I don't really see Melancen as our end-all-be-all stud end of the bullpen arm. He's been solid the past couple years, but he's closer to Gregerson than he is the Kimbrels and Chapmans of the world. I'd still be happy to get him, though. I'd rather get Chapman, but then again I don't know what either costs, so its hard to really judge. Jocketty, IIRC, has a bone to pick with Luhnow, so his asking price might be absurd.
Some Tyler White highlights from the Dominican league showing power to all parts of the field. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XRUb96QCzBU https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FjPt9mE2LnA https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1sDuEj9utL0 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eFn7dx3q4Mw
The cost for Chapman is absurd at this point. Mark Melancon is interesting. No one thinks of him as a stud. However his fastball is extremely hard to get lift off of. The last three seasons: 219 innings 1.85 era 0.91 WHIP 100 saves 0.3 HR/9 I don't know that the cost of Melancon would be. I also would ideally rather have Miller or Chapman, but the numbers for Melancon are exceptional and it isn't a small sample size either.
Also, <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Lj hoes traded back to baltimore</p>— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonHeymanCBS/status/669549804284985344">November 25, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Just for cash. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Confirming <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/orioles?src=hash">#orioles</a> acquired L.J. Hoes from Astros. Told for cash considerations</p>— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) <a href="https://twitter.com/masnRoch/status/669553289193721856">November 25, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
How is Chris Davis' defense at 3B? Is that a viable option? I ask this because I had a friend that was really looking forward to a Lowrie/Valbuena platoon as their numbers were actually very good against lefties and righties, respectively. And sure the production could have worked out well, but that platoon would have cost us $13-$15M. That got me thinking - why not pay more and get an offensive force like Chris Davis. Sure he will cost you more (in terms of both dollars and years), but he also provides an impact bat to the middle of the lineup. 2B Altuve RF Springer SS Correa 3B Davis DH Gattis CF Gomez LF Rasmus 1B Carter - until AJ Reed takes over C Castro I could definitely live with that lineup, and it actually ends up with some pretty nice RH / LH balance.
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XRUb96QCzBU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> <iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FjPt9mE2LnA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1sDuEj9utL0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eFn7dx3q4Mw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
He is average at 1B as a defender, so it will be even worse at 3B. If we sign him it will definitely be as a 1B/DH (to give him a break in the field)
I say go with youth and invest the $$$ in the bullpen and another starter. Slide Duffy in at 3rd and White in at first. Having a full year of Springer, Gomez and Correa will be a natural lift vs. last year. 2B Altuve RF Springer SS Correa 3B Duffy / Moran DH Gattis CF Gomez LF Rasmus 1B Tyler White / AJ Reed C Castro
Would really like to add a high contact/average 3B. We have him in our system :grin: I can only handle so many all or nothing players this year. Gattis/Carter platoon and Davis are enough for me.
The Astros have been very fortunate with being able to integrate Springer and Correa at the speed that they were. I'm not sure they can integrate both Duffy and White at the same time next year and have the same success at two corner positions of the infield. How are the gloves of the two players you mention? I liked what I saw of Duffy hitting in limited appearances.
I think you go for Davis. Duffy is a Sunday 3B. I like White at 3b. If you can land Davis and add White to 3b(someone who can hit around 300) then you are good to go offensively. Need one closer and one more bull pen arm. Unload that money.
Payroll should be at around $70MM right now after the Lowrie trade. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Luhnow: Astros could reach $100 mil. Stopped short of expectation "I know I'm not going to spend $150, $200 million" <a href="https://t.co/7U51yfyOcz">https://t.co/7U51yfyOcz</a></p>— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/status/669656706444431360">November 25, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
wow with that quote doesnt seem like we'll be going for a top tier fa which sucks. After a deep run and one of the lowest payrolls you think hed have more flexibility
Astros and Luhnow are by nature conservative on asset allocation, whether that is money or trades. I expect to see the Astros continue to concentrate on their minor league scouting/development departments and flip prospects for players under team control long term (Fiers) or short term rentals at expensive positions (Kazmir). Would the Astros take on a lot of money? Under the ideal circumstances I think they would (Hammels or the like) but nothing beyond that. The Astros turned down a KRod/Lind deal at the deadline in part because they felt it was a poor allocation of funds. I am sure we will be flexible and go bargain hunting and if a big name free agent slips to a good value level, we will consider a move. To those hoping we would suddenly spend like the Red Sox, Dodgers or even Tigers; I don't see it happening.
