If the Diamondbacks are agreeable to *that* deal, it's almost certainly because the Astros are volunteering to eat Grienke's entire salary - which is $95.5MM through '21. Is one year of Goldschmidt worth $95.5MM?
Imagine they’re just looking at massive overpay offers. Madbum ain’t going anywhere for a Cole-like package.
The hypothetical stated Arizona would be sending $29.5M along with Greinke/Goldschmidt. I think a lot of people are going to be surprised at the lack of return if Goldschmidt and Greinke are traded. There’s just not a ton of extra value there when you consider the salaries. And teams are so protective of their best prospects. I don’t think that deal will get it done; sub Bukauskas for Martin and I think it is very close.
I understand, but my point is that even for a one year deal, that seems high. Ironically, I think it's a great deal for the Braves, but hey it's not my money.
His 2018 stats adjusted for a full year would be good enough to be worth that contract. Prior to 2018, he's been worth that much every year since 2012. I think odds are good he's healthier in 2019 than he was in 2018. His only problem was that he's a 3B when it seems everyone has a 3B.
No, the Astros discussions with the Diamondbacks have been done with an understanding that the Diamondbacks would have to eat a fairly decent amount of his salary. The Diamondbacks want something of value in return if possible, but mostly want to move off of a 95 million dollar commitment. If they can save 60-70 million dollars, it is something they would do.
They aren't likely to get a great offer because he has only one year of control left and is coming off two straight injured seasons.
What else you got Nook? I thought there would be a flurry of transactions after the Paxton deal. I've been refreshing and waiting for an MLBTR notification since, sadly to no avail.
I was told that the Astros have spoken to a lot of teams and a lot of agents and intend to get several larger things done before the Spring with the caveat that they will not over pay. That sounds like something any team would say, but based on history of this team I think it is true. The name that keeps creeping up is Greinke. I first heard his name mentioned as someone of interest while we were still in the playoffs. The recent additions of other starting pitchers on the market bodes well for the Astros, but keep in mind the Astros goal is to add a #1-#2 starter that is under multiple years of team control. Other interesting names I have heard from Crawford are Robbie Ray and Zach Godley. The Astros and Diamondbacks have spoken quite a bit..... the Phillies also have spoken often to the Diamondbacks.
Ken Rosenthal's sources told him that the Marlins like Kyle Tucker and Josh James from the Astros in a possible trade scenario for Realmuto. "Marlins All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto to the Astros for outfielder Kyle Tucker and right-hander Josh James – which team says no? I do not know if the teams have discussed those names. I do know from sources that Tucker and James are the types of guys the Marlins want for Realmuto." https://theathletic.com/678434/2018...sions-possible-syndergaard-suitor-more-notes/
If they give up Tucker for Realmuto it pretty much needs to be a one for one. Ramos and Grandal are very close to Realmuto in value and won’t cost nearly as much. I’d rather spend $65M/4yr on Grandal or $40M/3yr on Ramos than trade Tucker for Realmuto @ ~$20M/2yr.
So are they shooting for a rotation of Verlander, Cole, Greinke (or whatever #1-2 they trade for), McHugh and one of James/Valdez? I really thought they would have resigned Morton. Keuchel leaving at this point seems to be a far gone conclusion.
I’m not certain that Houston won’t try to add Morton in addition to whichever ToR SP they acquire (whether that’s Greinke, Kluber, Thor, or someone else). It will just depend on how much money they spend on a catcher and another bat. If they take on $20M/yr for Greinke, that would probably leave $20-30M remaining to address C, 1B/LF/DH, and SP/RP. If they get Realmuto ($7M) and go cheap for a bat (somebody like Neil Walker, Carlos Gonzalez, or Nick Markakis), then they’ll probably have enough left for Morton. But if they spend bigger on a catcher (Grandal or Ramos) and/or a bat (Cruz, Brantley, Goldschmidt, McCutchen), then they won’t have room for him. As much as I love CFM there are just better uses for that $15M. Especially considering that the next Morton might be available for a lot less (Pomeranz, Karns, Ross, Anderson, Harvey, Miley, Perez, Santana, Estrada, etc.).
5 SPs isn't enough, though. Even moreso if we're assuming James/Valdez takes a spot. There's already risk in James/Valdez from a performance standpoint. The 2 of them together help mitigate that risk. But I don't think that addresses the injury risk across all 5 spots. In short, I think there needs to be another SP in the mix that's more than a lottery ticket (which is how I feel about Whitley for next year specifically). So I think Morton should still be on the table.
I’m not worried about the depth at all. They’ll have 10+ legit SP prospects in the upper levels to start 2019: Whitley, James, JBB, Martin, F Valdez, C Perez, Armenteros, Bielak, Adcock, and Bailey are all among the Top 30 prospects in the system and have already logged time in the upper levels. That doesn’t include Hartman, Rodgers, Bostick, or Sneed, all of whom had some success last year in AAA/AA. They won’t be hurting for pitchers who can throw effective mlb innings next season. The real need is a proven option they will feel really good about starting game 3 of a playoff series.
What about a one-stop shop with Arizona: Astros get: 1B Paul Goldschmidt SP Zack Greinke OF David Peralta C Alex Avila $15M Diamondbacks get: OF Kyle Tucker SP JB Bukauskas SP Corbin Martin 1B Tyler White OF Ronnie Dawson C Chris Herrmann Arizona gets to clear their books and add 2 elite prospects, a good LHP prospect, a stopgap 1B, plus a 3rd tier CF prospect whose stock is rising (Herrmann would be a throw-in to replace Avila, although he had success in Arizona before). Houston gets an ace, 2 elite bats, and a catcher with left handed power. Resulting Opening Day 40 man: CF Springer 3B Bregman 2B Altuve 1B Goldschmidt SS Correa LF Peralta DH Gurriel RF Reddick C Avila Bench: Diaz, Stassi, Marisnick Rotation: Verlander, Cole, Greinke, James, F Valdez Bullpen: McHugh, Peacock, Devenski, Smith, Harris, Rondon, Pressly, Osuna Optioned: Stubbs, Reed, Davis, Kemp, Fisher, Straw, Armenteros, C Perez, Rodgers, Abreu, Guduan, Deetz, TBD optionable waiver claim x 3 60 Day DL: McCullers, Martes
The Aledmys Diaz acquisition high has worn off!... I need action! What will the Astros do next? Who will we acquire? I need my fix NOW! Get GOLDY (mid-level prospect) Sign Ramos (2 yr) Sign Pollock (3-4 yr) Re-Sign Morton (1 yr + option) Trade Tucker + prospects for Ace; alternative: send additional sh*tty prospects for Greinke; AZ throws in $20-$25M WS Champs Done
