Stros saving salary for the core. Keep them together long term. We don't need cespedes. Keep the core, keep improving and develop. If we do nothing, we are solidly contenders for next 8-10 years. You binge on one guy and you could lose core players while your binge signing flops. This is risky. Pass.
Disagree. You're YEARS from having to pay anyone. Assuming you can sign Cespedes to a 4 year contract, your risk is pretty low.
Did you think Evan Gattis was worth 17 million dollars last season, because offensively that is how Cespedes performed in 2013 and 2014. He's better defensively obviously, but our outfield defense isn't in need of improvement, adding him would simply move a valuable defensive outfielder to DH. So yes, I do believe that there is a big risk that we may pay for a guy that simply isn't all that great offensively. We would be paying big money for a guy that doesn't upgrade our offense or defense. He may come closer to his 2012 and 2015 levels, but it is most certainly a big risk, and a risk that would be completely unnecessary given we already have 4 guys in place who seem likely to come very close to his productivity. I still believe this is all just stuff being made up by the media.
I disagree, i think Cespedes had 1 bad year in 2013. You mentioned 2014 as bad, but he was an All Star that year. Also, that bad year in 2013 he hit 26 homers in a pitchers ballpark. He drives runs, last 2 years 100 or more rbi's and first 2 years 80 and 82 with under 530 at bats. Also, great defense and arm. Yes, we have 4 good Ofers, but 2 of those are 1 year contract with us. Is he a gamble? I don't think it is. Is that our primary need? No, is a starting pitcher, another lefty in the bullpen, and then a big bat.
Gattis has been worth 24 million his entire career. Cespedes has topped that in each of the last two years. If Astros got him ( highly doubtful), an OF would be traded for a SP so it shouldn't impact DH spot at all outside of giving Gattis a day off. Granted, still a lot of risk and a lot of money to pay. Two things Astros try to avoid.
Another domino. Pretty much leaves Cespedes for the Mets (potentially White Sox and Rangers) unless the Stros are truly in on him. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">sources: upton will be getting long-term deal from tigers</p>— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonHeyman/status/689273621907410944">January 19, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
I think comparing salaries with our own players here is not really meaningful in regards to Cespedes. The Astros should be looking to add salary right now. Whether we should pay him depends on how much other FAs cost. If for example Crane is willing to add $50 mil in salary, the key is how to distribute them. I also don’t think OF glut is an issue. Players can always be moved as needed. The SP market this offseason has been really high so I wouldn’t be surprised if the Astros look towards trade market for SP depth rather than FA. Whether it's Cespedes or Upton or anyone else, I just hope the Astros spend on the right player.
[rquoter]Nightengale: Upton also was pursued by the Chicago White Sox, Texas Rangers and Houston Astros, but those teams preferred signing him to a short-term deal. Upton’s agreement takes away another viable option for Cespedes, who remains on the market with dwindling options.[/rquoter] $132.75M/$22.1M for Upton. Too rich for the Astros blood. Guessing Yoenis is looking for the same.
The Rasmus QO limits what they can do on several fronts. We will see what happens.... Maybe they still sign Gallardo... However I have been told from day 1 they would trade for a pitcher at the deadline if they are in contention, the loss is prospects is less than dropping north of one hundred million dollars over 5 or more seasons on a pitcher that could under achieve or flame out.
What "other fronts" could Rasmus have affected? It prevented them from going after another OF they may have preferred to Rasmus, but those guys were gonna cost even more than Rasmus. If him accepting truly blew up their offseason to the degree that you are suggesting, than that was a stupid risk to take.
who said it "blew up their off season"? They got the closer they wanted, they still have some flexibility as well. However the $16,000,000 commitment for 2016 figures into their budget for 2016. Look, it isn't as if they hate Rasmus or if he won't get at bats... But it is a sizeable amount of money when you are competing against other teams to sign top free agents. They took a calculated risk and can live with the consequences. The model for the Astros has been to invest money in scouting and player development, and trade prospects for players on short term deals (Kazmir/Gomez) or for good players with long term team control. I heard they would spend money starting at the all star break in the Winter of 2016. It wasn't a secret amongst their employees. Then before the season ended the idea of "money to spend" became not enough to add a bat and starter and then not enough for a single premier free agent by the Winter meetings. I don't know if it is a cash flow issue or why exactly.
Also I tend to ramble when I am tired and am on a 12 hour lay over in Chicago. Sorry... As for fronts .... Rasmus limits them because he is an outfielder so it makes it harder to sign an outfielder because it requires trading another outfielder.... Most likely Gomez, who they traded a fairly nice package of players for .... So they have to either accept less than they want for Gomez in deal or get an offer they like while negotiating with a free agent outfielder (Upton is who they liked in the past). Makes it a lot harder than just signing a free agent outfielder. Also the commitment to Rasmus is only for one season but it is at an amount that makes it far harder to sign someone they really want/like. I haven't slept in 30 hours, been traveling in Europe and now below zero Cbicago; sorry if I am not expressing myself well.
Still can't believe all the justifications I'm hearing. DESPITE Rasmus signing the QO, the Astros are still near the bottom of he league in spending. It's ridiculous to argue that signing one win now player to a big contract will somehow impede the Rockets down the road.
Haha. Missed that. Watching the Rockets and posting about the Astros probably isn't a good idea. Really watching the Rockets at all is a bad idea.
I think we're missing the boat guys. I think Luhnow is looking to upgrade the DH position. Evan Gattis was like Carter, a low average hitter...I think he is happy with the outfield situation but if the DH can play some outfield, I think he would be cool with that.
