People tend to say this a lot, and then they do it once or twice, but it never sticks. Cleveland was a bit of an exception last year, but they also had 2 ace closers after acquiring Miller, so they had some unique luxuries.
Players don't like it. Contending teams appear to be trying to acquire multiple closer quality arms as a work around so they can play players in familiar situations.
Players get paid on counting stats, like number of saves. I suspect that the Astros have more meaningful stats like "highly leveraged FIP" or some such.
In arbitration, saves matter. Free agency, not so much. I should say getting saves due to opportunity doesn't matter much. The ability to get saves in the future is valuable.
Just saw this quote on fangraphs... “I probably shouldn’t say this out loud — this is my inside voice talking — but things that are important to your players have to be important to the manager to some extent… If we played in a nonemotional, non-compensated neutral environment, I think we would flush that stat saves down the toilet. But we don’t.” — A.J. Hinch, Astros manager, December 2016
Astros biggest 3 needs per MLB Trade Rumors Left-handed Reliever: Entering the winter, Houston was said to be looking for a southpaw to pair with Tony Sipp, who disappointed after returning via free agency last winter. Jerry Blevins, Boone Logan, J.P. Howell, and Travis Wood (who’d also represent some rotation depth) are among the open-market options. Houston could also continue exploring the trade market; the club is said to have checked in on Justin Wilson of the Tigers. Starter: Houston has a five-man rotation mix in place after already adding Charlie Morton early in the offseason, and possesses some quality young arms as well, but the team could certainly stand to improve its starting staff as a way of rounding out an aggressive winter. The club has been tied to pitchers such as Jose Quintana, Danny Duffy, and Yordano Ventura, while the free-agent market still includes Jason Hammel and a few bounceback options. Even if a larger strike doesn’t prove achievable, adding a minor-league free agent could make sense. Another bat? There are limits to the number of true needs for some organizations, and that’s particularly true of Houston, which has accounted for most of its roster holes and touts plenty of versatility on its roster. But the club has looked for ways to add yet more talent in a variety of ways, and reportedly stayed involved on Edwin Encarnacion right up to his eventual signing. It would rate as a surprise at this point, but the ‘Stros could conceivably add a power bat at first base (bumping Yulieski Gurriel into the corner outfield mix) or acquire a center fielder (shifting George Springer back to a corner spot) if an opportunity arises. Adding Valbuena at 1B OR a FA OF (or a deal for McCutchen) gives the Astros a 1-9 Murderer's Row with options of Gattis, Marwin, Aoki, Marisnick off the bench. FA market on LHRP is deep any of Wood, Logan, Blevins is a strong upgrade to the bullpen. I like Justin Wilson considerably less. Would wait on a SP until the deadline for a variety of wait and sees. If Keuchel bounces back now that's he's healthy. If McCullers can stay healthy and continue to pitch like an elite #2 Musgrove takes step forwards. Morton and McHugh are solid backend options. How well Devenski does in 4-5 inning starts in ST & how well Martes & Paulino do in the spring and if they get an emergency start or two. Doesn't seem to be much urgency on striking a deal for Quintana, Archer, Gray, Duffy, Odorizzo, etc amongst MLB clubs and more guys like Verlander, King Felix, Grienke, etc could become available if those teams aren't winning.
Still so many good players on the market. Not saying we should sign them, but I don't recall so many players being available after the new year: Bautista, Trumbo, Saunders, Ross, Napoli, Wieters, Hammel, Holland to name a few. I'd like to sign Valbuena back but I just don't see how and where he'd fit.
On McCullers, he has not pitched like a number 2 when healthy. He has pitched like an ace when healthy even with the high walk rate. Health is huge with him though.
Valbuena would be our starting 1B with Gurriel in LF & Beltran DHing. Can't imagine we will add anyone though. Team has clearly preferred 8 man bullpen, and we already have 12 position players that would seem locks unless they are traded. I'd think we would only go with 13 position players if somebody played their way onto the roster in the Spring.
Saw a hot stove article (bleacher report?) suggesting the Astros should trade for Billy Hamilton. Not really a big fan of that unless Jake is the centerpiece going back to CIN.
Keep trying to figure out which side would benefit more from leaking that? If its an Astros source: paints the GM/front office in a pro-active mode. Lets other potential teams know what they're willing to offer. If its a Rays source: shows that they have a commitment to building something at the MLB level... and won't simply part with young/club-controlled guys for unproven prospects (they could also be the ones to embellish what sort of prospects are really being offered... which could have the opposite effect, especially if some Rays fans know about the potential of Tucker/Martes). Thoughts?
There is no way the Rays are getting a better offer than that, and I think I'm glad they said no. Unless he meant one of Martes/Tucker/Paulino and not all 3.
