The odd thing is that they've known they were going with a 7-man pen for a while. While I am sure Valdez being able to pitch longer is a huge point in his selection to the bullpen, it was also a point against him as Astros seemed to have expected for him to either start or to keep him stretched out in AAA. Not sure if the need to keep him stretched out is less than Astros expected or the need for him in the pen is more.
Yeah, that was my thinking as well. Also, the 3 times I saw Guduan in ST he looked really, really good (against RH and LHB).
I fully suspect the team is expecting some short outings from the Miley, McHugh, Peacock trio. Valdez will be expected to eat one of them. Maybe even a tandem start by design. I think he could be on a yo-yo all season until a spot in the rotation opens up or he forces his way into the rotation. A few long relief outing in the majors, then a handful of regular starts in triple A while a different reliever is called up. Guduan will be the first man up if something happens to one of the 5 regular one inning relievers.
Would not be opposed at all to effective tandems of Peacock/Valdez and Miley/James. They will need McHugh to average at least 5.2 innings, otherwise they will burn through the 5 single inning RP too quickly. If McHugh can’t provide the innings, they’ll have to demote him to the pen and get somebody else in there (either an outside acquisition or Armenteros/Whitley).
Keuchel is probably only one readily available that can do 5.2 innings on average over a significant amount of starts as I'd expect less than 30 pitchers to do this year (mostly veterans). I'd guess McHugh will be over 5 per game, but not too close to 5.2 especially considering he's likely not ready to go past 5 right now. Astros probably have the second best rotation at protecting the pen.
Astros haven't rotated relievers between AAA and MLB as much as I would have expected the past two years. I hope they utilize it this year as they have one less reliever.
Was referring to a trade more than a free agent signing. 11 Good/decent pitchers I expect to be available at some point this season: Greinke Ray Bumgarner Archer Stroman Leake Lynn Minor Chen Taillon Samardzija
Last year they definitely didn't need to. Their starters and relievers threw the 2nd most and 2nd least number of innings, respectively. That usage has to change this season; even if Miley, McHugh and Peacock/Framber/James are chugging along nicely mid-season they should get some "injury time" to save some mileage for the playoffs. As much as I dislike it, the Indians strategy last year of being good enough to make the playoffs in a crappy division rather than going for home field has merit. The Astros can have some shuttle pitchers soaking up innings at the expense of a few more losses.
While I suspect Astros go for a SP in a trade, I don't expect it will be to protect the pen. This is true. Astros were really healthy from a pitching standpoint most of the year. I was expecting LMJ and Morton to get less innings per start.
Whitley could possibly provide some outstanding performances, but I wouldn’t expect a large number of 6 inning starts, even if he is capable. If he comes up and is really good, They will monitor his innings quite a bit and make sure he has plenty left for the playoffs
Not necessarily. They could include enough prospects to get Arizona to pay most of Greinkes contract. Although I agree it certainly makes it less likely.
Who is Nick Tanielu? Just noticed in tonight's stat line he is hitting .354, 5HR's, 18 RBI's including a 3 run shot to put us back in the lead. Looks like he has been in our farm system for about 5 years but I know nothing about him other than he can play all of the infield positions. Maybe he will get a chance later this year and be the next great White shark.
