BURNING QUESTIONS
How will the Astros deal with the scrutiny, anger and rage?
This will be a season like no team has ever endured. Astros owner Jim Crane, realizing that he badly needed a leader to withstand all of the public hatred for his team embroiled in a sign-stealing scandal, chose veteran Dusty Baker.
Baker is masterful at maintaining a close-knit clubhouse. The only way to survive, Baker says, is to keep the outside noise from splintering the clubhouse. Scrutiny is already coming at them from all sides as teams report to spring training and speak publicly.
The Astros were known to have one of the closest-knit clubhouses in baseball the past few years, and they will need to rely on one another more than ever this season.
How will they replace the loss of Gerrit Cole?
Bracing themselves for the loss of Cole, the Astros acquired 2009 AL Cy Young winner Zack Greinke at last year’s trade deadline to pair with Justin Verlander. They didn’t sign any free agent starting pitchers and only picked up Austin Pruitt in a trade.
They would love for prospect Forrest Whitley to regain his prowess, but he struggled last year in the minors. Their best options might be rookie Jose Urquidy, veteran Brad Peacock, Josh James and Framber Valdez. James was impressive last year in the bullpen, and if he can regain his control could be a nice fit. They also could have Lance McCullers back after he missed 2019 recovering from Tommy John surgery, but the team likely will limit him to less than 150 innings.