Farmer1906 said:

---

Harry Dunne said:

---

Ag_07 said:

---

I do agree that Eovaldi's hype was driven by his postseason run. He made himself some money.

But I also think that $16.8M per year is pretty fair for him. Pitching ain't cheap. I imagine that the 4 years was the hang up. That's a long time if you find out that his postseason was a fluke.

And my only hesitation comes from the fact that McHugh and Peacock haven't started games in quite a while. McHugh missed most of 2017 with the injury so he hasn't had a full season as a starter since 2016. His 19 game season will be 4 seasons ago in 2019.

---

True about the cost of pitching and fair enough but our 2 guys weren't starters in 2018 because of an embarrassment of SP riches, not because of inability or injury.

Just take a look at all of their numbers and show me why Eovaldi is so much better. He hasn't exactly been a reliable workhorse either & the results are fairly similar. I think the Astros front office concluded that it's better to go with our (cheaper) guys and either pay more for a proven commodity or identify a better bargain like Morton or McHugh at the time we picked them up, which seems to be their specialty.

---

He got healthy after the 2nd TJ and picked up another pitch. That is why he had his best season of his career.

His K-BB % grew from a steady 11.6, 10.7, 10.9 and then to 17.8.

---

Good info.

But just for perspective, that means his best season is a 3.81 ERA and 111 IP. So you can understand where the Astros wouldn't want to pay $17M per for 4 years to a guy who has had 2 Tommy Johns, sat all of 2017, and counts that as his best season.

We're going in circles here so I'm going to stop beating a dead horse. I'm glad we passed, at that price. Time will tell if he was worth the risk for the Red Sox.

astros4545 said:

---

AustinCountyAg said:

---

To think Peacock is a legit #4 SP is laughable. The dude had one serious good year two years ago. I'm not betting on him being anywhere near that good ever again. He's an average to below average #5 starter at best.

As it stands today the Astros have two starting pitchers who are legit. And this is coming from one of the biggest Colin fanboys out there. Their are holes in our pitching that need patching up

---

Don't recognize your name, can I assume you are new to Houston and most certainly new to the sport of baseball

---

I have been around this forum plenty over the year(S). I am just a realist, which some on this thread are not. The astros punch is making them drunk

I would say 17 M a year for a 28 year old with a 3.6X FIP & xFIP isn't outrageous. I think Nathan would be a solid 3-5 type for this team. I wouldn't flinch if Houston gave him that deal. But I'm not going to cry about not signing him. Jeff has a limit and Boston offered over it. It is what it is. We still need to make major improvements if we want to win. I trust Jeff to make it happen. Now if it's March and we still have a very similar roster as today then I'll be cranky.

On another topic. Rob Manford needs to give it up. A rule to limit or take away the shift is dumb.

Harry Dunne said:

---

Peacock was our best starter for most of 2017 and had the best WAR on the staff. We did OK that year, right? BTW Mike Fiers led the team in starts that year (with a 5.22 ERA).

McHugh won 19 games and was the clear-cut #2 starter on a good 2015 team. We only had 3 pitchers make >20 starts on that team and the 4-5 guys were the Scotts Feldman & Kazmir.

Rolling it back a little old school, Brandon Backe and his 5+ career ERA was our #4 starter in '05 and all due respect to him for a ballsy WS effort, but McHugh & Peacock are far superior pitchers.

So yeah, we need to sign Morton or pick up an adequate replacement, but that will happen. Some of y'all more dramatically-minded posters and some that are new to baseball need to go look at some numbers and realize that this is not PlayStation. Aside from last season, McHugh & Peacock would be the best 4-5 starters we had to begin the season since the Ryan/Scott era 1980s teams

---

If Peacock was such a dominant starter for us in 17', or the "best starter for most of 2017" wouldn't you think the team would've allowed him to start more than 1 game last year?

The dude had a career year in 17'. To think he will ever come close to that again as a SP is almost unimaginable. Nothing before that season, or last years season indicates otherwise.

Nm

?resize=480:*

Really looks like the Indians window is closing they are trying to trade Kluber and Bauer. Kluber would take a mass load of prospects to get him.

Deluxe said:

---

SlimAG2 said:

---

Really looks like the Indians window is closing they are trying to trade Kluber and Bauer. Kluber would take a mass load of prospects to get him.

---

Kluber locked in for three years at Eovaldi's salary is one of the few guys I'd be willing to deal Whitley for. And it would basically eliminate a potential AL threat.

---

You 100% can deal Whitley in that scenario.

totally agree with y'all.

Buck Compton said:

---

Deluxe said:

---

SlimAG2 said:

---

Really looks like the Indians window is closing they are trying to trade Kluber and Bauer. Kluber would take a mass load of prospects to get him.

---

Kluber locked in for three years at Eovaldi's salary is one of the few guys I'd be willing to deal Whitley for. And it would basically eliminate a potential AL threat.

---

You 100% can deal Whitley in that scenario.

---

Yeeeeep.

Rotation with Verlander, Cole and Kluber gives me wood.

Given an either/or scenario of:

A) Upgrading at C and lowered expectations of an addition to the staff

OR

B) League average at C and using the money and prospect savings to acquire 1 or possibly 2 impact pitchers

I'll take option B every time.

bearkatag15 said:

---

---

So I guess Lunhow projects the crawford boxes to play into his hitting. I'm ok with that.

Garret Stubbs will win MVP this year

Poke_the_Bear said:

---

Buck Compton said:

---

I trust Jeff, but those are a few quotes that are tough to hear. Chirinos and Stassi?

I know we shouldn't overpay, but this team still has major holes at C and SP.

---

I also think he is sending a message to the Marlins that our asking price isn't going to increase for Realmuto.

I think they always have a reason when talking publicly.

---

This.

He's talking about W, no?

Buck Compton said:

---

I trust Jeff, but those are a few quotes that are tough to hear. Chirinos and Stassi?

I know we shouldn't overpay, but this team still has major holes at C and SP.

---

How is it any different than the last dozen years?

Even with Chirinos the 40 man is only at 38

Pahdz said:

---

He's talking about W, no?

---

W was part of the Rangers ownership many moons ago.

I know, I thought Ari worked for W not 41

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/astros/amp/Former-Astros-infielder-Luis-Valbuena-dies-in-car-13449049.php

Valbuena gone. RIP.

Flexbone said:

---

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/astros/amp/Former-Astros-infielder-Luis-Valbuena-dies-in-car-13449049.php

Valbuena gone. RIP.

---

Flexbone said:

---

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/astros/amp/Former-Astros-infielder-Luis-Valbuena-dies-in-car-13449049.php

Valbuena gone. RIP.

---

Holy crap

Former Astros players Luis Valbuena, Jose Castillo killed in car crash
https://www.click2houston.com/sports/former-astros-players-luis-valbuena-jose-castillo-killed-in-car-crash