With the Astros attendance being well above projection and even going over the 30,000 mark a few times in the last week and the likelihood Norris and Veras come off the books, I think the Astros could spend some money. I know they don't want to commit too that many players and hold back prospects but I think a 2-3 yr deal for an outfielder and maybe a starter would not have long term affects. I'd really like too see Hunter Pence back and possibly take a run at Garza with 2-3 yr offers for both Astros could field a lineup next year of Villar, Altuve, Castro, Springer, Singleton, Pence, Carter, Maxwell, Dominguez Rotation of Cosart, Garza, Lyles, Keuchel, ?
Bullpen or a corner outfield bat are the only possible FA targets. Our pitching staff is backlogged with prospects as is. Keuchel, Lyles, Cosart, Wojieochowski, Peacock, Foltynewicz, Tropeano, Appel. Thats 8 pitchers that we are gonna have to judge over the next 2 years, not to mention other less heralded prospects. We need innings for these guys. Were not gonna compete next year anyhow. We really don't have any corner outfield prospects, so signing a Hunter Pence type might not be a bad idea, but I highly doubt this regime is willing to spend money right now.
Pence and Garza won't be signing 2-3 year deals, they certainly wouldn't be signing a 2-3 year deal with a team that is re-building the way we are. I would be all for adding a good impact bat for the OF, but you aren't going to get it done with a short term deal.
I don't think we can say that after only having this ownership in place for one full offseason. Luhnow even recently said that they would look at 2-3 year mid level free agents this offseason. The problem with the op is that neither Pence nor Garza (barring some kind of major injury that destroys their value) will sign for 2-3 years. Garza can look at Sanchez and Jackson from last offseason and legitimately feel like he'll be able to sign for something along the lines of 5/75. Pence should also be able to find a 4-5 year deal out there as well. Perhaps they'd be willing to take a risk on someone like Lincecum or Josh Johnson, who might be willing to take short term deal to build their value back up.
Last year I talked to Luhnow and he said that he hopes the fans can stick around for one more season (the 2013 year), which indicates to me that this is the trough year, and we could start taking on additional salary in the 2014 year. Of course that additional salary would need to be done in such a way that we don't block prospects or take on long term contracts detrimental to our overall rebuilding plan.
Luhnow has said that he will finally sign a couple of free agents to complement the young talent next season. I am hopeful that the 100 loss teams are behind the Astros after 3 years of just tanking to rebuild the right way. Getting Carlos Rodon is HUGE. Now the Astros will have enough depth in the minors after the Norris trade and after the 2014 mlb draft were even if they bring the top talent by next year's opening roster the farm system will remain super strong.
Of course they would for more money. I don't see the Astros making any big FA pickups until the 2015 season. My optimistic hope is the Astros can go about 75-87 next season with all of the prospect call-ups, and then Crane decides to bring in a big name FA or two so we can make a playoff push in 2015.
Maybe A Low-Cost Bat Or Reliever I don't see the Astros signing a big-time free agent like Garza. They might go after some low-cost relievers or a cheap bat to generate some pop in the middle of the Astros' lineup.
Mid-level guys who want playing time and exposure would certainly be interested in signing a short term contract with Houston.
Pence makes $13,000,000+ this year. Offensively his OBP, SLG, OPS, HR and RBIs are almost the same as Carter who makes less than $500,000. Pence has is a likeable guy who plays hard, but he is not worth $13,000,000/year.
What about guys like Ryan Madson? A quality reliever that can either be kept for a few years or traded. They are more valuable than most realize. The one thing that would make me shy away from it is if it cost us a draft pick... but I doubt he leaves PHI unless the price is right
i wonder how much longer berkman wants to play. he's 37...if he had any desire to play until his 40's, i'd love him back. platooning lance at 1st, dh, lf for the next several year sounds pretty darn appealing to me.
