It probably doesn’t exist at the moment the most punished initial rotation than that of Houston Astros, who last year suffered the injury of Justin Verlander (Tommy John) and the departure of Gerrit Cole, who signed as a free agent with the New York Yankees; in other words, they were left without the two “aces”.
As if that wasn’t enough, a few weeks ago, Framber Valdez, another of their beginners, gave them a scare after he broke his left ring finger trying to throw a shot at the Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor . In response to another possible loss throughout the season, management stepped on the gas and struck a deal with the coveted starter Jake Odorizzi.
The good news for Astros is that they have solved one of their main concerns: extend the contract Right for 27 years Lance McCullers. As reported by Mark Berman of Fox 26, the Texan Council and McCullers Jr. they came to an understanding so that others remain in the club another five years in exchange for $ 85 million; In other words, considering the next season, there would be a total of six years left for him to play in Houston.
At the end of the 2021 season, the Astros will have to face another problem, Justin Verlander will become a free agent, so it is not clear whether the veteran “ace” will also receive an extension offer from the Astros, or resign with what they already have or head for another arm in the next off-season.
Lance McCullers Jr. is preparing to be part of manager Dusty Baker’s starting rotation for 2021, which includes veteran Zack Greinke, Jake Odorizzi, Mexican José Urquidy and Dominicans Cristian Javier and Framber Valdez, noting that the latter has not been subjected. surgery after injury, but the season could start a little late.