Astros linked to a lot of trade candidates: https://www.mlb.com/news/best-2018-19-hot-stove-value-may-be-in-trade/c-298301320 Realmuto Bumgarner Schwarber Castellanos Gray Sounds good, I’ll take em all. Realmuto for Bukauskas, Alvarez, Stassi, Fisher, and $1M in intl slot money Bumgarner for James, Toro, and B Abreu Schwarber for Josh Reddick, Tony Kemp, Armenteros, J Arauz, and $8M Castellanos for Reed and Deetz Gray for C Martin, C Perez, Joe Smith, PTBNL and $3M CF Springer 3B Bregman 2B Altuve SS Correa DH Castellanos C Realmuto 1B Gurriel LF Schwarber RF Tucker Bench: White, Maldonado, Marisnick Rotation: Verlander, Bumgarner, Cole, Gray, Whitley Bullpen: Peacock, Devenski, F Valdez, Harris, McHugh, Rondon, Pressly, Osuna
I'm telling u look at Yuli for Marco Stroman. That would be the trade to look at. Strom would do wonders with him. Also look at Sonny Gray two projects for Strom and a rebuild like Andrew Miller. This would be steals for the Astros. But the one thing the Astros need more then anything is a scary type player when he bats. Altuve when healthy Bregman then its its after that. They need one more guy to fill this out. Plus they need that production from the Catchong postion
The Blue Jays are rebuilding and would want nothing to do with Yuli Gurriel. Yuli is an aging player who is barely worth his salary and will be a free agent in 2 years. He has very little if any trade value. Marcus Stroman is an interesting trade target, as is Sonny Gray. That is the mitigating factor about losing the 3-5 of the rotation is that there seem to be quite a few interesting MoR/BoR guys with upside available.
We should all be praying this is successful and Altuve returns to form. Surgeries, no matter how minor, can prevent players from ever being the same again. Altuve and Correa getting healthy is as vital as anything else.
FA Keuchel Sipp Harris Morton Gattis McCann Maldonado Gonzalez Possible trade candidates McHugh Smith Devo Most of the FA’s are likely gone. Morton could have better than a 50/50 chance of being back but that is about it. McHugh is arbitration eligible and may be moved to save money if they deem that the internal cheaper options are more viable. Either way 1/3 the team or more will be new.
Silver lining may be that it was just a broken bone, which heals pretty seamlessly in the scheme of injuries. Better that than, say, a major tendon or muscle, like the Achilles. Those injuries are a bit more worrisome.
I've heard this a lot, but I don't see him moving. He's either an elite bullpen member or a functional #3 or #4 starter. Either way, a $6-$8MM 1-yr deal (what he probably gets in arbitration) seems cheaper than you'd have to pay for that elsewhere. Plus, he has the versatility of being proven in both roles so you can use him how he best fits.
I think McHugh is more likely to stay than leave. However if the Astros can get something they want for him in trade and save $7-8 million to spend elsewhere, I wouldn’t be surprised. There are a lot of potential bullpen arms in the system. If the Astros target someone like Murphy or Cruz in FA to fill a line up hole, that money saved may make a big difference. Although the one I think dealt is Harris.
I don't understand the infatuation with Cruz. Don't get me wrong, he was still a well-above average offensive player last year. But his age concerns me, and I don't particularly want him to play in the OF. His average and power have been declining the past (4) seasons, and last year was the worst one yet. Maybe his decline last year was just a blip. Regardless, the only way I could see it working is by letting Cruz DH full time, slide Yuli into Marwin's role, and put Tyler at 1B.
While they may have a big turnover, do you really think they will add Realmuto Castellanos Bumgarner Gray and Schwarber?
LOL No.... they won’t lose every single free agent or trade every contract. I think they try to add a veteran bat and maybe a utility type bat. A lot of the bullpen holes and the 5th starter I think are added internally.... with any holes unexpectedly emerging being filled at mid season. Having failed to repeat, I think we may see Congrejo climb out for the rock he has been living under and suggest hundreds of trades though and blame Hinch for the Altuve fly ball call.
I was being mostly silly and in no way do I think Houston will go that balls out. If I was predicting, I think they will resign Marwin and Morton (unless Morton has a major injury) and sign a good free agent bat on a short term deal (like Cruz). The real question will be what they do at catcher and SP; they will surely address both areas, it just remains to be seen whether they add star players there, or go cheaper and add 2nd or 3rd tier players.
Wilson Ramos would be my number 1 free agent target. It addresses the catcher position and the need for an additional solid bat. Plus he won't cost a draft pick since he can't receive a qualifying offer from the Phillies. I would look at bringing in Maldonando as the back up but it would depend on the price. If his price is too high just roll with Stassi. I would also resign Morton and Marwin. If the rumors about McCullers having Tommy John surgery are true Morton is a big priority. Marwin will be the super utility guy and back up plan if Tucker or White can't hit. I would try to extend Verlander and Pressly. Verlander for somewhere in the 3 year range for 75-90 million. Maybe 2 years with a 3rd year option. Pressly might take an extension because he only made 1.8 million last year in arbitration and his estimate for next season is 3.1 million. Maybe throw a 3 year deal at him for 15-20 million. Then maybe sign a guy like Justin Wilson to be the lefty in the pen or trade for Tony Watson or someone similar. The only way I see the Astros making a major trade is if Morton leaves/retires and McCullers is out for the year. Then they will be looking for a starting pitcher. LINEUP: Springer Altuve Bregman Correa Ramos Gurriel Reddick White Tucker BENCH: Maldonando/Stassi Kemp Marwin ROTATION: Verlander Cole Morton McCullers/James Peacock/Valdez/McHugh Bullpen: Osuna Pressly Smith Devenski McHugh Wilson/Watson Rondon Peacock/James/Harris
While I'd favor a 35-40 homer stick in the middle of the line-up; when healthy, Altuve, Bregman Correa & Springer are all scary as **** type players.
Anybody notice this twitter exchange between a fan and McHugh’s wife? Is she admitting that she knows McCullers has a torn UCL?
Jumping to conclusions based on Luhnow’s press conference today: McCann will be back. All other free agents will have to test the market. Stassi is likely to be included if they trade for a catcher. Luhnow is comfortable with a Kemp/White DH platoon. Tucker will be in LF. McCullers is out. They like their pitching prospects and will only add 1 SP from outside. The bullpen won’t change much. Updated opening day roster prediction: CF Springer 3B Bregman 2B Altuve SS Correa C Realmuto 1B Gurriel LF Tucker DH White RF Reddick Bench: McCann, Kemp, Marisnick Rotation: Verlander, Cole, Gray, James, Peacock Bullpen: F Valdez, Devenski, Smith, Harris, McHugh, Rondon, Pressly, Osuna Starting to think there are really only 2 needs: catcher who can hit 5th and SP who can start Game 3.
