Astros right-hander Scott Feldman will be out for “approximately six weeks” following arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn medial meniscus in his right knee, the team announced on Friday. The 32-year-old injured his knee while fielding a grounder in his most recent start. Right-hander Michael Feliz, one of the organization’s most highly regarded pitching prospects, has been promoted from Double-A to take Feldman’s spot on the roster.
Rotation depth was already an area that many expect the Astros to address on the trade market this summer, based on previous comments from GM Jeff Luhnow and from some struggles at the back end of the rotation. While a glance at Feldman’s ERA might not inspire much confidence, he’s pitched significantly better since a disastrous second start of the season. Overall, he has worked to a 4.47 ERA (3.42 FIP, 3.62 xFIP) in 48 1/3 innings over a stretch of eight starts.
Feldman has served as a nice veteran complement to the less experienced Dallas Keuchel and Collin McHugh. To this point in the season, Keuchel has looked the part of a bona fide ace yet again. And while McHugh hasn’t repeated last season’s breakout numbers, he’s enjoyed solid peripheral stats and is still sporting a relatively serviceable 4.24 ERA.
The question for the Astros is who will fill in the rotation behind Keuchel, McHugh and Feldman. So far, Roberto Hernandez has soaked up 54 2/3 innings, though he’s done so with a 4.77 ERA and peripherals that suggest he’ll continue to produce at that clip. Lance McCullers has stepped into the rotation and impressed over a pair of starts, but he’s largely unproven and hasn’t thrown more than 104 innings in a pro season since being selected 41st overall back in 2012. The Astros have also cycled through Asher Wojciechowski, Sam Deduno, Brad Peacock and Brett Oberholtzer at the back of the rotation with little success to show. (The latter three of that quartet are now each on the disabled list, as well.)
A wide variety of pitching options figures to be available this summer, if the Astros elect to go that route. Cole Hamels represents a long-term, top-of-the-rotation option, whereas teammate Aaron Harang would be a reliable, low-cost rental. Kyle Lohse and Matt Garza’s names have both been mentioned as trade candidates as well, although neither veteran is performing at the moment. Scott Kazmir and Johnny Cueto represent potentially more impactful rental players that would, of course, come with a higher price tag, in terms of prospects.
Here comes Phillies to the rescue, For a PRICE !
Aaron Harang would cost 2 B level prospects. Cole Hamels would be an overreaction.
I wouldn’t be opposed to Hamels considering Houston appears to have completely soured on Appel by passing him over twice now for two younger pitchers. I think Philly would be ecstatic to get Appel, bring back Singleton and Santana from the Pence trade, as well as another higher A level prospect. Hamels will cost prospects, but his salary is actually quite a decent value in this market of pitching.
So you think 24mil/season is cheap value on an aging Hamels? Then want 4-A level prospects in return?. Phillies must be sending 20mil/yr to remotely come close to that for a return
Yes. Because I don’t believe in those prospects. But I believe Philly does. Plus. Look at the last 3 years of Scherzers contract, 35 million each year. So yeah, 23.5 million sounds like a steal for Hamels at 32-34 years old with a 20 million dollar option if he performs well. We build up the farm system to supply talent two ways, developing players for our team and developing them for trade bait. Think about why Singleton, Santana and Appel haven’t been called up. Because doing so could diminish their trade value if they don’t do well.
There is such a thing as team control and Super 2. Appel&Santana would certainly qualify for Super 2 if they’re called up now. Singleton was given a contract at basically the numbers he’s produced at AAA for thus far. I think Houston is looking to dump Chris Carter on someone and are just playing him to accomplish that.
There is no concern about their trade value being diminished at all. If any teams are asking for them now, the smallest of less than 2months sample isn’t going to dictate prospects being valued less. Singleton is blocked by Carter/Gattis.
I just see Carter being traded off to a power starved team to make room for Singleton, before being relegated to bench for Singleton and creating a true less value for trade.
they wouldnt get singleto ,appel, and santana
Considering Appel’s underwhelming performance history in the minors, I doubt that he has sterling trade value.
cole hamels name has surfaced every time there is an injury or pitching upgrade. it gets sicks of hearing hamels name floated around every day so if the phillies were to trade him by now they probably already would have.
Kazmir and Cueto recently had MRI’s done so I would think twice before renting them.
Kazmir for Correa kthxbye!
The 32-year-old injured his knee while fielding a grounder in his most recent start.
Oh come on Feldman pitched last against the Orioles.
However, he did a good job. =P
Kyle Lohse would be a great fit.
No, he is so weak. somebody finally broke the mirrors in his smoke n mirrors aresenal.
Let’s just not overpay for a 2015 rental, especially when a strong playoff run is highly unlikely. Throwing out 6-7 sub.250 hitters is not gonna cut it in the playoffs. At least Hamels is controllable for a few years if the prospect price isn’t too steep.