His exact quote on Verlander starting at 3:02 in the video.... "He's gonna pitch for us all this year and then he has a CHANCE to go back into free agency and even in his mid 30s he might get a pretty long deal because he's so dominant right now." Again... tell me where he said flat out Verlander won't be an Astro?
That's what I heard. Nobody expected Verlander to sign with the Astros before testing the market. Highly doughtful he comes back, but Luhnow has never ruled it out.
I can 100% guarantee you that Verlander has no interest in signing a contract before he is a free agent.
No question, the Astros won't be getting any discounts on Verlander. That doesn't mean he is 100% gone.
If you're hoping to sign a player at a reasonable price, you generally don't talk about how amazing he is and how he's probably going to get a huge deal. All you'd be doing is raising expectations. I disagree - he's not some guy getting his first taste of free agency and wanting lots of attention or needing the money. He didn't want to leave Detroit, of all places, because he was comfortable there. If he enjoys being an Astro, living in Houston, and could get a good offer now that lets him finish his career, I think he'd probably jump on it. Not sure how much he might be wanting to end up in LA or whatnot though.
If Miami takes back Puig as any meaningful part of a Realmuto trade they need to be slapped. A clubhouse cancer on a 1 year deal on a 100 loss team? Any GM who makes that move is an idiot.
If Verlander has another good year he will be looking at a minimum of $80M/3yrs. No way Houston pays that. Houston is going to use the extra picks from Verlander, Cole, and potentially McHugh to restock the farm.
Ramos at $19M/2yrs is a great value. Would have loved him in Houston for that price. If Realmuto goes to the Dodgers I think the Astros would be the front runner for Grandal, although if winning is not very important to him there are probably other teams that will offer more money.
Pretty obvious the Astros don’t value Ramos very much. The Astros passed on him at the trade deadline when his cost was minimal and now they passed on him when his contract is very reasonable.
I think the Astros are staying away from age. But ask yourself this. Does this sound like a Lunhow jedi mind trick trade? Realmuto for a life time deal by the Astros kinda like Gerrit Cole
The Astros did not pass on Morton because of age. The passed on him because they have serious reservations about his arm and shoulder. The Astros spent 6 weeks, off and on, talking to the Diamondbacks about Greinke. The Astros had a strong interest in Greinke. The two teams just couldn’t hammer out an agreement. The Astros are aware that someone may make a massive offer to Verlander but would like him back on a shorter term deal.
Yeah, I'm in the middle of moving which is pretty exhausting so I haven't been able to internet much. When I'm at work is internet time. Thanks for the repost though. I guess this is the make it or break it year. No way they could afford both him and Cole with all of the arbitrations coming up and extensions to whomever they decide.
Nah. Let’s wait and see who they add. A 2020 rotation of Kluber, McCullers, Whitley, James, and a good free agent has a chance to be very, very good.
