2015 was the dip the toe in year. Any season we don't win the World Series is a failure, that's the expectation. If that seriously gets it done, than there never should have even been a discussion of whether we should acquire him. That's a no brainer.
Rick Porcello won the Cy Young a year ago. He's 4-12 with a 4.60 ERA. I guess I should want him too? I don't give a damn about where they finished in Cy Young voting. I care about what I can expect from them while they are in an Astros uniform. Right now, the best reason to get Gray is to put Peacock in the pen during the postseason, or have him starting game 4 of any series so everyone can be on full rest.
I could be wrong but most of what I have heard from employees have not included Tucker or Whitley. Franklin Perez is the name I hear a lot and some scouts in the game absolutely love him. I suspect he is the player moved with some lower level guys. Personally I hope they don't move Martes. His value has increased in my eyes. He clearly has the stuff and competitiveness to do really well in the big leagues. I wouldn't be surprised if he is ready to be a number 2 starter as soon as next April.
Astros. DeGrom is not worth Tucker more than Gray. While Reed is nice, I expect Astros can get a reliever without giving up Tucker.
My hesitation on the trade was always about having to give up 2 of the blue chippers. I do consider Perez one of that group, but at the bottom. At this point I would go Tucker, Whitley, Martes, and then Perez. So just him, and some other parts is a clear thumbs up.
I'm assuming the Mets won't deal deGrom and the Tigers won'd deal Fulmer. That leaves the best possible thing the Astros could probably do is acquire Gray, Wilson, and Britton.
Difference is that Gray is getting results/peripherals similar to what he was 2 years ago after an injury plagued season. His ERA is slightly up, but still very good. I wouldn't say Gray is a huge upgrade over starters, but it puts another great arm in the pen during the playoffs.
I brought up Fenway because that is a team we may have to beat to get to the World Series. Whether either will be intimidated pitching there in the playoffs we can't know. Well, you know because experts know these things. If I had to bet I'd say Giles. Gray at least has playoff experience. You do know what quotations are for right?
Yes. But not necessarily Gray. The brass will do something. Just not sure what that something is going to be. New names appear anew, and others have already landed somewhere.
I love the idea of adding Gray. Look at his peripherals of this season compared to '15 and tell me he's not a significant addition to our rotation. He would instantly become our #3 starter and forms an awesome playoff rotation of Keuchel, McCullers and Gray. He may not be an elite #1 pitcher, but trading for a very solid #2 pitcher would be great.
Your previous posts were quite suggestive that your expert opinion was that both would struggle there.... and not sure where your smarminess is coming from, because you brought it up. Now you're backing away. I brought up Gray having playoff experience, and you suggested it wasn't all that important because he won't be pitching in Oakland's ballpark (and "only aces make a difference in the playoffs")... that Fenway would be "different"... again, not quite sure what you're trying to say now. I believe I paraphrased your previous posts quite well... unless you were exaggerating...
You realize having Fenway in a post doesn't make the post about Fenway. I don't trust him because I watch him. Do you? Have you? He struggles a lot way too often. His walk rate this year is the highest of his career and his k rate is the lowest of his career. His Babip is 50 points lower than his career average. Why are you confident in what looks like a mediocre closer?
I am fine with Gray if the Astros protect their top 3 prospects. I like Gray as our #3 short and long term and am excited about having Peacock available to start game 4 and available in the pen is pretty solid. As for players like Wilson and Britton.... the pen doesn't have a closer I have any real trust in, so it would be good having a Britton available for when Giles fails in the playoffs.
I see I got trapped into the Nick/HeyNow! waste your day vortex of correcting what someone said you said that you didn't actually say. So expert you and so fun.
