I just dont know how to feel about this. Very similar to a beltran situation minus the intangibles (although I could be wrong as I have never made it a point to read on Cruz very much). Beltran was also coming off of a productive year when we signed him. Guys that old can fall off the cliff at any time.
Cruz has hit the crap out of the ball year after year while Beltran had been pretty inconsistent. It's a better bet.
Cruz is projected to play better than Beltran was projected to play before Beltran's last contract. Cruz is likely to be paid better than Beltran was. Not sure Cruz will be a better bet if he gets a two year deal.
The Astros are willing to move JBB because they internally think he will end up in the bullpen. It isn’t so much injuries or his mechanics. The arm is high end, but even if he hits it big, from the Astros perspective he is a closer. So they are willing to move him for someone that helps now.
Astros have talked to Arizona about Ray. They wanted a lot for him a month ago. I have no idea if they have come down or not.
I'd be very happy slotting Murphy at 1B for 1-2 years while Beer develops, especially for what he'll likely cost. Murphy is a damn good hitter. One of the best in baseball 2 seasons ago, and he came back strong last year.
I would feel a lot more comfortable with Daniel Murphy if I knew he could play corner outfield from time to time.
Keep Tucker. He will be a stud. He is the bat we seek. Alvarez and JBB will net a legit return. Whitley and Tucker need to remain untouchable. We won’t regret it.
Astros have to be patient. Agents are out of their minds and seem to be trying to right the wrong that was free agency last year. When Michael Brantley is asking for a deal similar to Carlos Santana which was 3 years 60 million you hang up. Then you pencil Kyle Tucker in LF. Maybe in January you call back if Brantley still isn't signed. Also, look at teams that in recent years did some of those free agent signings. Santana was already traded, and the Indians are trying to dump Encarnacion because they owe him a minimum 26.667 million dollars if they don't pick up his 2020 option. Darvish was a disaster, Tyler Chatwood was a bust, Cozart missed most of the year with injuries, Wade Davis wasn't worth 17 million, alex Cobb stunk, Jay Bruce was bad, Todd Frazier wasn't good, Luke Gregerson had an era over 7, Greg Holland was cut, Hosmer wasn't worth 144 million, Justin Upton looks like an overpay, etc, etc, etc. Throwing money at these free agents can burn you quick. I hope we make a trade for a pitcher or hitter and sign the other one we need on a short term contract. Greinke and Nelson Cruz, or maybe Jose Abreu and Charlie Morton. Then maybe a left handed reliever.
Doesn't matter what Astros views on why they are willing to trade him. Other teams are going to assume risk of Astros trying to pass of a lemon is too high.
FWIW the Astros have a back up plan for a bat if all else fails. The Astros and Tigers have talked about Nicholas Castellanos. The Tigers have little interest in paying him 10-12 million in his last year of arbitration. The bat is legit but the glove really isn’t.
Ehh I wouldn’t assume that. The Astros don’t have that reputation. JBB is one of the Astros highest ceiling guys of a team thinks he can start. The Astros are not keen on dealing Whitley, James, Alvarez, Martin or Tucker... that leaves guys like JBB and Cionel Perez.
I read his quotes in the same light as the “well look at adding Giancarlo Stanton” comment. Obviously they’ll consider anything. Doesn’t mean they’ll bite.
.256/.343/.850 for around $12 Million Or .276/.354/.888 for $500K I'd go Tyler White at DH over Nelson Cruz. Daniel Murphy might be a great lefty hitting 1B/DH compliment to Gurriel & White, but with Diaz, 4th OF, 2nd C on the bench, I don't see much room.
