I agree. I like what they've done over the last 12 months, but in total they've spent ~$160M on 6 players (Gurriel $48M, Reddick $52M, McCann $22M, Beltran $16M, Morton $8M, Aoki $6M). It would have been a "big move" to spend that much on 1 or 2 players. Not that I think that's what they should have done, and Crane has certainly expempted himself of the "cheap" label, but they've yet to make a true statement move. A $100M contract or a trade involving 4 of their top ten prospects for 1 player would qualify.
EE would be a splash but on paper the lineup is stacked. Beltran and Reddick. A full season of Gurriel and Bregman. The progression of Correa. Wow. If the lineup changes due to the acquisition of a premium pitcher than someone like EE would be more valuable. Right now he'd be an expensive bonus. The focus should be on pitching going forward.
Agreed, the position player roster is stacked and unless a key player is traded (which would be a bad move IMHO) they should be done there. I think it's pretty obvious that Luhnow will spend the entirety of next week working to acquire a ToR SP while also keeping tabs on the reliever market. He will have an advantage over a lot of other GMs who have more things on their list. This is probably a 90-95 win team right now on paper. A Sale or Archer type acquisition will push them up into 95-100 win expectations.
Perhaps its PR positioning to make the claim "big moves have been made". But the claim itself has me worried. Its either positioning, and the brass knows we haven't moved the needle in a big way yet, OR, the brass really believes this claim and thinks their off season work is nearly done. True, if we did nothing else, we should be better and more balanced (offensively) than last year. And yes, the quote did show the brass wants to make a pitching move. But another #3 or #4 type starter isnt going to help much. We already have a plethora of #4 - #5 SP types.
I'm getting '98-type vibes personally. Go into the season with a very good lineup you know will score runs, a solid bullpen, and a deep rotation that lacks that true ace. Then you trade for that ace when he becomes available.
Getting dominated by Sterling ****ing Hitchcock was the killer for me. Best Astros team ever. Those 2 playoff games at the Dome were stupid loud.
I know everyone wants to strike while the fire is hot, but sometimes you cannot force it. The Astros don't have to get a #1 starter if the cost is 6 years of Bregman. There will be other options during the season..
Agreed Unless a deal that Luhnow really likes for a Verlander/Gray etc... comes along at the Winter Meetings, then I could see Luhnow making another big move. As it is I believe Luhnow will be looking for a lefthanded reliever.
Man... some of y'all just can't be happy. We are labelled as having the best line up in the AL and projected to have the third most win in the majors, but our owner is still cheap. Y'all realize that having a deep lineup is a good thing right? Good lord... be satisfied that the team got better and see what moves we make at the break.
i was one of the ones that wanted crane to spend like daddy warbucks but I'm satisfied with what has transpired. They want alex? you hang up the phone and turn off your beeper. There is always the trading deadline and it doesn't have to be a no.1 pitcher. Alex has greatness in front of him.
Bregman isn't untouchable in my book; but then, it isn't my book. I'd take EE and ship Bregman for Sale.
Not everybody here would. I wouldn't give up bregman for sale straight up. Bregman may be the more valuable player than Sale straight up over the next 3 years depending on projections, but once you fact in the salary differences, it makes even less sense. http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/chris-sale-and-giving-up-a-stud/ Go check out this fangraphs article for a good read on the general topic.
