The Houston Astros haven’t made a splash this off season, they’ve created a wave!
TheHouston Astroshaven’t made a splash this off season, they’ve created a wave!
Who am I talking about?
I’m talking about the signings ofCharlie Morton,Brian McCann,Nori Aokiand last but not leastJosh Reddick.
Yes, the World Series is over and the Houston Astros are hot to trot in light of hopefully an eventful off season in terms of improving this baseball team.
As I watched the Chicago Cubs secure their first championship in 108 years, I thought to myself as far as when it’d beOURturn.
I know it’s coming but will it be soon?
That remains to be seen.
But, at the moment, the Astros are extremely committed to trot out a winner this upcoming season.
The Winter Meetings are in full swing the Astros are doing everything they can stay above the fray in the talks for top-tier starting pitching.
But a funny thing is happening — the club hasn’t signed any cream of the crop talent just yet.
In past years, I’d say that the team was being cheap and just didn’t want to spend the money but they’re being sensible with their moves.
The majority of their flirting has been with the Chicago White Sox who have some of best hurlers in the business.
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Attempting to acquireChris Salewas the first of priorities for the club but the main stickler of that negotiation was that they wanted top-notch prospects.
So what exactly does that mean?
I’m talking about that they wantAlex Bregman.
Before the start of the Winter Meetings, I had thought just a smidgen that Bregman would be open for discussion for a potential deal to land a pitcher.
But with the way things have gone — Sale has now been traded to the Boston Red Sox — that’s not so.
It has been a heck of a soiree over the past few daysand the Astros asked the White Sox yet again for another dance.
This time it was forJose Quintana.
The talks seemed productive but the asking price for him was the same — putting Bregs into the deal.
The Astros have signaled that he is off the table for any discussion for landing a starting pitcher so this puts this current regime in tough spot.
I expected and wanted the Astros to be able to get stud but they don’t need to make a deal just to do so.
They’re being cautious — not foolhardy — to ensure that the exciting young core of this team remains intact.
Quintana should be an obvious target — he’ll earn on average of $9 million per season and is under contract until 2020.
But it’s evident that the White Sox’s asking price is too great but I’m positive there will be another MLB franchise that will pay that price in desperation to ensure their respective team remains just as competitive as ours.
So what’s next?
Next: The Value Of Ashur Tolliver
Hopefully we see a deal but as the week ends, it’s looking like the Astros will have to make a deal later in the off season or do the likely — elevateChris Devenskiinto the lineup withMike Fiersbeing the long-relief guy/spot starter.
Quintana, 27, posted a3.20 ERA,a rock-solid 3.56 FIP & 1.163 WHIPalong with181 strikeoutsthrough208.0 inningspitched in32 startsin 2016.
He also received his first All-Star honors this season and was in contention for the ALCy YoungAward.
That honor ended up going toRick Porcello.
Let’s hope for the best as this team continues to be improved.
Go Astros.
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