The Pecan Park Eagle

Who will be taking the field for the Astros in 2016?

Between now and Opening Day next April, a lot of change may occur in today’s picture. If the Astros were going into the start of next season now, however, here is The Pecan Park Eagle’s first humble brush on who has to be back as  the foundation of our hopes and what we would to see happen to make the club stronger. Here’s the general plan that guides our thinking in November 2015:

1. The Untouchables. Six players are vital to 2016, even though only two of the six names we show in our chart below in bold type (Altuve and Correa) have proven already that we need to hold on to them until the day of their Cooperstown inductions to achieve success.
2. Essential Acquirements. We need a serious upgrade at 3rd base and 1st base – and we wouldn’t finding, if they exist, a catcher who could play offense and defense at a high level.
3. Contact Hitters; their resume’ sign reads: “Will single for work!” We need some table-setter hitters who can put the ball in play and steal bases and not be so dependent upon power hitters that strike out too much. (More plainly said, we need the kind of lineup that Kansas City used to beat us in the top of the 8th at MMP in Game 4 of the ALDS.
4. Patch Pitching Holes. We need another top-level proven starter; a scary fast closer with a good change-up and control; and a better job from the middle relievers in finding outs – not bats.
5. George Springer needs to stay healthy and rise above mediocre bat production to take his rightful place along side Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa as the only three truly untouchable career “Three Amigos” among our Astros.

As I said earlier, the following is only a first look at the immediate future from our “Eagle’s Eye” location. Only the keepers for 2016 are shown in bold type. All others may be subject to change via trade or changes we cannot yet see from this time distance to spring. I didn’t say much before about Joel Castro, but we do really wish that the guy who is evolving into one of best catchers with the softest hands in the game were not also on the opposite course of becoming one of the worst hitters in baseball at the same time.

One more thing – if you are looking for a familiar name on the following projected roster that you don’t see – please rest assured that their absence from sight or discussion here is not result of accident nor the consequence of forgetfulness. Sometimes the absence of words is a more stronger statement than a “stick-a-fork-in-him-he’s-done” dissertation.

Our Early Pickins’ Look at the Resources and Needs of of the 2016 Houston Astros on 11/16/2015:

5 Starting Pitchers

1. Dallas Keuchel (BL/TL) (20-8. 2.48)
2. Colin McHugh (BR/TR) (19-7, 3.89)
3. (To Be Determined) -maybe Scott Kazmier; but probably a new steady guy, by trade or free agency
4. Lance McCullers (BL/TR) (6-7, 3.22
5. Mike Fiers (7-10, 3.69) or Scott Feldman (5-5, 3.90)
   

5 Relief Pitchers

1. Tony Sipp (BL/TL) (3-4, 1.99) – if he will sign as a free agent with the Astros
2. pick one, sign one, trade for one
3. pick one, sign one, trade for one
4. Set up man – Luke Gregerson (BL/TR) (7-3, 3.10) (31 Sv)
5. Closer – Find him. Burner preferred.

2 Catchers        

1. Jason Castro (.211 BA, 11 HR)
2. Hank Conger (.229, 11 HR)

6 Infielders

1. 1^st Base ~ Find One, Pick One, Sign One, Trade for One
2. Jose Altuve (.313, 15 HR) … DUH!
3. 3^rd Base ~ Find One, Pick One, Sign One, Trade for One
4. Carlos Correa (.279, 22 HR) … DUH AGAIN!
5. Luis Valbuena (.224, 25 HR) 3b-1b
6. Marwin Gonzalez (.279, 12 HR) utility
7. Jed Lowrie, (.222, 9 HR) utility

6 Outfielders

1. George Springer (.276, 16 HR)
2. Colby Rasmus (.238, 25 HR)
3. Carlos Gomez (.255, 12 HR)
4. Preston Tucker (.243, 13 HR)
5. Jake Marisnick (.232, 13 HR)
6. Robbie Grossman and L.J. Hoes are the leading candidates for the wide-open 6^th OF spot – or even possibilities for taking away the 4^th or 5^th spots from Tucker and Marisnick.

1 Designated Hitter

1. Evan Gattis (.246, 27 HR)

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