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Houston Astros: Analyzing The Offseason Moves So Far

By Louis Roesch

Oct 2, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees catcher Brian McCann (34) circles the bases after hitting a home run in the bottom of the fourth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium. It was the 20th of the season for McCann. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees catcher Brian McCann (34) circles the bases after hitting a home run in the bottom of the fourth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium. It was the 20th of the season for McCann. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Houston Astros allegedly began addressing their needs to transform the Minute Maid Boys of Summer from pretenders to serious contenders.

Houston added a catcher, pitcher and an outfielder as a key parts of their offseason moves.

Charlie Morton, Brian McCann and Josh Reddick now call Houston home. How do these three help the Houston Astros World Series hopes?

Morton, a career National League pitcher signed a two-year, $14 million contract on Wednesday. Morton is 46-71 with a 4.54 ERA in his career.

How does a pitcher with a four starts last season coming off a torn hamstring injury get an early Christmas present from Houston Astros GM Jeff Luhnow?

How do the Houston Astros expect  a pitcher five years removed from his best year in the majors to be a major contributor?

How does a Tommy John repaired arm with two hip surgeries make a difference in the Astros rotation?

The short answer is this is an overpaid move by a team desperate to find magic in a worn out arm.

Unfortunately, the Houston Astros do not have a pitching coach named Dave Duncan, they have Brent Strom who could do nothing with Mark Appel.

The Charlie Morton signing is the Houston Astros latest edition of signing Scott Feldman all over again.

The Houston Chronicle had it right when they named the signing for what it is — a gamble.

One day later, the Houston Astros made their next ripple in the free agent market trading for back-up catcher Brian McCann.

Here is what the Yankees know about the former Atlanta Braves catcher that doesn’t matter to the Houston Astros.

McCann hit .242 with 20 home runs, 58 R.B.I. and .748 O.P.S. over 130 games this season, his strikeout rate rising and contact rate declining with age.

Doesn’t sound much different from the now departed Houston Astros free agent catcher Jason Castro.

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The Houston backstop problems have now been solved with the addition of McCann and the free swing Evan Gattis.

Both want to be everyday catcher but whose salary will sit because neither has shown great promise as a designated hitter.

Making matters worth, the newly acquired catcher is owed $34 million over the next two season of which the Yankees will pay a paltry $11 million dollars.

Makes you just want to go out and purchase those season tickets.

Next: Analyzing The Astros Outfield For 2017

A four year, $52 million dollar signing for another streaky outfielder finished off Thursday’s wheeling and dealing for the Houston Astros.

The signing of Josh Reddick signals his third stop in the past year and adds his name to a growing list of streaky players employed by the Houston Astros.

Reddick fits right in with George Springer, Evan Gattis, Jake Marisinick, and more.

In his stop prior to arriving in Houston,this was the dichotomy of the Astros newest signee.

In his first month with Dodgers, Reddick hit .161 with a .396 OPS. followed by a .400 average and a 1.004 OPS.

So which will we get in Houston and for how long?

This season hasn’t even begun and the Astros have already exceeded my expectations with their off season moves.

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