I remember i was the first one to mentioned Morneau to our team, and of course, a "friend" of the forum trashed me. I really think he would be the right fix for our team, hitting 4th and as a left handed bat, the lineup would look great. Let Singleton and Gattis battle for the DH spot. I think our team only needs two more moves, Kazmir and Morneau. 1. Springer rf 2. Altuve 2b 3. Correa SS 4. Morneau 1b 5. Gomez Cf 6. Rasmus LF 7. Gattis DH 8. Valbuena 3b 9. Castro C I would divide the 1b-DH position between 3 players, Singlton, Gattis and Morneau, depending on pitchers.
Morneau's health is still a serious concern. And his ability to hit outside of Coors is also a question mark.
i'd take him on a team-friendly 1 year deal + incentives for performance. Other than Chris Davis (or a trade) we are stuck with Singleton/Valbuena/Gonzalez until AJ Reed is ready to make the leap and that is a big 'if.' I like Morneau simply because he bats for high avg and gets on base. I'm coming around to him to be a gap filler until our 1B stud prospects are ready to go
Last year he did not play much, so we don't have enough numbers to see a pattern about numbers at home and on the road, but in 2014, he hit .309 outside of Coors with an OPS over .850. Yes, injury concern should be there, but is only a 1 year contract, and if he gets injured, then we have Singleton, White or Reed ready to step up if needed.
Wonder if Luhnow nabs Leake? He's looking for 5yr/75MM. He'd ould be a nice #3, and I don't believe he'd cost a 1st round pick. I think I'd rather keep Kazmir. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Mike Leake's big break may have arrived as <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dodgers?src=hash">#Dodgers</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/STLCards?src=hash">#STLCards</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Nats?src=hash">#Nats</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Astros?src=hash">#Astros</a> lurk <a href="https://t.co/4xrtOH18sd">https://t.co/4xrtOH18sd</a></p>— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) <a href="https://twitter.com/BNightengale/status/677567373101019136">December 17, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
I'd rather take Leake. He's more likely to perform to that contract and remain healthy than Kazmir is too his. Kazmir would be my backup plan though. Got to nab someone long term with how thin the starting pitching is in the farm, giving up four of the top 10 best starter prospects for Giles. Leake or Kaz...what is Scott Feldman's trade value in a contract year or would they deal Fiers and let Feldman walk next Winter and maybe find someone in free agency again or have someone in AAA who is ready.
Somebody is guaranteed to get hurt. The Astros want 6 starting pitchers, so regardless of who they sign, they aren't dealing any of them without getting another proven starter back.
I've flip flopped on this issue. I'm not crazy about Leake at $75 million. He's never been great...just consistent. Is that the type of guy you give $75 million to? At least with Kazmir you've seen stretches of greatness. And Leake has never been in the AL, so that 3.88 career ERA won't look so impressive on this side of the fence. I think you go with Kazmir or Wei-Yin Chen. Both lefties and both have pitched extensively in the AL. Pick Kazmir if you want to keep the draft pick, and Chen if you believe in his upside.
Leake consistently posts a fip over 4 in the NL. Throw in the move to the AL and he's an average pitcher. Much like I feel about Gallardo, He's not the kind of pitcher you give big money to because he's basically Scott Feldman.
I'm not a fan of the 5 years because it adds a lot of risk. Also, he's not likely a big upgrade over Feldman. Though Feldman is likely a moderate help as a 6th starter. However, that is likely the ball park of his value for a 5 year contract on an average pitcher as he's a little younger than the other free agent pitchers and should show effects of age less. Based on a cursury look, it looks like nearly double the quality free agents are still left from last year. Teams could be running out of money/roster spots.
Gallardo is no Feldman. Feldman career ERA 4.42, Gallardo at 3.66 is almost a full run less. Feldman like Kazmir (who owns a career 3.96 ERA) has been injury prone and inconsistent. Gallardo has been very consistent and durable and has put up good #'s pitching in the AL, as has Doug Fister who at career 3.42 ERA may be the best option paired with a Cliff Lee invite to spring training. Leake at 3.88 ERA pitching in the NL at that length and $ is not a good value, although he has been consistent.
not interested in Leake at that price (5/75)..I'd rather look at the slew up young guns we have in the minors. Looks like there are legit 5-6 candidates that could be in our rotation from our farm system and (hopefully) a serviceable 4-5 starter that Leake gets you in the AL. Having said that, I'm hoping the resign Kazmir to a 3 year deal...
Ugh. Plz Kazmir. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Astros?src=hash">#Astros</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Orioles?src=hash">#Orioles</a> remain the most aggressive suitors for Yovani Gallardo, sources say. <a href="https://twitter.com/FOXSports">@FOXSports</a></p>— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) <a href="https://twitter.com/jonmorosi/status/677900552752136193">December 18, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
I think this is what Luhnow may be banking on. He has resigned Sipp but thus far they have not really spent any money. Everyone one I have asked that still works for the Astros has said there is no sense of urgency, that the club feels they can fill their needs without running out and spending money right now.
So the Astros have now been linked to Kazmir, Gallardo, and Leake....moreso to Kazmir and Gallardo. Definitely seems like we're going to end up with a solid SP. I'd go with the cheapest one. Still think they need to look at Chen. Someone mentioned Lucroy. Seems like a reasonable bet to make. He's under club control for another 2 years, and will only be paid up to $10 million total. Would the Brewer's bite on something like Fisher and Martes for Lucroy? I also like the idea of Morneau on a short term contract as a 1st base/DH tweener. That gives the Astros a chance to bring along AJ Reed in his own time.
Agree on Chen....though Boras has asked for $100 million recently. On Morneau, there is a good chance Reed's time starts 2 weeks into the season. Not sure Luhnow would risk signing a guy for that much that has a decent chance to be cut two weeks into the season or cause a similar value player to be cut.
Do not want Yovani...especially with the cost of a 1st rounder. Would much rather trade for that class of pitcher + keep our first rounder...and lose our first rounder in subsequent years for a better caliber FA.
Would take multiple top prospects to trade for someone of that quality. I'd rather hold onto them than a 1st rd pick..honestly.
There's gotta be something up Luhnow's sleeve salary-wise. You don't trade Lowrie solely to bring back Tony Sipp at 5MM per year, especially when the payroll is nearly 80MM below league average. We don't need to make huge splashes this off season, but we need to get the payroll up within the next couple years, whether its outsourcing or contract extensions... A
