Gutierrez was not slated to be a starter, just a vet who could come off the bench and hit left handers.......he went on DL in June I believe
due to ankylosis spondylitis....had to look that one up. He was not hitting that well. It hurt to lose Toles so early. He was slated to be the starter, not Gutierrez.
Taylor also came out of nowhere making FG a non necessity.
Darvish was cheap because he was going to be a free agent. Not many wanted Verlander because he has several years left on contract and had been performing poorly last couple seasons. He makes $28 million next year and again in 2019 and $22 million in 2020. So almost $80 million Astros owe him....for a pitcher who will be 35.
RIP Bucky - 7/25/1943 - 1/19/2013
