You worried or just being sarcastic? Last time I checked, they aren't any better than BOS and will have to play in a one game playoff that will go to Severino (not Happ). Happ comes into play if Severino can't pitch for some reason. Happ may very well not pitch a WC game. Judge could still be finding a rhythm, not too mention any other injuries happening. Yankees needed to make these moves, they really had no choice. If they don't catch BOS they could be one and done. Trade for Happ may be a moot point at the end of this...
If I'm the Nats, I offer Houston Harper and Herrera for a quantity package of high upside upper level pitching, maybe with a Tony Kemp throw-in in case they need OF or 2B help. Something like Cionel Perez, David Paulino, Josh James, Hector Perez, and Tony Kemp. The Nats have almost everyone except Harper and Gio coming back. Their OF of Soto/Robles/Goodwin/Eaton will still be one of the best in the league. Their middle IF of Turner/Rendon is solid, they can pick up a 1B cheap if they don't believe Zimmerman has anything left. Their pitching staff is top heavy with Strasburg, Scherzer, Doolittle, and Kintzler. They need a catcher, pitching depth, and maybe an infielder. The more I think about it the more trading Harper makes sense for the Nats.
My current prediction is still 2 more “meh” moves for rentals: an OF like Curtis Granderson as Kyle Tucker insurance and a RP like Fernando Rodney to check the “we upgraded our bullpen” box.
Can I interest you in an AJ Reed Washington? How do you feel about JD Davis. Seriously can't imagine Washington trading Harper. It's logically what they should do, as well as logical to believe that they shouldn't even bother to bid on him in FA this offseason, when he's a marginal upgrade to a pretty good OF that doesn't make sense to pay $35,000,000 to, imo, and if you trade him now you can tell the fans- no worries were are negotiating for him at the end of the season and then walk away without as much emotional capital being lost. But yeah, that's not likely how that will play out with them. He'd fit so perfect in Houston. People downplaying how good he is are being kind of silly. He's good. Really, really, really really good. Ignore the 214 BA- it's irrelevant. I'd go with this lineup come playoff time Altuve Bregman Harper Correa Springer Yuli Reddick Gattis McCann/Stassi/Maldonado That's just stupid.
What's the point of a meh insurance for Kyle Tucker. Is not Kemp/Marisnick and Marwin insurance for Tucker? What does a Curtis Granderson type add of value that couldn't have a role filled by some combination of the 3 I talked about?
GeT HArper GeT Ur done MuRRAY Seriously, get Harper tho (might be willing to give up Alvarez, players for him)
Fixed. Just by adding a Harper, it gives Hinch more flexibility. If there's a coach who can handle this and excel, it's Hinch. Remember, it's about compiling the best 25 man roster possible. Astros want that B2B. Who knows, maybe winning a title convinces Harper to stay. Crane and Luhnow could then pay Harper a BIG FEE and figure it out in 2022. It's very possible... if they can just get him . Springer is the first of the core 4 to come up for contract, I can see scenarios where we would pay Harper a 2-3 year, 40 million a year with PO for additional year and let Springer go. Allowing Harper to hit FA again in his prime. WHAT DO I KNOW THO.
solid "meh" moves could be a difference maker for this team. Astros need to be healthly and hitting their stride at the right time....and they will be great in the playoffs. Springer, Bregman, Altuve, Correa, Gurriel, Reddick, Gattis, Stassi, Kemp.....That lineup when healthy and hot is an amazing lineup. If our starters are in rhythm...it's over for the other team. Our relief pitchers are solid. Yes....we don't have a closer that strikes fear in teams. But the Astros last year hit those closers that struck fear in teams. We have enough talent to find the hot hand to pitch at the end of the game in the playoffs. Astros need to be healthly and playing their best baseball when the playoffs start. In my opinion, that is more important then any trade with this team. Closer would have helped no doubt. I still want one....and you never know. They might pull it off. But if the Astros ride with what they have.... it's still the greatest Astro team that has ever played.
The Yankee's don't win championships, they buy them. Going back to the 90's, they had the highest payroll in MLB for each of their WS championships. Since, they don't have the highest payroll in MLB this year, they will not win a WS.
A perfect example of a "meh" move that made an unexpectedly huge impact was last year's waiver claim of Cameron Maybin. I actually credit him with having one of the biggest impacts of the World Series last year. In game 2, I feel everything changed when he led off the 11th with a single, and then stole 2nd. Not only did he win a free taco for everyone. But since he was at 2nd, Springer made an adjustment, and stopped trying to pull everything. He wanted to go to right, so he could, at a minimum, advance Maybin to 3rd. Of course, he goes on to hit a HR to right-center. Maybe it was that small tweak he made, but he went from strikeout machine to HR machine from that point on, going on to win the World Series MVP. Cameron Maybin, will always bring a smile to my face. In any case, at least this post allowed me to relive some good ass memories! Thanks to whoever mentioned "meh" moves, hahaha!
Granderson is a good clubhouse veteran who hits for power, can play a passable LF, and still run the bases. Yes, he strikes out a lot. But all in all he’s a pretty clear upgrade over Marisnick or Kemp or Marwin as an everyday LF. Kemp is a poor defender who cannot hit for power; he’s best used as a bench player. Marisnick is a bad offensive player; he’s best used as a late inning defensive replacement. Marwin is much more valuable as a utility player. Now, if they believe in Tucker as the everyday LF, I agree Granderson makes no sense as an alternative 4th OF to Kemp/Marisnick.
I would throw up if we chose Harper over Springer. Harpers is great, Springer is a great player and has a great attitude, he is what this current team is all about. Would be sickening to see that happen (and it won’t)
Of course, but Harper on a 2 year, 80 million dollar deal with PO for third. Springer could still come back for 20 million and we let Harper walk after third or so before he gets another 8 years, 320 million. It's more of make it happen, then we will get to that at the end of the 2020 season. Crane has proven to increase revenue and adding Harper has some very positive ramifications. Food for thought.
We will have to just disagree on granderson vs Kemp, I don’t see either as a good defender but Kemp’s bat compliments the lineup a lot more than a power/strikeout guy. I’m down with having Gattis power/k bat in the lineup along with whoever is catching but gimme Kemp and his contact batting 9th before another strikeout guy
Baseball is tricky. The team hits a slump at the wrong time and we lose 3 straight in a 5 game series. We could trade for an amazing closer and never even use him. This team is really good....they just need to be hot and healthy at the right time.
