The Void

[Señor Stan]

Seems different somehow...

[NeilT]

Seems different somehow...

This one's better than most. 

[Astros Fan in Big D]

My God.  It's full of stars.

[toddthebod]

My God.  It's full of stars.

Awesome.

[Navin R Johnson]

They avoided it for as long as they could....

[JimR]

A Void to remember forever.

[juliogotay]

I finally threw in the towel around 2 this morning. Watched every interview, at least once, on both the MLB Network and FOX Sports1 once the big FOX signed off. Could not let it go...taking in every word and enjoying, so much, the elation of the players and coaches while thinking that this is such a classy bunch that deserved this moment and worked hard to attain it. And thinking how managements' plan came together to get this team to the next level. The Beltran Jedi thing. McCann handling the pitching staff with deft aplomb. Morton rising to the occasion when Hinch put his total faith in him. That crazy SI cover from 2014...they never get anything right, right?  How impressive it was that all those folks showed up at Minute Maid to be together for this one. How poetic that this team could finally do it this year after what the city and South Texas has been through. Divine Intervention? I just couldn't make myself turn off the tube and get some much needed sleep even though I have been sleep deprived all week. My wife has already "secretly" ordered the t-shirt the players were wearing post-game and said something about how much she liked the caps. I will wear them proudly in public here in the DFW Metroplex. I kept watching the postgame because I couldn't not watch. I knew the second I hit that Off button the void would begin. It is here but it will be different this time.

[Fredia]

what is there to say.. I just can not imagine anything to gripe on

[Duke]

105 days 'till pitchers and catchers report.

[Navin R Johnson]

I finally threw in the towel around 2 this morning. Watched every interview, at least once, on both the MLB Network and FOX Sports1 once the big FOX signed off. Could not let it go...taking in every word and enjoying, so much, the elation of the players and coaches while thinking that this is such a classy bunch that deserved this moment and worked hard to attain it.

Same, I also texted my boss around 2AM saying that I am taking the next 2 days off.

[juliogotay]

Same, I also texted my boss around 2AM saying that I am taking the next 2 days off.

Good for you. Going to the parade?

[Navin R Johnson]

Wouldn't miss it.

[Navin R Johnson]

Also my boss is a Dodgers fan, he grew up in New York when they still played there.   We were traveling together and watched game 6 together Tuesday.     Our meeting Wednesday ended early and I was able to change my flight to get back to Houston in time to see 1st pitch.   

[HudsonHawk]

what is there to say.. I just can not imagine anything to gripe on

I'm sure we'll find something.  I'm already anticipating a Marisnick v. Maybin debate. 

[Jacksonian]

I'm sure we'll find something.  I'm already anticipating a Marisnick v. Maybin debate.

There is no debate.

[BlownRanger]

I'm sure we'll find something.  I'm already anticipating a Marisnick v. Maybin debate.

Peacock: Rotation or Pen? is also promising.

[juliogotay]

Peacock: Rotation or Pen? is also promising.

I like his stuff better in the pen.

[juliogotay]

I'm sure we'll find something.  I'm already anticipating a Marisnick v. Maybin debate.

I doubt Maybin is under contract for next year which would make it an easy one.

[Navin R Johnson]

I'm sure we'll find something.  I'm already anticipating a Marisnick v. Maybin debate. 

Should Giles be the closer...

[Reuben]

Should Giles be the closer...

Or: How many potential closers should the Astros sign or trade for this winter?

Also promising - Fisher vs. Marwin vs. Free Agent: who should be the LFer?

[Jacksonian]

Also promising - Fisher vs. Marwin vs. Free Agent: who should be the LFer?

THIS is the one.  But I would phrase it as Marwin back to utility and Fisher in left or Marwin in left and Fisher dealt?

[LonghornCDR]

Or: How many potential closers should the Astros sign or trade for this winter?

Also promising - Fisher vs. Marwin vs. Free Agent: who should be the LFer?

Marwin/Fisher until Tucker comes up in June. 

[NeilT]

If Reddick is gone, who will play the all-important Southern white folk role?

[toddthebod]

I don't understand the talk of resigning Maybin.  The Astros have Marwin, Marisnick, and Fisher.  Please don't bury Fisher to bring Maybin back. 

As I see it, the Astros need to make a decision about whether they get another hitter for DH (to replaced Beltran) or whether they go in-house with White, Davis, Moran, or Reed. 

Astros probably need some more relievers, although I'm not ready to throw Giles out (as some people are). 

Is Fiers a non-tender?  If not, what do you do with him.  The 5-man rotation is pretty much set at Verlander, Keuchel, McCullers, Morton, McHugh.  And there are plenty of other options if/when the injuries happen:  Peacock, Musgrove, Martes, Paulino, Rogers.     

[LonghornCDR]

If Reddick is gone, who will play the all-important Southern white folk role?

Josh signed a four year deal last winter.  He’s got it the redneck role on lockdown. 

[Reuben]

Whoa whoa whoa. Hold on. Hollllllllllld on now.

Shouldn't we wait just a couple days before really thinking about shit like this? That's next year's team. I'm not ready to move on from this year's team.

[AstroFrog]

I am very interested to see how the bullpen gets re-tooled/re-built, though keeping Peacock and Musgrove down there alongside Giles, Harris, and Devenski would be a big part of the answer.  Need a lefty or two.

[JimR]

I don't understand the talk of resigning Maybin.  The Astros have Marwin, Marisnick, and Fisher.  Please don't bury Fisher to bring Maybin back. 

As I see it, the Astros need to make a decision about whether they get another hitter for DH (to replaced Beltran) or whether they go in-house with White, Davis, Moran, or Reed. 

Astros probably need some more relievers, although I'm not ready to throw Giles out (as some people are). 

Is Fiers a non-tender?  If not, what do you do with him.  The 5-man rotation is pretty much set at Verlander, Keuchel, McCullers, Morton, McHugh.  And there are plenty of other options if/when the injuries happen:  Peacock, Musgrove, Martes, Paulino, Rogers.     

If another club wants Fisher, trade him. I know the front office loves him, but I did not see it. Strikeout machine.

[juliogotay]

THIS is the one.  But I would phrase it as Marwin back to utility and Fisher in left or Marwin in left and Fisher dealt?

Exactly. I was thinking about that today.

[Mr. Appropriate]

Whoa whoa whoa. Hold on. Hollllllllllld on now.

Shouldn't we wait just a couple days before really thinking about shit like this? That's next year's team. I'm not ready to move on from this year's team.

Agree
So happy that all of the key players will be back next year...and the next (excepting perhaps Dallas)....my Ranger-fan brother was a bit grim to learn about this.

[Jacksonian]

Exactly. I was thinking about that today.

I'm thinking the latter.  With Tucker the Younger ready no later than April 2019 given good health and Marwin a potential free agent after 18 it's what I'd do.

[doyce7]

I would be looking at marwin in left and Fisher in a deal for a quality reliever

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[BudGirl]

If another club wants Fisher, trade him. I know the front office loves him, but I did not see it. Strikeout machine.

The only problem I see with calling him a strikeout machine is the whole team was a strike out machine in 2016.  Do you think he cannot learn to take a better approach?

[austro]

I would be looking at marwin in left and Fisher in a deal for a quality reliever

Morrow is apparently a free agent (so is Watson). I'd like to think we have a decent chance of picking up a quality reliever without a trade.

[JimR]

I would be looking at marwin in left and Fisher in a deal for a quality reliever

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I think Marwin should return to his utility role.

[DVauthrin]

I don't understand the talk of resigning Maybin.  The Astros have Marwin, Marisnick, and Fisher.  Please don't bury Fisher to bring Maybin back. 

As I see it, the Astros need to make a decision about whether they get another hitter for DH (to replaced Beltran) or whether they go in-house with White, Davis, Moran, or Reed. 

Astros probably need some more relievers, although I'm not ready to throw Giles out (as some people are). 

Is Fiers a non-tender?  If not, what do you do with him.  The 5-man rotation is pretty much set at Verlander, Keuchel, McCullers, Morton, McHugh.  And there are plenty of other options if/when the injuries happen:  Peacock, Musgrove, Martes, Paulino, Rogers.     

I’d strongly consider finding another backup catcher (centeno, stassi or a cheap FA) and make Gattis the full-time DH.  He’s just not a good defensive catcher but his bat is worth playing every day.

[DVauthrin]

Morrow is apparently a free agent (so is Watson). I'd like to think we have a decent chance of picking up a quality reliever without a trade.

Both would be good fits, but I like the idea of watson more, because the Astros need another lefty in the pen.

[Limey]

Agree
So happy that all of the key players will be back next year...and the next (excepting perhaps Dallas)....my Ranger-fan brother was a bit grim to learn about this.

SI already predicting a repeat, high as they are on their 1 for eleventy-million record of predicting winners.

[David in Jackson]

Astros free agents:
Beltran
Clippard
Gregerson
Liriano
Maybin

Don't see any of them coming back, with the possible exception of Clippard.

[NeilT]

Astros free agents:
Beltran
Clippard
Gregerson
Liriano
Maybin

Don't see any of them coming back, with the possible exception of Clippard.

Gregerson.

[HudsonHawk]

I think Marwin should return to his utility role.

I agree.  He played LF because you really had no one else to do it.  I think Fisher has a future, but he's got to cut down on the strikeouts to justify a spot in the lineup.  I think he will. 

[NeilT]

I agree.  He played LF because you really had no one else to do it.  I think Fisher has a future, but he's got to cut down on the strikeouts to justify a spot in the lineup.  I think he will.

I assume Marisnick is back and healthy as well. 

[AstroFrog]

I think Marwin should return to his utility role.

To me, justice would be Marwin having a strong first half in 2018 so Hinch can name him to the All Star team t o make up for his snub this year.

[HudsonHawk]

I assume Marisnick is back and healthy as well.

Yep.  And I don't know why everyone is so down on Maybin.  He's an elite CFer and baserunner.  I'm not convinced yet I'd take Marisnick over him.

[NeilT]

Yep.  And I don't know why everyone is so down on Maybin.  He's an elite CFer and baserunner.  I'm not convinced yet I'd take Marisnick over him.

I don't know enough about Maybin to have an opinion, but have the sense he's + at both.  Marisnick has the advantage of longevity, some success at the plate, and great clubhouse presence.  He's as good of a centerfielder but probably not the baserunner.

[doyce7]

Yep.  And I don't know why everyone is so down on Maybin.  He's an elite CFer and baserunner.  I'm not convinced yet I'd take Marisnick over him.

I don't think anyone is necessarily down on maybin, but if it's a Jake vs cam, Jake is under contract and would be the cheaper option. Jake has also been here and is great clubhouse guy.

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[Jacksonian]

Yep.  And I don't know why everyone is so down on Maybin.  He's an elite CFer and baserunner.  I'm not convinced yet I'd take Marisnick over him.

All things considered Marisnick over Maybin.  Plus I think there's a good chance someone signs him to be their regular center fielder.

[juliogotay]

Maybin probably will sign elsewhere but, in limited opportunity here, he came up big several times. Great pickup.

[LonghornCDR]

Maybin probably will sign elsewhere but, in limited opportunity here, he came up big several times. Great pickup.

Everyone remembers what George did in the 11th inning of Game 2, but it was Maybin that started the inning off with a knock and stole a base to make McCarthy even more uncomfortable.  The money was worth it for that alone.

[MusicMan]

If you keep Marwin in the utility role you don’t really need a regular DH; you can rotate guys through that spot to rest them. But that assumes Fisher as the regular LF.


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[BlownRanger]

I don't know enough about Maybin to have an opinion, but have the sense he's + at both.  Marisnick has the advantage of longevity, some success at the plate, and great clubhouse presence.  He's as good of a centerfielder but probably not the baserunner.

In terms of longevity, don't forget that Maybin and Hinch are tight going back to their San Diego days.  I'm not sure why folks think Marisnick has an edge in clubhouse presence.  Seemed like Maybin assimilated as smoothly as Verlander.

[JimR]

Maybin is a great clubhouse guy as well.

[Bench]

Maybin is a great clubhouse guy as well.

And a great guy in the community.  His charity had already arranged a collaboration with the Houston Food Bank after Harvey but before he was even traded here.

[JimR]

And a great guy in the community.  His charity had already arranged a collaboration with the Houston Food Bank after Harvey but before he was even traded here.

I think he was LAA’s nominee for the community involvement award.

[Duman]

Maybin was paid 8 or 9 million last year.  Jake was  around 1.  I say they save their money and keep Jake.  They are going to need that money for all the players who are arbitration eligible who will see big jumps in their pay due to the seasons they produced (i.e. Springer who got 3.9 mil last year).

To me the priority for the Astros this off season is signing Altuve to a long term deal.  He has two team option years left on his current deal (6 mil and 6.5 mil). 

[JimR]

Maybin was paid 8 or 9 million last year.  Jake was  around 1.  I say they save their money and keep Jake.  They are going to need that money for all the players who are arbitration eligible who will see big jumps in their pay due to the seasons they produced (i.e. Springer who got 3.9 mil last year).

To me the priority for the Astros this off season is signing Altuve to a long term deal.  He has two team option years left on his current deal (6 mil and 6.5 mil).

Talk about money all you want. The pen and LF are player issues, which are far more interesting to me.

[VirtualBob]

I agree.  He played LF because you really had no one else to do it.  I think Fisher has a future, but he's got to cut down on the strikeouts to justify a spot in the lineup.  I think he will.

This. !

[VirtualBob]

Talk about money all you want. The pen and LF are player issues, which are far more interesting to me.

Agree. And having Maybin split time with Fisher in LF with Jake being OF5 and Marwin being super-sub would not be terrible.

belatedly edited to fix #autocorrupt

[Jacksonian]

Talk about money all you want. The pen and LF are player issues, which are far more interesting to me.

I still think he'll be someone's starting center fielder.

[juliogotay]

Agree. And having Maybin split time with Fisher in LF with Jake being OF5 and Marwin being super-sub would not be terrible.

belatedly edited to fix #autocorrupt

Not sure there is room for Maybin  and Jake on a 25 man roster.