How much do you think Rasmus is getting vs Maybin? I don't think the slight difference in OBP makes up for the larger differences in defense and power.
It will be interesting to see what the Astros are willing to spend. If I am the Astros front office, I am very encouraged. The Indians almost won the World Series down 2 of their 3 best starters and will serious holes....
The 2 of them have been equally poor OBP guys, Rasmus also hits for power. I imagine the market value for Maybin and Rasmus will be about equal. Rasmus has easily been the better player of the 2 over their careers. Maybin had a fluke BABIP last season, he won't repeat that.
What about trading Neshek for Jay Bruce. NYM exercise his 2017 option for $13M and then trade him...getting a similar player as Rasmus, local kid who may perform better here than in NY. Or is it too risky? Do we just plug Bregman in LF and call it a day?
You seem to be in an anybody but Rasmus mindset, because the 2 guys you've suggested are very Rasmus-like in terms of production. If we are gonna upgrade, we need to upgrade. Rasmus is a capable but flawed MLB starter, letting him walk and adding another capable but flawed MLB starter is just shuffling things for no real reason.
I expect the Astros to not look for small incremental improvement provided by someone like Maybin. The Astros realistically can likely get similar production from improvement within their roster at pre-arbitration prices. If the Astros get an outfielder, it is likely going to be for a player that is clearly to exceed the production available internally. The Astros obviously will pay a premium in free agency or trade for such a player.
Mets wouldn't do that. Jay Bruce is better than Rasmus, and the Mets need help on offense. Even if Bregman is in LF, we could still look to improve CF.
And 1B/DH/C. I wouldn't move Bregman from 3B. He's a gold glove caliber 3B. Signing a solid LF (Good not huge $$$$, Guyer type) in FA and trading for an Inciarte would allow Hinch to move Gurriell to 1B and you would add to the lineup and have a very solid everyday lineup. Let White/Reed/Teoscar/Marwin/Gurriell split DH duties. If Lourdes is signed I would be OK with trading for an OF and playing Marisnick/Teosar in CF for a year. Good news is Luhnow has the $$$$ available and the talent in the minors to make these kinds of moves.
Astros need a true Ace. Everything else is secondary. Time to trade some of the minor league talent to get some pretty good Major League talent now.
Dream offseason: Sign Shohei Otani Sign Edwin Encarnacion Sign Ian Desmond Re-Sign Colby Rasmus Sign another pitcher 2017 Roster Lineup RF: George Springer CF: Ian Desmond 2B: Jose Altuve SS: Carlos Correa DH: Edwin Encarnacion 1B: Yuli Gurriel LF: Colby Rasmus C: Evan Gattis 3B: Alex Bregman Bench Back up Catcher (Max Stassi or free agent) Jake Marisnick AJ Reed or Tyler White Marwin Gonzalez Pitching Rotation 1. Dallas Keuchel 2. Shohei Otani 3. Colin McHugh 4. Lance McCullers 5. Joe Musgrove Bullpen Chris Devenski Michael Feliz Will Harris Ken Giles Luke Gregerson Pat Neschek Tony Sipp
Certainly even if they do nothing they'll be in contention. However I think counting on replicating the Indians' luck would be foolish. Imho they'd be much better off trying to replicate the Cubs' path, which is to build a roster so talented and deep that there is no question you have what it takes to beat everyone else. Now that may be impossible depending on the trade market and payroll restrictions. If Houston's 2017 payroll comes in under $120M, I'll be disappointed. Back of the envelope, $150M and 4-5 of their top prospects is what it will probably take to put their roster on par with what Chicago just won rings with.
Honestly, you can stop right there and I'd be happy as hell. The more I think about it, the more I feel that we NEED to sign this kid. This statement signing would propel us from good to great. Of course, there are a lot of obstacles to overcome (i.e. him coming to the states in the first place, and then out-bidding the Yanks/Dodgers/Red Sox/every other team in the league). But then you couldn't really sign a full time DH, as signing Otani is probably contingent on him being the full time DH between his starts. And I'd be perfectly fine with making that promise to him.
Dream offseason: Sign Shohei Otani Sign Yoenis Cespedes Re-Sign Jason Castro (or promote Max Stassi) Sign Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Trade Mike Fiers for prospects 2017 Roster Lineup C: Jason Castro or Max Stassi 1B: Yuli Gurriel 2B: Jose Altuve 3B: Alex Bregman SS: Carlos Correa LF: Yoenis Cespedes CF: Teoscar Hernández RF: George Springer DH: Gattis/Otani Bench C2: Evan Gattis OF: Jake Marisnick IF: Tyler White or Tony Kemp IF: Marwin Gonzalez Pitching Rotation 1. Dallas Keuchel 2. Shohei Otani 3. Colin McHugh 4. Lance McCullers 5. Joe Musgrove Bullpen Chris Devenski Michael Feliz Will Harris James Hoyt Ken Giles Luke Gregerson Pat Neschek Tony Sipp
great take from lance berkman on the WS: http://sports790.iheart.com/onair/t...s-52356/lance-berkman-on-pgs-i-hate-15265782/
Great under-the-radar move here, this officially enters us in the Otani sweepstakes! That's just wishful thinking on my part, I know!
Aoki is actually a p good offensive player. .800 OPS talent against RHPs. could be a platoon option in LF.
Aoki is an interesting pickup. I hope to God he's not their biggest OF acquisition but if he's batting 9th and the everyday LF for $6M, it's a solid move.
