I would add Senzel to that list. What do you think it would take to get him? Also the Braves could really use a guy like Javier. Do they have anybody behind Acuna?
Generally speaking, I would consider the Astros 7 SPs off limits, Pressly, and the top 7 of the lineup. I'd also consider Leon unlikely to be traded as Astros likely have a higher view on him than other teams. Pena, Whitley, and Solis will be difficult to trade while they are hurt. I am not sure Nova will be on the Astros 40-man after the deadline if a lot of the pitchers come off the 60-day IL. It looks like MiLB pitchers have realized he's reduced his swing %, and they have started throwing him strikes. His K% has soared and his BB% has gone down, but still good. This looks like he's just adjusted his aggressiveness toggle switch to passive, but does not look like he's gotten better at determining what is a ball and what is a strike. There may be some team that thinks they can fix his plate discipline, but I doubt Astros want to carry him on the 40-man while he tries to learn the zone. It looks like if Astros want anything good, it will likely take Brown, Santos, Lee, and/or an emerging prospect. It does not look good for a quality trade.
Senzel’s numbers have been awful and he is more of a change of scenery guy than somebody a contender adds to play everyday. If Cincy is ready to cut bait I would be great with Houston trading for him but only as a 4th OF or 13th position player. I wouldn’t give up much, maybe even a straight swap of Straw or McCormick or a 3rd tier pitching prospect (Jose Alberto Rivera maybe?). Atlanta probably would be reluctant to trade away OF due to Marcell Ozuna’s situation. Acuna , Waters, and Pache are likely untouchable, which leaves Inciarte, Heredia, and Almonte, none of which would be worth talking about Javier.
Senzel has been hurt this year. If healthy Senzel is a great young talent. He's a classic buy low candidate. IMHO He's has much better upside than Straw/McCormick/3rd tier pitching prospect. IMHO But if that's all the Reds would be asking Click should jump all over that.
Personally, if the Astros can get Haniger at a reasonable price, I would risk moving Tucker to CF and deal with some defensive issues.... The Astros line up is 7 deep right now, making it 8 deep with Haniger would make a huge difference in my opinion. Altuve 822 OPS Correa 819 OPS Bregman 818 OPS Alvarez 851 OPS Gurriel 898 OPS Brantley 820 OPS Haniger 860 OPS Tucker 810 OPS Maldonado/Castro 500 OPS I will roll with that line up 10 out of 10 times and live with Tucker in centerfield.
The Astros are concerned over the mental part of putting him in centerfield..... Tucker has to be handled carefully.
woah .. interesting I wonder how fielding and hitting play off each other for tucker . I think he’s been solid in RF even when he was slumping at the plate
Gross man for me. Very solid stop gap center fielder and shouldn’t cost Javier or urquidy who I would not give up for anything except a multi year all star going forward. They are core pitchers in our future. we could really use a closer. I would do Garcia for hand (who we should have signed) if it could happen
Doing everything in one's power to ensure Straw is in CF does not sound like the mental problem is Tucker's. What does Tucker have to do before the Astros get their undies unwound? Being the best defensive OF on the team while also being an above average hitter does not seem to be enough.
I am not disagreeing with you, only telling you what I have heard several times from people that would know. I would THINK at some point they take the kids gloves off but I don't know when.
I totally get why the Astros are trying to stay under the luxury tax. However, you look at where this roster is and man it is so close to being a World Series favorite in the AL. Go get Starling Marte, and one or two of Graveman, Raisel Iglesias, Ian Kennedy, Yimi Garcia, etc...... this team would be pure fire. It's also not that much money. Marte will be owed around 4-5 million at the trade deadline Graveman is only making 1.25 million for the season plus some incentives. He MIGHT cost you 1-1.5 million from the deadline to the end of the season IF he is reaching his appearance incentives of 100k when he reaches 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 appearances. Then finishing games also gives him 500k bump in pay for finishing 20,30, and 40 games. Raisel Iglesias has a luxury tax salary of 8.041 million. So he would make about 3 million after the deadline. Ian Kennedy is making 2.15 million. So he would be owed about 750k after the deadline Yimi Garcia makes 1.9 million. He would make maybe 650k after the deadline. Obviously it would cost some prospects... but for adding about 7 million in payroll you could have Marte, Graveman, and Ian Kennedy. Astros should be willing to part with guys like Solomon, Brett Conine ( just won Triple A West pitcher of the month),Nova, etc....
I get that you are only the messenger. I've figured that Tucker did something(s) immature when he was a teenager or in his early 20s to piss off some people in the organization based on how he's been used/ not used. For an organization that has tried to obtain defensive flexibility by trying different players at less than optimal positions, it seems very weird that there is a wall the Astros organization has placed around the idea of Tucker in CF. I have a hard time believing Tucker would look more out of place in CF than Diaz looks on the grass.
3 Smaller moves that could make our roster outstanding Rangers get: Ivey Astros get: Kennedy Marlins get: Dubin and Blair Henley Astros get: Yimi Garcia Royals get: Peter Solomon Astros get: M Taylor All 3 of those guys are rentals who will not require a big prospect return. All are also cheap so it would be easy to stay under the tax with them Ivey for Kennedy just makes too much sense for both teams Dubin and Henley are both higher floor than ceiling guys, and both should be up by next year. With all of our young starting pitching right now these are guys we can do without, even if they turn into something good. For the Marlins, two shots at a mid rotation arm should be enough for Yimi Taylor isn't great, but he would be an immediate upgrade both defensively and at the plate. Not a huge upgrade, but an upgrade. Our offense is already outstanding Even without considering whatever starters end up in the pen.... Pressly Kennedy Yimi Is a pretty damn good end of the pen
I'd guess the Astros would slap Solomon, Dubin, and Ivey into the pen before they would trade them for rentals unless it was a really good rental.
It’s a little surprising to me how nonchalant Click has been about addressing the bullpen by trying out Solomon, Ivey, etc. I would have thought Solomon at least would have been given a shot over Paredes to see what he can offer out of the pen.
Kennedy and Yimi are excellent rentals Throwing those kids in the pen would be innings fillers, I want to win
Paredes did show control in the minors before he came back, but overall agree. I was expecting long relief to be a plus on the Astros this year, but Click/Dusty choose to run the bullpen into the ground instead. Astros seem scared that all the starters will get hurt, and are making sure they have enough guys stretched out. Also, not many guys with options in bullpen, keeping a normal sized bullpen most of the year, a clogged 40-man regarding pitchers, and too many pitchers on the IL has made it difficult to bring up guys.
Ketel would be such a great addition. Him in this lineup is electrifying. I’d be happy with Sterling as well. What if we get one of those two, keep Showrea, and trade Leon? I wonder if Cavan could play CF...he’s struggling a bit at the plate too, but would be an interesting story line if Biggio came back to Houston. I would love to add him if the price is right, and TOR does have an excess of position players.
Ketel would be awesome, as long as he's not dragging Bumgarners anchor with him. re: Biggio; If you're going to target a marginal CF, why not move Tucker over and get a RF (more easily gettable than a CF)?
