They traded Lowrie because he wasn't needed. He wasn't going to start, nor was he going to be the primary backup. With the addition of Fontana to the 40-man, having Matt Duffy around, and the potential of a Moran call-up before season's end, I think they felt comfortable with their infield depth.
That's true, but it's a big bet on Reed being big league ready. For 1 year $8 million, I'd like the security of a good bat that can move between DH and 1B. What are your thoughts on a deal for Lucroy?
I think Reed is a smaller gamble than Morneau. Morneau has had one quality season in 5 years, and that was in Colorado. He'll also be 35 next season.
maybe this is a way for Luhnow to put pressure on Kazmir? As a Houston native and with the Astros being a play-off team, he has to be really interest in being reunited...i'm sure his agent is holding out for a 4-5 year deal but if the Astros aggressively pursue other options, than that would eliminate bringing him back..maybe this is part of the game. my 2 cents
Players almost exclusively take the biggest deal - playoffs, hometown, and similar factors generally don't play a factor at the end of the day. We look at it from a competition standpoint (of course a player should want be on a good team) but they look at it from a business point of view (if the Astros really value me, they should pay me what other people will).
Completely agree, at the end of the day nothing is promised. Except for the money guaranteed on that contract. The Astros could have a couple of ill timed injuries and completely suck next year. Hell, they could bring in that one missing piece that everyone thinks would put them over the top and still just fail **cough ROCKETS cough**.
I completely Agree. I'm just positing that if Luhnow is actively shopping for a starter on the market and leaking those discussions, it could be a way to signal say Kazmir to come to the table. Maybe he doesn't have any 4 year offers out there but he and his agent also don't want to have to settle for something by holding out to long when most rosters are set for opening day. It's also not completely wrong to suggest a player may take a hometown discount (Andy Pettite comes to mind ) or for an older player to want a shot at a championship. I agree it most likely will come down to $$$ but there are other mitigating factors
Kazmir I don't understand the Gallardo move, he will cost us a pick, and his numbers are not better than Feldman's. I prefer Kazmir or Leake, but Gallardo is not a good move in my opinion.
What? Are you crazy? Scott Feldman career FIP 4.39/ERA 4.42 Yovani Gallardo FIP 3.75/ERA 3.66 Feldman has pitched over 150 innings like 3x in 10 years. Gallardo has pitched 180+ innings and made his 30+ starts for 7 years in a row. Gallardo 102 wins 75 losses Feldman 64 wins 73 losses
Feldman's stats are skewed because he was much worse earlier in his career. Over the last two years in Houston, he's been a bit better and he's pitched 180 innings in 2 of the last 3 years. Gallardo's peripheral stats also suck (last year, WHIP is 1.42 and not a lot of K's - that's a recipe for bad things). That said, Gallardo is certainly a bit of an upgrade over Feldman. But not worth a $15MM/yr 3-5 year commitment for a #5 type starter. Better to spend $30MM on a superstar than $15MM on a couple of Gallardo type players.
Look at ERA, Whip, K per 9 innings especially the last 2 years with the Astros. Yes, he has been injured, but, numbers are equal. Kazmir and Leake are an improvement, Gallardo, losing a first round pick, no thanks. Gallardo had a 1.416 whip last year, ouch. The last 3 years he is allowing more hits than innings, something that never happened before in the first 6 years of his career. Feldman last 2 years ERA under 4, with whips of 1.3 Sorry, but i don't see major improvement with Gallardo, and we lose a 1st round pick.
Who is left to sign that fits the bill? No superstars. We're talking Kazmir, Leake, Gallardo, Fister, Chen or Cliff Lee who was a superstar and has possibly the highest one year reward without too much risk. Anyone better that is an option?
I would go Kazmir or Leake Chen and Gallardo, we lose a first round pick, and with all our trades we need to draft guys and not lose 1st round picks
Kazmir and Lee have the potential to be great, though they certainly come with more risk. Chen seems fairly good the last few years. I'd be happy with any of them. I would say roll with Feldman over Leake/Gallardo/Fister. #5 starter is not a critical need - if we're adding a pitcher, I'd want someone that has the potential to be starting for us in the playoffs.
As it stands right now, who is the Stros #6 starter? Peacock? Wojo? Strailly? Whoever that guy(s) is will start 20 games this year, at least. I'd sign Kazmir, let him and Feldman be the quasi-#5, skipping starts as needed (McCullers will most likely skip a few himself). Reevaluate closer to the AS break.
I'd be good with that. I think if we do sign Kazmir, he becomes the #2 starter - at least as long as he's "good Kazmir". The question is how do you convince him to skip starts or whatever - but if the Astros can make that happen, he's absolutely the best choice.
Keuchel McHugh FA (Kazmir, Gallardo, Leake, Fister, etc) McCullers Fiers, Feldman, Wojo, Straily, Peacock, Feliz will be the ST competition for the #5 spot and someone too make those spot starts
I think either Fiers or Feldman gets moved. Can't stash them in the minors and there's probably not a spot in the pen.
That competition for the 5th spot looks significantly less impressive without Velasquez and Appel. Hopefully Feliz and Martes make big jumps fast.
