THE PALLILOG
Here's what to expect from the Astros new-look bullpen
Jul 30, 2021, 10:39 am
Kendall Graveman is having a career year. Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images.
Astros' General Manager James Click did fine work this week in trading for two boosts to the Astros' very shaky bullpen in acquiring Kendall Graveman from Seattle and Yimi Garcia from Miami. Graveman especially. He has pitched well over his head this season but that's what "career" seasons are about. A 0.82 earned run average is obviously attention grabbing. The mere eight walks he's issued in 33 innings is a big part of that and a sight for Astros' fan sore eyes that have watched just about all their relievers not named Ryan Pressly struggle with control. 2021 Graveman is a clear upgrade over Ryne Stanek as the number two weapon in the Astros' pen. One question to be determined about Graveman is how he fares under the pressure of big late season and postseason games. He's yet to throw a big league pitch in one.
Garcia from the Marlins has been more or less average. Average is an upgrade over the work of Stanek, Joe Smith, Enoli Paredes, Andre Scrubb, Brandon Bielak, Bryan Abreu, and Brooks Raley.
Click gave up nothing of consequence to acquire either guy. Abraham Toro could develop into a decent regular with the Mariners, but other than occasional power he didn't show much over parts of three seasons with the Astros. The occasional power does include one moment many Astros' fans will remember. Justin Verlander sure will. A couple of years ago in Toronto it was Toro's top of the ninth two run homer that provided a 2-0 lead ahead of Verlander finishing off his third career no-hitter. If the Astros have Carlos Correa to replace after this season, it is unlikely that Alex Bregman slides over to shortstop. So other than via injuries to others Toro had no path to starter status here. He should have a shot in the Mariners' weak lineup.
The balance of the top six in the Astros' lineup is amazing. I'm thinking unprecedented. None is among the top 10 in the American League in OPS but all are in the top 20. Yordan Alvarez enters the weekend at .867, Yuli Gurriel .861, Jose Altuve .860, Michael Brantley and Kyle Tucker .856, Carlos Correa .849. Alex Bregman should rejoin the party next week.
Football time in Houston
Texans' training camp is underway with Deshaun Watson on the team and on hand, and that's about it. He's not taking part in full, with new Head Coach David Culley offering silly explanations about Watson missing all the offseason work. Culley is in a tough spot but come on. As if a few OTA practices were a big deal. Mandatory minicamp was so important the Texans cancelled it. Plus, the Texans aren't installing a new offense. Coordinator and Watson endorsee Tim Kelly was retained. We'll see how this plods forward.
Don't know if Texans' GM Nick Caserio sent Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers a thank you note but he should. Pouty Rodgers wanting wide receiver Randall Cobb back with the Packers gave the Texans a millions of dollars saving escape hatch from the absurd contract Bill O'Brien signed Cobb to before last season. The Texans had to send the Pack three million to close the deal, so the Texans take a five million dollar dead money charge on Cobb this season. That's a lot better than the more than ten million dollar cap figure Cobb carried if here. The Texans are in all likelihood going to stink this season, so taking all the dead cap hit this year (especially with it cut roughly in half) is a boon ahead of 2022.
Rockets draft reaction
Jalen Green in Rocket Red. Or white, silver, black, powder blue, or whatever else they plan to wear. The 19-year-old Green was widely considered the most explosive offensive talent on the board this year. At number two overall, Green is the Rockets' highest choice since Yao Ming. Green is the Rockets' first first round pick period since 2015 (Sam Dekker). Qualitatively if Green becomes what Yao did they nailed it. Quantitatively it's a disappointment if Green doesn't go beyond Yao. The only other time the Rockets made the second overall selection was 1970. The San Diego Rockets drafted Rudy Tomjanovich. That worked out fairly well. In all the Rockets' haul was four first rounders. Six foot 10 Turk Alperen Sengun is an interesting choice, but what Jalen Green becomes ultimately defines the Rockets' Class of '21.
Buzzer Beaters:
1. Simone Biles had every right to make the decision to drop out of Olympics events if she felt doing so best for her mental health. That needs to be respected and treated sensitively. However, is it so unfair to wonder if Biles had been performing up to her previous standards would the pressures have felt so intense and would she have dropped out? Seems a chicken or egg situation.
2. Possible World Series preview this weekend with the Astros at San Francisco for three. The Giants have been shockingly good this season. Best record in Major League Baseball and on pace to win 101 games good, leading the mighty Dodgers by three games in the National League West.
3. Greatest ever Giants: Bronze-Andre The Silver-Lawrence Taylor Gold-Willie Mays
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How Houston Rockets hold the cards for a franchise-changing summer
May 8, 2025, 5:45 pm
In Houston, the winning standard has been set so high that anything short of World Series contention now feels like failure. And yet, the 2025 Astros find themselves at an unfamiliar crossroads—caught between the fading brilliance of past stars and the uncertain promise of what comes next.
Jose Altuve is at the center of this issue. His early struggles (-0.5 WAR) may indicate more than just a temporary slump. And when he swung at the first pitch after Lance McCullers had just endured a grueling 33-pitch inning on Sunday, it raised a bigger question: who has the influence to talk to Altuve?
The Astros’ culture has long been praised for its accountability, but who inside the clubhouse has the standing to challenge or counsel Altuve or other vets when needed? With so many veteran voices gone, there’s a growing sense that no one does—and that’s a problem. That’s why the idea of bringing back Michael Brantley—not as a player, but as a respected voice—could make some sense. Brantley was always viewed as a quiet leader, and his presence could restore some of the guidance this roster desperately needs.
Batter up?
While the Astros have built a reputation for reviving pitchers' careers, their track record with hitters is far less impressive. There are few, if any, examples of a bat joining Houston and unlocking a new level. That failure in development becomes especially stark when considering how much they’re currently leaning on homegrown youth.
Which brings us to Zach Dezenzo. The 24-year-old rookie is showing he belongs—his .737 OPS makes him one of the more productive bats in a lineup that desperately needs stability while Yordan Alvarez nurses an injury. While Victor Caratini provides the Astros with the ability to switch hit, he's hitting just .217. Dezenzo should be starting every day in left, with Yordan out. Jose Altuve, who has already played too many innings this year, should be shifted to DH duties to ease his physical burden. The Astros should go with Cam Smith in right and keep Jake Meyers in center to round out the outfield.
GM Dana Brown has made clear that he views Dezenzo as a first baseman or left fielder for the future. So why not get him in the lineup while Yordan's out and see what he can do with consistent playing time?
Of course, losing Yordan Alvarez is always going to hurt. But the numbers tell a surprising story. Yordan currently holds a -0.4 WAR, right there alongside Altuve and Christian Walker as the only Astros with negative marks. On paper, the team hasn’t lost much production. But let’s not kid ourselves—Yordan’s mere presence alters how opponents pitch to this team. The lineup without him lacks fear factor, and the margins get razor-thin.
Speaking of margins, one move that may haunt this front office is the decision to sign Christian Walker. The veteran first baseman is hitting just .205 with a .617 OPS—far below the level expected from a player earning $20 million annually through 2027. Compare that to Jon Singleton, who posted better numbers in 2024 and currently boasts an .880 OPS in Triple-A with the Mets organization. Walker's defense is strong, but it's hard to argue that justifies the price tag. Singleton might not be a Gold Glover, or anything close, but he came much cheaper and was quietly more productive with the bat.
No regrets?
There’s also a broader question looming: if fans had known that Altuve’s massive contract extension would potentially cost the team the ability to re-sign current MVP candidates Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman, would they still have supported the deal? Hindsight is cruel, but with Altuve’s decline and Tucker and Bregman thriving, it’s a fair debate. Houston might have paid for the past instead of securing its future.
Big deals on the horizon?
All eyes now turn to owner Jim Crane. This winter, Houston's payroll will have considerable room to maneuver. But will Crane commit to restocking the lineup with All-Star-caliber bats, or will his reluctance to offer long-term deals keep the Astros stuck in a holding pattern? It’s one thing to let players walk. It’s another to fail to replace them.
The Astros still have the bones of a contender, but the road back to dominance is getting steeper. The team can’t simply rely on what used to work. It’s time for difficult conversations, bold lineup changes, and a rethinking of how this organization develops—and retains—offensive talent.
We have so much more to get to. Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday!
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