I agree, but reality is we are still right at the tax level and one of the top spenders in baseball. With a constant collection of elite talent like we have had, we might not have “replaced” those guys at their salary level, but we certainly paid that money to others in our organization Thinking we would sign those guys AND pay the next group was never realistic, would leave us with a payroll approaching 300 million The Correa situation will be interesting, cause regardless of some reactionary posters who think he won’t even consider signing here now all of the following matter 1. We have a significant amount of payroll coming off the books this year outside of Correa 2. We have an owner who will spend, and wants to continue to challenge for titles 3. None of us have any idea what the new CBA will bring, will it even include the same type of tax tied to draft picks and so forth 4. What are Carlos wife true feelings about staying or going. If you are happily married, you understand the importance of that 5. Carlos likely won’t sign anywhere unless he feels they have a legitimate chance to win a title in year 1. How many of those teams will go large after him? 6. What are his thoughts about leaving this group of teammates All of that matter, to what extent we don’t know because although many think they know what is going through his mind because of social media, none of us know what the biggest factors will be (other than $$$) My guess is if someone offers significantly more money than we do, he will be gone. But if we are in the same ballpark he stays. And don’t be fooled by thinking this will be Clicks call. I don’t think Crane is that owner who meddles in player decisions like some, but if he wants Carlos to stay and has a level he is willing to go to make it happen, Click isn’t telling him “no I don’t want to to that”
Also, how this year finishes up matters. If we win another title, that will make it at least a little tougher to walk away.::and tougher to let him
He wants Lindor money. At least Machado money. He will get it too. Carlos has a massive ego. he’s gone.
Springer left so I am pretty sure CC is out the door because he'll want way too much. Baseball is a no win situation on the MEGA deals. Better off finding Brantley type deals and plugging holes while keeping the youth talent flowing in with YA44, Tucker, Framber, and the new crew. Hopefully Leon and some others in the minors will climb to the top and be the next replacement group. Better off finding the next Verlander/Greinke trade market deal.
Picking up Gurriel and Pressly options (which are no brainers) and getting through Valdez, Diaz, Stanek, etc in arbitration should still put the Astros 70-80 mil under the luxury tax (which Crane is more than willing to get into especially with MMP back at 100% capacity). Correa 25-30 mil/yr 5-6 years JV or Grienke 1yr/10-15 mil I don’t see a need for any other move. Pressly has been great as closer and the pen is loaded. Astros could even shed some payroll by non-tendering Raley, J. James) 1. Maldonado 2. Castro 3. Gurriel 4. Altuve 5. Bregman 6. Correa 7. Diaz 8. Toro, R. Garcia, Pena 9. Brantley 10. Leon, Straw or McCormick 11. Tucker 12. Alvarez 13. Straw or McCormick 14. Valdez 15. JV or Grienke 16. McCullers 17. L. Garcia 18. Odorizzi, Urquidy or Javier 19. Pressly 20. Paredes 21. Taylor 22. Baez 23. Stanek 24. Pruitt 25. Odorizzi, Urquidy or Javier 26. Odorizzi, Urquidy or Javier
Your math is off. Astros have 75.4 million coming off the payroll from Verlander, Greinke, Correa, Smith, and Raley.. However, they have about 22 million in raises to McCullers, Maldonado, Castro, Pressly, and Odorizzi will make an additional 6.75 million extra with his easily reached incentives next season. Before arbitration raises that leaves you 53.4 million to get back to their current payroll. Then I would estimate arbitration raises to Valdez, Diaz, Stanek, Pruitt, and James around 7 million. So after you subtract the 7 million you are close to 46 million available to get back to current payroll levels.
More post season RBI than any other shortstop in history and he's on 26 years old. He will add to that number and have more RBIs that Jeter had in his career y the end of this season.
Lindor 28 WAR 3510 PA 2015-2020; 1.4 WAR 2021 115 OPS+ Correa 25.2 WAR 2583 PA 2015-2020; 4 WAR 2021 130 OPS+ It's pretty even.
Springer was several years older and had apparently wanted out for a while in part due to the sign-stealing fallout. But we will see.
Correa's gone from not being worth it, can't stay healthy, was already showing signs of regression before the playoffs.... To 2nd in the league in WAR and indispensable. He's probably somewhere in the middle.
He has always been clutch and shined brightest on the big stage when he is healthy. Even when not healthy he is a plus defender. This is two seasons of health in a row and he has shown this season what he can do when healthy.
