Does this team contend this season or is the run definitively over?
Astros Season Thread
- Thread starter 2003TexasGrad
- Start date
They can start their own damn thread!
We did! Go Rangers!
Well good for you!
FWHORN
10,000+ Posts
Ahh hearing from the Astros fans who are lifelong fans since 2017 is always a treat.
Kidding aside, I think it is great for baseball in this state when the Texas Silver Boot actually means something and if the Rangers can hold up their end of the deal and set up pennant races like 2015, 2016, and 2023, baseball can really take a step up in this state and at least keep some of the oxygen when September rolls around and king football begins.
I assume you're referring to Longhorn football - not a lot to look forward to for Dallas Cowboys football.
If he likes 6 years / $156M, yes.
For the Astro fans - Bregman agrees to 3-year, $120 million deal with Red Sox (source). Looks like Bregman is going to Boston. This move definitely strengthens the Sox. It will be interesting to see how it affects Houston. Various sources are calling the AL West a three-way race - Astros, Mariners, Rangers - down to the wire.
Good point, Viper. If the winners in the East and Central dominate their divisions, the runners-up in those divisions might not have records as good as the three West contenders. It is possible, as you noted, that all three might make the playoffs.
Hard to believe Breggy got $10M MORE per year than the others (Hou, Det, Tor) were offering! And he'll move from 3rd to 2nd, which he's never played routinely. His defense is his best part.
Could be a tough season for the Stros. Crane is hanging on and hoping the winning continues into 2026 when dead money (Abreu, Montero, McCullers, Greinke) starts freeing up which will allow the Astros to be a real player in the free agent market. Until then part of the Astros success will require the Rangers and Mariners to underperform.
Here are my must happens for the Astros to win the West. 1. No injuries in the starting rotation. 2. Framber has a great year with free agency staring him in the face. 3. Hunter Brown and Spencer Arreghetti both build from their 2024 seasons. 4. Josh Hader has a sub 2.00 era and stops giving up home runs. 5. Paredes falls in love with the Crawford Boxes. 6. Both Altuve and Alvarez play at least 145 games. 7. Chas McCormick plays like he did in 2023. 8. Yanier Diaz plays at least 140 games and continues hitting. 9. Either or both Javier and Garcia make positive contributions to the pitching staff. 10. The bullpen improves from last year despite losing Pressley.
An under the radar possibility would be if Jacob Melton suddenly figures it out and becomes the Astros starting centerfielder for the next 6-7 years. Great athlete and has the potential to be a 5 tool guy.........but so do many others that never turn out.
Surprises-both Rafael Montero and Lance McCullers actually pitch some.
Here are my must happens for the Astros to win the West. 1. No injuries in the starting rotation. 2. Framber has a great year with free agency staring him in the face. 3. Hunter Brown and Spencer Arreghetti both build from their 2024 seasons. 4. Josh Hader has a sub 2.00 era and stops giving up home runs. 5. Paredes falls in love with the Crawford Boxes. 6. Both Altuve and Alvarez play at least 145 games. 7. Chas McCormick plays like he did in 2023. 8. Yanier Diaz plays at least 140 games and continues hitting. 9. Either or both Javier and Garcia make positive contributions to the pitching staff. 10. The bullpen improves from last year despite losing Pressley.
An under the radar possibility would be if Jacob Melton suddenly figures it out and becomes the Astros starting centerfielder for the next 6-7 years. Great athlete and has the potential to be a 5 tool guy.........but so do many others that never turn out.
Surprises-both Rafael Montero and Lance McCullers actually pitch some.
Yep-it was part of the deferred salary the Astros assumed from the Diamondbacks when they traded for Greinke. He gets $12.5 million until 2028 or 2029.
It was a good arrangement as Greinke had a few good years and the Astros came within 6 outs of winning the series in 2019 against the Nationals. Unfortunately my favorite manager AJ Hinch refused to put in Garrett Cole to close the game and the Astros lost the lead and the Series. Now, we simply get to write Greinke a check.
The Brendan Rogers signing is intriguing. Former starting 2b for the Rockies and a gold glover, he has some pop in his bat and is still pretty young. Can't figure out why another MLB team did not sign him with the Astros signing him to a minor league contract. He was the 3rd overall pick in the MLB draft in 2015 so this guy has real talent.
My guess is Altuve will permanently move to LF and Dubon will be penciled in at 2b, but Rogers could be a solid backup at a very low cost. There's typically one or two surprises that come out of spring training and Rogers might be one of these.
My guess is Altuve will permanently move to LF and Dubon will be penciled in at 2b, but Rogers could be a solid backup at a very low cost. There's typically one or two surprises that come out of spring training and Rogers might be one of these.
Cam Smith's early showing in spring suggests me may be a star in the making. I'm guessing he may make the SugarLand squad and be moved around (3B, 1B and corner outfield) to determine if he can effectively play in any of these positions.
Dana Brown is not hesitant to move a young player up to the bigs, so a move to the Astros at some point this season wouldn't be surprising.
Dana Brown is not hesitant to move a young player up to the bigs, so a move to the Astros at some point this season wouldn't be surprising.
Initial reports on Christian Walker's oblique injury is promising. That said, if he begins the season on the IR it would not surprise me if the Astros started the season with Cam Smith at 3B and Isaac Paredes at 1B. Smith is having a tremendous spring and his athleticism is standing out. For him its a matter of when and not if.
That's who they got for King Tuck?
Yep, Cam Smith along with Isaac Paredes (slated to start at 3b) and Hayden Wesneski who right now is penciled in as the 5th starter. Tuck would not have signed with the Astros after this year, so getting these three players, all of whom they have multiple years of control, is a good deal for the Astros.
Long term deals at mega AAV's rarely pan out given both injuries (see Garrett Cole/TJ surgery announcement) and under performance. Unless you're the Dodgers, Mets or the Yanks very few teams can justify the economic risk associated with carrying the burden of these type contracts.
The model successful teams should follow include 1) a heavy emphasis on minor league development with an emphasis on pitching, 2) selective free agent signings with terms not exceeding five years and 3) targeted acquisitions where you can pick up late bloomers and/or minor league players that are stalled with their current team and will be running out of options.
Excellent summary. That is indeed a great model to follow. For a good example, look at the Braves of the late 80's and early 90's. Also look at Tampa lately - they seem to do very well in developing pitchers in their minor leagues, and bringing them up at the right time.
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Astros Season Thread
- Started by 2003TexasGrad
- Replies: 22
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