Post your speculative roster here. I'm going to start with just offense: CF Springer 3B Bregman 2B Altuve 1B Goldschmidt (no Cruz)/Gurriel/White DH Cruz (No Goldschmidt)/Gurriel/White SS Correa C Realmuto or Grandal or Ramos LF Kemp or White/Gurriel RF Reddick BN: Marisnick, White/Gurriel, Diaz, Stassi 1st to be called up BN: Tucker, Straw, Davis, Stubbs, Herrmann I'm already struggling with the idea of not having 13 offensive slots for the regular season. For the bench--a catcher, Diaz and Marisnick are already guaranteed a spot if healthy. That gives us 3 defensive replacements, with one above average bat. We could really use a player like Cruz or Goldschmidt in this lineup, but acquiring one of them almost demands that we trade someone, or that we carry 13 offensive players.
This is like my favorite game ever and (probably to the annoyance of some people on this site) it never gets old to me. CF Springer 3B Bregman 2B Altuve SS Correa C Grandal 1B Gurriel RF Reddick DH White LF Kemp Bench: Diaz, Stassi, Marisnick This is the “most likely” opening day lineup (with Kemp keeping LF warm for Tucker). The only thing I am certain of is that they will add a catcher, and I am fairly confident it will be one of (in order of likelihood) Grandal, Ramos, Realmuto, Gomes, or Maldonado. I do think Houston will be involved with many different bats; they’ve already been linked to Cruz, Goldschmidt, Brantley, and others. But until they trade Kyle Tucker, I just don’t see a roster spot open now that Diaz has been added.
I agree with your comments. However, I think we may push hard for a 1 year bat like Cruz or Goldschmidt. After last year’s experiment, Tucker may need a lot of time to get MLB ready.
J.T. Realmuto is a very expensive Trade Piece. Jeter will ask for Whitley, Tucker, Alvarez, Luhnow will hang up on Jeter. Astros could get Wilson Ramos as a Free Agent, he's a upgrade and can speak Spanish to our younger pitchers Ramos is an excellent defender, he can block balls in the dirt and throw out runners.
The Astros need to aggressive in Free Agency than in trades. Patrick Corbin A.J. Pollock Michael Brantley Wilson Ramos Josh Reddick needs to be traded sadly if Astros add bats in FA, his .220 avg is not helping, His Defense is Solid in Right In a Trade Paul Goldshmidt is 31 years old, the Astros can't overpay in Prospects Need 2 Lefty Power Pitchers in the Bullpen.
Reddick had a down year at the plate. No need to hit the panic button. We don’t have the room for 2 lefty relievers. I’m interested to see what moves we make on offense, aside from the obvious catcher filler.
1. Ramos 2. Goldschmidt 3. Altuve 4. Bregman 5. Correa 6. Springer 7. Pollock 8. Reddick 9. Stassi 10. Gurriel 11. Diaz 12. Marisnick/Kemp/Tucker/Straw 13. Marisnick/Kemp/Tucker/Straw 14. Verlander 15. Cole 16. Morton 17. Whitley 18. McHugh/James/Peacock 19. Osuna 20. Devenski 21. Rondon 22. Pressly 23. McHugh/James/Peacock 24. McHugh/James/Peacock 25. J. Smith/C. Perez/ETC
My guess for kicks: Depth Chart: C Ramos / Herrmann 1B Goldschmidt / Gurriel 2B Altuve / Diaz 3B Bregman / Gurriel SS Correa / Diaz LF Tucker / Kemp CF Springer / Marisnick RF Reddick / Marisnick DH White Lineup: 1. Springer 2. Altuve 3. Bregman 4. Goldschmidt 5. Correa 6. White 7. Tucker 8. Ramos 9. Reddick Starting Rotation: 1. Verlander 2. Cole 3. Greinke 4. Morton 5. James Bullpen: 1. Osuna 2. Pressly 3. McHugh 4. Rondon 5. Peacock 6. Smith 7. Valdez I think that's a stacked lineup and a pitching staff that can rival last year's, especially with full years from Osuna and Pressly. Assuming the Dbacks take on a chunk of Greinke's salary, this roster is within budget limits as well.
I like it. The only discrepancy I have is that McHugh has already been told he will be a starter again. Slide James to the pen, and I could see this happening.
I’ll bite: Springer Bregman Altuve Goldschmidt Correa Reddick White Perez Kemp BN: Yuli, Diaz, Marisnick, Stassi SP: JV, Cole, DK, McHugh, Framber Bullpen: Osuna, Pressley, Rondon, Harris, Smith, Devo, AAA battle royale for final spot Perez for Martin, Cionel Perez, Reed, flyer Goldy for JB, James Tucker starts year in AAA
Forgot about Brad. Slot him in over the AAA battle royale, though I think Spring Training will be telling. I think a good amount of “regulars” will have to fight for a roster spot, a la Devo, Rondon, Smith. Could see us signing some relievers to push the competition as well, though nothing substantial. I think DK comes home for 4y/85m with incentives to push it to 95-100m.
Or he’s hoping/waiting for an offer that won’t materialize. I think he has more value to HOU than other teams. I guess we’ll see what his value is on the market. I don’t see him getting 5y or 100m guaranteed, but we shall see.
Give me one good piece of evidence why Peacock should even be considered not making the team. He's been awesome. It's not his fault the team had him in purgatory. Valdez is the one that needs to prove himself.
What? I’m not saying he shouldn’t make the team. I just forgot to add him in...and then added him when I saw I missed him
Update: CF Springer LF Brantley 3B Bregman 2B Altuve SS Correa 1B Gurriel DH White RF Reddick C Chirinos BN: Kemp, Diaz, Stassi 1st to be called up BN: Tucker, Straw, Stubbs, Marisnick