The underrated part of this deal is the fact that JV is under contract through 2019. This team has 3 year window in which all of the key players will be here, which now includes JV.
That's always been my desire... maximize the talent around the club controlled/cheap/MVP caliber players. Those deals make it easier to overspend for veterans. Some don't work as well as you would hope (Beltran), but Verlander looks like he has at least one more good year in him, if not 2.
Lol at all the ppl hating Rogers being involved.. He wasn't even in everyone's list of 6 untouchables.. some of you will never be happy. I was one of the main ones upset after the deadline. This is pretty awesome.
Obligatory Verlander/Upton fappening link. Random girls throughout... think this was Verlander's phone hacked hah. Spoiler https://ohfree.net/kate-upton-leaked-nude-photos-hacked-iphone.html
http://www.baseballamerica.com/majo...verlander-goes-to-astros/#RM6exocMDSflYCGd.97 Verlander is not only one of the most decorated pitchers of the last decade, but he is continuing to perform at an elite level even into his mid-30s. He led the American League in strikeouts last year en route to finishing second in AL Cy Young voting, and after a poor first half this year has rounded back into form. Over his past 11 starts, Verlander has a 2.31 ERA, a .190 opponent average, and 84 strikeouts against 20 walks in 74 innings. He still retains frontline stuff with a fastball that averages 95-96 mph hour and a slider and curveball that batters are hitting under .250 against, per Brooks Baseball. He also brings significant playoff experience, with a 7-5, 3.39 mark in 16 career postseason starts. Verlander has two years and $56 million remaining on his contract after this year as well as a $22 million vesting option for 2020. __________ Cameron, the third of the Astros trio of $4 million-plus draftees from the 2015 draft class, has taken a step forward this season after struggling to begin his pro career. A center fielder who drew mixed reviews on his bat coming out of high school, Cameron was not ready for full-season ball in 2016 and had to be demoted to the New York-Penn League. A finger injury then ended his 2016 season early to put a final capper on a rough year. Cameron didn't get off to a much better start in 2017 and he was hitting a modest .206/.287/.374 at the all-star break. To his credit, he didn't fold and Houston's efforts to help him retool his swing have paid off in the second half, as he has hit .332/.406/.552 since the second half began. Cameron's center field defense makes him a useful contributor with even modest offensive numbers. He projects as at least a useful backup outfielder, but with his combination of defense and potentially average power, he has a path to being an everyday center fielder as well. __________ Rogers was considered one of the top catchers in the 2016 draft and he's managed to exceed those expectations in his first full pro season. Rogers' defense and his throwing arm were his calling cards in college, but he's shown average power in his pro debut as well with 18 home runs between low Class A Quad Cities and high Class A Buies Creek. Rogers projects as a tick-below-average hitter with average power and above-average to plus defense, making him a potential future everyday catcher. __________ Perez is one of the better young pitching prospects in the game. He ranked 32nd on our midseason Top 100 Prospects list thanks to his combination of advanced feel and above-average stuff. Perez's 92-94 mph fastball can be a little true at times, but he locates it with command and control rarely seen from a pitcher his age. What's also notable for a 19-year-old is his ability to throw both his slider and his changeup for strikes, giving him three legitimate offerings for hitters to worry about. He knows how to set up hitters and is able to self-diagnose and fix delivery flaws as they crop up. Perez missed some time early this season with a knee injury, but he's returned to show no ill effects. Perez immediately becomes the top pitching prospect in the Tigers' system, but the emergence of fellow teenager Forrest Whitley in Houston made including Perez a little more palatable than it might have been otherwise for Houston.
I feel like I keep a decent handle on the minor league system... and at first I thought people were upset about losing Brady Rodgers. Jake wasn't even a blip on the register just yet.
This trade didn't just strengthen the top of the Astros rotation. It also likely improved the top of the Astros bullpen as well. Come playoff time, the Astros can slide Peacock into the pen and Morton as well. Peacock is the pen is a massive improvement for the Astros. The Astros now have a number of high leverage relievers with Giles, Peacock, Devo, Harris and Musgrove. The Astros can likely go a whole series without having to dip too deep. Also, Devo and Peacock and Musgrove can all go multiple innings.
I'm shocked but excited. We needed some great news down here, even if miniscule on the grand scheme. No Whitley or Tucker. That alone makes it a win.
Yea someone posted on here "we can never seem to keep good catching prospects" Like good Lord our rotation is having serious issues, we have McCann, Gattis, Centeno and Stassi, and we just got Verlander, Jake Rodgers in low A is okay to let go.
Would love for Morton to get some work out of the pen here in September given the potential playoff situations to come. Especially if LMJ comes off the DL and we need a slot...we know Peacock can do it. Don't want Morton's first exposure this year in the playoffs
Ehh Jake was likely a top 100 prospect going into next year. He has a really high floor because of his defense and pop. Still he is like 22 years old and we don't know how he hits AA/AAA. Perez is the guy I was told the Astros would consider moving. For all the praise about Perez having 3 pitches at a young age, his fastball isn't great and loses velocity as the game progresses. Tigers did as well as they could have, but Astros have to feel good about this deal.
