Houston Astros Rumors: Three things Wade Miley brings to the rotation
By T.A. Mock
The rotation finally seems settled
As I mentioned on the first slide, the Houston Astros has largely been unsettled throughout the majority of the offseason. Morton is already gone and McCullers won’t be seen on a mound until 2020. Keuchel has remained an option, especially as the offseason began to close and he remained unsigned.
Collin McHugh has been widely expected to rejoin the rotation in the number three role behind Verlander and Cole. McHugh had previously been a solid starting pitcher and after the season he had in 2018 out of the pen, he was and is a lock for the rotation.
Now, the fourth and fifth spots remained in question. Could Keuchel return? Could the Astros sign someone else? What about Brad Peacock? He was a solid starter in 2016. Or Josh James? How about Framber Valdez? They were solid over the last month or two of the season.
Three players with the most to lose in Spring Training. light. Also
These were the questions all of the fans were dying to have answered. Well, the Houston Astros answered one of them on Thursday when the team signed Miley. As it stands, Miley slots into the fourth rotation spot behind Verlander, Cole, and McHugh. He also gives the Astros a lefty arm in the rotation they were lacking.
This also likely means that the Houston Astros are planning on moving on from Keuchel this offseason even though there have been reports the team is still interested in a return. But I just find that hard to believe right now. I also believe it means Peacock is slated to go back to the bullpen, as will Valdez which means we will likely see James join the rotation to start the season.
This low-risk deal also has a way where Miley could easily slide into the bullpen if need be to, say, promote top prospect Forrest Whitley to the rotation. Whitley will get into the rotation in 2019, it’s only a matter of how. Regardless, Miley greatly solidifies the Houston Astros rotation heading into Spring Training.