Of course they weren't, because somebody was willing to take him. Lowrie or Valbuena were going to moved, and it happened to be Lowrie.
Curious where these sources work within the organization; my experience: baseball operations run an extremely tight ship and the vast majority of the organization does not know what's truly going on, in terms of team management. But they all have strong opinions/ideas that they'll readily share. I worked with upper, upper, upper management - and their info - at least in terms of team management - was severely limited. They may have been withholding how much they knew - but I don't think so, based on other insight, access, etc., that they otherwise provided. I'm not doubting your connection/source; just wondering if they're on the baseball operations side of things?
Besides Chapman, who realistically would you have want them to spend money on? And, this is a year after they were supposedly the top bidder for Andrew Miller and Chase Headley... both of whom would be big disappointments. Of course most teams would love to win without spending.... I don't see why the Astros would be any exception. Payroll has continued to rise, they have made accommodations when needed (Gomez/Fiers was adding salary).
Andrew Miller has been elite, both last year and this year. We probably don't trade for Giles (or sign Luke Greg, who has been very good) if we had signed him last year.
They would probably have released one of them. Keep in mind that they would only fail to find a taker because they sucked so bad that nobody would want them. Players like that don't last on playoff teams.
Like I said, they offered him the most money... how is it their fault that he didn't want to go to a team that was coming off a historic run of losing seasons? (similar to the Hamels trade... the Astros were actively trying to improve via spending money). He was hurt last year, and now is pitching with a broken bone in his hand. There was obviously concerns hence the Yankees went after Chapman. Likewise, there is no guarantees that the bullpen wouldn't have attempted to be upgraded. Also, perhaps you don't go after Giles... but you also don't discover/get Harris and Gregerson (along with Neshek) either. I can't say the bullpen is all that worse due to them not spending (or in this case, them not taking) money.
I agree, can't fault the Stros on that one... was just responding to you saying Miller (and Headley, who may be benched and has been a bust) would be disappointments. I don't think anyone would see Miller as a disappointment. Also, why no one mention Appel has back to back 4 BB starts, got shelled in his last outing, and has a WHIP up to 1.44?
I really don't think anybody should be mentioning minor league players, regardless of whether or not they're doing well. Appel not being in the majors at this point in his *development* is a disappointment. He's now behind the curve. He wasn't able to make a MLB roster on a rebuilding team. There are serious questions about his prospects as a future big leaguer, let alone somebody who was the consensus back-to-back #1 pick in the draft.
I'm sure everyone would have been happy if the Stros for the past couple of years had as part of their "core": JA Happ Jon Villar Jarred Cosart Brandon Barnes Jordan Schafer Foltynewicz Japhet Amador Mark Appel JD Martinez Ronny Torreyes Steve Pearce Brett Oberholtzer Kike Hernandez Wes Wright Hank Conger Domingo Santana Matt Albers Chris Carter Jordan Lyles Dan Straily etc... Dexter Fowler would sure as hell look great in LF and leadoff right now, though. I always liked him, just not in CF.
Brett Phillips, cf, Biloxi. Phillips is one of the toolsiest players in the minors, although there have been questions whether the power that showed up in high Class A Lancaster would follow him up the ladder. He hit just one homer in Double-A last season in more than 200 at-bats after slugging 15 in 291 at-bats in the hit-happy California League. Perhaps he’s beginning to answer those questions this year. Phillips slugged three homers Saturday as Double-A Biloxi beat Pensacola (Reds) 9-3. Whether he hits for power or not, Phillips projects as a disciplined, top-of-the-order hitter. He has good bat speed, although his level swing is more line-drive oriented. He has the range, speed and instincts to stay in center field long-term, although his arm profiles in right field as well. Read more at http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/baseball-america-prospect-report-2/#5det1BWGZqXZCpY7.99
Impressive. I bet they could trade him for an established MLB player if they were trying to contend. Really, isn't the point to actually track the ones who made it? We know they all have minor league potential/track records. That's why they had value and facilitated trades to begin with. At least nobody is still posting Folty's minor league stats... Not after he got called up and looked like a human gas-can.
Daniel Mengden, rhp, Athletics. Mengden continued what’s been a fantastic 2016 on Sunday when he pitched seven scoreless innings in his second start for Triple-A Nashville. Mengden struck out eight and walked none in a 3-2 win over Memphis (Cardinals). In 36 innings at Double-A and Triple-A, the former Texas A&M Friday starter has struck out 40 and walked 14 and allowed just two runs for an ERA of 0.50. Mengden is more pitchability than stuff, although his velocity ticked up last season. His changeup is an above-average pitch and the slider and curve are average. Read more at http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/baseball-america-prospect-report-2/#HAPZaIC6WG3SaK1e.99
Although Carter has been ballin hard, nobody should mention his departure as negative as far as Luhnow/organization failure. However, I'd chalk it up to H-Town curse... similar to Renfro vs PIT. Instant replay could've solved that quick, but... Sadly, it's been gone since his HOU debut.
