In order to maintain clubhouse chemistry. You have to replace Yuli with a guy whose actually worth replacing him with. Bell moves the needle. Astros also have a higher ceiling player in AAA than Walker. On top of that, Yuli has been giving you Walker like production the last two months. Doubt it happens.
He is hitting 207 in Arizona. Lots of power. Are we going to be happy with that? Bell or in a dream scenario Goldi.
I honestly don’t think the Astros need to trade for anyone to win. The team is going to be upgraded with Brantley and McCullers anyway.
If you're going to dream, dream big with Goldi. Goldi at 1B. Trout at CF and Ohtani at DH/Rotation, 2B R Altuve 148 DH L Ohtani 136 1B R Goldi 190 LF L Alvarez 200 CF R Trout 169 RF L Tucker 127 3B R Bregman 119 SS R Pena 112 C R Maldi 60 SP Verlander 2088 SP Ohtani 143 SP McCullers SP Valdez 145 SP Javier 124 Please don't wake me up.
I take it you are immediately pulling Urquidy for Mcullers when he returns? I’ve still been treating Lance as non existent until he’s here. Once here, I’ll still have a very cautious eye on him and as such wouldnt want to move off 2 starters - Odo & Urquidy. if you are retaining Hunter Brown past the trade deadline - maybe you can get by - but I think Urquidy’s postseason experience is highly valuable. I also see him as the type of pitcher who continues to refine his command as he ages and like that he’s been watching verlander to see how it’s done.
I'm starting to lean more towards this position UNLESS we can pull off a major stud, like Soto. There are no rumors that this is happening, so I'm not expecting anything there. In MLB, the best team wins around 60% of the time... so even if we put together the best team imaginable (like the 2019 Astros), then there's no guarantee we'll win the World Series... So one could logically argue that the best way to win championships is to keep the championship window open as long as possible. To do that, we would not want to mortgage the future by sending away prospects for rentals OR by putting too many eggs in one basket with a mega contract. This year, we'll get a shot in the arm from Brantley's return and McCullers' return... and I'd like to see a chance given to Pedro Leon, Yainer Diaz, or even Justin Dirden to see if they can get hot in the stretch run and inject some more youthful enthusiasm into the team. I'd be disappointed if we traded away Enmanuel Valdez, Yainer Diaz, Pedro Leon, H Brown, Forrest Whitley, or Justin Dirden for a player that's either league average or won't be with us a while.
I wouldn’t make the trade until closer to the deadline, by which point McCullers should be back. But if he is slightly delayed I’m not worried about relying on Bielak, France, or Solomon for 2-3 starts. Obviously if Lance has a setback that changes things.
To be honest, I’m not feeling very confident about Brantley returning. Even if he does, at what level? He is still a solid hitter. But not much power. I haven’t really heard anything since his injury that’s made me feel optimistic about him returning at an elite level. I believe that Click will be aggressive and if it: A) upgrades the team. B) makes sense prospect cost- wise then he will pull the trigger. I believe he’s in the market for OF, 1B, SP’s, relievers, and possibly a back up catcher. At the very least, I’m confident he’s exploring all avenues
I have a lot of faith in Click to make good moves. I am not entirely sure he has the stones to go all in on a major major deal. But last deadline worked out well: Maton was effective last season and Yainer Diaz had become one of Houston’s best prospects Graveman was effective last season, Montero has been awesome this season, and Toro hasn’t panned out for Seattle Garcia was fine last season and De La Cruz hasn’t done anything. I think he’ll find an effective bat at a reasonable cost and likely add a RP. Getting Castillo or some other major move would be a new level for Click.
Brantley's health is a question mark and McCullers coming back from an injury. Sure Verlander bounced back but won't know how McCullers will. Don't want to take chances and have them as their deadline acquisitions. Also what would the players think? If you tell them this is a good enough team to win it all, will they be fine and accept it why no trades were made? In 2017, no big trades were made. Keuchel and maybe others were vocally upset. They then got Verlander. Everyone was excited. In 2019, no big trades until Grienke was announced after the deadline. Can't remember exactly what Cole said but he said the lockerroom was quiet. Then Hinch walks in and says, we got Grienke. Cole said immediately the lockerroom was buzzing with excitement.
A ton of walks though. Like 11% or something like that. Plenty of thump. He’s a much better offensive player than Yuli and the quality of contract numbers show he’s probably been unlucky as much as anything. He’s not my first, second or third choice, but I’d consider him an upgrade and be glad to have him.
On a semi serous note, I think Trout would be more available than Ohtani. Yes it would be a pipe dream and drain assets but it’s feasible.
As far as affecting clubhouse chemistry, I'm sorry but would it REALLY hurt everyone's feelings if Yuli is relegated to the bench while still being on the team and around them? They need to understand that sometimes, things like that have to be made to make the team better and help their chances of winning. You would think that professional athletes playing at the highest level their sport has to offer would understand, and again, he'd still be on the team so it's not like we'd cut or trade him. Father time is undefeated, and he clearly hasn't been that good this year, and first base is a (relatively) easy spot to upgrade our current offensive output.
At this point, I believe Trout's salary represents his field value and the future does not bode well. I'm not sure I would take him just for his salary at this point. Ohtani, on the other hand...
I'm pulling for Yuli too. But last year was abnormally good and this year is abnormally bad. At 38, returning to the mean is possible, but not probable.
IF you acquire Bell I would let it be Known to Yuli your on the Bench, I would go as far as if you wanna go to another team that's fine ill give the opportunity to seek a trade
From batting title winner one year to the bench or traded the next. The MLB truly is not for the faint of heart.
