definitely took the pessimistic side there.

I really do hope we can have a good decade with those three.

Completely agree.

Ag_07 said:

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Seems like it's being glanced over but Dallas not coming back until after the break has me in a pretty solid mode of concern.

I get the sense there's a real problem there that they're still dealing with. The whole rest him because we have a big lead theory is crap. If he was healthy he'd be pitching.

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I mean, a pinched nerve ain't something minor. Sometimes it requires surgery to correct. Although if that was the case for Dallas, they would likely have done it already.

It can take a long time.

CFTXAG10 said:

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Apologies if already discussed, but winning that Seattle series was BIG. We welcome a home series against the A's while the Rangers take on the Indians in Cleveland, and the Angels take on the Dodgers in LA. Opportunity on the table to create even more distance leading up to the ASB.

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Which means I'm rooting for the Rangers and the Angels this week. I'm not worried about the division lead.

titanmaster_race said:

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Ag_07 said:

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Seems like it's being glanced over but Dallas not coming back until after the break has me in a pretty solid mode of concern.

I get the sense there's a real problem there that they're still dealing with. The whole rest him because we have a big lead theory is crap. If he was healthy he'd be pitching.

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I mean, a pinched nerve ain't something minor. Sometimes it requires surgery to correct. Although if that was the case for Dallas, they would likely have done it already.

It can take a long time.

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At this point, assuming we pick up a decent starter in the next month, I'm not worried if Keuchel sits out most of the season.

Ag_07 said:

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Seems like it's being glanced over but Dallas not coming back until after the break has me in a pretty solid mode of concern.

I get the sense there's a real problem there that they're still dealing with. The whole rest him because we have a big lead theory is crap. If he was healthy he'd be pitching.

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Agreed, I initially thought they put him on the DL just as a means to rest him. Clearly, he was/is actually injured. It doesn't concern me too much because I know they'll be extra cautious with him which will (hopefully) mean he's good to go when he comes back. The best part of this is that we have still been playing well without him.

My trade target, Trevor Cahill, is making some rehab starts soon. He would be a perfect trade candidate because he wouldn't cost much and the Padres are already waaaay out of it.

He doesn't do it for me. He may be a nice piece, but I can't see him being the 3rd head of our 3 headed playoff ace dragon.

Kind of a random name, but what about JA Happ? I know he didn't work out here the first time around, but the Jays are in last in the AL East, he's under contract in 2018, and is just been damn good these last few years. He'll be cheaper prospect wise than some of the other names thrown out lately. Assuming there is no major elbow issue then why not?