It was the price in prospects. On Smith, if they wanted to move him, they would have to include a prospect like they would with Reddick or Gurriel. I think Reddick and Gurriel were more likely on trade block. I think they wanted Cruz, but didn't want to make a formal offer until they moved someone to free up money (wanted to save remaining cap for starter) and roster spot. I think the prospect cost to move money was more than Luhnow expected. I think prospect cost to get some team to pay some of salary for a starter was too high.
I don’t think Gurriel was ever shopped. He’s still pretty versatile and his salary goes down to $8M next season. Plus he may be due for a rebound if his injury last season sapped his power. I do think Reddick was shopped. At the beginning of the offseason I would’ve guessed that Reddicks contract was about market value or maybe $2-3M underwater. Now it looks like it’s probably about $12-15M underwater. Either way, I don’t think Reddick’s salary was the difference in Houston making a run at Harper; $15M isn’t all that significant in the face of a $300M commitment.
He might be a borderline star for another team. Hard to see a way forward for him to get extended playing time in Houston. I will be surprised if he isn’t traded this year.
Is Derek Fisher is an everyday MLB player? That is a 50-50 proposition. We will not know unless we give him a chance. There will have to be an injury for him to see that chance ... maybe multiple injuries seeing that there are players ahead of him like Tucker and Kemp.
PECOTA projections for 2019 came out today. Astros are projected to have the best record in baseball, win the AL West by 18 games, score the 2nd most runs (to the Yankees) and allow the fewest runs. They also project Kyle Tucker to hit .270 with 13 HR and 40 RBI. Love looking through these.
They were 99-63 in BPro's third order winning percentage last season, so the expected fall off isn't quite that severe.
https://fantasy.fangraphs.com/10-hitters-with-1st-round-upside/ Article highlighting sleeper fantasy players lists White and Tucker.
Nate Karns to Baltimore for $800k. Great signing for them, especially considering he has another year of arbitration remaining. Big upside for them.
I tried telling y'all for as long as I can remember that the Astros would never get Realmuto. Glad we didn't splurge for a Catcher.
I disagree with most, I do think JT would have been a bigger upgrade over Chirinos, and I was willing to give up more than most, but I guess I'm glad this will be my last post repeating that. Stubbs excites me more than Chirinos and Stassi combined. Manae is also one to watch, as is Perry. Brantley and Miley do, however, really excite me as "shiny new toys" though.
The equivalent deal seems to be Tucker, Bukauskus and Stassi for Realmuto. Personally, I would have pulled the trigger if I was Luhnow.
LOL, none of us are GMs, we are all just spouting our opinions. I personally value the best catcher in the game over an unproven OF prospect.
