I am very excited for next year I can’t wait they might not contend next year but these guys are much more exciting than the team fielded to start the season.
RGV84
I am very excited for next year I can’t wait they might not contend next year but these guys are much more exciting than the team fielded to start the season.
Bob George
Nice article Mike.
oremlk
If healthy, I tend to think Paulino will be penciled into the fifth starter role with Lyles starting at AAA to get him more much-needed development time and delay his Super Two eligibility.
For me, as an admittedly biased Astros fan, this is one of the deepest rotations in baseball, although it needs at least one of the pitchers to emerge as a legitimate ace in order to be in the conversation for being the best. Maybe that will be Wandy or Myers, but I wouldn’t put it past one of the young guys to break out.
The Astros have some money to spend on pitching in the offseason; my hope is that they will spend it giving Wandy a moderate extension, buying out at least one free agent year.
elkinsknights
Finally somebody outside of houston gives the astros some good publicity.
RGV84
I know! It feels like every where i look they are bashing the Astros.
elkinsknights
hopefully next year we get some respect.
elkinsknights
Finally somebody outside of houston gives the astros some good publicity.
Backup_Slider
A bullpen that would stand to feature Matt Lindstrom, Brandon Lyon, Wilton Lopez, Mark Melancon, Fernando Abad, Alberto Arias, and Someother Guy could be very good too, though certainly not dominant by any stretch.
mrsjohnmiltonrocks
I’m not particularly an Astros fan, but kudos to the Astros for finally starting a rebuild. I like that they have some stability going forward in Myers and Rodriguez (even if he starts slow) and Happ looks good, Norris has shown some improvement and they actually have a few youngsters that might help in the not too distant future.Brad Mills has done a superb job while managing the roster changes. The team has had a good run since the All Star break. Oh, and I’d keep Figueroa around because he’d be able to fill in for starters or relievers that get injured or are ineffective. Even with arbitration, he has kicked around so much, he may sign to make sure he has a spot somewhere for next year. I just don’t see that he’d ask for that much.
The_Porcupine
I’m an Astros fan, since about 1992. I say that because I don’t want people to think I’m bashing them just because. I’m not as optimistic about their rotation next year. I have zero confidence in either Norris or Paulino as starters. I think they would be solid bullpen arms, but I’ve low expectations for both. Happ seems to outperform his skill set somehow and the Phillies were a little too willing to get rid of a young, cheap starter for some reason. I’d hesitate to expect him to be more than a #3 or 4 starter. Myers and Wandy are solid, but I don’t consider them to be #1 or 2 starters. They’re good, but expecting them to repeat their performance next year is wishful thinking in my book.
Don’t get me wrong, the rotation is the strength of the Astros right now. They have a nice collection of complimentary players who perform well within their roles. But to put them in roles with higher expectations is bound to disappoint.
I still have a bit of trouble getting excited about the Astros future. General development of young pitchers would seem to indicate that most of their young guys aren’t going to work out or at least not become top of the rotation starters. Wandy and Myers are good but each have faults and somewhat limited upside. Also, even if they do get the rotation figured out and productive it looks as if the offense is going to be an issue. The weight Lee carries around is taking him downhill faster than most, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him bounce back some next year but I doubt he’ll ever be the impact hitter he was. Pence is ok but not really a star type anchor for an offense, Bourn has OBP issues etc etc…. The ‘Stros are notoriously streaky, slumping in the first half and streaking in the second. I think it would be better to analyze a team such as this after the season is over and the dust has settled, not during their hottest time of the year. Every year at the start of the season every teams fans think their team is going to compete, if only the players play up to their potential, that’s how I see the ‘Stros at this point. They could be a good team if only everything breaks right for them. Never happens in the real world though and I have to think it’s going to be a few years at least before they can compete for the playoffs seriously over the course of a full season.
Guest
Nice assessment, Mike. I really enjoyed this. Idk about them having one of the best rotations in the league, but it’s definitely one of the more underrated ones for sure (especially if Jordan Lyles can crack it next spring).
I’m really happy for the Astros right now. They look like they’re heading in the right direction. Next season will be big for them though. We’ll find out if they’re gonna become one of the next up and coming teams in the league, or cellar dwellars for the next decade. Should be interesting to keep an eye on
The_Porcupine
And for the love of all that may be holy, no more Brian Moehler. Or his type of pitcher. Please don’t punish us with an over the hill, barely holding onto a career pitcher. I’d rather have young and inconsistent versus old and occassionally good. He’s overachieved for the stros but it is time to move on.
shephill
One thing that’s been left out thus far is the likelihood that Brad Arnsberg is and will be making a considerable difference. Myers, Happ and Norris have all commented on Arnsberg’s game plans (the term they used). And that could very easily explain how Figueroa, a mediocre pitcher at best, comes in to Houston and has the success (albeit limited) he’s having. Arnsberg may not be another Duncan, but then again, before Duncan came along, I never knew a pitching coach could make that much of a difference. I’ve surely enjoyed the Astros recent success, and look forward to what they might be able to do next year.
Guest
That’s an excellent point. And you can add Roy Oswalt to the list of guys who appreciated Arnsberg before he was traded
I think the biggest addition for the Astros this year has been the coaching staff. Leaps and bounds doesn’t even begin to describe the difference b/w last years coaches and this years. Cecil Cooper completely destroyed the great clubhouse atmosphere that carried over from the Bagwell/Biggio days, and Dewey Robinson was hated by most of the pitchers on the team. Brad Mills has brought a much more positive and upbeat personality to the team, and the players are all responding to the philosophies of Arnsberg and Bagwell as the pitching and hitting instructors. They’ve done an excellent job w/ this team since the all star break. Here’s to hoping they don’t fire next time they hit a funk like they did w/ Garner, Jim Hickey and Gary Gaetti
stroh
I think the Astros will look to sign a starter along the lines of a Rich Harden – give him a 1 year contract for $5-6M with an option for a 2nd year at $7-8M. I think Felipe Paulino may end up in the bullpen and with his stuff could prove to be an effective 7th or 8th inning guy. They also need to sign a lefty for the bullpen if they don’t resign Tim Byrdak.
Comments for this post have been closed by the site administrator.
RGV84
I am very excited for next year I can’t wait they might not contend next year but these guys are much more exciting than the team fielded to start the season.
RGV84
I am very excited for next year I can’t wait they might not contend next year but these guys are much more exciting than the team fielded to start the season.
Bob George
Nice article Mike.
oremlk
If healthy, I tend to think Paulino will be penciled into the fifth starter role with Lyles starting at AAA to get him more much-needed development time and delay his Super Two eligibility.
For me, as an admittedly biased Astros fan, this is one of the deepest rotations in baseball, although it needs at least one of the pitchers to emerge as a legitimate ace in order to be in the conversation for being the best. Maybe that will be Wandy or Myers, but I wouldn’t put it past one of the young guys to break out.
The Astros have some money to spend on pitching in the offseason; my hope is that they will spend it giving Wandy a moderate extension, buying out at least one free agent year.
elkinsknights
Finally somebody outside of houston gives the astros some good publicity.
RGV84
I know! It feels like every where i look they are bashing the Astros.
elkinsknights
hopefully next year we get some respect.
elkinsknights
Finally somebody outside of houston gives the astros some good publicity.
Backup_Slider
A bullpen that would stand to feature Matt Lindstrom, Brandon Lyon, Wilton Lopez, Mark Melancon, Fernando Abad, Alberto Arias, and Someother Guy could be very good too, though certainly not dominant by any stretch.
mrsjohnmiltonrocks
I’m not particularly an Astros fan, but kudos to the Astros for finally starting a rebuild. I like that they have some stability going forward in Myers and Rodriguez (even if he starts slow) and Happ looks good, Norris has shown some improvement and they actually have a few youngsters that might help in the not too distant future.Brad Mills has done a superb job while managing the roster changes. The team has had a good run since the All Star break. Oh, and I’d keep Figueroa around because he’d be able to fill in for starters or relievers that get injured or are ineffective. Even with arbitration, he has kicked around so much, he may sign to make sure he has a spot somewhere for next year. I just don’t see that he’d ask for that much.
The_Porcupine
I’m an Astros fan, since about 1992. I say that because I don’t want people to think I’m bashing them just because. I’m not as optimistic about their rotation next year. I have zero confidence in either Norris or Paulino as starters. I think they would be solid bullpen arms, but I’ve low expectations for both. Happ seems to outperform his skill set somehow and the Phillies were a little too willing to get rid of a young, cheap starter for some reason. I’d hesitate to expect him to be more than a #3 or 4 starter. Myers and Wandy are solid, but I don’t consider them to be #1 or 2 starters. They’re good, but expecting them to repeat their performance next year is wishful thinking in my book.
Don’t get me wrong, the rotation is the strength of the Astros right now. They have a nice collection of complimentary players who perform well within their roles. But to put them in roles with higher expectations is bound to disappoint.
pageian
I still have a bit of trouble getting excited about the Astros future. General development of young pitchers would seem to indicate that most of their young guys aren’t going to work out or at least not become top of the rotation starters. Wandy and Myers are good but each have faults and somewhat limited upside. Also, even if they do get the rotation figured out and productive it looks as if the offense is going to be an issue. The weight Lee carries around is taking him downhill faster than most, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him bounce back some next year but I doubt he’ll ever be the impact hitter he was. Pence is ok but not really a star type anchor for an offense, Bourn has OBP issues etc etc…. The ‘Stros are notoriously streaky, slumping in the first half and streaking in the second. I think it would be better to analyze a team such as this after the season is over and the dust has settled, not during their hottest time of the year. Every year at the start of the season every teams fans think their team is going to compete, if only the players play up to their potential, that’s how I see the ‘Stros at this point. They could be a good team if only everything breaks right for them. Never happens in the real world though and I have to think it’s going to be a few years at least before they can compete for the playoffs seriously over the course of a full season.
Guest
Nice assessment, Mike. I really enjoyed this. Idk about them having one of the best rotations in the league, but it’s definitely one of the more underrated ones for sure (especially if Jordan Lyles can crack it next spring).
I’m really happy for the Astros right now. They look like they’re heading in the right direction. Next season will be big for them though. We’ll find out if they’re gonna become one of the next up and coming teams in the league, or cellar dwellars for the next decade. Should be interesting to keep an eye on
The_Porcupine
And for the love of all that may be holy, no more Brian Moehler. Or his type of pitcher. Please don’t punish us with an over the hill, barely holding onto a career pitcher. I’d rather have young and inconsistent versus old and occassionally good. He’s overachieved for the stros but it is time to move on.
shephill
One thing that’s been left out thus far is the likelihood that Brad Arnsberg is and will be making a considerable difference. Myers, Happ and Norris have all commented on Arnsberg’s game plans (the term they used). And that could very easily explain how Figueroa, a mediocre pitcher at best, comes in to Houston and has the success (albeit limited) he’s having. Arnsberg may not be another Duncan, but then again, before Duncan came along, I never knew a pitching coach could make that much of a difference. I’ve surely enjoyed the Astros recent success, and look forward to what they might be able to do next year.
Guest
That’s an excellent point. And you can add Roy Oswalt to the list of guys who appreciated Arnsberg before he was traded
I think the biggest addition for the Astros this year has been the coaching staff. Leaps and bounds doesn’t even begin to describe the difference b/w last years coaches and this years. Cecil Cooper completely destroyed the great clubhouse atmosphere that carried over from the Bagwell/Biggio days, and Dewey Robinson was hated by most of the pitchers on the team. Brad Mills has brought a much more positive and upbeat personality to the team, and the players are all responding to the philosophies of Arnsberg and Bagwell as the pitching and hitting instructors. They’ve done an excellent job w/ this team since the all star break. Here’s to hoping they don’t fire next time they hit a funk like they did w/ Garner, Jim Hickey and Gary Gaetti
stroh
I think the Astros will look to sign a starter along the lines of a Rich Harden – give him a 1 year contract for $5-6M with an option for a 2nd year at $7-8M. I think Felipe Paulino may end up in the bullpen and with his stuff could prove to be an effective 7th or 8th inning guy. They also need to sign a lefty for the bullpen if they don’t resign Tim Byrdak.