Hot Stove League Review: Astros

The Astros Hot Stove League season was dominated by news of MLB's investigation into the sign stealing scandal which served to distract attention from losing their best pitcher. and possibly the best pitcher in MLB, to free agency.  Oof!  Key Moves:

Free Agents Lost:  Gerrit Cole(RHP), Wade Miley(LHP), Hector Rondon(RHP), Collin McHugh(RHP), Will Harris(RHP), Robinson Chirinos(C), Aaron Sanchez(RHP).

Free Agents Signed:  Dustin Garneau(C), Joe Smith(RHP- re-signed), Martin Maldonado(C- re-signed).

Trades:  Acquired Blake Taylor(LHP) and Kenedy Corona(OF) from the Mets for Jake Marisnek(OF).  Acquired Austin Pruitt(RHP) from the the Rays for Peyton Battenfield(RHP) and Cal Stevenson(OF).

Suspension:  Francis Martes(RHP).

Summary:  So, winning or losing the Hot Stove League season vs the Regular Season do not necessarily correlate and often don't, but make no mistake, this was a disastrous Hot Stove performance.  Not only did they lose their ace SP with no replacement, but they lost their GM and Manager and many of the players were publicly humiliated by the Commissioner's report on the sign stealing scandal.  I mean, is there a lower grade than F?

Grade:  F-minus!