Good stuff. Does this affect their potential to sign Veras?
Astros' bullpen is shaping up nicely.
It certainly seems pretty right to me. As in not left.I like the signing. Not as big of a strike out guy as Veras but over the last 2 years he's done a good job of keeping people off the base paths and has a nice ERA to go with it.
Kevin Chapman did a solid job last season and should earn a spot. Other lefties on the 40-man: Luis Cruz (still too far away), Darin Downs, Keuchel, Oberholtzer, Rudy Owens, and Raul Valdes. My guess at this point:AlbersQuallsFieldsLoChapmanZeid? (Veras?)Between AAA and MLB, Zeid was better against lefties than righties. There are no long relievers above (one of the guys passed on for the 5th starter, Keuchel?), but the pen looks like it could be a plus for the club next season, especially if they add Veras.
Interesting about Zeid, I didn't know he was better vs. lefties. Qualls has near-even splits for his career. So maybe they won't necessarily keep 2 lefties in the pen? I think Lo will get some time in OKC to start the year - he jumped straight from AA, after all, and his control was pretty wobbly. Chapman walked a ton, too, but I think that's just who he is. He seems to make it work for him. So my guess is:QuallsAlbersFieldsZeidVeras?Chapman...and the 7th spot being either Downs or Valdes or Owens if they want a 2nd lefty, with Bass and White (if he's recovered) having the inside track if they prefer a longman/swing type instead.
It doesn't look like a plus to me. Hopefully better than last year but maybe not even league average yet.
Don't shit on our parade. I see some major leaguers in this pen. Mass improvement from last season.
+1 That's his constant MO. I think that the bully is much improved over last year with the additions of Albers and Qualls. And if we get Veras, it'll be that much better.
Let me get this straight. I'm constantly negative?
Not always, but often. You're not nearly as bad as Geezerdonk though.
I'm thinking they really only need FIELDS! in the pen. Let him pitch all the innings in relief.By last season's end, Fields, Chapman and Zeid were doing ok, and maybe a little better. If they can pick up where they left off, anything added is a plus over last year, which may or may not reach league average.
Thanks for replying. I've also been accussed of being a sunshine-pumper which I think is the opposite end of the spectrum. I just see too much youth and inexperience in this pen. Good arms and if they mature they may be league average and there is nothing wrong with that. And better than last year. I agree with the strategy though. It's time to find out what we have in Fields, Lo, Chapman, Zeid over a longer term.
Rosenthal just tweeted that the Astros have agreed to a one-year $2,250,000 contract with Matt Albers that has a $3,000,000 club option for 2015, with a $200,000 buyout.
Jeez you people are falling into the same vortex of suck as the Astros. Let me help you out:Hey! Hey! Hey! It's...
Yep. For the most part, Fields did a good job and I don't see his numbers not improving this season. Between him and Q and A, that gives us three legitimate late-inning options, before throwing Veras in the picture. That is much better than we had at any point last season. There's a large gap between last year and even league-average, but I think there's a good chance we're already there with personnel. Throw in Veras and we may be a little above.
If Lo can get some confidence and better control he has the stuff to be another force coming in the late innings.
I'm reading that the Cubs just signed Jose Veras. Shitfick.
First JD, now Veras. Dammit! This aggression will not stand, dude.
