I’m sure the Astros and Diamondbacks will go back to discussing Greinke again. Define gutting the system. I don’t think we will see Luhnow make the same mistakes that Epstein made, however as the window closes, we likely see more aggressive moves.
Gutting the system would be Tucker, Martin, Perez and Whitley or Alvarez for Kluber. I think Bumgarner is the ideal target (ala Cole from last offseason), but the Giants aren’t interested in moving him now.
Three years. The length appeals to the Astros as they want stability through Cole and Verlander’s free agency. I was told the issue was that the Diamondbacks wanted some pretty good near ready talent, and the Astros would not do that unless the Diamondbacks ate more of the contract.
I think that was more a factor of personnel that wasn't viable to be sent down (either by rule or simply for clubhouse stability). With James, Valdez, Whitley, C. Perez and probably Armenteros in the mix we can just keep our extras arms in AAA.
I don’t think you see a deal where Whitley is moved. However the rest of those players are fair game for a valuable player. Bumgarner isn’t the same pitcher he was in the past. Maybe he rebounds. The Giants want a lot for a rental. I’m sure the Astros would have interest at the right price but they want a starter under longer contractual control.
Astros waited until last possible moment to tender him which they would have to do to option him so it is as much a sign as an early commitment to option him. Not seeing why you would need both Tucker and Reddick unless Diaz can't play RF up to Kemp's route running ability. The difference in defense per inning is significant as it is basically the difference between Kemp and Marisnick at the plate. Seems to be an offense vs defense decision. Astros probably pick defense as that has been their history outside that time they optioned Marisnick last year and had Fisher or Kemp man CF.
I would be surprised if Marisnick didn’t make the roster just because he is the only good centerfielder on the roster and in his case he is elite. Plus Hinch seems to really like him.
Good for him that he was able to leverage his 2018 performance into getting a two year deal. Let’s see which version of Fiers the A’s get in 2019.
Armenteros might surprise and factor in the rotation quite a bit. He has good upside and some filthy stuff. Seeing how he, Valdez, James, Whitley and Perez perform this year is going to be interesting.
You might say how our rookies perform this year will have a significant bearing on how well the team does this year. More bearing than the last two probably. Granted, we are far from seeing what the final pre-season roster looks like, but its certainly going to be the case that we cant fill every hole with FA's. So there will be holes where unproven/rookies get slotted. Several in the pitching department.
Seeing A's get Fiers made me smile this morning. He may give them a month or two or stellar pitching, but fully expect the other 4 months to be brutal.
Fiers was smart and lucky. He went to Detroit which is a massive ballpark and then was lucky to be traded to Oakland with another pitcher friendly park. His home/road splits tell the tale from last year. He was also lucky to have 18 home starts to only 12 on the road and that helped skew his numbers in his favor. Home Starts 18, ERA 2.81, 15 HR, WHIP 1.16 Away Starts 12, ERA 4.65, 17 HR, WHIP 1.21
Hinch really likes having Kemp bat 9th and bringing Marisnick to replace Kemp as a late inning defensive move. A real conundrum for Hinch and Luhnow.
And in 2018, with our historic pitching staff, injuries and diminished offense....We still lost to Boston more because of pitching than hitting.
AZ rumored to be shopping Archie Bradley with Greinke . For those of you looking for starting pitching, would you want to make this move and take on all of the financial cost? You could use Bradley as a starting pitcher or as a relief pitcher.
