Houston Astros: Kevin Chapman on waivers, what is next?

Kevin Chapman put on waivers by the Houston Astros, but he is not expected to be claimed by another team.

Let’s take a trip back to the time when the Houston Astros were selling any veteran with value. When you think of Humberto Quintero, you don’t think of a former All-Star, but he was a good backup catcher. He was there to back up Brad Ausmus and others. The Astros traded him to the Royals.

When your team is selling all of their assets for minor leaguers, you tend to remember those players. In March of 2012, Quintero was traded along with Jason Bourgeois for Kevin Chapman and a player to be named later. That second player was D’Andre Toney, who was in the minors for only two seasons with the Astros. But Chapman was the key player, a hard-throwing left-handed prospect.

Chapman and the 40-man roster spot.

Fast forward to 2017, despite many attempts, has yet to stick with the team. In his time with Houston, he has shown brief glimpses of his upside. However, most of the time he has been wild and ineffective. He has a 3-1 career record with the Astros, with 48 strikeouts in 55 innings. Chapman has a career WHIP of 15.45. Unfortunately, he has not taken hold of a roster spot.

My Talking Stros co-host and I have wondered why Chapman was kept on the 40-man roster for so long. The answer is, he’s a left-handed reliever with potential. Parents, make sure your kids grow up to be left-handed relievers. With the infusion of young lefties in the system with Reymin Guduan and Cionel Perez, Chapman is expendable.

Also, Ashur Tolliver is on the 40-man roster, and he could be another option despite the poor Spring. Chapman is off competing for team Canada in the WBC, but for the moment, his future with the Astros is cloudy. The team could see a need for a spot on the 40-man roster on the horizon. They have decided to put Chapman on waivers according to Jake Kaplan.

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Max Stassi and Chapman are out of options, so they would have to be added to the 25-man roster by opening day. If not, they would be placed on waivers. For the Astros to do this while Chapman is away is like breaking up with a girlfriend over the phone.

The Astros don’t see this as a goodbye, Kaplan thinks that he will go unclaimed and will be able to be assigned to the minors. This is a risky move, but the front office is willing to roll the dice. Despite Tony Sipp‘s struggles in 2017, the team would survive without Chapman.

What about Max?

The question is, what happens to Stassi? They may not be so sure that he clears waivers. There is no chance that Stassi makes the opening day roster and stays on it, but they may look to trade Stassi.

Next: Astros' AJ Reed will be on the team this year, maybe not at the beginning of it.

Garrett Stubbs and Jake Rogers are on the way up, Stassi’s time in Houston may have passed with Brian McCann and Evan Gattis on the team. We will see if Chapman clears waivers. Either way, we wish him good luck in his future. Team Canada is coming home, and so is Chapman, but will he be packing his bags again?

***Stats from Baseball-Reference***