re: DAT 5/28: Astros (McCullers) vs. Orioles (Asher), 1:10 CT

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We actually DO need another 5 inning guy who we know doesn't suck at this point.

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No. You don't give up future talent to acquire talent that you already have an abundance. you give up future talent to attain the things you don't have enough.

The arms of this rotation currently do not have enough innings to make it through October. The best thing the Astros can do right now is focus on getting an innings eater. Preferably, a *good* innings eater. When you bump Morton, Fiers, Musgrove down in the rotation - the team immediately gets better. Not just because of the potential for a better starter - but because it makes your bullpen stronger too by giving them fewer back-to-back days and fewer innings needed to pitch.

5 Inning guys do not do that.

We have an overabundance of minor league talent because we have a deep farm system. But we won't be giving up top prospects for a bandaid guy. You use your depth for that. That's why you build that depth.

Are you assuming we're giving up a Fisher or Tucker for Dan Straily? No one is saying that. But we have now reached the point of having 0 pitching depth for the rotation. Our bullpen is already going to be taxed even if Peacock/Fiers/Musgrove do okay.

You act like a reliable 5 inning guy is the norm for all teams. It's not. That's why we are starting Mike Fiers and Brad Peacock right now.

Do you understand what I am saying here?

The White Sox are 22-26. They're not selling in late May. Unless we over pay. Basically the only teams that are mostly dead and buried already are the Phillies, Marlins and Padres. That gives us the options of

Jeremy Hellickson
Dan Straily
Edinson Volquez
Clayton Richard
Trevor Cahill

I wonder if Kemp and/or Moran gets you Richard

I think we would have to open a 40 man spot for him. If it's just spot starts I think they'd go to someone already on it like Paulino

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s there any realistic possibility Armenteros could be called up to make a spot start or 2

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That's what I'm thinking. I think Luhnow is hoping to let this current SP rotation limp along until late June. He can bring up Armenteros for 3 - 5 starts to rest Peacock or Fiers if they implode.

That lets him work on getting the arm that he really wants.

True. Most of us here agree we may need another reliable veteran to get us through the dog days of summer.

But we also know that, in Luhnow's perfect world now, Martes or Paulino steps up soon to fill that void. I've been cheerleading for Armenteros but I doubt they see him as an option this year unless things get really bad (i.e. Martes/Paulino can't cut it).

Nope. Paulino is, so he makes sense as the next man up.

Minna series looking rough from a pitching standpoint. Jl needs not wait to make moves.