***** 2024 Houston Astros Season Thread ***** [Staff Warning] - Page 270

texasaggie2015

10:55a, 4/16/24

MaxPower said:
Abreu looks much worse in hindsight. I don't think many fans at the time thought it was a terrible signing. Most thought he'd be an above average hitter for the first year or two then probably bad year 3. From a GM perspective, the question is if Click could have gotten him for two years, maybe with a vesting option. How much better off would we be if that had been the case?

Montero is the one everyone knew was idiotic. Hader is more of a philosophical question. Do you want that much tied up on one reliever? Teams that have done that are the likes of the Mets and Angels, not exactly great company.

It was always going to take three.

MaxPower

10:58a, 4/16/24

In reply to Farmer1906

Hader has had some bad stretches in the past. 2022 wasn't good all year and 2020 he was terrible down the stretch. My point being he isn't bulletproof like some closers but he has shown he can self correct and be lights out for long stretches.

Farmer1906

11:01a, 4/16/24

In reply to MaxPower

MaxPower said:
Hader has had some bad stretches in the past. 2022 wasn't good all year and 2020 he was terrible down the stretch. My point being he isn't bulletproof like some closers but he has shown he can self correct and be lights out for long stretches.

He had basically one flat out terrible month in 22 but outside of that he's probably most consistently good to great arm over the last 8 year for a reliever. Relievers are know to have major ups and downs and he's had very flew relative to his peers.

texasaggie2015

11:01a, 4/16/24

Out of all the concerns right now, I'm least concerned with Hader. Relievers are pretty volatile and it's common for them to hit a rough patch. I trust him to figure things out.

Am I the only one who wishes they were a little more confident in JV? His numbers and data seemed to take a step down last year. Obviously we just need arms- but I'm curious to see how effective he'll be.

Farmer1906

11:05a, 4/16/24

Down from a Cy Young season and his peak seasons but still good.

96% in Pitching Run Value.

He's not going to strike guys out at a 30% clip anymore. And he may get touched up a little more often. But he's still a top end arm if he repeats 2023. If he takes the next step in decline/age then we're getting a #3 type who eats innings. Still useful and paid fairly (17 M).

Null and Void

11:06a, 4/16/24

Forrest Whitley to the show.

texasaggie2015

11:07a, 4/16/24

In reply to Null and Void

Whoa. Did not expect that but I guess they need arms badly.

Farmer1906

11:08a, 4/16/24

In reply to Null and Void

Null and Void said:
Forrest Whitley to the show.

you breaking the news?

Marvin

11:09a, 4/16/24

In reply to Null and Void

Null and Void said:
Forrest Whitley to the show.

12 ERA... fits our reliever profile.

I love Texas Aggie sports, but I love Texas A&M more.

tjack16

11:09a, 4/16/24

In reply to texasaggie2015

texasaggie2015 said:
Out of all the concerns right now, I'm least concerned with Hader. Relievers are pretty volatile and it's common for them to hit a rough patch. I trust him to figure things out.

Am I the only one who wishes they were a little more confident in JV? His numbers and data seemed to take a step down last year. Obviously we just need arms- but I'm curious to see how effective he'll be.

I'm concerned about JV and Lance. People hinging their hopes on them coming back and pitching to form are asking for a lot

Beau Holder

11:09a, 4/16/24

In reply to Farmer1906

Farmer1906 said:
Down from a Cy Young season and his peak seasons but still good.

96% in Pitching Run Value.

He's not going to strike guys out at a 30% clip anymore. And he may get touched up a little more often. But he's still a top end arm if he repeats 2023. If he takes the next step in decline/age then we're getting a #3 type who eats innings. Still useful and paid fairly (17 M).

All of this.

texasaggie2015

11:11a, 4/16/24

In reply to Farmer1906

Yeah, I don't see the news anywhere... do we have a new Ketch?

Mr.Bond

11:12a, 4/16/24

In reply to Null and Void

Null and Void said:
Forrest Whitley to the show.

Im looking for Ray Finkle.... and a clean pair of shorts. Im just a very big Finkle fan. This is my Graceland, sir.

tjack16

11:14a, 4/16/24

Wait where is the Whitley news posted?

MaxPower

11:15a, 4/16/24

In reply to Farmer1906

Two bad months but point taken it wasn't the entire year.

texasaggie2015

11:16a, 4/16/24

Trying to confirm the Whitley news

Null and Void

11:16a, 4/16/24

In reply to texasaggie2015

He got the call at midnight. Should be public soon.

texasaggie2015

11:17a, 4/16/24

I can confirm the Whitley news. Good scoop. He's being called up today.

All I do is Nguyen

11:17a, 4/16/24

BREAKING: The Astros are trading Josh Hader to the New York Mest, and will pay 51% of his remaining salary over the next 5 years.

"My career in Houston never had a chance," a stunned Hader told reporters.

"I'd have done much better if Machete was still around." pic.twitter.com/63SkJbE2ny
— FAX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFAX) April 16, 2024

No matter what

texasaggie2015

11:19a, 4/16/24

Source: The Astros are calling up pitching prospect Forrest Whitley, the #17 pick in the 2016 draft

He last pitched for the Space Cowboys on April 13th and was hitting close to 98 MPH with his fastball

He is already on the 40-man roster so a player will just need to be optioned
— Michael Schwab (@michaelschwab13) April 16, 2024

Schwab is on it as well.

Deluxe

11:21a, 4/16/24

In reply to Null and Void

Null and Void said:
He got the call at midnight. Should be public soon.

Bonda?

Wabs

11:24a, 4/16/24

Whitley going to start or go to the BP?

texasaggie2015

11:25a, 4/16/24

In reply to Wabs

Bullpen unless something has changed since my last conversation about him

Edit: Yep. Bullpen.

The Astros are calling up Forrest Whitley, a source tells @TheAthletic. Once baseball’s top pitching prospect, Whitley gets his first call up after enduring a myriad of injuries. Whitley will work as a reliever for a bullpen that needed a fresh arm.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) April 16, 2024

Null and Void

11:28a, 4/16/24

In reply to texasaggie2015

I was told bullpen as well.

07ag

11:33a, 4/16/24

curious to find out how a rangers fan got the scoop on the 'whitley to the show' news

https://ts.la/eric59704

texasaggie2015

11:33a, 4/16/24

Haven't gotten confirmation but I'm assuming Arrighetti is going back down to AAA

Ag_07

11:34a, 4/16/24

I don't know if I'm excited about Whitley or scared.

[/Insert Saved by the Bell gif]

EastCoastAgNc

11:39a, 4/16/24

Whitley has made 3 relief appearances (12.00 ERA, 3 IP, 4 K, 3 HR) this season in AAA:
4/7: IP, H, R, HR, K
4/10: IP, 3H, 3R, 2HR, 2k
4/13: IP, BB, K
He'll be the 2nd-to-last player from the top 20 (Whitley, drafted 17th) in the 2016 draft to make MLB debut. (Jay Groome) https://t.co/EUwMZAzxID
— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler) April 16, 2024

He'll fit right in

texasaggie2015

11:40a, 4/16/24

In reply to EastCoastAgNc

Yeah, like I said, I'm surprised but I guess it's now or never. I was told a few days ago his fastball is extremely flat and will likely get crushed at the big league level. We'll see.

Ag_07

11:44a, 4/16/24

In reply to texasaggie2015

texasaggie2015 said:
Yeah, like I said, I'm surprised but I guess it's now or never. I was told a few days ago his fastball is extremely flat and will likely get crushed at the big league level. We'll see.

Crane is typing up the $95M contract now.

cc10106

11:50a, 4/16/24

Good. Maybe Seth's arm won't fall off now.

Mathguy64

12:01p, 4/16/24

Dana is just playing reliever roulette. Spin the dial, pull the trigger and pray you don't shoot yourself. So far it's been mostly hit. As in hit yourself.

Maybe this one works.

I would have been tempted to leave arrighetti up in long relief. He's already stretched out. If Hunter is going to get a start, just make it a tandem and plan on these guys getting 3-3.2 IP each max. 4 would be amazing but who knows if you can get that out of them.

Null and Void

12:02p, 4/16/24

In reply to 07ag

I literally ran into him at the gym shortly after his TJ surgery. We are both the same height, so we kinda connected from a workout routine perspective. No clue who he was until he mentioned being in the Astros organization. A couple of weeks later we realized we were neighbors. Good kid. Wish him the best.

All I do is Nguyen

12:10p, 4/16/24

Ryan Pressly when he gets the call in the bullpen to get a save opportunity in the 9th pic.twitter.com/BIv0lxBv11
— astrosmemes (@astros_memes) April 16, 2024

No matter what

iBrad

12:14p, 4/16/24

I feel like it's now or never for Whitley. Maybe he'll be like bullpen's Blanco. Unlikely, but right now, I could live with a 4.5 - 5 ERA out of him.