It is likely that there are none at this time most punished novice rotation than that of the Houston Astros, who last year sustained 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 ran out of two ‘aces’.
As if this wasn’t enough, Framber Valdez, another of their starters, shocked them a few weeks ago after breaking his left ring finger trying to score a hit from Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor. In response to another possible season loss, management stepped on the gas and struck a deal with coveted starter Jake Odorizzi.
The good news for the Astros is that they’ve solved one of their biggest problems: renew the contract 27-year-old right-handed Lance McCullersAs reported by Mark Berman of Fox 26, the Texas board, and McCullers Jr. have reached agreement so that it stays in the club others another five years in exchange for US $ 85 million; In other words, including the upcoming season, it would take a total of six years before he played in Houston.
At the end of the 2021 season, the Astros will face another problem, Justin Verlander becomes a free agent, so it is not clear whether the veteran ‘ace’ will also get an extension offer from the Astros, or whether they will resign. with what they already have or are going for another arm in the next low season.
Lance McCullers Jr. forms to be part of manager Dusty Baker’s starting rotation for this 2021, which includes veteran Zack Greinke, Jake Odorizzi, Mexican José Urquidy and Dominicans Cristian Javier and Framber Valdez, noting that the latter does not. undergo surgery after his injury, but he may start the season a little late.