Luhnow has serious questions about being able to build a sustainable model. He has candidly in the past said as much. So while it would be wonderful for it to happen, the reality is that it will depend on where the club is and how it is performing in 18 months. That doesn't even take into account the head of the ownership group that is very much in the boat of win now. There is a real possibility that the Astros are rebuilding, and it is a sentiment held within the organization.
You have to wonder, though...with the Mets adding pieces and trying to get back into contention, why are there reports that they'd move one of their best SP's?
I don't see it either, their GM said they're the favorites to win their division after the Ramos signing.
Perhaps injury concerns? Which should also be cause of concern for us. But I'm not afraid of calculated risks (unless Thor has the same thing ol' boy Brady Aiken has). For the Mets specifically, they actually already have a surplus of outfielders, which throws more cold water on that option. I am more speaking in hypotheticals though, as I eagerly await more good news this offseason.
I've been hearing that from Luhnow, as well, but it seems calculated. Guessing he is trying to prep the fan base that Verlander, Cole, Correa, Keuchel, Morton, Marwin, Reddick, and Gurriel would not be re-signed. I'm not expecting Astros to do a full rebuild, but expect a drop off when those guys leave. I'm not expecting the drop off to make Astros non-division contenders.
Current wishlist: Sign C Yasmani Grandal, 1B Daniel Murphy, RP Justin Wilson, and P Drew Pomeranz Trade Stassi and Kemp for lotto prospects At the end of Spring Training, assuming no major injuries have occurred, trade Gurriel or Diaz, depending on who will bring back the better value. Hawk waivers for 2 optionable players Opening Day Roster: CF Springer LF Brantley 3B Bregman 2B Altuve 1B Murphy SS Correa C Grandal DH White RF Reddick Bench: Diaz, Chirinos, Marisnick Rotation: Verlander, Cole, McHugh, James, Pomeranz Bullpen: Peacock, Devenski, Wilson, Smith, Harris, Rondon, Pressly, Osuna 60 Day DL: McCullers Optioned: Stubbs, Reed, Davis, Straw, Tucker, Fisher, Armenteros, Valdez, Perez, Rodgers, Abreu, Guduan, Deetz, TBD, TBD That roster is utterly stacked and they’d still have Tucker and all their other prospects to supplement during the season via callup or trade. They may even have some payroll capacity left.
Is that with the 14 million or so in player benefits that count towards the Crane-mandated luxury tax barrier?
How do you figure that? Luxury tax is over $200M, after adding Brantley I have them at $158M (including all arb players and McCullers). That would give them $40M+. Is it because Altuve’s contract has the AAV used for luxury tax purposes, or what else am I missing? Either way, signing those 4 guys might not cost much more than $25M in 2019, especially if they jettison Gurriel’s salary.
If that's the attitude, then I hope they go for broke the next 2 seasons. Trade for Realmuto and a legit third starter. Sign Cruz. Try to win it all.
Evan Gattis is an unsigned free agent now...correct? I would assume he's done as an Astro if we're talking about signing Cruz as a DH. I liked Gattis and his story. It's too bad his bat was so inconsistent. I like him when he's hitting.
I am a fan of Gattis. It’s a bummer he can’t play catcher anymore and wasn’t a more consistent hitter. Unfortunately I think he will be lucky to get a major league contract, likely having to settle for a minor league contract with a ST invite. Guys with his profile have fared very poorly in free agency over the last few years.
Yes, and the 2ish million for the rest of the 40-man roster. MLBTR has the Astros arb salaries at 48M so I went with that. Oh, and that 25M includes any salary they want to add during the season.
Per MLBTR, Kluber is still said to be available. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/12/indians-still-discussing-potential-corey-kluber-trades.html Of course, the Astros aren't listed as interested teams. I'm still holding on to my pipe dream.
My realistic hopes: Sign Cruz to a similar deal as Brantley. Trade Tucker, Reed and Stassi for Realmuto Trade Kemp, JD Davis, Fisher, Martin and Bukauskas for Kluber CF Springer LF Brantley 2B Altuve 3B Bregman DH Cruz SS Correa C Realmuto 1B Gurriel RF Reddick BN Chirinos BN White (Marisnick if we sustain an OF injury) BN Diaz SP Verlander SP Cole SP Kluber SP McHugh SP James RP Osuna RP Pressly RP Rondon RP Harris RP Devenski RP Peacock RP Valdez RP Smith
As awesome as that would be for Houston, they’re not getting Kluber with that pu pu platter. Tucker is their big chip; they can use him for Realmuto or they can use him for an ace. But they aren’t going to get both.
Let's assume we add Cruz. Pick 3 players to sell: Tucker Marisnick Kemp Reddick White Which 3 do you move?
Kluber is owed 17 million per year for 3 years. While he might be worth 25 per year, his value is capped by his price tag. I think that haul would be a good one for the Indians.
