AggiEE said:

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Farmer1906 said:

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AggiEE said:

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kegstand said:

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Giving a journeyman reliever a 3 year contract coming off a career year is…interesting

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Yeah…I worry that Montero just had an outlier year….

I am not sure his stuff is that good, just managed to get a bit lucky…. He got into some big jams in the postseason

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Walks is his only major flaw. He's got great velo, extension, fastball spin, and a rare true 4 pitch mix.

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Good point. I just wonder why he was hot garbage before he got to Houston…still mostly about walks?

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Good question. I've never looked it up I might do that sometime

Walks weren't even a "major" issue.

The strongest part of our team is/was the pen, and it's back in full.

Behind that was our starting pitching, and more about depth than just aces. We'll see what JV does, but I don't think our 2023 starting lineup of Fram/CJ/LMJ/Brown is necessarily worse in the post season than what we had this year.

The core of our bats are quite good and returning. I'm not sure how many teams have a better core five than Alvarez, Breggman, Pena, Tucker, Altuve. But we have a huge opportunity to upgrade bats 6-9 this offseason and through the trade deadline.

I don't know how anyone can be worried or negative on where the Astros sit heading into next year. Securing Montero helps that.

MLB source: The @astros promoted Bill Firkus, senior director, baseball strategy and Charles Cook, senior director, player evaluation, both to assistant general manager, joining Andrew Ball who is also an #Astros assistant GM

— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) November 12, 2022

So we have assistant GMs

FrioAg 00 said:

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The strongest part of our team is/was the pen, and it's back in full.

Behind that was our starting pitching, and more about depth than just aces. We'll see what JV does, but I don't think our 2023 starting lineup of Fram/CJ/LMJ/Brown is necessarily worse in the post season than what we had this year.

The core of our bats are quite good and returning. I'm not sure how many teams have a better core five than Alvarez, Breggman, Pena, Tucker, Altuve. But we have a huge opportunity to upgrade bats 6-9 this offseason and through the trade deadline.

I don't know how anyone can be worried or negative on where the Astros sit heading into next year. Securing Montero helps that.

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Pena going from year 1-2 should be incredible and Tucker/Yordan with no shift should really improve their numbers. I really want Uncle Mike!

Click did what Bean did 3 years ago. Amass a pen of guys who had been closers at one point.

irish pete ag06 said:

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I would be fine with this…

Do I want JV to be our 2nd chance at Nolan Ryan, sure… but I'd rather win World Series.



Also, I'm always leary of giving relievers big $, but I also believe this is how you money ball the playoffs. There are way more off days in the playoffs than regular season, so the back end of your pen gets used more often.

Look at the teams that lose in the playoffs and it's usually someone in their pen getting rocked or a starter coming out of the pen in an unusual role. No numbers to back it up… just an observation.

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Robbie Ray rings a bell

Crane does not want to live in baseball purgatory. I love the refusal to sign long term deals. Montero cost more because it wasn't a 5/6 year long deal? I'm guessing… but crane avoids marriages and that's dope.

Makes sense to maximize next 2 to 3 seasons with current roster and especially pitching staff.

That second ring is due to pitching staff and, yes, timely hitting.

Jose Abreu feels like an obvious target.

Good to see Crane spending money on bullpen.

Will be interesting to see how the catcher position is addressed.

I would guess C Is Maldy and one of Diaz/Lee right?

Farmer1906 said:

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According to Bruce Levine just now on 670 The Score: “Jose Abreu is the No. 1 priority for the Cubs right now.” Astros, Marlins, Red Sox are the other teams in contention for Abreu.

— Locked On Cubs - Daily Podcast on the Chicago Cubs (@LockedOnCubs) November 12, 2022

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Good. Need Altuve to recruit

I'm fine with starting the year off this way. If they suck, snag another rental veteran at the deadline just like Vazquez.

I'm all in on a LHB that crushes right handed pitching.

I think Vazquez is a good fit and wouldn't mind seeing him return but not essential

Farmer1906 said:

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According to Bruce Levine just now on 670 The Score: “Jose Abreu is the No. 1 priority for the Cubs right now.” Astros, Marlins, Red Sox are the other teams in contention for Abreu.

— Locked On Cubs - Daily Podcast on the Chicago Cubs (@LockedOnCubs) November 12, 2022

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I've set myself up to be really disappointed if we don't sign Abreu.

Is Maldy having any surgery due to his injuries? Do hernias heal on their own? Seems like we need to ensure we have a solid backup plan at catcher. I doubt Maldy is going to become a better hitter and age is gonna have its say, soon

redline248 said:

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Is Maldy having any surgery due to his injuries? Do hernias heal on their own? Seems like we need to ensure we have a solid backup plan at catcher. I doubt Maldy is going to become a better hitter and age is gonna have its say, soon

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Yup, Maldy is having a procedure to address the hernia.

From the Astros:

Alex Bregman broke his left index finger in game 6 after sliding into 2nd in the 8th inning. He will not require surgery.

Martin Maldonado played through a sports hernia this season. He will undergo a procedure to correct the issue.

— Michael Schwab (@michaelschwab13) November 9, 2022

Farmer1906 said:

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2 of our top prospects are catchers. They're gunna get a shot.

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I like this. Let Maldy and them split time.

Farmer1906 said:

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2 of our top prospects are catchers. They're gunna get a shot.

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Exactly right. We're not investing in a CF, C, or a 1B.

Montero deal is a bit rich for me, but the only other place to spend is a lefty power 1B and maybe another LF. Especially if we aren't paying JV.

I'm all for Josh Bell and Brantley as the LF/DH. Trade Urquidy for a CF. And sign JV.

World Series #3.

Profit.

Not the only reason but Click was fired because he tried to trade Urquidy for Conteras.