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Four Astros The Fans Have Already Lost Patience With
#2: Rafael Montero
The other big contract doled out by the Astros this offseason, Rafael Montero turned a career year in 2022 into big money. Houston gave their fourth-best reliever last season All-Star closer money, effectively freezing the free agent market for relievers.
One-third of the way through the season and Montero has frozen any chance the Astros have of holding a lead in the eighth inning. Montero has been worth -0.5 WAR this year, posting a 7.32 ERA and 1.88 WHIP. He again looks like the pitcher Seattle was desperate to unload.
The last five games have been especially unkind to Montero, who is allowing opponents to hit .409 with an 1.116 OPS in that stretch. He's got a 10.80 ERA in that time.
Fans are sick and tired of seeing Montero get the ball in the eighth.
#3: Dusty Baker
And who do the Astros direct their rage aimed at Abreu and Montero towards? Dusty Baker. Baker continues to bat Abreu fourth or fifth. Of Montero's 21 appearances, 13 have been in the eighth inning.
Yes, neither player has lived up to their contracts, but Baker continues to deploy them as if they're earning every penny. Montero needs to rebuild his confidence getting outs in low leverage spots and Abreu needs to sit for a while and then bat way down in the order when he returns.
Martín Maldonado has run circles around Abreu at the plate this season. The Astros are struggling to score. They cannot continue to strand runners letting one of the worst hitters in the game make plate appearances with the game on the line.
Only one man has control over who bats where and who gets the call from the bullpen when. Astros fans are getting more and more frustrated with the decisions Baker has been making. His lack of transparency regarding injuries also sends fan over the edge. Which brings us to...
#4: Lance McCullers Jr
When he's on the field, Lance McCullers Jr. produces at an All-Star level. Only one problem, he's rarely on the field.
LMJ missed all of 2019 after undergoing Tommy John. He rode a strong 2021 regular season to a top-10 Cy Young finish, but injured himself in the playoffs after throwing only 162 innings.
The injury cost Lance all but eight games of 2022. He then got hurt again heading into 2023. He's yet to make an appearance, and just had a rehab bullpen session delayed. He's not out until after the All-Star break, which Baker insisted wasn't a setback.
The Astros gave McCullers $85 million over five years that went into effect last season. He's thrown eight regular season games in that stretch. Yes, he's done amazing things for the Astros during the Golden Era, but fans are beginning to make mention of McCullers as a trade candidate or being released, as the money he is commanding is keeping them from other extensions.
He will always be loved by fans, but they've grown impatient with how rarely they get to see LMJ take the bump.