My understanding is that the A's asking price for Valencia is rather high right now. The Astros have attempted to deal for him earlier in the year.
We still have Marwin, and in this case Bregman would be there as well. We've been pretty healthy (LMJ is the only one who has missed a good deal of time), which has led to fewer immediate holes. The team has to be fearful of trading guys who are being productive, but we don't have room for them and new acquisitions. If we trade for a starter, I hope we deal away Fiers and maybe even Fister. Really hoping we don't give up Devenski or Feliz unless we get a huge upgrade.
Just playing devil's advocate. Obviously Jake's production is lackluster, but the FO may quantify his presence in the clubhouse. I really don't know. We traded Fowler, who apparently was very close with Springer, so maybe the chemistry thing is moot. But he does seem to be the heart of this team at times.
I'm just pointing out the subjectivity of all of it... and how fan presumptions are usually pretty far off (hence why Gomez coming back did not ruin the team morale as many pontificated). Jake needs to play at least at replacement level production to warrant a spot on this team... regardless of how well liked he is. He's currently a net negative in WAR. If there are viable replacement options, they should be exploring those. They are pretty limited as is when facing left-handed pitching.
It's hard to judge Marisnick's talent level based on his production this season due to his small role and inconsistent playing time. I'm still high on Marisnick and I think he can be an everyday CF based solely on his defensive skills. I also think his offense would be a lot better after a 1/2 season or more of everyday ABs. I'm more than comfortable entering next season with him as the starting CF or in a platoon with Kemp.
Because he has the worst advanced pitching stats of anyone on the staff? FIP=4.95/SIERA=4.81/xFIP=4.67. I expect him to be a 4.5 ERA guy over the 2nd half. If we acquired another starter, Fister would not make my postseason roster without injuries, nor would Fiers. I'm happy with both guys as 5th starters, but I could say the same for Feldman. I'd love to see Devenski or Feliz in the rotation, but they have been so great in their roles I'd rather leave them there. I'd actually love to see them as tandem starters in the playoffs, but I doubt even Luhnow would be that ballsy.
This may be too kind. Of 530 position players to play so far this season, only 6 of them have more in the negative regarding WAR than him. Of those 6, 5 are on teams that don't care and the last one has been "clutch".
It's not like he just came up from the minors. He was basically an everyday player prior to Gomez... Who's acquisition was largely based on a need established by Jake failing as an everyday player. It's hard to give somebody more playing time when little to no impact is being shown. Much different than the Chris Carter situation where you at least knew that when he was on, he was ON.
LOL! Almost suggested this yesterday responding to one of your posts. My guess is Luhnow is not ballsy enough to have Fister/Fiers start a playoff game...though it is likely through another starter acquired from internal/external means.
I disagree. Having a player play part time, even over the course of many ABs and multiple seasons, doesn't give a good idea of a player's true ability on offense. Rhythm is a huge part of hitting, and taking that away really puts the hitter at a disadvantage. Even last season (when he did manage to post 1.8 fWAR), he only got 372 PA. I'd like to see him get at least 200 ABs over a 2 month span before rendering a final judgement.
He's had extended opportunities. From late 2014 till the Gomez acquisition, he was getting consistent AB's. He is now regressing from that level which wasn't stellar. If he needs more consistent AB's to get a rhythm again, he should go to AAA. He's not Going to get that here unless there's an injury.
Is he regressing? He is posting a higher BB-rate and lower K-rate. He is actually making more hard contact at the expense of soft contact. He has a very low 2.9% HR/FB and .228 BABIP. Defensive metrics are particularly unreliable in small sample sizes.
With a little over 3 weeks to go before the deadline, here is what I hope Houston accomplishes: 1. If an ace pitcher with multiple years of control is available, go get him. I'm afraid missing out on Hamels may haunt Houston. If a player like him (Sonny Gray, Chris Archer, etc) is available, Houston needs to go get him. 2. Add an elite bat with at least one additional year of control. With 4 everyday players about to hit free agency, Houston can probably kill 2 birds with one stone by both improving this year's lineup and filling a hole next season. A catcher like Norris or Lucroy, an infielder like Gourriel (who can be moved to DH or LF next season when Bregman and Reed are entrenched), or an OF like Braun would be a good move. Bregman and anyone on the 25 man roster should be untouchable. All other prospects are fair game for the right player. Their depth in AAA means they don't need to waste prospects adding marginal bench players or relievers.
He's a backup. I don't care what he would do as a starter at this point. If he can't hit in irregular ABs, he shouldn't be a backup. His offense has taken a nose dive in the last year. Right now, I don't think his pinch running and defense is enough to warrant a roster spot.
At his best, he's proven to be a below average offensive player over his career. Its only when he's abysmal to the point where its not off-setting his stellar defense/base-running that him being on the roster is questioned. I also don't believe this terrible stretch is simply "bad luck".... he's been on a downward trend at the plate for almost a full calendar year now. The majority of his starts right now are against left-handed pitching... so its not helping that with him continuing to be abysmal at the plate, the rest of the team typically follows suit.
Yes, he is a below average offensive player, but he isn't this bad of an offensive player. He got off to a hot start last year that the stats said couldn't last, now he is in a slump that the stats say won't last.
I don't think Houston can be haunted by someone/something that was never an option. Seems wrong? I'm down with the hitters except Norris. Why? He has a .726 OPS vsL (Gattis .784), .648 OPS vsR (Gattis .651, Castro .853). Never been highly regarded defensively as far as I know. Ok, his career OPS vsL is .833. Is there a huge need to make a trade for a 6% improvement over Gattis based on history, but a decline this year?
Correct. I just don't see him getting out of the slump (that has far outweighed the "good") with his current role in the pecking order, and obviously more playing time on the big-league roster is certainly not warranted (even if they start facing a lefty every other day). If everyday at bats at AAA will serve him better in the long-run... and there's a better alternative either via call-up or trade, they'd be foolish not to be kicking the tires on that.
