Houston Astros: Four things that need to sit atop the offseason priority list
By T.A. Mock
The Astros need to get core players healthy
It wouldn’t be a reach to say injuries played a huge part in the Houston Astros 2018 campaign. The insanity of it is the team still set a franchise record in wins in spite of that. Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, George Springer, and Lance McCullers Jr. all missed significant time during the season. In fact, there was a span of about two months that Altuve, Correa, and Springer didn’t play together.
It also wouldn’t be a reach to say injuries played a key role in the Astros demise in the playoffs. The team dealt with a smaller amount of injuries in the postseason than they did in the regular season but they still played a key role. Altuve was relegated to DH duties the final three games of the ALCS and the team missed his glove and leadership in the field.
AJ Hinch revealed, to no one’s surprise, that the reigning MVP likely would have been on the DL if the team was in the regular season. Then, it was announced shortly after the ALCS was over that Altuve had a procedure done on his knee. Fortunately, he should be ready to roll by the time Spring Training rolls around.
Trending. Three reasons why Verlander should win his second Cy Young. light
The more major injury, however, is with McCullers. He was placed on the DL in August with a forearm and elbow injury. The Astros had him on the shelf for nearly two months before he was brought back in a bullpen role. Now, rumors are floating about that LMJ needs Tommy John surgery which would likely have out the entire 2019 season. Fortunately, TJ surgery is no longer a death sentence for pitchers but it would hurt the rotation for next season.
A decision hasn’t been made on LMJ like one was made on Altuve. However, the same thing holds true in both cases. The team needs to get healthy. After playing in around 350 games the past two years there is going to be a lot of wear and tear on the team.
The first priority for this team, players and management alike, needs to be getting healthy. Whether it’s minor procedures to clean stuff up or just getting lots of rest this offseason, it needs to happen. If the team is going to contend next year, health will be a major key.