25 man roster

[JimR]

Just for fun, I pretended I am somebody and made a pass at listing the roster. Most of it is easy. See below:

1. Verlander
2. Keuchel
3. McCullers          14. Bregman
4. Morton              15. Correa
5. Cole.                   16. Altuve
6. Devenski.           17. Gurriel
7. Harris                 18. Gonzalez
8. Smith.                 19. Reddick
9. Rondon.              20. Springer
10. Peacock            21. Marisnick
11. Giles
12. McCann
13. Gattis

Then I listed Others:

1. Fisher        6. Davis
2. Stassi         7. Kemp
3. McHugh    8. Hoyt
4. Martes      9. White
5. Sipp          10. Reed

I think the 25-man needs another LH hitter for LF and/or DH, at least one (preferably two) LHP in the pen, and perhaps a third catcher. If Luhnow does nothing else, Fisher, Stassi, and Sipp look to be locks. That leaves McHugh, Hoyt, Martes, and maybe long shots like Guduan and Gustave competing for one spot. Gose better be damn good to have any chance at all. Have I missed anyone?

This is why I think Luhnow is not done. The roster is RH top heavy.

     

[Jacksonian]

My stab as the org is currently staffed:

SP: Verlander, Keuchel, McCullers, Morton, Cole
RP: Giles, Devenski, Harris, Peacock, Smith, Rondon, McHugh, Gose (the last 2 will likely change before opening day)
C: McCann, Gattis
IF: Gurriel, Altuve, Correa, Bregman, Gonzalez
OF: Reddick, Springer, Fisher, Marisnick
DH: Gattis?, if so then Stassi has to be there too.  If not then either Davis, White, Reed or another player not currently in the org.

[toddthebod]

I think that McHugh and Fisher are locks.  I think that if the Astros are looking for the most versatility, they will add White because he can play all over the infield (along with Marwin). 

I hear what you say about keeping Stassi.  Which leaves one spot. 

I'm betting the Astros sign either Watson or Carlos Gonzalez and that is the roster. 

I really don't want to see Tony Sipp this season. 

[JimR]

I forgot Brady Rodgers coming back from injury.

[Astros Fan in Big D]

This is why I think Luhnow is not done. The roster is RH top heavy.

Agree/agree.

I guess the question its whether he's waiting for the hot stove big guns to shake out to see where the FA pieces fall or if he has his sights on targets that would require trade(s).

And there's always the in-season acquisition route but my uneducated guess is they'd rather have lefty help out of the gate.

[JimR]

Agree/agree.

I guess the question its whether he's waiting for the hot stove big guns to shake out to see where the FA pieces fall or if he has his sights on targets that would require trade(s).

And there's always the in-season acquisition route but my uneducated guess is they'd rather have lefty help out of the gate.

sign Watson or trade for Hand look to be the options.

[austro]

sign Watson or trade for Hand look to be the options.

Hand just signed a three-year deal with the Padres, which makes me think that they actually want to keep him. Or maybe getting a contract in place makes trade parameters clearer.

[JimR]

Hand just signed a three-year deal with the Padres, which makes me think that they actually want to keep him. Or maybe getting a contract in place makes trade parameters clearer.

More attractive in a trade, I think. No arbitration and under control for three years.

[Jacksonian]

I forgot Brady Rodgers coming back from injury.

He'll be in AAA getting his arm back in shape.

[Jacksonian]

More attractive in a trade, I think. No arbitration and under control for three years.

The money he signed for is reasonable.  It'll take a strong deal to get him.

[JimR]

The money he signed for is reasonable.  It'll take a strong deal to get him.

Yep, I think SD is on record as saying they want a king’s ransom for him. Sign Watson?

[JimR]

He'll be in AAA getting his arm back in shape.

I wondered how much progress he has made in rehab.

[HudsonHawk]

I think Davis is the most intriguing potential out there.  There is just something about him that I like.  As long as it's not at 3B.  But I think he will hit at this level. 

I wonder if he's ever caught...

[toddthebod]

I like Davis because he can also pitch in relief. 

[JimR]

I like Davis because he can also pitch in relief.

Are you serious? Aoki did also.

[HudsonHawk]

I like Davis because he can also pitch in relief.

I don’t think you seriously want to go there.  The reason you don’t see guys doing both is because it’s really hard and you end up not being very good at either.  I’m glad he was able to mop up a couple of blowout innings when the pitching staff was a mess, but don’t let that fool you into thinking he’s a viable bullpen arm.

[BlownRanger]

Yep, I think SD is on record as saying they want a king’s ransom for him. Sign Watson?

I think the Padres are more recently on record as saying they have no intention of trading Hand.  I wonder if their future actions are greatly dependent on whether they land Hosmer.

[JimR]

I think the Padres are more recently on record as saying they have no intention of trading Hand.  I wonder if their future actions are greatly dependent on whether they land Hosmer.

I did not see that either. What I read was a baseball writer’s speculation it makes him more tradeable.

[BlownRanger]

I did not see that either. What I read was a baseball writer’s speculation it makes him more tradeable.

That young guy running the Padres says lots of things.  The quote I referred to wasn't that recent; the Padres stated "Hand Plan" has probably been updated several times.  I really suspect signing Hosmer would mean Hand stays in SD.

[VirtualBob]

For what (little) my opinion is worth, I think McHugh has trade value, and I do not see him in the Astros future. Fisher similarly. I expect there are talks in the works for both LHP & LHB that will involve (at least) these two. And I also see Davis as an intriguing option for spot #25.

[JimR]

For what (little) my opinion is worth, I think McHugh has trade value, and I do not see him in the Astros future. Fisher similarly. I expect there are talks in the works for both LHP & LHB that will involve (at least) these two. And I also see Davis as an intriguing option for spot #25.

I agree about McHugh. It is a luxury to have six topflight starters. McHugh is odd man out and is not suited for the pen except for middle innings pitching. He is great insurance against an injury, but I’ll bet he would not mind a fade to somewhere he can start.