2012-2013 Astros Offseason: Trade & FA Speculation

Bud Norris attracting interest

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Teams are calling on Bud Norris, and the Astros are listening. Much of the interest depends on the cascade effect from Greinke signing.</p>&mdash; Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/status/275784549185753088" data-datetime="2012-12-04T02:12:15+00:00">December 4, 2012</a></blockquote>
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a lot of teams will be after him. Don't think we'll get him (unless we spend, which I don't think will happen)

 

There's genuine interest - if healthy. But if healthy, per the team, he'll be highly coveted and likey too rich for the Astros. What'll be interesting to watch... if he's not healthy, and retires....... they have perhaps a greater interest/likelihood of bringing in back in another capacity.

 

That wasn't my perspective nor my opinion.

 

Troy Renck is the Rockies beat writer for the Denver Post.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Rockies">#Rockies</a> closing in on acquiring reliever Wilton Lopez from Astros... Know that the Astros like AA pitcher Parker Frazier</p>&mdash; Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) <a href="https://twitter.com/TroyRenck/status/276161788951814144" data-datetime="2012-12-05T03:11:15+00:00">December 5, 2012</a></blockquote>
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Addendum...

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Rockies would look to send two young pitchers to Houston for Lopez, a proven setup man. Parker Frazier would not be in deal</p>&mdash; Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) <a href="https://twitter.com/TroyRenck/status/276165445961261056" data-datetime="2012-12-05T03:25:47+00:00">December 5, 2012</a></blockquote>
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I didn't get that at a press conference; it wasn't marked for public consumption so there wasn't any "our" considerations. It was told to me personally by about as reliable a source as you can possibly imagine.

And even if I didn't have that on good authority, a quick glance at his baseball-reference page will confirm it: in 2011, his last healthy season, he finished 7th in MVP voting and posted a 164 OPS+. On a Nationa League team. Even last year, in very limited action, he was well above-average. He will be highly coveted; the guy still rakes.

 

My understanding...from someone who claims to know...is that the other deal the Astros believe they have nailed down is a bit more substantial. That it's "surprising." We'll see.

 

Go back and read what I originally posted

We're talking about an enviornment in which the Red Sox just gave Mike Napoli $39MM.

If healthy, Berkman will be highly-coveted.

 

The problem with Berkman is his current health means nothing. He could be 100% healthier than ever today and is still reasonably likely to be injured next week. He couldn't stay on the field for more than a week last year before a new injury would crop up.

He may be coveted, but it's hard to commit a lot of money to him because you can't really count on him to be part of your lineup. Napoli gets paid a lot because you expect 120-150 games out of him. Berkman? No one would be surprised if he plays 25. or 100.

 

Do you know how many years Napoli's actually played "120-150 games"? Once. In seven big league seasons. And it was 3 years ago. His second highest total is 114. Last year, he played 108. Other than last year, Berkman has played "120-150 games" every single year since 2001.

So, once again: if healthy, he'll be highly coveted; ie too rich for the Astros.

 

Does it involve Norris?

 

I don't know...and I don't know for sure this guy has good information.