Just had a thought; if the White Sox (or Rays/Archer) were interested in Giles, would that be a good deal for Houston if it meant keeping McCullers/Bregman out of the deal? Something like Sale for Giles, Martes, K Tucker, Musgrove, Fisher, and Feliz? A rotation of Quintana, Rodon, Martes, Musgrove, and ???? with a bullpen of Feliz-Giles-Robertson seems pretty salty, but Chicago still probably wouldn't bite on that.
The Astros would be fools to give up McCullers for Sale. I wouldn't do that straight up. If I had to bet money who is going to be better over the next 10 starts and next 100 starts, I would place all my money on McCullers. He has certainly been better over the last two months by a wide margin.
Interesting. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Teams wanting Rich Hill like Jays, Dodgers, 'Stros have to create 2-tiered deal based on a major prospect if he makes 10 starts for new team</p>— Peter Gammons (@pgammo) <a href="https://twitter.com/pgammo/status/759136069111672832">July 29, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Sounds like prospect would be contingent on his health. Something like Fisher if healthy, Martin if not.
The premise of a major prospect is contingent on him staying healthy (making enough starts), based on that tweet
I'm really in favor of the Astros being sellers on Neshek & Gomez. Possibly Sipp & Feldman too. Buyers on a LHRP. I like the guy from the Brewers and feel like hed command a much lesser return than say Andrew Miller. I'm sure there's another lefty specialist who can be had for a #25-30 prospect out there as well too make Sipp expendable. I'd avoid any and all starting pitching discussion. The market is too thin and the prospects it would take is too much to stomach. Astros have a very strong four of a playoff rotation. Fiers & Feldman have had plenty of quality starts. Devenski & Feliz have earned the chance. Rodgers, Musgrove & Martes might be able too step in now. I would be willing too give up a big package of Devenski/Feliz, K Tucker, Reed, Rodgers for Lorenzo Cain or Billy Hamilton. Anything to upgrade CF. A smaller deal for Beltran, moving Springer or Rasmus too CF
With the current market on pitching, I think you have to realistically consider moving Feldman & Neshek (as others have said). Fister should be safe - we will need him for the stretch run - but Feldman & Neshek should be easily replaced by our Farm system.
But consider the type of team you'd be trading them to? Cleveland? Texas? Boston? Toronto? All teams within striking distance of the Astros. Unless you're solely looking to move them to the NL, you also have to be weary of not making your opponents stronger.
If the Astros make a splash move, I could see a Hill plus Reddick or Hill plus Gray happening. Not sure they'd acquire Hill by himself. Otherwise, I'd like them to acquire Pearce as an add on if they swing a big deal for someone like Archer.
He is good, but I wouldn't be willing to give up any top 10 guy for a pitcher with so many health issues. If they want to move him for a guy in the 15-25 range fine
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Phillies?src=hash">#Phillies</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rangers?src=hash">#Rangers</a> deal involving Vince Velasquez is "unlikely,'' says a baseball source.</p>— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) <a href="https://twitter.com/jcrasnick/status/759376147775979521">July 30, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
you still haven't acknowledged that it appears to be a contingent deal. If he stays healthy, it's a top 10 guy...if not, it's a lesser guy. Doesn't that address your concern?
Why would you give up any Top 10 asset for a guy that will at most give you 12 - 15 starts, depending on the Playoffs. Dude is 36 and about to be a FA. I don't care if he's having a great year, it's not a good move.
I'd give up a couple of Nottingham/Mengden level prospects for him. At some point they'll have to do something with some of those type guys, not enough room on the 40 this offseason.
http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/h...what-it-takes-to-pull-off-a-chris-sale-trade/ "Could the Astros get involved? They're a young team on the rise and they're currently surging towards first place in the AL West. Houston certainly has the prospect capital to swing a trade, plus there's a need in the rotation. How about this package? SS Alex Bregman (No. 18 on MLB.com's most recent top 100) RHP Joe Musgrove (No. 96) RHP Lance McCullers Jr. 3B Colin Moran This doesn't follow our "two top 50 guys plus two other pieces" template, but the the Astros are a special case because Bregman might be the best prospect in baseball right now. The Astros have Carlos Correa entrenched at short, and they just signed third baseman Yulieski Gurriel. Bregman has been playing some left in the minors, so they're trying to get him in the lineup. Using him as a chip to get an ace like Sale is another option. McCullers is in the Astros' rotation right now and he's having a fine season (3.33 ERA) despite a few too many walks (5.4 BB/9). There's long been speculation his control issues may land him in the bullpen long-term. Musgrove is close to MLB-ready and is more of a mid-rotation starter than an ace. Moran is pretty much MLB-ready right now too, but Gurriel figures to stand in his way." What do you think about the above package? I think it seems like too much to give up.....
