In his latest Astros inbox, MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart explores a number of topics pertaining to Houston’s 2018 roster and their current offseason plans. McTaggart suggests that left-handed relief will be a top priority for the ’Stros this winter and that Jake Marisnick will return for the 2018 season as the team’s primary fourth outfielder even with Derek Fisher also in the picture. McTaggart fields multiple questions on a loaded Astros rotation that will be anchored by Justin Verlander, Dallas Keuchel, Lance McCullers and Charlie Morton, leaving just one spot for Collin McHugh, Brad Peacock, Mike Fiers, Joe Musgrove and Francis Martes. Of the bunch, he suggests that Peacock and McHugh could both see time in the fifth spot, while Musgrove could be shifted to a more permanent ’pen role and Martes could return to Triple-A to continue developing as a starter.
More on the Astros and the division…
- With Evan Gattis projected to earn $6.6MM in 2017 and reported interest from the Astros in Jonathan Lucroy, McTaggart also notes within that inbox column that Houston could either non-tender Gattis or try to trade him in advance of Friday’s 8pm ET non-tender deadline. Gattis posted a quality .263/.311/.457 slash in 325 PAs this season but also threw out just four of 39 potential base thieves this season (though he was 13-for-28 in that regard in 2016). With few obvious areas for an upgrade, Houston could conceivably look to add a more significant bat at DH and pursue a backup catching option that is cheaper and/or comes with a better defensive reputation. MLBTR listed Gattis as a potential non-tender candidate this week.
- Now that the Rangers have signed righty Doug Fister, they’re likely to turn their focus to the bullpen for the time being, tweets MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan. That’s not to say Texas is through adding to its rotation, but Jon Daniels and his staff will certainly want to see how the Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes plays out before determining their next move on the rotation front. In a separate column, Sullivan reports that the Rangers have submitted their response to agent Nez Balelo’s seven-point memo requesting information to help Ohtani make his decision. Daniels tells Sullivan that the Rangers have been following Ohtani for years and awaiting this opportunity, adding that he “feels strongly” about what the Rangers organization has to offer the 23-year-old star. If Texas is ultimately able to add Ohtani, it stands to reason that the team might then choose to spend more aggressively on a non-rotation need. Speculating further, if Ohtani lands elsewhere, that could conceivably cause Texas to more aggressively pursue a big-name rotation upgrade.
- The elbow strain that ended the season of Angels right-hander J.C. Ramirez was a small tear in his ulnar collateral ligament, writes Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register, but Ramirez received positive news on that front this week. Ramirez has already undergone stem cell treatment, and a series of ultrasound exams has left doctors confident that he can avoid surgery. He’ll do some light throwing next week, in fact, and GM Billy Eppler called the recent test results “one of the more positive” outcomes the team could’ve had.
Marisnick had his best year in 2017 and Fisher is interesting, but still unproven. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Astros signed a vet like Cargo to a one year deal to play OF/DH, but that further complicates Gattis’ role.
Astros haven’t had good experiences with guys nicknamed “CarGo”
Who else is named CarGo?
Carlos Gomez
Carlos Gomez, who was quite awful with Houston.
Carlos Gomez.
Carlos Gomez
Carlos Gomez
Carlos Gomez
Carlos Gomez
Carlos Gomez
Carlos Gomez
Carlos Gomez
Carlos Gomez
Carlos Gomez.
Carlos Gomez
Carlos Gomez
In all fairness, Gomez is probably more known as Go-Go not CarGo
But either way, yes he was quite bad for Houston
For me, Carlos Gomez is known as the guy who swings from his heels and misses an awful lot and mostly ends up on the ground….
You act like there’s been a ton of CarGo’s in Houston, lol. I can only think of Gomez, which yes was mostly a bust, but still that’s just one player.
Cargo, after declining a 50+ million dollar contract offer from the Rockies earlier this year will almost certainly be seeking a multi year contract offer……….time will tell whether or not he will get one after his last sub par year…..
I think Gattis will be non-tendered and will sign somewhere else in the AL. Or I could be wrong and he’ll stay with the stros as long as they’ve don’t get ohtani.
I just cannot see a scenario where Gattis ultimately stays in Houston. I think he most likely ends up with the Rays..Idk exactly why, just a gut feeling I guess…lol
Either way, I will always root for El Oso Blanco!!
@bravesfan88…..Although Evan Gattis did not post his best personal numbers this past year, he has been an integral member of the Astros the last few years and they did win the World Series this past year with him contributing…..
.I think it could go either way with Gattis ultimately, but when you win a World Series I can always “see a scenario” that player X returns to the winning team……
I can see him coming back, but I think their are better options, especially if he’s not a catcher.
Gattis with or without a ring getting rid of him would be better than having him, if they got a Lucroy. Plus if any team wants otani better get rid of your fat dh
Rangers always watch what the Astros leave in the open. Beware ……
I hope the Halos sign Chris Tillman. I’m scared about our pitching depth. Looks great, but everyone except Bridwell has been injured for an extended period. And bridwell hasn’t even had a full year in the bigs..
To a minor league deal literally just for depth, sure. But for a major league deal, I’d stay away from giving Chris Tillman a few millions after his 7.84 era, 1-7 season in which he had a -2.2 WAR. We need depth but not that bad. They could shell out some money for a better pitcher.
He’s from Anaheim and he gives innings. I just figure he would be a nice bounce back candidate if he’s for the cheap
I still don’t see why the stros wouldn’t bring back Gattis. he’s not terrible behind the plate, and was a lot better than Eric Kratz a few seasons ago.
Gattis = undervalued. A team would be wise to try to get the cave man in a trade.
Wonder if Gattis will be a trade chip with the Rays for a reliever having the Astros absorb some Gattis’s payroll?