Based on outgoing free agents and rumors, it seems the Astros plan to add a Catcher, Outfielder, and 1B/DH. And the emphasis seems to be ability to hit RHP. So options right now: Catcher: Ramos, Weiters, Castro, McCann (trade) OF: Fowler, Reddick 1B/DH: Encarnacion, Cabrera, Beltran (could be part time OF) Personally I'd be happy if they got one from each of the above. The thing I haven't heard about is the plan for left handed relief???
If the rumors for McCann and Brett Gardner are true that would be more attractive. Gardner a lefty bat and gold glove starting in CF with Aoki as 4th OF with Springer and Gurriel/Bregman or Marwin would be great. A lot of lineup options.
Can we just pay Odor 100 mil to come sit on the bench.. I bet we make it into playoffs soley on the fact that he doesnt play against us. Best signing ever.
A Reddick/Aoki platoon in left field would work very well. Reddick hit .322 against righties last year. Aoki hit .300 against lefties. Reddick would be the starter for about 3 out of every 4 games, with Aoki getting the balance and some time in center. Aoki also provides some insurance if a lefty reliever is brought in to face Reddick.
I'd be surprised if they added 3 players. An elite bat and a catcher are what they appear to be targeting. I originally did not see McCann as a good fit at all but now it appears to make a lot of sense for all parties. With the Jays out of the mix for Encarnacion I wouldn't be surprised to see Houston firmly in the mix. I consider Aoki/Marisnick to be an excellent solution in LF. Assuming Gurriel or Bregman can play RF or CF (Springer covering the other spot), adding McCann and Encarnacion gives them a stacked lineup with some remaining payroll flexibility (assuming NY picks up a decent amount of McCanns deal) and a handful of reallyvgood prospects they can use to upgrade the rotation. I daresay that the Astros 2017 roster will be (on paper) the best roster they have ever fielded.
I thought so too at the beginning of the offseason; two larger dollar players is all I expected. However, when i thought about it, two wouldn't increase payroll much because of outgoing players (maybe only 5-10M). If Crane is serious about increasing payroll I don't think getting to ~125-130 is unreasonable and would fit with the market size - median league salary. One other thing that no one is talking about, that maybe Crane and Luhnow are aware of....isn't the most logical resolution to the Cardinal's hacking a fairly substantial cash payment? A couple other considerations: 1. If they sign a qualifying offer FA that is a couple million less that won't be spent during the draft. 2. They voided the contract of that Cuban pitcher which they would have paid double for due to tax Add all those things up and I can see $10-15M just from there that can go toward major league payroll.
Who are the top expendable prospect in the Astros system? Quality players that could be added to a trade that would not be a big loss, but still a value to the other team. Colin Moran is the first name that comes to mind for me. Who else?
Tony Kemp, Brady Rodgers, Max Stassi, Preston Tucker, Jon Singleton, Jandel Gustave, Tyler White too name a few
Took a sports law class in my last semester of law school. Astros' general counsel came and spoke to us. They said around 6MM in damages would likely be appropriate.
Musgrove, Feliz, Devenski, Martes...who would you rather keep and who would you rather be included in a trade, if necessary?
Keep Devo and Musgrove. Proven commodities. Feliz and Martes have raw talent that is enticing in trades.
Robbie Wine, Eric Anthony, Willie Ainsley, Troy Patton, Wilfredo Rodriguez, Jason Hirsh, Andrew Thurman, Jonathon Singleton, Jordan Lyles, Chris ****ing Burke, Fernando Nieve, Tim Redding....
It all depends on what we are getting. If it's a true Ace goodbye whoever. If it's a bat no since there's quite a few good bats in free agency.
