Meyers and Chas are both about MLB average run producers who are better vs LHP and subject to hot and cold spells. They are also excellent defenders, though Jake is a tier above. Per Fielding Bible: 41 players have been in CF at least 150 innings this year, including both Jake and Chas. Jake is tied for 3rd w/ 6 defensive runs saved. Chas is tied for 14th w/ 1. Per Baseball Savant: 38 players have had at least 50 chances in CF. ( Chas isn't 1 of them) Jake is tied for 3rd w/ 6 outs above average. Chas would be tied for 23rd w/ 1 but only has 49 chances There will not be very many CF who are an upgrade over either of these players, though a platoon partner may be available and beneficial.
Seems a definite that we'll have to add a starter at the deadline. Who is the best we can get without giving up Diaz or Gilbert? Giolito or Bieber might be the top option (Assuming Cease cost would be too high), and maybe you see about Jack Flaherty as a low cost option (or Lance Lynn for a bag of peanuts). Eduardo Rodriguez would be interesting given the money he's owed over the next 3 seasons. Valdez/Javier/Brown is a good enough 1-3, but no way I want to see Bielak/France/Blanco throwing meaningful pitches. Flaherty might not be any better, but we know the ceiling is much higher. Some people are concerned about the bullpen, but I'm pretty good with Pressly/Neris/Abreu and Maton is filling what Montero gave us last season. I still wish we didn't give Montero that deal and traded Stanek, but as 5th & 6th options out of the bullpen, I'm cool with that.
Giolito has performed better than Cease this season, but I would expect Cease to still cost more in a trade on potential alone, but both would still be rentals, so maybe neither will cost too much. You can always try to trade for Lynn (also a rental if 24 club option is declined) for nothing and hope Miller and Murphy can fix his big fat ass.
Cease has 2 more years of control remaining. I don’t think Chicago will trade him. Giolito will be traded since he’s a rental. He makes a lot of sense for Houston. I think Houston will be looking at a group that includes Giolito, Lynn, Flaherty, Montgomery, Smyly, Stroman, Corbin, and Paxton. None of those guys should cost Gilbert although Stroman and Montgomery will be in high demand.
According to mlbtraderumors the White Sox have announced that IF they sell it will only be rental players. Any player under control or contract for 2024 is off the table. So much for Cease, Tim Anderson, Jimenez, or Robert.
I like Houston’s odds to land one of the lefthanded SP who will be available: Montgomery, Giolito, Smyly, Paxton, Corbin. Any of those guys would solidify the middle/back of the rotation. None of them would be a disaster if they were relied on to start a playoff game, all but Smyly and Corbin are rentals, so none of them should be too terribly expensive. Bellinger still seems like the only obvious fit in the position player side.
Sorry but Luis Robert's and Lamont Wade Jr would be my targets. I dont care what the White Sox are saying. Try and Nab them both. Move away from Julks, Meyers and McCormick. Solidify your OF for many years to come
I actually think a pre-arbitration Jake Meyers is a perfect fit for this team as long as it has 6+ guys who should be above average hitters. Chas to a lesser extent but not both. Either 1 or the other. Top prospects fail all the time so nobody can count on any of the 856 CF prospects in the system and bringing in a guy like Robert ties up too much money considering Altuve, Bregman, Framber, Tucker, B.Abreu, Pena, etc don't have long term contracts.
In 2025, would you rather have Luis Robert in CF w/ Will Wagner at 2b and Joe Perez at 3b Or Jake Meyers in CF w/ Altuve at 2B and Bregman at 3B?
Corbin is godawful and has been one of the worst pitchers in the league the past 3-4 years. Just brutal. And he is under contract for $35 mil next year. He's an extremely negative asset.
He had bad era’s from 2020-2022; his era this year has been fine for a BoR SP. His velo is still there so it’s possible he can be tweaked back into form. I for one think part of his issue is that he’s played the last few years in front of a pretty crummy defense. It would obviously be a buy low trade with the Nats eating most of his contract and not much going back to them in the way of prospect value. I don’t view him as on par with most of the other pitchers in that group, but if Houston’s pitching coaches think they can work with him and Houston just wants to subsidize the back of the rotation, I think he’s an option worth looking at.
I just don't see that working for the Astros. Corbin is owed 49 million between now and the end of next season. They would have to eat well north of 30 million to make it work. Why bother for a dude with an ERA almost 5? His AAV for next year would still be stupid since they recalculate AAV after trades because of the new collective bargaining agreement. Back loaded contracts are harder to move.
Giolito is actually right handed. 1) I don't see why the Astros would target one hand over another. 2) I would weep and maybe forget I'm a fan until next year if the Astros traded for Smyly, Paxton, or Corbin. Each for different reasons, but none are better than what they already have.
abreu, granted he’s turned it out since my post… so, while I’m at it, maybe let’s trade the whole bullpen
Actually, Luis Robert's on this team makes loads of since and he is locked up for some time. Moving a Jake Meyers and what ever else should get that job done. From what I understand Robert's is on the S list on Chicago. Not enough hustle and alot seem to think he is just lazy at the plate. Chicago is in a pickle and that's where I think he could fit. There in trouble up there Benintendi is looking like a bust in Chi Town. And money is getting tight there. As for Lamont Wade Jr. Chas McCormick and a so so prospect sound like a win for both sides. Money wise and the win now mode your speaking of. I don't think Bregman and Altuve will cost as much as they did. 20m tops a piece
