I wouldn't trade McCullers or Bregman for Sale straight up, much less give them both up plus 2 other good prospects. As I said earlier, I think it would take one of those 2 as the headliner, plus 2-3 other really good prospects to get it done, but I think that's too much for Houston. A best mildly realistic case is if Chicago were willing to forego a bit of quality for quantity, but still with high demands, putting Houston in a mix with only 3-4 other teams who could offer a package of 6 or 7 top prospects. Something like Martes, Musgrove, Feliz, Paulino, Fisher, and Moran for Sale. Chicago probably wouldn't do that deal even though IMHO that's more value than something like a 3 prospects package built around Bregman and Reed. And Houston has the depth to swallow a package like that and not be totally devastated long term (they'd have a young core and still have top guys like Tucker, Cameron, Whitley, Sierra, Celestino, Perez, etc in the low minors giving them a good pipeline).
The idea of Sale is to slot him in at the top of the rotation and move everyone else down, bringing another high octane arm to the rotation. McCullers leads the starters in K rate and ERA. Sale would be an upgrade to him, sure, but replacing McCullers in the rotation vs. say replacing Fiers is a much smaller bump. He's a 22 year old former first round pick with 200 MLB innings with a low 3s ERA and averaging better than a K per inning under his belt. There's no reason to also include an elite prospect and 2 other guys with MLB futures on top of that.
Like Cosart, he has issues with walks and pitch counts. Unlike Cosart, his K-rate, FIP, xFIP, and SIERA all back him being a very good player. It would be very hard to trade McCullers, and I can't imagine the team doing it. We certainly wouldn't package him with other players.
Mlbtr is sayin the mets are offering Darnaud, Nimmo, and another prospect for Lucroy; if that's all it takes I think Houston should top that. I would bet Stearns would take Stassi, Singleton, Fisher, and Abreu, with Houston eating all but $2M of Singletons guaranteed money.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Other clubs report Astros still hunting for starters but only if it's a rotation upgrade. Could be a fit on Volquez or the Rays' starters</p>— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) <a href="https://twitter.com/jaysonst/status/759475111489601536">July 30, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
@AdamMcCalvyJonathan Lucroy is out of the Brewers' lineup. 48 hours before the Trade Deadline. Probably not Astros related, but interesting. @JimBowden_ESPNPadres working hard to trade Matt Kemp and are willing to pay most of salary. The Braves are one of two teams in... es.pn/2am8dep For those of you wanting Kemp
Wouldn't mind Houston adding Kemp as long as it's tied to Myers, Norris, or Ross and it means Houston doesn't have to give up any top prospects for those players.
I understand the rumor, I don't trust him. He could stay healthy for a while and get the necessary innings for a top prospect, then miss the playoffs If we deal for him I hope it works out, it's not a deal I personally hope we make
Not getting Myers or Ross without a top prospect ("top" is relative of course, but I'm sure they'll hold on unless they get bowled over)
Problem is the Brewers would likely view D'arnaud as a potentially good replacement for Lucroy. I can't imagine anyone would out value in Stassi
I would put Bregman in a deal for Sale, he is a legit #1 starter and they are not easy to get Lance I would not though, simply because we need to add to Dallas and Lance, not trade to replace one of them
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Astros are in the mix for one of Tampa Bay Rays starting pitchers as the industry waits for Rays to decide whic... <a href="https://t.co/Lx9GnkeeHV">https://t.co/Lx9GnkeeHV</a></p>— Jim Bowden (@JimBowden_ESPN) <a href="https://twitter.com/JimBowden_ESPN/status/759496462606532608">July 30, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
always thought Moore was the only likely SP candidate of the ones I heard were on the market. Lefty, K's, pitching well lately, controlled.. just a question of cost of course.
What I read is that Mets offered D'Arnaud for Lucroy and Stearns wisely said no. I don't think Lucroy goes to the Mets. I'd love for him to go to the Rangers and gut their farm system, rendering them hopeless losers forevermore.
Lucroy to the Rangers decreases Houstons odds of making the playoffs both this season and next; sure, he will cost 2-3 good prospects but the Rangers' system is good enough to more than absorb a hit like that. I will absolutely hate it if Lucroy goes to Dallas.
