So it just came down the pipe that the Astros have released Livan Hernandez from his minor-league deal today. There is, in my bones, a strange feeling of confidence in the front office. Honestly, if Ed Wade was still GM, do you think that Duke and Hernandez would have been released? I don't. As with the Duke signing, and subsequent release, Livan was a low-risk, high-(possible-) reward signing. It didn't work out, and so they move on. Not in June, but right now. However this team fares in the standings this year, I have more confidence in the franchise than I have since 2005. And you?
So, projected rotation:
1. Wandy
2. Norris
3. Happ
4. Weiland
5. Lyles*
*Lucas Harrell could find himself in this spot, as he is out if options, and Lyles could head to OKC.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
