I absolutely love Yelich and would be willing to part with Tucker for him. He moves Springer back to RF, Reddick to LF and the outfield defense improves drastically. Marwin to 1B and Yuli DH (if he isn't part of the Yelich deal). Stanton I think the money is the issue, he wouldn't cost too much in prospects because of his contract but is Jeter willing to throw in say $50-75mil?
You think they are going to extend Dallas? I don't see it, he won't be worth the deal he wants and we got better guys to write checks to.
I think White and Moran have the best chance at actually becoming players. And I get the above average player vibe from both of them. I want to see how they work out. I wonder if Beltran can just take Cora’s job...
Do the Astros go deep in the playoffs without Keuchel and do they win a WS without Verlander this yr? I'm talking about winning a WS and you do NOT do that without elite pitching. Especially starting pitching. The bar has been set VERY high with the talent they have and you damn well aren't going to win a WS without a few elite starting pitchers. Our pen (even though we won a WS this yr) sucked ass in the playoffs. Our pen was saved by LMJ, Morton and a guy who started most of the season (Peacock). Yes Peacock was originally in the pen and had to start due to DK, LMJ and Morton going on the DL. Even with Peacock in the pen it wouldn't have been enough (they needed LMJ and Morton). Anyone that wants to get rid of Keuchel so easily (and think finding guys like him--battle tested playoff pitcher and Cy Young winner) are easy to find good luck with that. Top of line pitchers that were traded this yr: Darvish, Gray, Quintana (hard to trade for each of these guys and did each of them perform in the playoffs)? So so and results. You saw the price to potentially get Archer, Cueto wasn't traded, Hamels wasn't traded, Cole wasn't traded. So my point again is where is this elite pitching that's pretty easy to acquire via trade? Everything I'm saying about DK (resigning him) is predicated on him being healthy next yr.
The only way in hell that he would be traded next yr is if the team is sucking ass and there's no way they're going to make the playoffs. Leaves in FA. Yes that could happen.
The Astros are in an odd spot with DK. If he does really well he likely commands a 5 year deal and the Astros aren’t giving him a 5 year deal with his arm history and issues. If the Astros are in a financial position to resign him at a shorter length deal, it likely means DK struggled or had injuries. A lot can happen in a year (ask the Cubs). We could see someone like Morton or even Whitley or Martes emerge as a number 1-2 starter. Likewise everyone could regress and Verlander could have a 4.50 era as we watch the Angels win the division. If you want a good barometer, look at what Arrieta gets and figure DK is going to likely get a little less. I personally think the Astros pass on DK and spend the money on Altuve and rely on internal pitching candidates.
Or trade him this winter But thats not likely due to potential blowback from the fanbase trading a stud immediately after winning a World Series. Hopefully Luhnow can do magic with the comp pick
Will be interesting seeing the increase of money generated from this championship - and how it affects payroll. Ticket prices will likely go up, but I'm speaking things like, more national games, more eyes watching, and more merchandise sold. I believe we have a dynasty in progress. The entire atmosphere of the locker room is already unique. FA's will want to play here and take discounts. Our own players might take less. It would be GREAT if Houston got its own network ala YSN, WGN, TBS, and TNT.
For 2018, a top notch closer and great DH would be nice, but we're so stacked already, the answer might already be on the team. I like the preivoulsy mentioned proposal of taking a struggling starter with an elite arm and putting him in the bullpen.
The Astros could deal him this winter with limited fan blow back because Luhnow built this team. The issue would be the issues with the players and that I don’t think the Astros would get much in return compared to what the lose. With their pitching depth, the Astros could be very cautious with DK and limit his innings and starts.
If Morton kicks ass next season he's a FA next yr as well. I certainly agree with you that resigning DK isn't going to be an easy decision.
I think they will add another veteran 1st baseman or more likely an outfielder. The Astros can always shift Yuli to DH and Marwin to 1st. The Astros GM wants an established, very good veteran reliever to bridge the rest of the pen with. They tried with Britton and Osuna and Iglesias but the deals fell through. I am sure (likely by trade) the Astros get one. Supposedly Luhnow remains high or Moran.
What veteran 1B/OFs are thinking? There's a bunch of OFs. Cain is nice, but comes with a high price tag. Which bridge guys for the bully?
Keuchel is the biggest Yankee killer since Roger Clemens was in his Boston days. Don’t think the Yankees brass wouldn’t like to steal him in free agency. It serves the double purpose of having him pitch for them, while also getting rid of all those opportunities Dallas had to kick their ass in the playoffs. I expect we’ll levy a cosmetic competitive offer around 18-20M per year for four years. Yankees will counter with a 25M per six. The numbers won’t come close between the two. Unfortunately, our offer will be grounded in data and fiscal responsibility while theirs will have the emotional backing of a franchise pressured to win at all costs.
The Astros currently have a mix of 7 SPs: Verlander, Keuchel, McCullers, Morton, McHugh, with Peacock (and Fiers!) around in case of emergency, not to mention Martes, Paulino, and other minor leaguers. I don't think the Astros spend any money on SPs this year. DK long-term will depend on how he and all these other guys turn out - a year is a long time in the world of starting pitching. On offense, I honestly don't think they change anything there either, unless they are trading MarGo, Reddick or Gattis/McCann. The rest of the lineup is pretty much set and is mostly young and would be expected to maintain or improve. MarGo is ridiculously valuable in the Zobrist role of filling in at every position, but he's also earned an opportunity to be a full time starter so I think they leave him in LF unless they move Gattis (Margo to 1B, Yuli to DH). Reddick is a steady and reasonable-price signing. McCann seems unlikely to move for his veteran leadership role. Gattis is valuable in that he's a legit part-time DH while saving the team from wasting a roster spot on a non-hitting backup catcher and can fill in for an aging or injured McCann for extended periods without missing a beat on offense. The Astros have enough minor-league players needing opportunities (White, Moran, Fisher, Reed, eventually Tucker) that there's no reason to spend on half a DH/LF spot - leave that open so we can find out which of these guys can play. Bullpen is the trick, but it's kind of a crapshoot because bullpen pitchers are notoriously unpredictable from year-to-year and even month-to-month. I suspect they spend some money here though - the other advantage is that bullpen guys don't require long-term deals so it keeps their flexibility for the impending roster-mess coming up in a few years. All in all, I don't think they mess with much - largely because of how the roster and minors are currently constructed. Fans will want them to spend something, though, so ideally they focus on trying to lock up some combo of Altuve/Springer/Correa/Keuchel longer-term. Maybe they can convince DK to take a 2-3 yr extension in exchange for security given his still-uncertain health issues. Altuve/Springer/Correa seem less likely given they are each coming off monster seasons and almost certain to make a fortune when they hit FA.
I'm dreaming we find a way to sign Otani now that we won. He might be interested in joining a young championship team in an international city. He gives us a big 3 rotation and fills our Beltran loss at dh They then get a lefty reliever like Mcgee move Giles to set up and McCullers to closer?
The issue of trading him this winter wouldn't just be an issue with the players it wouldn't Spacemoth, Keuchel also married a girl who is from NYC.
