The goal this year is to win the World Series. So you try to improve the roster anywhere you can. It's also the only position they can really upgrade the lineup. Before anyone says but what about catcher? You know the answer... they don't care how bad Maldy is at the plate. The Astros view his work with the young pitchers as critical to their success. So if you wanted to improve the lineup CF is the only reasonable choice and you know one is likely available in Starling Marte. Also, looking at Reynolds or Mullins would make sense for the future and essentially replaces what you lose offensively when Correa leaves. Then you can give Pena or Leon SS next season and not be too concerned if they struggle some offensively. Also, Straw would be a valuable pinch runner and late inning defensive replacement for the playoffs.
Or, I wonder if Straw could be part of another deal to bring back pitching depth. Click seems to be doing his due diligence on the entire market, so I’m kind of chalking it up to that. I don’t see a massive rehauling on our hands
Jim Bowden suggested Astros goes after Taylor Rogers and Michael Pineda from the Twins. For me, Pineda doesn't seem great. Thoughts?
Spoiler https://theathletic.com/2718334/202...owdens-big-board-2-0-of-top-trade-candidates/ Buyers and Sellers American League East Boston: Buyers — The Red Sox could use an upgrade at first base, and like every team, they’ll look to add more pitching. A dream trade for Boston would be to acquire both Craig Kimbrel and Anthony Rizzo from the Cubs. Tampa Bay: Buyers — The Rays could use a veteran starting pitcher, such as Kyle Gibson of the Rangers, and another impact bat, like Nelson Cruz of the Twins. Toronto: Buyers — The Blue Jays need bullpen help. Richard Rodríguez of the Pirates and Taylor Rogers of the Twins are two of the best fits for them. New York Yankees: Buyers — The Yankees need more athleticism and more left-handed bats. Their dream trade deadline would be to land Starling Marte from the Marlins and Joey Gallo from the Rangers. The Yankees could also use a proven innings-eater for the rotation. Baltimore: Sellers — The Orioles will listen on everyone, but Trey Mancini and Cedric Mullins are not getting traded. American League Central Chicago White Sox: Buyers — The White Sox could use an upgrade at second base with Nick Madrigal out for the season. Adam Frazier and Javier Báez represent their best trade targets. Cleveland: Buyers and Sellers — The Indians are always going to be building for the future while trying to contend in the present. They need to improve their outfield offense. Mitch Haniger or Joey Gallo would fit nicely in their lineup. Detroit: Sellers — The Tigers don’t have a lot to sell. Second baseman Jonathan Schoop is the most likely player to be moved by the trade deadline. Minnesota: Sellers — The Twins could be one of the headliners at the deadline, with veteran bats such as Nelson Cruz and Josh Donaldson available, starting pitchers José Berríos and Michael Pineda being discussed daily, and strong value relievers like Taylor Rogers and Hansel Robles all on the trade market. Also, if the Twins can’t extend center fielder Byron Buxton, they could move him, too. Kansas City: Sellers — The Royals are expected to be quiet at the deadline outside of trying to move veteran pitchers such as Danny Duffy and Greg Holland. They should be dangling second baseman Whit Merrifield because his trade value will never be higher, but they’ve seemed reluctant to engage in trade talks when his name comes up, which it often does. However, The Athletic’s Jayson Stark is hearing that stance might be changing (scroll down for an update in Ken Rosenthal’s new deadline notes column). American League West Houston: Buyers — The Astros are looking to improve their set-up reliever pool and would like to add starting pitching depth. A trade with the Twins to land Michael Pineda and Taylor Rogers would make a lot of sense for Houston. Oakland: Buyers — The A’s have been poking around for bullpen help, but I’d also like to see them go get a middle-of-the-order bat such as Nelson Cruz. Seattle: Buyers and Sellers — The Mariners are building for 2022 and beyond, so don’t expect them to buy rentals. If they do buy, it will be controllable younger players. The Mariners have Mitch Haniger, Kyle Seager and Kendall Graveman to sell at the deadline, so expect them to be busy. (Related: Mariners trade scenarios) Los Angeles Angels: Buyers and Sellers — The Angels want to add pitching, pitching and pitching. Short term, medium term and long term. They’ll sell if it gets them pitching. They’ll buy if it gets them pitching. Texas: Sellers — The Rangers have one of the best-available starting pitchers (Kyle Gibson) and one of the best available power bats (Joey Gallo). They are a must-watch team at the deadline. National League East New York Mets: Buyers — The Mets need another middle-of-the-order bat, and Kris Bryant would be the best fit because they could plug him in at third base and use him in left field. They are also chasing arms for the rotation and bullpen. Expect the Mets to go big this deadline. Get your popcorn ready. Philadelphia: Buyers — The Phillies need to improve their team defense and, as always, their bullpen has to be a priority. Atlanta: Buyers — The Braves need another corner outfielder (such as Mitch Haniger or Joey Gallo), a starting pitcher (such as Jon Gray or Kyle Gibson), and more bullpen help (such as Taylor Rogers or Richard Rodríguez). However, my favorite trade idea for them is a blockbuster with the Twins to land José Berríos, Rogers and Byron Buxton. Atlanta has the farm system to do it, and it would be one-stop shopping. Now, that would be dramatic. Washington: Buyers — The Nationals need an upgrade at third base and another starting pitcher. A trade with the Cubs for Zach Davies and Kris Bryant would make sense, as long as Washington could keep top pitching prospects Cade Cavalli and Jackson Rutledge out of the deal. Miami: Sellers — If the Marlins can’t extend Starling Marte, they must trade him by the deadline. They should at least listen when teams call about first baseman Jesús Aguilar and reliever Yimi García. National League Central Milwaukee: Buyers — The Brewers have the pitching to run the table in October, but they must improve their offense. This is the closest they’ve been to a World Series-caliber team since 1982, their only Series appearance. Therefore, they need to do whatever it takes to improve their lineup. Joey Gallo, Kris Bryant and Jesús Aguilar are all realistic trade targets. Cincinnati: Buyers — The Reds need to improve their bullpen and the shortstop position if they want to be a surprise playoff team. They match up well with the Rockies in a deal for Trevor Story and Daniel Bard. St. Louis: Buyers and Sellers — The Cardinals aren’t going to the postseason this year, but they’re an easy offseason fix away from becoming contenders again. I think they’ll need to sign one of the elite free-agent shortstops in the offseason and improve their starting rotation and outfield depth. If they can do any of that ahead of time at the trade deadline, only better. (Related: How do the Cardinals use the trade deadline to their advantage?) Chicago Cubs: Sellers — The Cubs could own the trade deadline with Craig Kimbrel, Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and Javier Báez all possibly headed elsewhere. Kimbrel and Bryant are the most likely to be traded. Pittsburgh: Sellers — Second baseman Adam Frazier and closer Richard Rodríguez are the Pirates’ most valuable trade pieces this year. Frazier makes sense for the White Sox; Rodríguez makes sense for the Blue Jays, Astros, A’s and Braves. (Related: Pirates trade scenarios) National League West San Francisco: Buyers — The Giants are heading to the postseason, and the only remaining question is whether it will be as a division winner or a wild-card team. They’re most likely to add starting pitching at the deadline. Los Angeles Dodgers: Buyers — The Dodgers seek veteran starting pitchers to help fill the gap with Dustin May out for the season after Tommy John surgery, Clayton Kershaw dealing with forearm inflammation and Trevor Bauer on administrative leave because of sexual assault allegations. The Dodgers might have to part with one of their top catching prospects, Keibert Ruiz or Diego Cartaya, to land the starter they need. Perhaps Los Angeles trades Ruiz or Cartaya to the Marlins for Pablo López, or to the Twins as part of a package for José Berríos? San Diego: Buyers — The Padres could use another starting pitcher and another big bat. Their best trade fit is with the Rangers as Kyle Gibson and Joey Gallo are perfect targets for them. (Related: Padres trade scenarios) Colorado: Sellers — Rockies interim general manager Bill Schmidt will lose one of his titles at the end of the season — either the interim label or the GM — and this deadline will seal his fate. He must trade Trevor Story and Jon Gray, and he has to get more in return than the Rockies stand to receive in draft compensation via qualifying offers to them. (Related: Five steps to swing the Rockies back toward contention) Arizona: Sellers — Expect the Diamondbacks to move at least starter Merrill Kelly and outfielder David Peralta at the deadline. However, Ketel Marte (currently on the injured list) is going nowhere.
Spoiler Big Board: Players who could be traded First basemen Anthony Rizzo, Cubs: The Cubs are trying to extend him. If they can’t, Boston and Milwaukee make sense as destinations. Jesús Aguilar, Marlins: Miami doesn’t want to trade him, but if the Brewers want to overpay, it could happen. C.J. Cron, Rockies: Cron offers upper-deck, right-handed power without the hit tool and is a below-average defender at first base. Colin Moran, Pirates: Moran, who’s been on the IL this entire month with a broken wrist, can play both infield corners and is the definition of an average major-league player. Second basemen Adam Frazier, Pirates: Frazier leads the majors in hits and would be a perfect fit on the White Sox, who could use him mostly at second base but also in the outfield. Whit Merrifield, Royals: The Yankees and Braves would be perfect fits for Merrifield if Kansas City decides to part with him. Jonathan Schoop, Tigers: Schoop would be a solid short-term solution for the Mariners. Shortstops Trevor Story, Rockies: The Reds, A’s, Indians and Cardinals should be calling Colorado about Story. Cincinnati is the best fit. Javier Báez, Cubs: I’d love to see Báez playing second base for the White Sox or shortstop for the Reds. Báez’s preference is to stay with the Cubs, but if they can get a team’s top-five prospect for him, they might deal ‘El Mago,’ then try to re-sign him this winter. Andrelton Simmons, Twins: Simmons is a solid fallback option for a team that needs a defensive shortstop but doesn’t want to pay the prospect price for Story or Báez. Third basemen Kris Bryant, Cubs: The Cubs are not going to be able to extend Bryant, so it’s time to trade him. The Mets and Nationals are the best trade fits. Josh Donaldson, Twins: He’s a high-injury-risk player but also offers high reward for an acquiring team, if he can stay healthy. Kyle Seager, Mariners: The Mariners will have to eat a lot of his contract, but if they do, I like the fit with Milwaukee. Eduardo Escobar, Diamondbacks: If the White Sox can’t get Adam Frazier or Javier Báez, Escobar makes sense. If the Nationals can’t get Bryant, he also fits there. Outfielders Starling Marte, Marlins: He’s the most talented outfielder available at the deadline because of his power-speed combination and ability to get on base (.393 OBP). The Yankees are an ideal fit, short and long term. The Braves and Giants are also solid destinations for Marte. Joey Gallo, Rangers: Gallo has the most left-handed power among available players on the trade market, and his ability to play all the corners (RF, LF, 1B, 3B) significantly increases his value. I like the Padres, Braves, Giants and Yankees as the best potential destinations. Mitch Haniger, Mariners: Haniger is controllable through 2022 and his power is real, with 22 home runs this season. I like the Indians as his best fit. Byron Buxton, Twins: The Twins are trying to extend him, and I think they’ll get it done close to the deadline. If they don’t, the Phillies, Yankees, Braves and Astros are logical trade destinations. Eddie Rosario, Indians: Rosario is a free agent after the season, so if a team like the Braves wants a rental, the Indians will be open to moving him. Kole Calhoun, Diamondbacks: Calhoun, 33, offers strong defense in right field and power, but also comes with high injury risk. He’s been limited to 68 at-bats this season. Charlie Blackmon, Rockies: Blackmon’s contract is an albatross. He’s in the final year of a four-year, $77 million contract, but has player options for 2022 and 2023 that guarantee him another $31 million (before incentives). Blackmon, 35, is going nowhere unless the Rockies are willing to eat most of that. David Peralta, Diamondbacks: Teams like the Cardinals and Nationals that could upgrade at the fourth outfielder spot should be interested in Peralta, who’s signed through 2022 at an affordable $7.5 million per year. Adam Duvall, Marlins: Duvall is a solid defender with a strong arm and great power. He just doesn’t hit enough to be a regular player on a contending team. But a team looking for right-handed power to come off the bench should be calling. Gregory Polanco, Pirates: The only way the Pirates move Polanco is if they attach him to a Richard Rodríguez or Adam Frazier trade and make the other team take him as part of the deal. Designated hitters Nelson Cruz, Twins: Cruz is an impact middle-of-the-order bat with strong leadership and mentor skills. The Rays and A’s are his best trade fits, and it’s not even close. But don’t sleep on the Blue Jays, who could look to get Taylor Rogers and Cruz in a trade. Jorge Soler, Royals: Soler has had a disastrous year and I doubt anyone will come calling because of it. However, a change of scenery might help him. I like the A’s as a possible fit, as Soler could platoon with Mitch Moreland at DH. Starting pitchers José Berríos: If I were the Twins, I would extend him. However, if they don’t think they can strike a deal, then Berríos’ trade value will never be higher than during this deadline. The teams with the best farm systems, such as the Braves, Padres, Dodgers and Astros, would have the best shot to land Berríos if he’s traded. Kyle Gibson, Rangers: Gibson has had a banner season, but how good is he, really? If the Rangers trade him, I think one of the NL West teams — the Dodgers, Giants or Padres — will land him. Jon Gray, Rockies: An impending free agent, Gray has needed to get out of Coors Field for years. He has the raw stuff to end up as one of the best value pickups at the deadline. He just needs to go to a club with a strong pitching coach and analytics team. Michael Pineda, Twins: He’s posted a 4.11 ERA in 12 starts and can pitch deep into games. A solid middle-of-the-rotation starter. Danny Duffy, Royals: Tuesday, Duffy went on the IL with a left flexor strain, again. I don’t expect him to be traded now. Merrill Kelly, Diamondbacks: He’s a fifth starter type but could get dealt because of the innings most teams will need to fill in the second half. Tyler Anderson, Pirates: He’s had a solid year with Pittsburgh, and I could see a team like the Giants (who he played for in 2020) or Nationals taking a chance on him. J.A. Happ, Twins: The Twins would love to move him. I just can’t find a team that’s interested … at least not yet. Relief pitchers Craig Kimbrel, Cubs: Kimbrel is the most valuable trade piece on the market. The Red Sox, Astros, A’s, Braves and Phillies are possible destinations. Richard Rodríguez, Pirates: Rodríguez is the most underrated reliever on the market. The Braves, Blue Jays, A’s and Astros should be in a bidding war for his services. Taylor Rogers, Twins: He’s the best left-handed reliever who could be moved at the deadline. Kendall Graveman, Mariners: I love his sinker; opponents are hitting just .130 (7 for 54) against it. Graveman’s trade value is going to be much higher than expected. A return to Oakland or a trade to Atlanta is possible. Ian Kennedy, Rangers: Kennedy has posted a 2.59 ERA in 31 1/3 innings with 15 saves. Needless to say, he’s gone. Daniel Bard, Rockies: Bard has put up a 3.96 ERA and 14 saves, while pitching nearly two-thirds of his games this season at Coors Field. The 36-year-old is making $2.9 million this year and is arbitration-eligible in 2022. Greg Holland, Royals: There are too many contending teams that need bullpen help; someone will add the 35-year-old to their staff. Hansel Robles, Twins: Robles has registered a 4.25 ERA and 10 saves in 43 appearances. He’s making only $2 million this year and will be a free agent after the season. Yimi García, Marlins: He’s been closing for the Marlins (3.67 ERA in 34 1/3 innings, 13 saves), but will be a set-up reliever for his next team. Chris Stratton, Pirates: He’s had a strong year working out of the Pirates bullpen, posting a 2.76 ERA in 49 innings (38 appearances). Joakim Soria, Diamondbacks: Soria has pitched for eight major-league teams, and by the deadline, I expect that number to be nine.
Bowden is turrible. But I do think Pineda is a bit underrated. And Rogers would be an excellent target and pretty much the perfect complement to Pressly. If the Twins weren’t asking too much more for adding Pineda to Rogers I would be down for that deal.
Click’s rhetoric is really raising my expectations for what type of deadline deals Houston is going to make. He has consistently said they plan to make big impact moves that will address not only the short term but also the long term.
Michael Schwab (@michaelschwab13) Tweeted: James Click on the current state of the Astros roster, and if they need to add to it: “This roster is demanding our attention on the present”
I think it all comes down to prospect cost. If the market for some of those players isn't great, and their team decides to move them... then the Astros can pounce. A lot of these names being thrown around are being gauged based on their potential cost. I will say that I had someone that invested money into the Crane ownership group tell me that Crane is dead serious about going over the tax line and because he desperately wants to win a non tarnished World Series. He will defer to his GM but has told Click he can likely do whatever he wants at the deadline.
Almost sounds too good to be true, right? Why put that out there publicly? Let's hope it is substantive and not setting us up for a "Hey, we tried but the prices kept going up on us so we couldn't get the deals done" conversation come 7/31.
This makes sense. Crane is one intensely competitive mofo and the real cost of going over just isn’t that prohibitive. A balls-out deadline where they add a bunch of expensive players without giving up a ton in the way of prospects is making more and more sense to me. Scherzer, Marte, Kimbrel, and Hand come on down.
That makes a ton of sense. I wish Springer was still around. I want that for Altuve as much as anyone else.
Astros get: SP Jose Berrios CF Byron Buxton RP Taylor Rogers Twins get: SP Jose Urquidy SS/CF Pedro Leon RHP Hunter Brown OF Chas McCormick RHP Josh James Twins get 3 big league ready pieces that can immediately replace the guys going out, plus clears a projected $20-30M from next years payroll. They also add a potential ace pitching prospect and a very high upside grade 55 position player prospect who could turn into a superstar. Astros get their all-in haul for this year and next, adding one of the top CF in the game, a #1 SP, and a closer that complements Pressly very well. This would be a hefty blow to the farm but if Houston wants to go bonkers and do absolutely everything to win again, this move is one way to do it. resulting roster: CF Buxton 2B Altuve LF Brantley 3B Bregman DH Alvarez SS Correa 1B Gurriel RF Tucker C Maldonado Bench: Castro, Straw, Diaz Rotation: Berrios, Valdez, Greinke, McCullers, Odorizzi Bullpen: Garcia, Pruitt, Smith, Stanek, Raley, Javier, Baez, Rogers, Pressly Next season, Abreu and Taylor step back into the bullpen to replace Raley and Smith, Garcia goes back to the rotation to replace Greinke, and Houston uses whatever payroll they have left to fill the hole at SS.
It would be very ironic for the Astros to end up with Buxton- as a lot of people thought he could go #1 in the 2012 draft but Luhnow selected Correa and the rest is history. Buxton had an absolutely RIDICULOUS April. Health is the concern here. But if the Astros were able to add a dynamic player of THAT caliber to this lineup? Good luck, MLB. I’d be ecstatic to add 2 of Buxton, Berrios, or Rogers. All 3? I’d probably piss myself.
Jomboy needs to be drawn and quartered for the **** storm he brought onto Jose Altuve, probably the most humble, honest, kind-spirited athlete I've ever witnessed. Altuve should be celebrated and revered for everything he's bringing to the sport, and instead all he gets is derision, hatred, vitriol, and ****ery because that doughboy ****stick made up an egregious lie about him. The fact that Jomboy hasn't faced ANY consequences for that **** is disgusting.
