Climbing Tal's Hill
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Houston Astros: An overview of the offseason possibilities

By Karen Watson

HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 21: The Houston Astros celebrate after defeating the New York Yankees by a score of 4-0 to win Game Seven of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 21, 2017 in Houston, Texas. The Houston Astros advance to face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series.(Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 21: The Houston Astros celebrate after defeating the New York Yankees by a score of 4-0 to win Game Seven of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 21, 2017 in Houston, Texas. The Houston Astros advance to face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series.(Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 15: Gerrit Cole #45 of the Houston Astros meets with Martin Maldonado #12 on the pitcher’s mound during the fourth inning against the New York Yankees in game three of the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium on October 15, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 15: Gerrit Cole #45 of the Houston Astros meets with Martin Maldonado #12 on the pitcher’s mound during the fourth inning against the New York Yankees in game three of the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium on October 15, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Can Dreams Actually Come True?

Ideally, we keep both Chirinos and Maldonado. They come relatively cheap and they know most of our staff. With Chirinos becoming JV’s personal catcher this past season, he seems to be a lock to get an offer from the Astros. Maldonado was extremely relieved to come back at the trade deadline, so one would think that there’s room for negotiations to keep him in the fold.

They would both be good mentors to train the young Garrett Stubbs, as well. Win-win!

I believe it is highly likely that the Astros non-tender Chris Devenski. Aaron Sanchez is slated to miss at least half of the season in 2020 recovering from shoulder surgery, and while non-tendering him would make some room in the budget, I personally think it would behoove the team to hang on to him on the IL. He could prove to be a sneaky weapon to add to the rotation or the pen mid-season.

HOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 30: Will Harris #36 of the Houston Astros reacts after allowing a two-run home run to Howie Kendrick (not pictured) of the Washington Nationals during the seventh inning in Game Seven of the 2019 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 30, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 30: Will Harris #36 of the Houston Astros reacts after allowing a two-run home run to Howie Kendrick (not pictured) of the Washington Nationals during the seventh inning in Game Seven of the 2019 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 30, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

I think we can look for offers to be made both to Will Harris and Joe Smith. Between the two of them, predictions are they each will garner interest for two-year contracts. These are two veteran arms who both performed very well in 2019, including the postseason, and who would most likely come as a great comfort to AJ Hinch to have back in the pen.

Let’s talk starters, though.

With Lance McCullers, Jr., coming back from Tommy John surgery, he’s likely going to be micro-managed and his inning count kept to a minimum. But wow! Verlander, Greinke, and McCullers is a 1-2-3 punch that should prove to be very daunting for any lineup to face.

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