That's kind of the problem, there doesn't seem to be any real good options in CF even if we wanted to make a move. Meyers or Chaz/Siri are pretty much as good as there is. Meyers has the potential to actually be really good offensively, if Chaz is the everyday player we're likely not getting too much from the position. If we end up with mediocre production in CF, it puts even more pressure on the offensive issues from C and 1B/DH.
Agree that Yuli is done and Maldy will be Maldy (terrible), but I think Chas is likely a legit 2+ WAR player when given full playing time in CF. I like the Mancini idea that was brought up recently to address the Yuli issue. Also, I think Brantley is actually having a great year at the plate that's been masked somewhat by bad luck.
Bell or Mancini would be my primary targets. I haven't really done a deep dive on who else I would want the Astros to target. As Nook pointed out, its tough with the expanded playoffs. Hard to know who will be sellers at this point beyond the absolute worst teams. As bad as Baltimore is they are only 5.5 games out of a wild card spot With the Angels free falling even the Mariners are only 3 games out of a wild card. They aren't sellers. As of now the only teams I believe are a 100% lock to be sellers are the Reds, Nationals, A's, and Royals.
Oh I agree, we have to stretch the line up, I just don't think it is going to happen at CF. My guess is 1st base at this point.
Yeah. It is almost a game of hoping that a team doesn't come in and offer a lot for Bell.... or that the Orioles move Mancini. I would rather have Bell personally, I think he likely does better against elite pitching.
The only concern I have with Bell is that he isn't hitting lefties very well. He has a .649 OPS against them this season. His career ops against lefties is .742 so its not like he mashes them anyway. However, it would make me not want to slide him in between Yordan and Tucker.
My concern with Bell is with prospect cost and then being back in the same boat next year. I'm expecting expanded playoffs is going to make higher prices for the few rental hitters on the market. I'd rather pay a big price once and fix the problem.
Odorizzi is the type of guy who can fetch a couple of non top 100 prospects to a team needing a 3 or 4 starter to get to the playoffs. With expanded playoffs its more likely multiple teams bid driving up his value. I would like a legit 1B prospect and maybe a future utility guy... His low salary is a major asset for teams on a budget or near tax....
What first baseman that has more team control do you think is obtainable for the Astros? CJ Cron? Garrett Cooper?
The Cardinals have a shot at the playoffs. They are 3 starters deep. They have 25 year old Luken Baker blocked at 1B in AAA. Juan Yepez has cooled off after a hot start and at 24 doesn't have a clear spot. Goldschmidt, Arenado, Gorman, and Edman are entrenched. O'Neil, Bader, and Carlson seem to have the oufield... maybe DH him? Odorizzi and a low level pitching prospect for Yepez and Baker. Leave Baker in Sugar Land and he competes for 1b in 2023. Yepez acts as Yuli insurance and possible Dubon upgrade... hes a reverse split guy so Brantley platoon isn't likely...
Lowe, guys in AAA, 3B that could be converted to 1B, Hosmer and a pile of cash, Yandy Diaz or Choi, Ty France I'm fine with burning the farm down for the right guy. Edit: This list is not meant to be exhaustive and may have guys unavailable or even hurt. Edit 2: I'm not opposed to a rental 1B if he comes at a reasonable cost. It just seems a small market which can become expensive if there are other buyers. Though could be cheap if no competition.
Sure We are all just throwing stuff against the wall and laying out our opinions... Hosmer plus cash, Diaz, or Choi wouldn't bother me. Lowe doesn't excite me that much. He's been regressing to his mean lately, but 110 career OPS is certainly an improvement over what we are getting from Yuli right now. Personally I wouldn't trade for AAA guys at the deadline to plug into the MLB roster. I'd prefer a MLB proven player since we are trying to win the World Series this year. I know Click gambled that way by trading Straw and bring up Meyers, but that's a little different when they are in your system. Of the guys with multiple years of control I think Cooper or Diaz would be my favorite. High on base, and both are right handed hitters that hit lefty pitching well. Sliding them between Yordan and Tucker would work well. Don't see France available with the Mariners 3 games out of a wild card but that would be a dream to slot him in the lineup.
I really don’t think they’d bring in a 1B unless it’s either a big, long term upgrade OR a left handed hitter who they can advertise as a complement to Yuli. I just don’t think they’ll risk the clubhouse disruption over a moderate/questionable upgrade. Bell qualifies because he’s left handed and has experience in the OF. France I think would qualify because he’s having a monster year. I would put Mancini, Cron, Suarez, Happ, and Garrett Cooper as borderline options. That’s pretty much the list for me. After that you’d be looking at unrealistic options (Votto?) or guys who don’t move the needle (Vogelbach?). I also think they like Jones and Matijevic which will play into their plans. Contreras is the only realistic option I see at C. (Obligatory Daulton Varsho or MJ Melendez pipe dream mention.) I don’t see them making a move in the OF since Mullins and Reynolds are having down years and other realistic options aren’t ideal in CF (Benintendi), especially since that likely means trading or blocking Meyers, who it’s pretty clear they like.
Thanks for this list and I realize it's a complete list of all players who meet the criteria not all players you are suggesting are options. Here's my thoughts Ty France- perfect but I doubt Mariners consider it Willson Contreras - a catcher no chance Garrett Cooper'- see below Trey Mancini- see below CJ Cron- .660 OPS away from Coors Andrew Benintendi- see below Juan Soto - too costly Austin Hays- see below Eugenio Suarez- 3b/ss not a need Jonah Heim- a catcher, no chance Brian Anderson- see below Ian Happ- see below Julio Rodriguez - not available Jazz Chisholm- middle infielder not a need Tyler Stephenson- a catcher no chance MJ Melendez- a catcher, no chance Brandon Drury- utility inf, not a need Harold Castro- utility inf notva need KeBryan Hayes- not available. So, realistically I see 6 candidates from this lidt that are possibilities. I will leave my details and ideas on those 6 in a separate post.
I keep reading Ty France name on here Why on earth would Seattle even remotely consider moving him Forget that they are only 3 games out of a playoff spot right now, outside of this year they are loaded with young talent and plan to contend year in year out for a while. A guy like France who not only hits but is defensively versatile is the kind of guy they would desire, not the kind they would look to move I like the Mancini idea best, then Contreras and then Bell. The only problem I see with Bell is the cost will likely be higher
I think we need to target a 1B prospect who can possibly be the guy in 2023. Here's my list of guys i think we could afford via trade: Lewin Diaz / 25 / Marlins AAA Luken Baker / 25 / Cardinals AAA Mason Martin / 23 / Indians AAA Chris Williams / 25 / Twins AA Blaine Crim / 24 / Rangers AA Nick Pratto / 23 / Royals AAA Pratto probably has highest cost but he may be blocked now and the Royals have a lot of needs... probably costs Brown and something else since he's a top 5 1b prospect going into the season. I say someone like Pratto, Matijevic, and possibly Yuli compete for 1B job in 2023.
I don’t think anyone has indicated that they think he is going to be traded or even actively shopped. But Seattle currently has a ~15% chance of making the playoffs this year. Their GM is incredibly unpredictable and has been extremely active in trades over the years. They will very likely listen if teams call on France and present heavy offers, especially if they think France is playing above himself this season. Anyone saying Seattle is “looking to move” France is being silly, but no one is saying that; at least for my part, I am only including him as a potential target, albeit one who would require an overwhelming offer that the average fan would view as an overpay.
Gotcha I would love to add Julio Urias, putting him at the top of our rotation with Verlander would make a huge difference for us in the playoffs
Urquidy, H Brown, Barber, Santos to LA J Urias to Houston Leon, Whitaker, McCormick, Dubin to Baltimore Mullins and Mancini to Houston Soloman, Y Diaz to Chicago Contreras to Houston Mullins Altuve Alvarez Tucker Bregman Contreras Brantley Yuli/Mancini Pena Verlander Urias Framber Garcia Javier Pressley Montero Neris Let's Go!
Why would the Dodgers, who are currently first in their division and second in the NL, trade last year’s only 20 game winner who finished top 10 Cy Young to a rival (albeit, an interleague one) who has already fleeced them once? Not to mention this could haunt them in the World Series? Besides, that is too much to give up for him. If I’m dealing that haul for a pitcher, give me Wheeler.
