A quiet offseason for the Astros wasn’t exactly difficult to foresee, given their already sizable luxury-tax considerations, but it’s nevertheless a bit surprising that the team’s most notable expenditures have been two-year deals to re-sign Joe Smith ($8MM total) and Martin Maldonado ($7MM total). Last night’s acquisition of spin-rate savant Austin Pruitt added another arm to the rotation mix, but Houston fans surely are hoping for additional moves. President of baseball operations Jeff Luhnow, however, downplayed the likelihood of a splashier move (Twitter link via FOX 26’s Mark Berman).
“A couple of non-roster invitees, and we’re still going to look at Major League players that are out there in case there’s someone that’s a clear upgrade for us,” Luhnow said when asked about what’s next for his club. “For the Major League catching, we might sign another minor league catcher with Major League experience.”
For a team that has lost Gerrit Cole, Wade Miley, Will Harris, Robinson Chirinos, Hector Rondon and perhaps Collin McHugh (he remains unsigned) without adding any real certainty to the roster, that comment portends a rather measured approach. Luhnow, of course, didn’t expressly rule out a notable signing or trade, but with the Astros already sitting on a $216MM projected payroll with $233.5MM in luxury considerations (both numbers via Jason Martinez of Roster Resource), adding notable salary doesn’t seem particularly likely. Perhaps the ’Stros can still find a taker for some of Josh Reddick’s salary, but even ditching his full $13MM (unlikely) wouldn’t put Houston below the luxury barrier.
With regard to the lineup, Houston still looks utterly dominant. Maldonado doesn’t give much reason for optimism with the bat as the likely everyday catcher, but beyond him, Houston possesses a veritable murderer’s row. The Astros boast plus bats at every other lineup spot — particularly if ballyhooed prospect Kyle Tucker can build on his strong 2019 showing in an expanded role.
It’s the pitching staff that’s likely to be the source of the most scrutiny among fans and pundits alike. Justin Verlander and Zack Greinke comprise a formidable one-two punch atop the staff, and a healthy Lance McCullers Jr. makes a fine mid-rotation piece. It’s anyone’s guess as to how he’ll bounce back from 2018 Tommy John surgery, though, and we don’t yet know if there’ll be a workload restriction in place.
Looking past that trio, Luhnow said late in the season that right-hander Jose Urquidy will “likely” be in the 2020 rotation, and competitors for the final spot include Brad Peacock, Framber Valdez, Rogelio Armenteros and the newly acquired Pruitt. Top prospect Forrest Whitley could position himself for a look later this season, but he needs to bounce back from a disastrous 2019 season before that happens. Perhaps Houston can take a low-cost flier on an Alex Wood or Taijuan Walker reclamation, adding an affordable but high-upside arm to the mix — but that’s solely my own speculation.
A bullpen consisting of some combination of Ryan Pressly, Roberto Osuna, Smith, Josh James, Chris Devenski, Joe Biagini and Bryan Abreu could certainly emerge as a strength, although the ’Stros haven’t really addressed the lack of left-handed options. (Valdez would be one if he doesn’t land in the rotation.)
None of this is to say that the Astros are no longer the favorites in the AL West. Rotation questions aside, Houston won more games than any club in baseball in 2019, has two high-end starters atop its rotation, owns a solid mix of relievers and a possesses a deadly lineup. And any payroll crunch that exists could be alleviated next winter when Michael Brantley, Reddick, Yuli Gurriel, George Springer and Peacock (a combined $60MM+ in salary) are all free agents.
That said, unless the Astros can pull off a deal for a controllable rotation piece who’s not yet arbitration-eligible (or perhaps in his first year of arb), it’s hard to see a sizable upgrade being added to the 2019 mix in light of Luhnow’s comments and their current payroll/luxury tax status.
He should be more worried about being banned for life
no, he should be worried about doing his job. also why wouldnt the GM be the least likely staff member to know about this anyway? doesnt exactly concern him.
What do you think, Jose Altuve took a tv camera out to center field between innings, set up a monitoring station behind the dugout while he was in the hole, and coordinated a 2-3 relay signaling system while he was on deck? If Luhnow didn’t arrange it himself or know about it (unlikely) then Major League Baseball will find that a reasonable person in his position should have known and he will be culpable.
$50 mil penalty on the owner. suspend all the coaches for 1 year each. $50 mil roster penalty for 2 years.
What is a $50m roster penalty?
Cheaters who are going to miss Cole big time. I think that is the another nail in their coffin. I don’t think they will run away with the conference this time around.
Probably not, seeing as how there are no conferences in baseball.
Thanks for the lesson in semantics. Good thing we have you here, otherwise there might be no one to pompously quibble over synonyms.
semantics really? are you a tool in real life or do you just play one on the internet. In baseball they’re called the American and National Leagues.
Did his mislabeling ruin your day? Were you too dense to know what he meant? Yeah, semantics. Who cares. Get a life.
Pedants gonna pedant.
He’s obviously a tool in all aspects of life. He’s been posting about how the Astros are getting banned for life for doing what every team does. He keeps up his non stop posting hoping it will somehow come true, when it definitely won’t. Don’t worry, when the non-punishment punishment is announced he will slither back in the sad hole from which he emerged.
Mislabeling? It’s not mislabeling, it’s not knowing what you’re talking about. Although I’m sure that that’s part for the course for you. Don’t worry I’ll wait while you look up what those sports terms actually mean.
“Pedants gonna pedant.” – an instant classic!
Wow how triggered are you. Go find me a post where I said anyone is getting banned for life. I’ll wait.
Still waiting…
I think they still take the division. Angels added Rendon, but they didn’t really add a star to their pitching staff. Rangers got significantly better, but not enough to bridge the gap. Oakland is good; maybe they take enough of a step forward to win it, but they’ll need one or two more guys to step up. Altuve, Bregman, Verlander, and Springer are 4 of the top 10 players in that division. They may not be the WS favorites they used to be, but I think they have at least a 60% chance of taking the division yet again.
that and the fact that greinke is 36 and verlander will be 37. sooner or later age will catch up with these 2
I was just thinking the same thing. Granted, both are exceptional SPs who’ve been dominant for a solid decade, but age will catch up to them sooner than later. Both seem to be aging in similar fashion to Greg Maddux – get them run support, and they’ll make it work.
Have you heard of Big Sexy? These guys are in way better shape.
Who wins this division this year?
still Stros. Texas and Halos improved, but were far behind to start with. A’s meanwhile still could use an ace, and Stros still have 2.
The A’s literally have 9-10 healthy starting pitchers vying for a rotation spot this coming year with at least 5 more on the way, they’re not shopping for starting pitching.
And A’s aren’t cheats
angels.
Not with that gascan rotation
M’s will shock the baseball world.
Mets maybe.
Coppy needs some company. Are they allowed to start a softball league somewhere? I’d pay to stream it.
im sure any independant or foreign league would take Luhnow if he is banned.
I don’t get what the Astros and Cubs are doing, tbh. They each have some young, controllable talent and some more veteran, expensive talent that, with the high contracts signed this offseason, doesn’t seem that outrageously expensive anymore. Instead of trying to flip the veterans and young guys near the end of their deals who don’t want to talk extension, they’re both just sitting on their hands, getting worse, watching their windows draw to a close while complaining about not having any money. Neither of them are serious contenders for the WS this coming season, unless Correa somehow remains healthy and regains his form and they trade for at least a solid #3 starter, but they’re just watching all their competitors get better at their expense.
They could trade Springer, sure, but I don’t see how that possibly makes them more of a WS contender. IMO they’re still in much better shape than the Cubs.
Springer is too crucial to their offense for them to even think about trading him. This is his walk year, however, and given the state of the HOU payroll situation it’s highly unlikely he’ll be extended. Right now I see him as a lock to turn down a QO next winter. Anyone have any thoughts on where he’s likely to land and size of contract?
Springer to Rangers, they need right handed power.
I wouldn’t go so far as to say they aren’t contenders. Vegas has them as 2 or 3 in terms of odds. They won in 2017 with equal pitching and a worse lineup and bull pen.
Astros* not the Cubs
As much as I dislike the Astros (I think their tanking and cheating disrespect and harm the game), they have to be favored to win the AL West again in 2020
The good news is that, besides losing a ton of talent this off season, they also have lost their tanking-fueled stream of high draft picks. And their ill-gotten talent is starting to want real money. And they are about to get slapped by the MLB. Verlander and Grienke aren’t getting any younger. And they won’t be using Mr. Trashcan to telegraph changups either. They will not be as good in 2020 as they were in 2018 and 2019. And past 2020, I expect them to continue this downward trend…..it make take years, but eventually, they will be back in the basement where they belong.
I have to agree with everything you’re saying. I think the worst thing HOU has done for baseball in their current incarnation is to provide a model that other organizations will inevitably copy. It’s like planned obsolescence with no concern for sustainability. Within 3-4 years they’ll burn it to the ground and start all over again. Is the HOU model the exception or the rule?
They didn’t have the Yankees with arguably the best pitcher in baseball, either.
I am hoping for a Springer extension. Maybe 5/130. Unlikely.
I’m also wondering if they can get McHugh back for cheap. He bombed as a starter, but was effective as a reliever.
They still need an innings eater #5 type.
I haven’t seen McHugh’s name come up much this winter, but I see him as a late signing on a one or two year deal with a team like OAK. I think he’ll flourish once he finds his niche, but clearly starting is not his niche at this time.
I’m surprised the Brewers haven’t called him, I think he’d be a good fit there.
Don’t forget that the Houston Tankers also lost their best hitting coach, Mr. Trashcan.
67 AB’s is enough for a “strong 2019 showing”? Ok steve…
I agree, but to be fair it was a MVP performance compared to his 2018 disaster in the bigs.
Also, buy a new trash can.
Oakland for the upset division winner.
Yanks
Sox
A’s
Astros
Rays
Phillies
Reds
Dodgers
Braves
D-Backs
Nats over Phillies
I think the loss of Rendon will be very impactful for the Nats, and they haven’t done much to replace his bat in the line-up. Cabrera, Castro, Thames? Meh. They have improved their pen, but not nearly enough to offset the loss of their best player. They can still sign Donaldson, which would definitely change things. Last thing, teams would be stupid to give Soto anything to hit going forward.
All news on this team irritates me. Until the news is regarding a punishment. Swine.
It’s close but, even assuming a 0 WAR for trash can antics, it’s fair to argue the Astros lost 10 wins this offseason. A’s have only improved. I think I’d give the division to Oakland right now, but not by a ton.
Ban Lunhow
Astros are embarrassment to professional sports.
The loss of Cole hurts, but the Astros will be fine.
They will not be fine. Not knowing what pitch is coming will hurt them more than the loss of Cole
If their home/road splits are any indication of the trash cans effectiveness, then the Astros will actually hit the ball better this year.
Really? Let’s look at the home road splits for the Astros in 2019.
.284 BA at home, .265 away
.819 OPS at home, .819 away
61 wins at home, 47 wins away
Mr. Trashcan was the Astros MVP.
So they did slightly worse on the road than at home? Wow. Can you imagine what baseball would look like if more teams were better at home than on the road? Thatd be like…crazy!
My post was response to post suggesting Astros did better on road last season. They didn’t.
They hit better on the road in 2017, which is the season that was initially investigated. Whether people want to admit or not, they are a talented team. They will be fine. Losing Cole hurts them more than not knowing what pitch is coming.
I never said they weren’t a talented team. Just that they were a team built by tanking and enhanced by cheating.
https://www.barstoolsports.com/newyork/the-houston-astros-homeroad-splits-during-the-2017-postseason-are-laugh-out-loud-funny-and-you-might-need-to-take-away-their-title
Sealbeach, I know you weren’t. I was replying to Wordonthestreet. Sorry for the confusion. I should’ve been more clear.
Astros world championship needs to be stricken from the record books.
I think we all need to temper our expectations regarding the possible consequences of the HOU sign stealing investigation. Granted the Braves got the hard slap a couple years ago for their international draft shenanigans, but more often than not in these cases when the findings and penalties are announced we are left saying, “That’s all they got?!!!”
I’m sure 29 other teams are waiting to see if they should either start/continue cheating or if it just isn’t worth it.