Springer hitting .58? Is that a typo? Do you mean .158? Wow! The guy had 31 homers for you last year. What is going on there. Is he partially injured or is it just the limited number of at bats?
Printable View
Springer hitting .58? Is that a typo? Do you mean .158? Wow! The guy had 31 homers for you last year. What is going on there. Is he partially injured or is it just the limited number of at bats?
.058Quote:
Originally Posted by jaymo76
.58 would be .580 ;)
Its just 5 games. However, he did slump down the stretch last season.
He'll get it together, he's too talented not to.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A
Houston got back to .500 in Grapefruit League play on Thursday with a 4-3 win over the Detroit Tigers.
The Astros bats finally got going this Spring as Manager Bo Porter's club tallied 13 base knocks.
The biggest blow came from 22-year-old DH Stanley Knott who was selected by Houston in the 4th round of last year's First Year Player Draft. Knott, a butcher in the field, is trying to make the club, primarily, as a designated hitter. The youngster went 2 for 5 with a double and a home run.
On Friday, the Astros (3-3) will host the New York Mets (0-5) whom they beat 5-0 on Wednesday. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 PM with Brett Oberholtzer (0-1, 27.00) and Matt Harvey (0-1, 4.50) due to start.
DET 3-8-1
HOU 4-13-0
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A
The Houston bats went cold again on Friday as the Astros lost to the previously-winless Mets, 4-0.
The lone bright spot for Houston was the performance of starter Brett Oberholtzer. After a rough outing his first time out, Oberholtzer allowed just 1 hit and struck out 5 in 3 innings on the hill.
At 1:05 PM on Saturday, the Astros (3-4) will visit the unbeaten Washington Nationals (7-0). Scott Feldman (0-1, 3.00) and Gio Gonzalez (1-0, 0.00) are the scheduled starters.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A
The Astros became Washington's 8th straight victim in the Grapefruit League on Saturday, losing to the Nationals 4-1.
Reliever Vincent Velasquez was sharp out of the Houston bullpen, if you're looking for a silver lining. Velasquez pitched 2 perfect innings and struck out the first 5 he faced.
The Astros (3-5) will look to regroup on Sunday as they have a 1:05 PM home date with the New York Yankees (3-5). Alex White (0-1, 6.00) will face Ivan Nova (0-0, 3.00).
HOU 1-5-0
WSH 4-6-2
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A
Houston fell to 3-6 in Grapefruit League play this Spring, loading to the Yankees 4-1 on Sunday.
It was the same story despite a different lineup for Houston skipper Bo Porter. Porter deployed a lineup consisting of mostly bench players and minor leaguers and his club picked up just 3 hits.
The Astros (3-6) will host Toronto (8-3) at 1:05 PM on Monday with the scheduled pitchers being Asher Wojciechski (0-0, 0.00) and Shelby Miller (0-0, 0.63).
NYY 4-6-0
HOU 1-3-1
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A
Houston improved to 4-6 this Spring with a 4-1 won over the defending AL Champions on Monday.
Jon Singleton drove in 3 runs for the Astros, including 2 on a 4th inning long ball to right, his second of the Spring. However, the real story was George Springer who went 3 for 4 after having just 1 hit coming in. Springer saw his average rise from .038 to .133.
The Astros will visit the Nationals (9-1) on Wednesday and skipper Bo Porter says that he will allow his starting pitchers to throw as many as 5 innings in their next outing, after limiting them to 3 thus far.
Jarred Cosart (0-0, 6.00) and Stephen Strasburg (2-0, 1.13) are scheduled to pitch. First pitch is at 1:05 PM.
TOR 1-5-1
HOU 4-9-1
The Astros won a second consecutive game on Tuesday and, in doing so, handed the Nationals just their second loss of the Spring.
Houston starting pitcher Jarred Cosart struck out 7, walked 1 and scattered 4 hits over 5 innings on the hill, to earn the victory.
After taking Wednesday off, the Astros (5-6) will host Washington (9-3) at 1:05 PM on Thursday. The scheduled starters are Brett Oberholtzer (0-1, 8.31) and Gio Gonzalez (1-0, 0.00).
HOU 4-11-1
WSH 1-10-0
Haven't seen you on as of late. Any surprises that may make the team that you didn't think so before spring training began? Conversely, any disappointments?
Soon, I will be at the midpoint of Spring Training. I'll post some stats when I get there. Its hard to say with only 11 games played, particularly with all of the pitchers. Ratings, undoubtedly, will rule the day when it comes to picking the team.Quote:
Originally Posted by jaymo76
I may not do that until MLB15, we'll see.
The Astros played their worst game to date this Spring, loading on Thursday to the Nationals 10-0. Just 2 hits from the offense, while the pitching staff allowed 8 hits, 9 walks and 3 long balls, including a grand slam from Bryce Harper.
The good news is that starting pitcher Brett Oberholtzer pitched well after struggling early this Spring. The lefty surrendered just one run on two hits with 2 walks and 5 Ks in 5 innings of work.
The Astros (5-7) will look to rebound on Friday when they visit the defending AL Champion Toronto Blue Jays (9-5) at 1:05 PM. Scott Feldman (0-1, 3.00) and Brandon Morrow (0-0, 1.13) are set to start on the mound.
WSH 10-8-3
HOU 0-2-1
Houston dropped to 5-8 this Spring with a 5-3 loss to Toronto on Friday afternoon in Grapefruit League play.
Scott Feldman struggled, lasting just 2.0+ innings and allowing 4 runs on 4 hits with a pair of walks as the Astros starter on the mound.
On a bright note, DH Stanley Knott hit a 3-run homer in the 4th inning, his second of the Spring.
The Astros (5-8) host the St. Louis Cardinals (7-6) at 1:05 PM on Saturday with Alex White (0-2, 9.00) slated to face Marco Gonzales (2-0, 2.25).
HOU 3-7-0
TOR 5-8-1
Houston lost for the third straight time on Saturday, falling to the Cardinals 4-3.
Alex Presley stayed in Center Field for Houston and went 2 for 3 with a pair of RBIs, raising his Spring average to .454.
Alex White didn't fare as well. The Astros starter went 5 innings, allowing 3 earned runs on 6 hits while striking out 5 and walking 3. White fell to 0-3 in Grapefruit League play this year and he has an ERA of 7.36 - not exactly what Bo Porter is looking for from his number 4 starter come April.
The Astros (5-9) will visit the Detroit Tigers (9-7) on Sunday at 1:05 PM. Asher Wojciechski (1-0, 0.00) will go for Houston against Detroit's Max Scherzer (1-1, 1.93) in what should be a great pitching match up.
STL 4-8-0
HOU 3-6-0
We expected a pitching duel on Sunday and we got just that as the Astros downed the Tigers, 1-0 in Grapefruit League play.
Asher Wojciechski pitched 5 scoreless innings allowing just one hit (first inning double by Miguel Cabrera) while walking one and striking out 3. Wojciechski has not allowed a run this Spring, in 11.0 innings on the hill.
The Astros (6-9) will host Washington (11-5) at 1:05 PM on Monday. Jarred Cosart (1-0, 3.27) will face off with the Nationals' Jordan Zimmerman (2-1, 4.91). Houston Manager Bo Porter said, on Sunday, that his starters will be limited to 3 innings again with some exceptions for players who have gotten off to slow starts this Spring.
HOU 1-4-0
WSH 0-1-1
15 games are in the books this Spring for the 2015 Houston Astros and thus far the club has had a disappointing start. After improving by 32 games from their 51-win season in 2013, Manager Bo Porter's team has an increased level of expectations this year. The Astros met Porter's goal for 2014 by being the most improved club in the Majors; this year, however, Porter expects his squad to push for a playoff spot. After all, with a glut of youthful prospects gaining valuable experience last season, Houston went 83-79. 90 wins is not an unreasonable goal in 2015.
So far this Spring, Houston is hitting just .199 and they have a 6-9 record to show for it. On the bright side, the pitching staff has a combined ERA of 2.95 with a pair of shutouts, 18 Holds, 5 Saves and 0 Blown Saves. In 131.0 innings, Astros pitchers have allowed just 8 home runs and 51 walks, while punching out 109 batters. The club WHIP is a stellar 1.25 - pitching is not the problem this Spring.
Aside from the embarrassing .199 batting average, Houston has just 22 extra base hits in 15 games. Only 5 of those are long balls and they've produced just 29 RBI. Porter's hitters have drawn just 30 walks and have struck out 106 times. The team OBP is a paltry .248 and the OPS sits at .515. Not good enough.
Defensively, Houston has been steady. The Astros have a team Fielding Percentage of .985, up slightly from a season ago.
Let's take a look at Houston's 40-man roster and how the 25-man Opening Day roster is shaping up.
Catchers: Jason Castro (82 OVR), Charlie Barbour (71), Carlos Perez (67)
Jason Castro is a given to be the #1 Catcher again in Houston, despite struggling at the plate this Spring (31 AB, .161, 0 HR, 0 RBI). The question is, who will be #2? 21-year-old Charlie Barbour signed a 2-year deal with the club in the offseason and was considered the clear favorite to backup Castro. Barbour hasn't won the job yet - he has just 1 hit in 20 at bats. In 11 AB, Carlos Perez has hit .273 with an RBI. Being that Perez, 24, is the better defensive option, you have to put him as the front runner thus far. Barbour needs to turn things around at the plate, and quickly, or his desirable position flexibility (plays 1B and 3B) will be lost.
First Basemen: Chris Carter (80), Jon Singleton (70), Jesus Guzman (69)
Carter and Singleton will make the club. Expect Carter to be the everyday Left Fielder and for Singleton to see most of the action at first. Each one has been productive at the plate this Spring - Carter has hit .313 with an RBI and Singleton has hit .267 with 2 long balls and 8 RBI. The question here will be Jesus Guzman. Guzman offers the flexibility of playing both corner infield and corner outfield positions but he will have to win a job in Houston at the plate. To date he is failing, with just 2 hits in 20 at bats and 1 run batted in. We suspect Guzman will end up in Oklahoma City to start 2015.
Second Basemen: Jose Altuve (84), Ronald Torreyes (73)
Altuve will be the everyday man at second again this year and has had a solid Spring. The 24-year-old is hitting .300 with 2 RBI. Torreyes, 22, is in a battle to be a utility middle infielder and needs to improve on his .083 batting average to secure a spot in the Bigs in 2015.
Third Basemen: Matt Dominguez (77), Stanley Knott (72)
The Astros made a serious run at former Giants hot corner man Pablo Sandoval in the offseason before the Yankees opened the purse and locked him up for nearly 10 million a year. Now, Porter is left with no real option at third other than staying with Dominguez who was awful in the field in 2014. Matt has hit just .167 this Spring but has made improvements in the field with a .957 F%. Stanley Knott is an intriguing prospect. Knott, 22, was taken in the 4th round of last year's First Year Player Draft in June. He can play all 4 positions around the infield but he's terrible at all of them. He has 2 errors in 3 defensive chances this Spring and can only make the club as a DH. He's made a strong case for himself there, hitting .216 with 4 doubles, 2 homers and 5 RBI in 37 AB this Spring.
Shortstops: Carlos Correa (77), Adeiny Hechavarria (72), Marwin Gonzalez (70)
I suspect that only 2 of these 3 make Houston's Opening Day roster. Correa, 20, will be one of them. He's hitting .231 with a pair of RBI and his been great in the field. Hechavarria or Gonzalez? Adeiny can play second and third (that will be important to keep Knott off of the field if Guzman doesn't make the club) but he is 0 for 12 at the plate and was terrible after coming over from Miami in the Jonathan Villar deal last July. Gonzalez hasn't been much better. He's only 1 for 12 and he doesn't play third.
Outfielders: George Springer (84), Dexter Fowler (82), Alex Presley (71), Robbie Grossman (69), Domingo Santana (69)
With Chris Carter expected to eat up most of the innings in left, the presumption is that Porter will keep just 4 of these 5. Springer and Fowler are shoe-ins. Presley plays all 3 positions and is hitting .455 so pencil him in too. Grossman can play all 3 spots and he's a switch hitter, but he's hitting just .087. Santana is just a corner outfielder but he's hitting .200 and he hit more homers (5) than Grossman (4) last season, despite having just 55 ABs to Robbie's 420.
Starting Pitchers: Jarred Cosart (85), Brett Oberholtzer (79), Scott Feldman (77), Alex White (76), Asher Wojciechski (75), Mike Foltynewicz (74), Brad Peacock (74), Mark Appel (73), Paul Clemens (72), Luis Cruz (72), Lucas Harrell (70), Dallas Keuchel (68), Vincent Velasquez (66)
I expect that 7 or 8 of these guys make it to Houston, with 2 or 3 providing long and middle relief. Cosart will be the staff ace, he'll take the ball on Opening Day. Oberholtzer will be in the rotation because he's a lefty, despite his struggles. Feldman is the likely #3 and has earned a bit of a pass this Spring with his performance last year (10-7, 3.78). Alex White's spot in the rotation is in jeopardy this Spring (0-3, 7.36 after 4-8, 3.89 in 2014) but I suspect he makes the club as a reliever if he loses his starting job. Woj will be in the rotation from the start this year. After a brilliant September (3-0, 0.89), he's picked up where he left off this Spring (2-0, 0.00).
Of the rest, Peacock and Cruz (lefty) are the favorites to stick in Houston. If Porter keeps 8 of them, Velasquez (1-0, 0.00 in 7.2 IP) could be a darkhorse to get the job.
Relief Pitchers: Jason Motte (80), Scott Atchison (73), Josh Fields (72), Matt Albers (70), Jason Stoffel (70), Anthony Bass (69), Darin Downs (69)
3 or 4 will make the club. Motte is the only lock, despite a poor showing thus far (0-1, 8.10). Downs should make the club because he's the only lefty of the bunch and he's been good this Spring (1.59 in 5.2 IP). Bass and Stoffel have been the best of the rest in Spring Training.
Closing Pitchers: Jesse Crain (82), Chad Qualls (71)
Crain gets the job. He had 47 Saves last year even though he missed the first month of the season and he is 5/5 this Spring. Qualls hasn't allowed a run in 6.0 IP this Spring so he could stick as a setup man. However, I believe Porter would rather get younger and hasn't forgotten Qualls' 2014 campaign (5-5, 4 SV, 5.43).
Astros Projected Roster for Opening Day 2015
Starters
C Jason Castro
1B Jon Singleton
2B Jose Altuve
3B Matt Dominguez
SS Carlos Correa
LF Chris Carter
CF George Springer
RF Dexter Fowler
DH Stanley Knott
Bench
C Carlos Perez
UT Adeiny Hechavarria
OF Alex Presley
OF Domingo Santana
Rotation
RHP Jarred Cosart
LHP Brett Oberholtzer
RHP Asher Wojciechski
RHP Scott Feldman
RHP Brad Peacock
Bullpen
LR RHP Alex White
LR RHP Paul Clemens
MR LHP Luis Cruz
MR RHP Anthony Bass
SU RHP Jason Motte
SU LHP Darin Downs
CP RHP Jesse Crain
Tough spring thus far. If your team has a weak start to the season will you consider pulling the plug on your skip?
I would consider it, yes.Quote:
Originally Posted by jaymo76
Honestly though, I don't plan to advance to the 2015 regular season until MLB15. With NHL and FIFA on the horizon I know I wouldn't get far into the season.
My hope is that they fix the scheduling issues on MLB15 and that I can avoid them by not leaving Spring Training until 15 is released.
If you're unaware, as it is in year 2 (and probably beyond) Thursday becomes the "normal" off day instead of Monday. Maybe, if I leave my Franchise in Spring Training any fixes will be applied since I wouldn't advance to the schedule until I had MLB15.
I'm surprised Singleton isn't rated any higher.
I can only speak to my Blue jays franchise but I am surprised that SP Brad Peacock is only a 74ovr. The guy is a beast in my chise. He held me hitless for 8 innings. Best pitcher I have faced thus far!Quote:
Originally Posted by JBHuskers
Who? :DQuote:
Originally Posted by steelerfan
I play in six fantasy baseball leagues and don't know who that guy is.
Just realized that I had Peacock starting and listed as a long reliever in my roster projections. It was a mistake, Alex White should have been in that long reliever spot. It's been fixed.
Did you not really chase after any big time free agents and continue the rebuild?
I watched the livestream and had a party chat with steeler in his offseason. He tried for a few guys but the asking prices were too high. He made a big effort for 3rd base but it wasn't in the cards. Houston will have to make a run based on depth of the organization.Quote:
Originally Posted by JBHuskers
P.S. Party chat/livestream is a fun way to do an offseason...
I signed a few, Jason Motte being the prize. I didn't have a ton of money by time I re-signed those I wanted and I had to set aside 7+ million till February in case I lost arbitration with Dexter Fowler (I didn't).Quote:
Originally Posted by JBHuskers
The other FAs on my 40-man are Jason Stoffel and Scott Atchison. Most of my signings were just to fill out my 90-man as my budget is just $70.15M (up 10% from 2014) and that includes all staff and scouts (I have over $11M invested in scouting and $6.51M of budget room available).
My projected budget for 2016 is $63.13M at the moment so the pressure will be on to perform to get it higher.
The only players on my 40-man who have contacts that expire after the 2015 season are Scott Atchison, Josh Fields, Chad Qualls and Dexter Fowler. Of those, only Fowler is someone I'd make any real effort to keep so I should be in good shape.
Most importantly, I've locked up much of my young talent.
Player, OVR and Potential, Age, Years Remaining/Salary:
Jarred Cosart, 85B, 24, 3/960K
Asher Wojciechski, 75B, 26, 4/642K
Mike Foltynewicz, 74B, 23, 2/720K
Mark Appel, 73A, 23, 4/1.0M
Luis Cruz, 72B, 24, 3/573K
Vincent Velasquez, 66B, 23, 3/640K
Jason Castro, 82B, 27, 6/3.6M
Carlos Perez, 67B, 24, 3/70K
Chris Carter, 80B, 28, 4/800K
Jon Singleton, 70B, 23, 3/623K
Jose Altuve, 84B, 24, 4/980K
Carlos Correa, 77A, 20, 3/1.3M
George Springer, 84A, 25, 3/1.4M
Domingo Santana, 69B, 22, 3/573K
Young with upside in the minors:
SP Nick Tropeano, 69B, 24, 3/70K
CF Delino De Shields, 68B, 22, 3/73K
RF Andrew Aplin, 66B, 24, 3/70K
3B Rio Ruiz, 66B, 21, 3/73K
LF Austin Dean, 62B, 21, 3/70K
SP Thomas Shirley, 68B, 26, 4/60K
SP Omar Espinoza, 67A, 18, 3/90K
SP Lance McCullers, 67B, 21, 3/73K
SP Josh Hader, 66B, 21, 3/73K
CF Teoscar Hernandez, 59B, 22, 3/66K
LF Vaughn Sambol, 59B, 20, 2/70K
SP Keith Dolan, 49B, 18, 3/76K
I think I'm in good shape. Not many FAs next year, all my best locked up (except Fowler who may be expendable depending on the development in the minors, especially by De Shields), and lots of good prospects (particularly pitching).
That was a lot of fun. Always good to chat with you, buddy.Quote:
Originally Posted by jaymo76
The Astros lost to the Washington Nationals on Monday, 6-2, to fall to 6-10 this Spring.
Manager Bo Porter limited starter Jarred Cosart to 3 innings in what could be his final start of the Spring. Cosart didn't allow a run, surrendering a hit and a walk with 3 strikeouts.
Matt Albers and Jason Stoffel hurt their bids to make the Opening Day roster as each gave up 3 runs in 1.0 and 0.2 innings, respectively.
Offensively, Alex Presley continued his hot Spring going 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI to raise his average to .466.
Porter deployed a lineup of mostly backups and fringe players and Adeiny Hechavarria finally got into the hit column with a double.
Houston will host Atlanta (7-12) Tuesday at 1:05 PM with Brett Oberholtzer (0-2, 4.82) and Brandon Beachy (2-2, 2.57) scheduled to pitch.
WSH 6-11-0
HOU 2-7-0
Forgot to mention that Luis Cruz was injured in the loss to Washington. Cruz has a pulled muscle in his back and is expected to be out for a few days.
The Astros lost in 10 innings to the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday despite a good outing from Brett Oberholtzer and 11 base hits.
Oberholtzer was allowed to go 5.0 innings due to his slow start this Spring. The lefty responded, allowing 1 run on 3 hits with a walk and 4 Ks. However, despite leaving with a 3-1 lead, Brett fell victim to Houston's first Blown Save in Grapefruit League play this year as Jason Motte allowed Atlanta to even things up in the 6th.
Motte, 32, signed a 4-year, worth $3,632,500 per year in the offseason but his struggles have been a black mark for the Astros staff in Kissimmee. Jason has made 5 appearances and is 0-1 with a 12.27 ERA in just 3.2 innings. He had allowed 3 walks with just one strikeout and has a WHIP of 2.73. Opponents are batting .412 against the righty who figures to fit into a set up role come April.
Manager Bo Porter cautioned against reading too much into Motte's struggles, citing that he hasn't managed the bullpen situationally this Spring, instead opting to get guys work. Porter did, however, admit that Motte's performance needs to improve soon.
Houston did get 4 multi-hit games, on the bright side, as Jose Altuve, Dexter Fowler, Carlos Correa and Matt Dominguez each recorded a pair of base knocks.
The Astros (6-11) will visit the Miami Marlins (9-7) at 1:05 PM on Wednesday. Scott Feldman (0-2, 6.75) is scheduled to face Tanner Roark (2-2, 1.80) despite trade rumors surrounding him.
The Astros are said to be talking to the Pirates about acquiring a left handed starting pitcher in exchange for the 32-year-old righty, per sources. Speculation is brewing that the lefty-in-question could be 27-year-old Jeff Locke.
The Astros have declined to comment.
ATL 4-9-0 F/10
HOU 3-11-0
With rumors swirling that Scott Feldman was on his way out of Houston, the righty gave a solid performance on Wednesday against the Miami Marlins. Feldman scattered 6 hits over 5 innings striking out 3 and walking 3 but he also did not surrender a run and was the winning pitcher in the Astros 6-0 victory. It remains to be seen if that was the swan song for Feldman with Houston.
The Astros, again, went with a lineup that did not include most of the regulars but they got good production from the lineup that Manager Bo Porter sent out. Robbie Grossman, Marwin Gonzalez, Charlie Barbour and Jose Altuve (pinch hit appearance) all recorded doubles as the Astros turned 9 hits into 6 runs.
Houston (7-11) will visit the Washington Nationals (12-6) on Thursday night. Alex White (0-3, 7.36) and Doug Fister (2-1, 1.07) are scheduled to start with the frist pitch slated for 7:05 PM.
HOU 6-9-0
MIA 0-11-0
Late Wednesday night the Astros announced that they had struck a deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Houston acquired SP Jeff Locke and RP Bruce Rondon from the Buccos in exchange for SP Scott Feldman and SP Collin McHugh. The announcement follows 36 hours of speculation that Feldman would be on the move for Locke.
Here's a breakdown of the deal:
What the Astros get:
LHP Jeff Locke (76 OVR, C Potential)
Starting pitcher Jeff Locke, 27, is a left hander with just over 2 years of MLB service time. Locke is under contract for 2015 only, at a price tag of $575K. He has a career record of 15-25 and an ERA of 4.88. This Spring he made 7 appearances for the Pirates, pitching 14.0 innings with a 2.57 ERA and no record. In 2014, Locke struggled to a 4-12 record with a 6.44 ERA as the Pirates were among the worst teams in baseball. However, in the Pirates playoff season of 2013 Locke was 10-7, 3.52.
RHP Bruce Rondon (65 OVR, B Potential)
Rondon, 24, has just 103 days of service time in the Majors and is under contract for this season only at $560K. His only time with Pittsburgh was in 2013 when he posted a 1-2 record, a Save and a 3.45 ERA.
What the Pirates get:
RHP Scott Feldman (77 OVR, C Potential)
Feldman is 32 years old and is coming off of a solid season with the Astros (10-7, 3.78) which followed a good 2013 (12-12, 3.86). In over 8 years of service time in Major League Baseball, Feldman is 61-63 with an ERA of 4.49. Scott made 4 starts for Houston this Spring going 1-2 with a 4.15 ERA in 13.0 innings. He is under contract through 2017 at $2.1M per season.
RHP Colin McHugh (63 OVR, D Potential)
McHugh, 27, has 125 days of service time and a career record of 0-8 with an 8.57 ERA. His contract takes him through the 2015 season and his salary id 500K.
What this trade does for the Astros:
The Astros clear almost $1.5M off of the books and free themselves of carrying Feldman's $2.1M salary to the age of 34. Houston also gets younger and acquires a left handed pitcher that should be in the big league rotation on Opening Day. The Astros have been in need of southpaws and they got one that they hope will return to his 2013 form which will be the biggest factor in determining which club got the best of this deal. Feldman isn't getting younger and he was just a stop gap for Houston as they continue to build for the future.
Bruce Rondon gives the Astros a legitimate relief prospect and Collin McHugh had no future with the Astros at the MLB level. He was just a warm body on the farm.
To make room on the 40-man Roster for Rondon, Houston placed SP Dallas Keuchel on outright assignment waivers. If he is not claimed by another club in the next 2 days, Keuchel will be assigned to Oklahoma City. Dallas, 27, has a career record of 9-18 with a 5.15 ERA and was 0-1, 2.57 in 7 innings this Spring.
Nice move. Looks like you got the better end of the deal but it's a toss up. I like that you landed a starting lefty. They're always the wildcards of the lineup. Where do you plan on putting him in the rotation?
He'll be in the rotation, I won't know where until Spring finishes up but probably 4 or 5 as I'm thinking Cosart, Oberholtzer, Wojciechski will be 1, 2 and 3 respectively.Quote:
Originally Posted by jaymo76
How good this trade is will come down to which Jeff Locke I got. If it's the 2013 one, I did great. If it's the 2014 one, I made a mistake.
Houston's bats stayed hot on Thursday night as the Astros pounded out 15 his in a 3-2 win over the Nationals.
For Astros had multi-hit games with Jose Altuve and Dexter Fowler getting 3 apiece, while Alex Presley and Jon Singleton had 2 each.
Newly-acquired reliever Bruce Rondon allowed a hit and struck one out in the sixth inning, making his Spring debut for Houston.
Presley, who is hitting .434 this Spring, hit his first home run - a solo shot to right in the 2nd inning.
Alex White allowed 2 runs on 5 hits with 4 punch outs and 3 walks in 5 innings to earn his first win in the Grapefruit League this year.
The Astros (8-11) will look for their first 3-game win streak of the Spring when they host the Phillies (6-13) on Friday. Asher Wojciechski (2-0, 0.00) will face Jonathan Pettibone (1-1, 5.25). First pitch is 1:05 PM.
HOU 3-15-0
WSH 2-8-0
The Astros ran their winning streak to a Spring-best 3 games with a 4-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday afternoon.
Asher Wojciechski surrendered a solo home run to Phillies first baseman DJ Peterson in the 2nd inning, the first run he's allowed in Grapefruit League play. Wojciechski was limited to 3 innings of work, giving up the one hit and striking out one.
Multi-hit performances were turned in by Dexter Fowler, George Springer and Carlos Correa who had 2 apiece. Chris Carter finally hit his first home run of the Spring, a 423-foot bomb to left in the 4th.
Manager Bo Porter said that he would move most of his starting rotation to the bullpen for the remainder of Spring Training and that he would be giving some other pitchers a chance to start down the stretch.
Porter also mentioned that LHP Luis Cruz was 100% after being held out of action for several days with a stained muscle in his back.
Houston (9-11) will host Miami (10-8) at 1:05 PM on Saturday. Jeff Locke (0-0, 2.57) who was acquired from Pittsburgh on Wednesday will take the mound for the first time as an Astro and will be opposed by Nathan Eovaldi (2-0, 4.91).
PHI 1-6-1
HOU 4-9-1
Jeff Locke's debut was rough and Houston's 3-game winning streak is over as the Astros lost to Miami 11-2 on Saturday afternoon.
Locke lasted just 4.2 innings, allowing 5 runs on 9 hits with 3 walks. The lefty also struck out 3.
Trailing 10-0 in the bottom of the 6th, Marwin Gonzalez provided the only real highlight for Houston when his hard line to center got past the diving outfielder allowing Gonzalez to score an inside-the-park home run.
On the waiver wire, Dallas Keuchel went unclaimed and had been sent outright to AAA Oklahoma City. The move was made to clear a spot for Bruce Rondon on the 40-man roster after he was acquired with Locke from Pittsburgh on Wednesday.
The Astros (9-12) will host the St. Louis Cardinals (10-10) on Sunday at 1:05 PM. The scheduled starters are Paul Clemens (0-0, 1.80) and Adam Wainwright (2-0, 3.18).
MIA 11-17-1
HOU 2-6-1
Houston got back into the win column on Sunday, beating the Cardinals 5-3.
Paul Clemens, in his first start of the Spring, went 5 innings surrendering 2 runs on 5 hits with 3 walks and 4 Ks for the win. Closer Jesse Crain earned his 8th save in as many tries.
Dexter Fowler and Chris Carter had 2 hits apiece and Carter hit his 2nd homer in 3 days.
The offense was paced by George Springer, however. Springer raised his Spring average to .250 by going 3 for 4 with a double, a triple and 2 RBIs.
The Astros (10-12) will visit the Cardinals (10-11) on Monday with the first pitch scheduled for 1:05 PM. Lucas Harrell (0-1, 0.00) is slated to face Michael Wacha (1-4, 14.14).
STL 3-7-0
HOU 5-11-1
Dexter Fowler's grand slam powered a 5-run Houston 2nd as the Astros won for the fifth time in six games, beating the Cardinals 6-3.
Houston starter Lucas Harrell went 5 innings, surrendering 3 runs (2 earned) on 7 hits with a walk and 5 punch outs to earn his first win. Jesse Crain stayed perfect out of the pen, notching his ninth save this Spring.
Jose Altuve, Jason Castro and Alex Presley each recorded 2 hits to go with Fowler's heroics.
Houston (11-12) will send Bread Peacock (0-0, 0.00) to the hill on Tuesday night to face Brandon Beachy (2-2, 3.00) and the Atlanta Braves (10-14). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM.
HOU 6-11-1
STL 3-7-1
Starting pitcher Brad Peacock did all he could to get his first win of the Spring but the Astros bullpen blew his 3-1 lead and Houston fell to Atlanta 5-3 on Tuesday night.
Aside from an RBI single in the 2nd inning, Peacock limited the Braves to 1 run on 5 hits with 3 walks and 7 Ks in 5 innings of work. However, Josh Fields promptly allowed 4 runs (only 1 earned) in the 6th to doom the 'Stros.
The Astros (11-13) will take Wednesday off before hosting the New York Mets (5-17) at 7:05 PM on Thursday. Alex White (1-3, 6.19) and Bartolo Colon (0-0, 0.82) are the scheduled starters.
HOU 3-6-2
ATL 5-8-0
Couple weeks until FIFA and NHL... are you going to finish spring training and then call it quits as per your original plans or has the lack of GMC in NHL changed your purchasing plans for that game?