I for one don't want fans to cause the Astros to make poor decisions. So far, the Astros seem pretty immune to fans whines for immediate results. I would love for the Astros to instill the expectation that the Astros will be in playoff hunt every year...I just want expectations to be real. I would be furious if I was a Braves fan right now after the Simmons trade. I would not be opposed to trading him, but it just seems surprising that that they didn't think they could get a better offer if they waited.
That would still be quicker if they just expected to win and didn't trade guys like Hunter Pence. The Astros had barely anything going into the rebuild. A team like the Braves would likely rebound much faster. Last year, they had Heyward, Upton, Gattis, Freeman, and Simmons.
That seems like a good young core to build around... no? Certainly better than aging/injured Berkman, ineffective/overpaid Lee, and roid-recovering Tejada.
Fan support has got to be a consideration. It'd be ludicrous for any business to say "who cares what our paying customers think about our business decisions?!?" On the other end of the spectrum, the Cubs were terrible for years because their fans are so rabid that they'd sell-out Wrigley for a last place team. I think we're out of the Luhnow 'honeymoon' phase now. We're firmly in the expectation phase. If we don't make the playoffs next year, it's going to be really disappointing. If Luhnow traded Correa to Boston for 4 mega prospects, I'd be calling for his head. ---------------- It's been mentioned in a couple of articles, but I think the Braves players have more to be angry about than the fans. Several of the best young players signed long term extensions (presumably below market) without no-trade clauses only to be traded in the first or second season of the extension. That's the thing that can kill teams, loss of trust in the FO.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Phillies?src=hash">#Phillies</a> assessing Giles market. Kimbrel deal makes potential return intriguing. Giles not same level, but younger, cheaper, 5 yrs control.</p>— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/667397263384289280">November 19, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Astros?src=hash">#Astros</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Marlins?src=hash">#Marlins</a> among teams to check in on Giles, sources say. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Phillies?src=hash">#Phillies</a> also could wait until July or next off-season to move him.</p>— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/667397268530667520">November 19, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">HOU has been looking at 1B market, and rival execs see them as a natural fit for Chris Davis. His big power/high Ks won't scare the Astros.</p>— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) <a href="https://twitter.com/Buster_ESPN/status/667291685253025792">November 19, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Not really news since it happened a week ago, but Altuve won another silver slugger. Was I the only one that missed that? I'm pretty sure I was in the midst of my Fallout bender so most stuff in those days are a blur. Still I remember that would have been big news for most of the last decade. It's just another award now.
Why would the Astros want Chris Davis? I thought their 1B shopping last deadline was for a bat that wasn't like the rest of the team... you know, high Ks, big power...
Perusing the Phillies SBnation site, their fans expectations for a Giles trade would basically be our entire farm system. Most are expecting a bigger return than Kimbrel, which lets be honest is not realistic. They're enamored with the buzz words 'top 100'. If we offered a package of Vince Velasquez, Preston Tucker, Jon Singleton and JD Davis who blinks first? There's upside and immediate major league value.
Astros had interest in Giles before the deadline last year, but it wasn't for even a prospect on par with Velasquez. The Astros passed on KRod at the deadline because they were chasing rainbows in San Diego. The Astros have checked in on Giles, but he isn't the only one... they have asked about Carter Capps, Carson Smith, Will Smith and others.
Giles last year had a 2.0 WAR. For reference, Tony had a 1.7 WAR. I suspect that Luhnow will not significantly overpay for 2.0 WAR reliever.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Just announced: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Astros?src=hash">#Astros</a> at Yankees on Monday, April 4, 2016 starts <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OpeningDay?src=hash">#OpeningDay</a> games on <a href="https://twitter.com/espn">@ESPN</a> at 12:05 pm CT! <a href="https://t.co/A67B3n0uCT">https://t.co/A67B3n0uCT</a></p>— Houston Astros (@astros) <a href="https://twitter.com/astros/status/667431955034742784">November 19, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Astros have acquired RHP Cy Sneed from the Brewers in exchange for IF Jonathan Villar.</p>— Houston Astros (@astros) <a href="https://twitter.com/astros/status/667437260489564160">November 19, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Additionally, the Astros have given LHP Luis Cruz and OF Robbie Grossman their unconditional release.</p>— Houston Astros (@astros) <a href="https://twitter.com/astros/status/667437370027937793">November 19, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> This gets the 40 man down to 34 players and gives them room to add before the rule V deadline.
Huh. Probably just clearing a 40-man spot to protect someone from the Rule 5 draft. I liked what Villar brought once he was called back up late in the season. I guess with Lowrie and Marwin, they didn't feel the need to carry a 3rd utility guy who deserved a shot to play more. Sneed is in his 2nd year of pro ball. Had a decent season, splitting time in low A and high A for the Brewers. 2014 draft pick by the Brewers out of Dallas Baptist.
Seems like a good deal for both sides. Sneed has backend of the rotation potential and we have a surplus of utility infielders.
This makes sense. Looking more likely that Aplin and Fontana will be on the 40 man roster, unless they're traded in the next couple weeks. Hopefully Robbie does well in his next stop (but not JD Martinez-type well).
Cy Sneed Position: Pitcher Bats: Right, Throws: Right Height: 6' 4", Weight: 185 lb. Born: October 1, 1992 in Twin Falls, Idaho, US (Age 23.049) High School: Twin Falls HS (Twin Falls, ID) School: Dallas Baptist University (Dallas, TX) Drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 35th round of the 2011 MLB June Amateur Draft from Twin Falls HS (Twin Falls, ID) and the Milwaukee Brewers in the 3rd round of the 2014 MLB June Amateur Draft from Dallas Baptist University (Dallas, TX). Sneed ended the year in A+. Sneed was not a Top 30 prospect.
