http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/11/2016-17-top-50-mlb-free-agents-predictions.html Astros listed as contenders/suitors for several other players. Castro to CWS, Valbuena to MIL
Hellickson getting the QO isn't surprising, but he is terrible. I'd hate for the Astros to be in on Desmond, Hellickson, or Trumbo. Fowler & Encarnacion are perfect fits for the team, but not optimistic about either. I think Napoli/Morales are good budget options for DH if we don't spend on Encarnacion or Beltran.
MLBTR predictions 13. Wilson Ramos – Astros. Four years, $50MM. 29. Jason Castro – White Sox. Two years, $15MM 31. Luis Valbuena – Brewers. Two years, $14MM Jose Altuve is a AL MVP finalist AL ROY: Gary Sanchez(NYY), Michael Fulmer(DET), Tyler Naquin(CLE) NL ROY: Kenta Maeda(LAD), Corey Seager(LAD), Trea Turner(WAS) AL MOY: Terry Francona(CLE), Jeff Banister(TEX), Buck Showalter(BAL) NL MOY: Joe Maddon(CHC), Dave Roberts(LAD), Dusty Baker(WAS) AL CY: Corey Kluber(CLE), Rick Porcello(BOS), Justin Verlander(DET) NL CY: Kyle Hendricks(CHC), Jon Lester(CHC), Max Scherzer(WAS) AL MVP: Joe Altuve(HOU), Mookie Betts(BOS), Mike Trout(LAA) NL MVP: Kris Bryant(CHC), Daniel Murphy(WAS), Corey Seager(LAD)
I thought a lot of their contract estimates were low. If they can get Castro for $15M/2yrs they should lock that up. Same for Reddick or Saunders for <$15M/yr. Also quite a few DH types that they think will take cheap deals: Holliday, Beltran, Pearce, etc. Pedro Alvarez wasn't even in their top 50 which would indicate they think he'd be available for something like $5M/1yr. I think that's a steal for a guy who will almost certainly put up league average offense (with upside) who can handle 1B/3B backup duties. Finally, they pegged Cashner at $8M/1yr; if he will sign that cheap Id love for Houston to take a chance and make him their 5th starter. Going to be a fun offseason, Houston was linked to quite a few players.
AL ROY: Gary Sanchez(NYY) NL ROY: Corey Seager(LAD) AL MOY: Terry Francona(CLE) NL MOY: Joe Maddon(CHC) AL CY: Corey Kluber (CLE) NL CY: Max Scherzer(WAS) AL MVP: Mike Trout(LAA) NL MVP: Kris Bryant(CHC)
I would guess Carlos Beltran's days as an everyday OF are gone. He totaled just 67 games in RF last year. Having said that - two options, because I agree with Bregman and Gurriel being our 3B/DH - unless... Gurriel (or Beltran) could make the move to 1B. An infield of Bregman, Correa, Altuve and Gurriel - if Gurriel can be... 60% of what he was internationally... that may be the best offensive infield in baseball. DH Beltran (who I'd hit second), leave Marisnick in CF (I *really* want to find a way to have his glove in the line-up every night) and then go grab a LF. That has some potential.
If they did sign Beltran surely he would be a complimentary signing to a bigger piece (Cespedes, Reddick, Fowler, etc.). But as a DH who wouldn't be hopeless if he has to play the field I like him on a 1 year deal. However, given his history with the team/fans, I sincerely doubt Houston is in the mix for him.
Oh, I doubt that'd have much, if any, influence, assuming our bid was competitive. He's been around long enough to know he'd be instantly (re)embraced if they brought him back.
readingcomprehension.jpg Anyways, I noticed reading between the lines that they're going to be after a top FA. They've typically waited until the second wave to try and find value but being aggressive early means going after the top guys.
my takeaway from Luhnow's comments today were that they may think prices for SP will be prohibitive so they may be shifting to focus purely on free agency and adding to the lineup. Hard to argue with that approach since if they were to add a trio of free agents like Encarnacion, Fowler, and Ramos, the rotation should be more than good and can be addressed midseason if needed.
I don't think there's much to take away from any GM's public comments. They're mostly PR/political posturing in substance. But I do agree with you that Luhnow probably sees the SP market as too pricey. Will be interesting to see what happens.
Trump has edited the Astros lineup based on the proposed deportation policy... CF - XXXX LF - ALEX BREGMAN 2B - XXXX SS - XXXX 3B - XXXX RF - XXXX C - XXXX 1B - XXXX DH - EVAN GATTIS
http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/...n-theo-epstein-edwin-encarnacion-notes-110816 The Blue Jays’ push to re-sign Edwin Encarnacion failed to produce a quick agreement, leaving a clear path for other clubs that want the free-agent first baseman/designated hitter. But who exactly are the suitors? The Red Sox, at least to this point, are not serious players for Encarnacion, focusing on shorter-team solutions such as Carlos Beltran and Kendrys Morales, sources say. The Rangers also do not appear to be heavy on Encarnacion. The Astros have expressed interest, but might not want to invest $125 million or so in a single player when they also need starting pitchers and left-handed hitters. As always in the offseason, things are not always what they appear. Encarnacion’s agent, Paul Kinzer, clearly sees viable alternatives to the Blue Jays. And teams could intensify their interest as it becomes clear that Encarnacion is willing to leave Toronto. http://m.astros.mlb.com/news/article/208185330/astros-should-be-major-players-in-free-agency/ Potential FA targets: The Astros need a couple of left-handed bats, and those could come in the outfield, at catcher or first base. Look for the team to have solid interest in Dodgers outfielder Josh Reddick, who would fill a need and not break the bank. If Houston doesn't re-sign Castro, it could take a look at free agents like Matt Wieters or Wilson Ramos, but that's the top of the free-agent catching food chain. Similarly, free-agent first baseman Edwin Encarnacion will have no shortage of suitors, and the Astros are likely to take a look. He won't come cheaply, though. General manager Jeff Luhnow has a soft spot for his former players, and lefty-hitting outfielder Jon Jay is on the market as a cheaper option. Wild card scenario: The Astros aren't going to be able to fill all their needs via free agency, so don't be surprised to see Luhnow make a few trades. One such target figures to be Yankees catcher Brian McCann, who would satisfy the need for a left-handed bat and has two years remaining on his contract. Assuming the Yankees eat some of the money, the Astros could become bigger players in the sweepstakes for some of the biggest names on the market like Encarnacion or Yoenis Cespedes.
Wieters could turn out to be a fantastic addition. Relatively low-cost risk, too. I wouldn't mind a 2 or 3 year deal to ease Stubbs in. Not that big of a McCann fan at this point in his career.
