Don't forget about the Angels - they keep adding talent around Trout and they keep sucking. That's incredibly encouraging. Plenty of individual players to poach from them because they aren't division rivals at any point... they're just a really bad team that can't pretend like they will be able to support Trout much longer.
For every Hader or Laureano that turn into stars there are 3-4 guys who didn’t amount to squat. The Verlander and Cole trades are primary examples that sometimes dealing really valuable prospects is very worthwhile. Tucker and Whitley are very high ceiling prospects with moderately high floors; both have a decent chance to be core players. But if Click can convert either or both for surplus value via an established affordable star with multiple years of control, its a good idea.
But they do have alot of big money guys who are signed for along time. Thats what hurts them. Instead of signing pitching let's keep adding bats.
I was looking at another board yesterday. Braves They really need pitching. And I seen they think Grienke would be a great fit for there team. They have a loaded Farm still not the best but still some good players. What about Grienke Yuli and Josh James to the Braves for Drew Waters , Kyle Muller, Austin Riley and both Terone Harris and Patrick Weigel? Might be an over pay. But damn that would be a nice haul of youngsters Braves need a 3B and a SP
Why do you want to get rid of Greinke? Unless you don't think they are going to be competitive this year and next, he is a perennial Cy Young candidate.
To rebuild our farm and if we can get some good ole prosects in return I would be worth it. Waters would be a ln awesome add for next years OF situation. And wewoild save some cash
They are still in their window of contention through at least next season. No reason to start a rebuild until they see how they do next season
If we’re not contending next year and Greinke is pitching like he does this year, we should be getting a lot of quality players in return. We’re still in contention this year so I’m not sure why some of y’all suggested that should trade Greinke, correa, Springer or Brantley. We might not be able to be in this spot for a long time if you trade those guy away. Let’s try to win a WS this year instead of thinking 3-4 years ahead. Also, this year playoff will most likely be play with no fans or in the bubble. There will be no home field advantage like before. That also mean less pressure on our rookie pitchers as well. Get in the playoff and anything can happen.
With Yordan out for the year and Boston likely being sellers... what would it cost to bring back JD Martinez? What other outfield/DH options could be available. Need a bat and back end bullpen help badly
Martinez’s opt out in his contract makes it very unlikely he is traded. Teams don’t know if they’re trading for a rental or for a guy on an expensive long term deal. Realistic OF/DH options for me: Jorge Soler, Mitch Moreland, Maikel Franco, Jesus Aguilar, Kyle Seager, Josh Bell, Brandon Belt, Evan Longoria
Time to see what these young hitters can do. Tucker will get everyday ABs. If Bregman is out for any duration then Toro will get everyday ABs. Jones and Straw will get some run. Just like on the pitching side, finding 2 everyday bats from their group of unproven young players would be a huge boon. Silver lining of this season might be the mass development of a 2nd core of young players.
Astros are now 14-10 and the A’s series is essentially the difference between where they are now and the best record in the AL. Right now the Astros are contenders which is impressive with so many free agents gone and Verlander, Alvarez, Osuna, Diaz and Urquidy having not been a factor. Right now the Astros need to let the young players develop and see if they are good enough to extend the window. Valdez and Javier both have been very impressive and it isn’t smoke and mirrors. Taylor and Paredes appear legitimate in the pen long term. Tucker has been hitting lately and Toro will get his chance. I would hope anyone the Astros trade for will be under contract for more than a year. A good outfielder may help off set the possible loss of Springer or Brantley. I know the Astros are weighing making an offer to Greinke similar to Verlander to extend the contract a year or two. Also the Astros and Brantley have discussed a short term deal as well.
Well thats good news the end part I hope the Astros make a play for Josh Bell and a OF. I like the fact of a Ryan Mountcastle as a 1B\COF. Those two guys could make this team alittle cheaper and alittle better come time to extend a Grienke or Brantley. I still believe it would be hard to obtain Springer. I think some team is going to throw the bank at him. I hope we don't. Unless he wants to play COF.
The Astros have reached out to the Pirates about Bell. Just keep in mind he is an awful fielder. I don’t think Springer will be back next year either, but the Astros are motivated to keep him within reason. I expect the Astros to lose at least one outfielder this winter and the Astros will be aggressive to try to get a good but not great player under contract to replace them.