I would think, "pitch less for the same money" is a fairly compelling offer. And being a Houstonian, he's likely familiar with Clemens doing the same thing in 2006 & 2007. Granted, Kazmir isn't in his 40s but...
Competitors generally want to pitch and want to play - I doubt he'd react positively to "we think you're going to suck after 150 innings, so we're going to pre-emptively bench you". That's why people prefer being starters and playing more even though they are getting paid the same (play less for the same money). It's why all these Tommy John pitchers get pissed off at innings limits - health/optimal performance/etc is not what they look at. They just want to pitch. And if he intends to sign another contract after this one (no idea if he does), he's not going to want to devalue himself for the next team by being defined as a pitcher that can't be relied on for a full season. Clemens was unique in that he was really old and really didn't want to pitch that much, but that's a pretty rare thing.
It wouldn't be a one-way conversation, as free agency generally depends on both sides engaging. Nor would the Astros choose the absolute worst way to make their case. (I think they'd generally find other words to use in pace of "suck," for instance.) Players are, generally, the last to know; you'll seldom find a big group of self-deniers. But the Astros are known for being pretty shrewd and progressive, when it comes to personnel, so I'm sure they could make a fairly compelling case. And, frankly... if the Astros are really sold on the idea, they lose nothing by pitching it. If his desire to start 30+ times a year, good riddance. If he's agreeable, they might have a second half addition that adds significant value to the team.
Come on Luhnow! Only 34 hours left to trade Carter before the non-tender deadline. Baby needs a new AA middle reliever.
Woooo <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Astros?src=hash">#Astros</a> are shopping Chris Carter in advance of tender deadline, sources say. They're focusing on AL clubs.</p>— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) <a href="https://twitter.com/jcrasnick/status/671767842270916608">December 1, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
I'll be excited if they manage to move him. Until then, I'll keep myself in check. I don't really like the idea of tendering Carter, nor do I like the idea of Carter being lost for nothing.
Oh I totally agree it make sense for the Astros and is probably the best thing for him. But if you ask a competitor if they'd like to make $15MM/yr and pitch 20 starts or 30 starts, they'll take the latter every time. That's the mindset they have to have to get to this level - like you said, they are self-deniers. So you're probably going to end up having to pay MORE than anyone else to ask to him to pitch less for you (maybe counteracted by a hometown discount if he really likes Houston).
This is interesting. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Astros?src=hash">#Astros</a> are willing to listen on Jake Marisnick in the right deal, says source. Add him to list of available young outfielders.</p>— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) <a href="https://twitter.com/jcrasnick/status/671771342912516096">December 1, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Ha, that about sums up the enigma that is Christopher Carter. Nobody knows what the hell to make of him. I don't blame them for trying to move him, but I can't say I'd be excited. The guy carried the entire offense to a playoff berth while everybody else's nuts shriveled up. This franchise's October resume is crappy enough to the point that his clutch run ranks high on the all-time significance charts. It required something extremely crazy to happen in a short period of time to move sentiments towards him from "don't let the door hit you in the ass on your way out" to "thanks for the memories...sad to see you go", but he miraculously achieved that, imo. He deserves a standing ovation when he comes back through town.
I like Jake Marisnick, but was thinking he was a trade possibility with Rasmus back. Though, I don't like that 2/3s of OF only have 1 year left on contracts.
hope they can keep Marisnick. I think the guy will come around offensively as a regular .260 avg, 50-60 rbis, 30 steals.. Not sure what any team would give up for Carter. interested teams are probably counting on the Astros non-tendering him and then swooping in as a low-risk option.
While he was undeniably off-the-charts tremendous in September/October (.333/.400/.822/1.222), the entire offense's nuts did not shrivel up. In fact, the offense was quite good in Sept/October: Rasmus: .289/.385/.614/1.000 Gomez: .325/.391/.600/.991 Valbuena: .320/.407/.580/.987 Altuve: .302/.328/.566/.894 Marisnick: .275/.367/.510/.876 Gonzalez: .308/.345/.519/.865 Springer: .304/.373/.464/.837 Correa: .275/.336/.492/.827 I only bring it up because, especially with Carter, I think it's important to keep everything in perspective and not blow small samples sizes out of proportion. He's a mostly below-average hitter with largely no skillset beyond power who too infrequently heats up. But, yeah - I agree... he was scorching hot, and there shouldn't be any animosity. He was an incredible professional and a key bat down the stretch.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hearing <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Astros?src=hash">#Astros</a> would be willing to package Jake Marisnick in a deal for pitching. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Indians?src=hash">#Indians</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mariners?src=hash">#Mariners</a>, maybe <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SFGiants?src=hash">#SFGiants</a> could fit.</p>— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) <a href="https://twitter.com/jcrasnick/status/671790898741682176">December 1, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
If you don't want to use small sample sizes, he's been a slightly above average hitter for 1B over the last 4 seasons. He is definitely the type of hitter that one season is still a small sample size. Defense saps him to below average starter at 1B and likely not worth what he'll make next year if tendered.
Yep, I'd be surprised if any team gave up assets for Carter when they can probably get him for pennies on the dollar
I like Marisnick as a 4th OF. With Gomez and Springer getting dinged up pretty regularly, it's nice to have his defense to fall back on.
Marisnick has the talent to be a regular centerfielder in the majors. San Francisco could use him, and we could get a guy like Susac.
Boston signs David Price at 7 years, $217M! Wow. Makes me wonder how much Keuchel will get, and whether the Astros can afford him after his arbitration years.
Holy Lord! 31 million a year?! Well aside from Keuchel's next contract, this is good news for the Astros, right? Doesn't this weaken the Blue Jays?
