This should be an interesting deadline. Clearly, we need help. How will we approach getting it is the question. Can't wait?
I would explore a trade for Kemp. A .290 25+ HR guy is greatly needed. I used to think Chris Burke and his .260 avg was just an awful hitter. But outside of Altuve and Springer I'd rather replace the other 7 with 7 Chris Burkes. Thats how bad we are at hitting. I also want them to tank so maybe Kemp gets traded in the offseason.
Chris Carter has a higher OPS than Kemp over the last 2 years and Kemp make 40x what Carter does. I'm not saying this to make Carter look good either.
Kemps struggles are injuries nothing more. The guy can still hit. 30-34 will be his prime years. Hitting to crawford will be easy for this guy.
At what point do we stop trading every player we develop that turns out to be good? I understood trading older vets, but to trade a guy like Dallas makes no sense to me.
Lets say the Cubs call, and offer up Anthony Rizzo or Kris Bryant. One is a young all-star 1B, the other is a MLB ready #1 prospect that figures to compete for MVPs. Would you not entertain those types of offers for Keuchel? We are at the point where we quit making calls trying to trade away good players. But failing to listen would be a mistake.
The problem is your scenario isn't realistic. I never said we shouldn't listen -- might as well fire a GM if he doesn't listen to trade offers.
Not going to happen. Yes, Astros should trade him if a team makes a ridiculously good offer, but for all intents and purposes, Keuchel will be an Astro unless another team makes a mistake.
Yes, I know, Jon Heyman, but... <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>astros telling teams chad qualls isnt going anywhere. <a href="http://t.co/UwRpE5oXoQ">http://t.co/UwRpE5oXoQ</a></p>— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonHeymanCBS/statuses/494858238588764162">July 31, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Sources: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Astros?src=hash">#Astros</a> “very, very busy” with calls on Cosart. Have taken Keuchel off the market.</p>— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/statuses/494858515308367872">July 31, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
It is realistic if another team believes Keuchel is the real deal. Young controllable talented pitchers are incredibly valuable to a team. The Cubs are deep in position players, but lack pitching. A deal with them makes perfect sense, once again, If they believe Keuchel is the real deal. It is also the type of deal that makes more sense in the offseason, as neither team is contending.
He isn't untouchable, but no team will be willing to trade a top flight prospect for Chad Qualls. Right now this organization has more mid-level prospects than we know what to do with. Cosart is interesting. I'm not sure if we could get value based on his floor/ceiling combo at the moment. We really need bats, but so does everybody these days.
