It definitely is thread-worthy, in my opinion. I was coming to the board to start it and didn't see it. Very interesting ... I'm curious to see what it will end up costing.
Then we won't be trading for Cole. 2 years of control, coming off 2 not so impressive seasons, his value isn't as high as they want. Look at what the A's got for 2.5 years of Gray for approximate value.
Wouldn't mind a package centered around Fisher. However, a package centered around Tucker or Whitley would be a different story. Can't imagine those guys would be involved in a trade for anyone other than a bonafide ace. Cole is a really solid #2/3 but he's nowhere near a bonafide ace.
How good is Cole at this point? With the inability to spend with the big boys I don’t think I’m willing to part with Tucker or Whitley for him.
The Astros most likely aren't including Tucker or Whitley in any potential deals for Cole. That being said, I think they'd be more inclined to part with Tucker first. Whitley is definitely the guy that everyone wants in a potential blockbuster... and the guy they're not getting.
NEXT! Cole has two yrs left on his contract so the whole point of adding a high-end starter as insurance for Keuchel, Morton & Verlander who become free agents over the next two years becomes lost. Darvish or Arrieta! Keep Whitley as a back of the rotation starter for 2019. Keep Tucker as the 2019 left fielder or at worst a 425k equivalent to replace Reddick when he hits free agency in 2-3 years. 2019- Darvish or Arrieta/Verlander/ McCullers/Keuchel or Morton/Whitley
Tucker or Whitley are too much IMO for a guy that has been pretty average the last 2 seasons, and only has 2 years of team control left.
Can you move the other posts related to this from the Offseason thread? Martes + Fisher + Davis That is probably as aggressive an offer as I'd give up.
I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Tucker was made available. Whitley, on the other hand, is likely completely off-limits.
Pretty sure every possible trade involving the Astros will be "leaked" by opposing teams looking for Tucker/Whitley. If they stood pat with their untouchable 4 at this year's trade deadline... you best be assured they're standing pat with the same untouchables, unless they're getting a crack at a sure-fire ace with many years of club control.
That's too rich for my blood. Losing the next 5 or 6 years of Martes isn't worth an average SP of Cole. I'd be ok with the centerpiece being Derek Fisher, not much more for only 2 years of Cole. Fisher would be a great replacement in the OF after they trade McCutchen.
The hardest part of losing Martes for me is that right now he is exactly what a team needs with the frequency of injury in the starting rotation. A guy we can shuffle into the rotation and possibly be as good or better than the guy he is replacing.
I'd be surprised... unless there's something we don't know about that is limiting Tucker's upside. He was a higher pick, has conquered each level with a slightly less Correa-like pace, and the Astros do need a corner OF in the upcoming years. I really would rather they trade neither of them... unless they get a guy that's just too highly coveted and they need to make the best possible offer.
The interesting thing to me is that there is a line in the sand somewhere. A point by which the player to get in question is a big enough prize to warrant considering Tucker/Whitley in a trade. We just dont know where that is or what the pecking order of priorities/player attributes looks like in the mind(s) of the brass. Maybe they even have a list of players that qualify. One would think anything involving Whitley would mandate a pitcher in return.
Would you guys be down for a Fisher + Tucker +Martes for Cole and McCutchen? No idea on McCutchens contract. Just an Idea.
