Ok here’s a deadline plan: Astros get: RHP Noah Syndergaard RHP Seth Lugo 1B Todd Frazier Mets get: RHP Corbin Martin RHP Josh James OF Derek Fisher RHP JB Bukauskas 2B Luis Santana Indians get: 1B Tyler White LF Tony Kemp RF Josh Reddick IF Aledmys Diaz C Max Stassi RHP Chris Devenski RHP Brandon Bielak $5M Astros get: C Roberto Perez LHP Brad Hand Resulting roster: CF Springer 3B Bregman 2B Altuve LF Brantley SS Correa DH Alvarez 1B Frazier RF Tucker C Chirinos Bench: Gurriel, Marisnick, Perez Rotation: Verlander, Cole, Syndergaard, Peacock, Miley Bullpen: Valdez, McHugh, Harris, Rondon, Lugo, Hand, Pressly, Osuna
That first trade makes a lot of sense, and I think there are enough high-ceiling pieces on our end for the Mets to consider it. That second trade is weird to me, though. It's basically dumping every AAAA player on our roster for a backup catcher and a RP. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to have Hand, and I'm not even saying the deal's imbalanced, it's just... weird.
Both deals involve too many players to be realistic. But I think both are close in terms of overall value and what makes sense for both teams. The Indians likely plan to deal Santana but will likely want to compete again next year with Kluber and Carrasco healthy, so they will be looking for pieces that can help them next year. White replaces Santana and both Kemp and Reddick serve as upgrades in their OF. Stassi is a cheap replacement for Perez (Indians have severe payroll constraints), and Devenski helps replace Hand in their pen. Diaz could be their starting 2B and serve as insurance at SS if they get a godfather offer for Lindor. Astros will be looking for an upgrade at backup C and Perez fits the mold.
Not sure losing 9 guys that have been on our MLB roster at some point of this season is a real wise move chemistry wise.
Out of all the guys going out in those 2 hypothetical deals, only Reddick has any kind of meaningful clubhouse presence. However, I am not sure about the personalities of the guys coming in. If Frazier or Thor or Lugo are pricks it probably wouldn’t be a good idea to add them. The more I think about it, if they’re going to do a blockbuster it may be best to just stick with the Indians: Astros get: RHP Shane Bieber LHP Brad Hand C Roberto Perez 1B Carlos Santana Indians get: RHP Corbin Martin RHP JB Bukauskas 1B Seth Beer UT Josh Rojas RHP Josh James C Max Stassi 1B Tyler White RF Josh Reddick LF Tony Kemp
I say this respectfully... there is no evidence whatsoever that @Snake Diggit *actually* watches games - which is by no means a reflection of his knowledge of the team/sport. He just can't possibly have the time between concocting hourly 12-player, 4-team trade ideas, LOL.
Here are my notes: Interesting trade ideas with the Indians. Roberto Perez is an interesting candidate, but he's not a rental, has 1.5 years left, and 2 more years of team options. He's sneaky good, has about the same numbers as Chirinos, I bet they trade him by himself to a team that needs a starting catcher, not a backup (like Tampa?) for a larger haul. Not quite what we need, we need someone who can eat innings from Chirinos and give Robby some much-needed rest. Astros probably would prefer to snag a cheap rental (Lucroy? Vogt?) and then re-sign Chirinos, as I would do. Hand I would really love to get if the Indians will trade him. Really wanted him the last 2 years as well. For 1B, Jake Bauers could help us, great potential in his bat, good defense and speed, but he looks to be crowded on their roster with Bradley and Santana. Indians kind of look to regret the trade for him. I love Santana, but for reasons I've already outlined (he loves being an Indian, one of the faces of the team), doubt he's moved. Wish Kluber was healthy. Tyler Bauer would also be a good trade target if not for his beef with Cole. Of the Mets guys, I don't want Frazier, don't really care for him (and he just strikes me as a prick type), and he'd be out of position at 1B. Thor's injury history concerns me, too. Lugo is very intriguing, but I get the feeling they won't trade him to us. Would love Wheeler if we could secure an extension.
I heard the Bumgarner to MIN rumors too, but that's all they were. Would really love to add Will Smith to our pen. But if we can't get him, Tony Watson is a great alternative, and probably an even better clubhouse fit.
We are a pretty young team at the ML level and just need to lock in SP to really have a 3 year window. What would Tucker fetch us in trade?
That's an awful lot for two rentals, unless we give at least one an extension. I'd say either Stroman + Smoak, or Matt Boyd, or Robbie Ray + Swihart/Holland. He's also a good headliner in a Scherzer package, but the Nats are showing indications that he won't be moved.
Not interested in Boyd. He pitches in one of the most pitcher friendly parks and his home/road splits for his career are not good. He started off the season nicely but is starting to regress to his mean. He got beat up his last 2 starts which were on the road against the Royals and Indians. Career splits Home 50 starts, 282.1 IP, 3.92 ERA, 1.187 WHIP, 42 HR, .720 OPS Road 52 starts, 272.1 IP, 5.75 ERA, 1.447 WHIP, 51 HR, .825 OPS
With Corbin Martin going down and Whitley/Alvarez/Tucker untouchable, here’s how I see the tiers of trade chips Houston has available with the deadline in 5 weeks: Tier 1 (headliners in deals for a controllable star player): None, unless they decide to make Tucker, Alvarez, or Whitley available Tier 2 (headliners or co-headliners in deals for star rentals or borderline stars with remaining control): RHP Josh James RHP JB Bukauskas OF Derek Fisher 1B Seth Beer Tier 3 (meaningful pieces of deals for good players): LHP Framber Valdez OF Myles Straw C Garrett Stubbs UT Josh Rojas LHP Cionel Perez RHP Rogelio Armenteros RHP Jose Urquidy 3B Abraham Toro RHP Bryan Abreu RHP Tyler Ivey RHP Jojanse Torres IF Freudis Nova Tier 4 (throw-ins for roster, financial, or finish line reasons): 1B Tyler White OF Tony Kemp C Max Stassi RP Chris Devenski 1B AJ Reed OF Drew Ferguson RHP Brandon Bielak RP Riley Ferrell RHP Brady Rodgers RP Reymin Guduan OF Ronnie Dawson RHP Cristian Javier RHP Brandon Bailey RHP Enoli Paredes SS Jonathan Arauz IF Enmanuel Valdez RHP Brett Conine SS Jeremy Pena OF Alex McKenna IF Luis Santana RHP Heitor Tokar RHP Manny Ramirez I expect Houston to add a backup catcher and a reliever using tier 3 and tier 4 guys. They will have to use multiple Tier 2 guys to headline a deal for a SP.
I agree with that, and of course he doesn't have "name brand" either, but he has control, as well as EXCELLENT K and BB numbers. That's what I like about him. I'm not asking him to supplant JV as our staff ace, just solidify the #3 or #4 spot for a few years. Could be improved upon with work from Strom and JV, but maybe not. Robbie Ray has insane swing and miss stuff, if we can get him and teach him to consistently throw strikes that would be amazing. Maybe, Stroman + Smoak, and Vogt + Smith to fulfill all our needs in just 2 trades? Though for backup C, I would prefer Lucroy (and we have done business with LAA before [and yes, for a C], despite being in the division). And for reliever, I kinda prefer someone with more control, though Smith is excellent and could be extended.
I don't want a typical 3/4 pitcher. We have that already with Miley and Peacock who both have better numbers than Boyd right now and both have playoff experience which Boyd does not. I want someone to pitch game 3 of the ALDS after Verlander and Cole. If he's not clear cut better than Miley or Peacock than just hold on to what we have in the rotation and add to the bullpen. Ray is a shinier version of Framber. Great stuff but can't control it, and I would still start Miley over Ray in game 3. So he doesn't fit what I want. Syndergaard, Stroman.....those are the names I'm interested in. I would take a chance on Wheeler and see what Strom can do with him, but he wouldn't cost nearly what Boyd will cost in terms of prospects. Wheeler has elite stuff and that plays in the playoffs. See Nathan Eovaldi and Charlie Morton the last 2 years.
Syndergaard concerns me with his injuries. Not to sound pessimistic, but I think he's going down the Chris Archer career path. Wheeler is my #1 choice, better than Stroman IMO, but no control after this year (unless we extend him). Peacock, I really want moved to the playoff pen, based on his results from 2017, so ideally, we trade for someone to start game 3 or 4. If we can't add to our rotation for future years at the deadline, I guess we can do something next offseason.
