I continue to fantasize about Daulton Varsho. He is just so uniquely suited for this roster in so many ways. Plays C and CF and LF and could very likely handle 1B. Good hitter who bats lefty. Caught pitchers on a Brent Strom coached team so he’s gotta be somewhat familiar with how the Astros have their catcher prepare and call games. Under control for multiple years. There’s literally no other player on any other team who fits this team’s needs that well. I would overwhelm the Diamondbacks. I’d be happy to give them any 3 prospects not named Brown, and maybe even offer Brown.
This is why I was so high on Bryant this off-season/ insurance against Yuli and Brantley getting old and then fill in multiple places on the corners going forward- then this year he’s been hurt and bad so who knows. But a guy that can play 1B and LF and ops 800 with some thump is pretty desperately needed going forward. Can Jones be that guy? He’s really old so that scares me in a minor leaguer. Can JJ? Can Leon? Maybe. But you are going to have 2 spots open almost undoubtedly in LF and 1B, that are the two most important hitting positions on the fielding spectrum (other than of course DH) I’d be fine bringing Brantley back on a short deal for short money with a dedication to platoon with Chaz- as a cheap/reasonable deal, and then that leaves one sport for Jones/JJ to try to lock down. If that doesn’t happen and Leon doesn’t get it figured out then we can get that 1B position filled at the deadline. I’d give Chaz a first base mitt and a trip to the Dominican and tell him to figure that out.
I think the left field issue has already been handled. Alvarez has been fine out there. He is young, has plenty of arm, years of control, and you could not find a better bat. He looks better in left field every time he makes a play. Freeing up the DH job will give the new manager more options. A utility guy like Leon or Valdez could play there when they are not needed elsewhere. I have myself talked into it.
For sure. It’s definitely good that Houston’s open 2023 everyday lineup spots are the least demanding defensively. Whether that’s letting Alvarez play LF to open up DH or plugging in a limited player like Valdez or Matijevic, they really just need to find somebody who can hit.
So what about Jose Urquidy Joe Perez and a mid level Prospect for Andrew Benintendi and Vinnie Pasquantino? turn and sign Benintendi to a 3 year deal and be done with that. only problem then is you will again have another LHB in the lineup. this of course would mean Brantley gets a platoon role with LF RF and DH. but it gives you a scary lineup. Benintendi Doesn't have a lot of pop but he does get on base and putting him in the 2 hole and shifting Bregman back behind Tucker would be an Ideal match up. Some thing like Altuve Benintendi Alvarez Tucker Bregman Pena Pasquantino CF Maldy then you could also play Benintendi in CF and let Brantley play LF
what about Ben Leeper And David Robertson for Jake Odorizzi and Logan Cerny? this of course comes when Odorizzi is healthy
I don’t want another guy at a premium offed I’ve posting (LF and 1B) without pop. It was less of a big deal when we had power up the middle in Springer, Altuve and Correa, hitting 90 or so HR combined- but my guess is we hit 60 or 70 out of those positions meaning you can’t give away thump at positions like that. I don’t hate Benitendi in a vacuum.
Benintendi + Tucker would be instantly one of the best defensive corner OF duos (on any team) in recent memory. But of course the big issue is who handles CF. Right now I definitely think Mancini is the best option. I also think MMP would give him more homers.
I would also be interested in Adam Frazier and Erik Swanson maybe in a deal like we had last year when we obtained Graveman. Maybe Bobby Abreu and JJ Matijevic?
That would be intreasting Adam Frazier and Erik Swanson for Bobby Abreu and J.J. Matejevic Trey Mancini, Cedric Mullins and Yusinel Diaz for Jose Urquidy, Chas McCormick, Pedro Leon, Forrest Whitley, Peter Saloman, Grae Kessinger and Jonathan Bermudez. This would be an very intriguing team to watch. You would stiill have Jake Odorizzi and Possibly Yuli to Trade if you wanted to get something else in return
Here's what im thinking... unload TWO starters at the deadline for good prospects and then bring up Hunter Brown with Urquidy to pen when McCullers comes back... If we could do: To Arizona Luis Garcia To Houston Corbin Carroll CF (#13 prospect in mlb) Then to Cardinals Jake Odorrizi To Astros Luken Baker 1B Ivan Herrera C Astros rotation down the stretch: Verlander Mccullers Valdez Javier Brown Carroll may be major league ready now. I put him in AAA for a few weeks and see how it goes. He's a 5 tool cf dominating AA right now. AZ may consider him untouchable, but he could still be a bust and Garcia is proven with severally more years of control. It might be too much for them to say no to. Baker grades as an upgrade over Matijevic possibly. It's a close call... little high k rate but power is there. He's blocked in st louis and aging out of value. Herrera would be in line behind Lee as a potential catcher of the future. That would seem to be fair value to me. Carroll should be a 30/30 guy if he isn't a bust with premium cf defense. Could be a big piece if Tucker won't extend...
Also, want to point out Berrios went for a better prospect than Carroll and not by himself. While Berrios is more proven, he was also older and more expensive salary than Garcia; who fits their rebuild timeline. Brent Strom may also have some influence there having been around him some.
My current list of top 25 Astros 2022 trade deadline targets: 1. Tigers RP Andrew Chafin 2. Cubs C Willson Contreras 3. Nats 1B/OF Josh Bell 4. Orioles 1B/OF Trey Mancini 5. Marlins 1B/OF Garrett Cooper 6. Reds SP Luis Castillo 7. Pirates CF Bryan Reynolds 8. A’s SP Frankie Montas 9. Cubs OF/2B Ian Happ 10. Diamondbacks RP Joe Mantiply 11. Royals OF Andrew Benintendi 12. Marlins RP Tanner Scott 13. Pirates RP David Bednar 14. Rockies 1B CJ Cron 15. Royals RP Scott Barlow 16. Cubs RP Daniel Norris 17. Rockies RP Daniel Bard 18. Marlins SP Pablo Lopez 19. Rockies SP German Marquez 20. Diamondbacks C/OF Daulton Varsho 21. Mariners IF Eugenio Suarez 22. A’s RP AJ Puk 23. Reds SP Tyler Mahle 24. Marlins 3B/OF Brian Anderson 25. Cubs 3B/1B Patrick Wisdom
I like the list as players who are potentially available, fit needs, and are mostly an upgrade. Many I have not looked at. How did you determine the order? I think the priority needs to be: 1) RH Run producer at 1B/OF/DH. ( in that order) 2) LH relief pitcher who is high leverage worthy 3) established all star level CF 4) TOR starting pitcher Many of these positions are really not needs but improvements. It would take an all star level player to improve what we have otherwise no reason to make a move. For example, I like Jake Meyers a lot and am fine with him in CF. But Bryan Reynolds is already proven to be the CF I hope Meyers to become. There are no sure things among prospects. Therefore I would trade for him if the price was right. Also if 2023 were to start now with no acquisitions, the 13 position spots would include 4 rookies. This is not ideal for a contending team so bringing in player(s) with control is needed, although that isn't a deadline priority but a bonus.
Thanks for sharing your list. Can I ask what you think of CJ Cron and why he's at #14 on your list? I realize he's only a 1B player, but his production would seem to be just what we need at 1B.
Thanks Buck! He's had a decent career, so I wasn't hoping the Coors Field stats were not inflating his production.
