I don’t think that’s the graphic you saw the other day (at least if it was on TV). The graphic they showed on tv was the slash line of the Astros 9th hitters vs the average cleanup hitter in Major League Baseball. The Astros 9 hitter was better.
I don't see Luhnow trading Reddick or Yuli this season. If anything, we'll acquire someone and force Yuli and Diaz to duke out the super utility role, or perhaps even push Reddick into a 4th OF situation (unlikely IMO). But I don't see either player going anywhere. Neither will bring in a legit major league contributor due to their contracts, and that's what we need. I just don't see us cutting either loose for minor leaguers. They're not that bad that we just need to get them off the books. With where we are, I don't see Luhnow moving either piece. We'll likely move younger pieces for someone who pushes both for playing time, if anything. Who knows what the FO has up their sleeve. The idea of Scherzer is pretty intoxicating. Regardless, we're in a great position moving forward. If we get into a roster-crunch type situation, I could see our AAAA core (Kemp, White, Fisher, etc.) potentially moved to teams like BAL, KC, DET, etc for pennies on the dollar. Cost of doing business, I suppose.
Slightly below average. Considering Kemp usually plays in the field, Kemp's defense should be taken into account. It's been pretty good this year. I expect his defense won't continue to be good, but expect he will hit better.
Well, that's easy. You only have 12 position player listed. 2 of out the 3 can be accommodated easily at full strength. DFA White, trade Kemp, and let Straw//Tucker battle it out for the 2nd spot.
But this all dependent on if everyone comes back and is healthy. Alvarez had a great first game and I'm pretty pumped about what the future has instore for him. But the reality is there is no guarantee our core will be healthy come playoff time. I'm not suggesting we should trade all our chips but if you can grab a bat like Encarnacion for cheap, you have to take a look at it. Yuli is very solid at first base on defense but is struggling hitting the ball. If we are to make the world series, our offense will have to be next level and players need to healthy.
They want to keep 13 pitchers and think they are right since the bullpen has shown some signs of tiring already. They need to save their core relievers for later in the season and playoffs.
He was referring to a bench-clearing fight that happened after Musgrove (probably unintentionally) hit Donaldson with a pitch. See Former Astros Tracking Thread (bc Musgrove used to play for us) for more.
I'm totally fine with one of Alvarez or Tucker being on another team come July 31st if it gets us a top of the rotation starter with multiple years of control.
Maybe Tucker+extras to the Indians for a Bauer and Hand package? That's a thought that's been crossing my mind for a few days. As long as Bauer doesn't blow up the clubhouse. Also, I may want to move sooner rather than later to avoid being beat out by other teams. I can see the Mall Cops possibly making a move as they're surprisingly in the WC hunt. Don't want to make our division any harder than it has to be.
I was thinking more like using Tucker plus some other prospects to get Washington or Arizona to pay down the salaries of Scherzer or Greinke. I would go after Syndergaard if Scherzer or Greinke aren't possible. He's not having a great year, but I think with the Astros and Strom making some tweeks he is Gerit Cole 2.0. I like the idea of Bauer and Hand but that doesn't happen very often. Teams tend to try and get as much as they can for each player and you don't see those kinds of package deals that often anymore. I doubt we make the kind of offer needed to get both guys.
I don't see Wash moving Scherzer or the Mets moving Noah. Honestly, I think getting creative with a reliever would be more to our liking than trading mega pieces for 2-3 years of a top-paid SP.
Oh I agree, I'd rather have a healthy Kluber. I'm just saying Bauer with his analytical approach to pitching would be great on this team. Too bad he's such a flake.
Y’all are wanting Luhnow to get ripped off if you want him to trade Tucker or Alvarez for Bauer. Here’s the list of pitchers I would be cool with trading Tucker or Alvarez for: Scherzer (Nats cover 100% of his salary and throw in one of their best prospects) Giolito Snell Sale (Sox throw in $40M) DeGrom (Mets throw in $50M) Beuhler Taillon (Pirates throw in a good prospect)