If we are 10 back in the division at the end of July I really want to sell if the deadline is as bereft of players as it's projected to be, I would think you could get huge value for Tucker and maybe even something interesting for Stanek, and maybe something sneaky good for Maton. But, if you wanted to trade sort of buy for sort of buy what's that look like to you? Something like Jake Meyers to another team for a #4 with multiple years of control left? I mean, I guess I'd do that if you weren't moving anyone else. I'd trade Julks for a bucket of shag balls as I think his deletion from the roster makes us a better team when Dusty can't use him more than Chas for example. Getting a #4 pitcher for Jake seems a little light on his ceiling to me, but that's probably about all the offer is.
So what would be the cost of Pauly Gold? Anyone? This could be a deal that helps if we think Yordan can play LF alot more down the stretch
The Cards need pitching and the Astros don't have it unless the Cards like Luis Garcia. Maybe they want Pena? The bottom line is that the Cards will not want a bunch of potential #5 SP or RP with a #4 ceiling prospects and have no need for outfielders. The Astros potential trade assets do not match up with the Cards needs.
I'd hate this. Julks might be turning into an okay player or better. I'd hate to lose a player in the future because Dusty overplayed him for 2.5 months. I still like Chas by a lot, and think Meyers despite the slump is the better overall OF.
Also, Gilbert is a coming. And behind him you have a couple other interesting OF guys. Plus, I'm not so sure Dirden isn't a better option anyway with the problem this team has against RHP, but whatever. There is just no need for Julks right now outside of injuries and in the future it looks like even less need for him. And I agree that it's not his fault Dusty plays him every.damn.day. over one guy that's a borderline all star via WAR numbers on a PA basis (Chas), another guy that's a borderline GG (Jake), and a 3rd guy (he's gotten AB's at DH at the expense of Diaz) that is only the best current hitter on our team right now with Yordan gone. All of that is truly not his fault. But, he's there and the guy getting that shine so it is what it is.
I think there is nothing wrong with Julks except he is not a good enough hitter to be an everyday LF and not versatile enough to he a 4th OF. I don't want the Astros to give him away, but he is by far the player I want gone the most (among position players)
A buy-buy example (note, James Click works for the Twins): Astros get: SP Bailey Ober OF Nick Gordon OF Trevor Larnach Twins get: OF Jacob Melton CF Jake Meyers SP Brandon Bielak RP Raphael Montero $13M Twins upgrade their OF with a guy someone in their FO bet his job on once already. They also add a high upside OF prospect that the same guy drafted. They backfill Ober with Bielak who isn’t as good but is serviceable; they may not need him based on their other SP prospects and how Keuchel looked in his first AAA appearance. They also add a RP with elite stuff that they can try to fix (and again, that guy in their FO already traded for him -and fixed him- once). Astros upgrade their rotation with a guy who has looked like a 2.5-3.5 war pitcher in his mlb time, and he comes controlled thru 2027; his era is under 3 this season. They also add a couple of fallen prospects with remaining upside who can compete to be the 13th position player next season (both bat lefthanded). They also get out from a lot of Montero’s contract. Giving up Melton hurts but you have to give to get.
I'd do that deal in a heartbeat I think. Call it in. Giving up Melton doesn't hurt my feelings all that much. We can just keep collecting #3 or #4 starters (LMJ, Garcia, Urquidy, France, Ober, Araghetti maybe) and paying them nothing and that has a pretty big value. Just need Brown and Javier not to turn into #3 or #4 starters for this plan to work...
He's been hitting like an average starting LF for about a month coinciding with him getting slightly more patient at the plate. If that ends up being real, that saves money/prospects that can be spent of SPs. Most likely, he's a 4th/5th OF, but if Gilbert is a MLB CF, the Astros won't need a 4th or 5th OF that can play CF. The Astros should not give up on Julks based on how Dusty has utilized him. I highly doubt Julks has much trade value as teams typically are enamored with great players and overlook how bad having truly bad hitters playing hurts an offense (i.e., getting a good reserve/maybe okay starter just is not high on wishlists). Granted, Julks could end up sucking again and which case you just give him his three options to get better and DFA him if needed.
For June, Julks has had an OPS of .728 which is about MLB average, but I would assume low for a LF. Not terribly low though. I'm looking.
According to Fangraphs, 33 LF had at least 60 PA in June. Julks was 21st out of 33 w/ wRC+ of 104 Benintendi was 16th @ 124 T. Ward was 17th @ 118 So I would put somewhere in the 120 range as "average" for a LF. FYI Chas was 6th @ 152.
Hate to say it but Julks, Montero?, a few more pieces for a starter asap. I wonder what the asking price would be for Mad Max and if the Mets would eat any salary. I'd think Astros would be a team he'd waive the no-trade clause for but idk.
I don't think the trade deadline is going to help this team in any significant way. I am of the philosophy you build a contender by 1) setting up a foundation through draft and development, then 2) complete your team through free agency; then 3) perfect the team through deadline trades. The Astros whiffed terribly in step two (Montero, Brantley, Abreu, not signing a SP - I include re-signings in this step as well), and in my opinion, you can't fix a bad offseason of free agency by making it up with trades later. Without a good step 2 you can't make a leap in step 3. I am not willing to mortgage the future to make moves that to me won't make a difference. If you can acquire a rental for cheap then sure why not. But I am not inclined to disturb a weak farm too much, roll with what you have and try again next season.
yea. No blowing it up, but I do expect that would could land a couple of RPs which could be difference makers.
Subpar players on this roster: Blanco: Houston needs another SP Martinez: Houston needs another high leverage RP Kessinger: Houston needs a versatile quality bench bat Montero: his contract is too hefty to eat, so they just have to keep running him out there until he’s hurt or fixed. It may sound demented but I’d throw him 3+ innings per outing until he agrees he’s “injured Dubin: He will be replaced by Urquidy Madris: He will be replaced by Alvarez Julks and Maldonado are not subpar players, they are just being misused. Julks fits on this roster as the 4th OF because the player who should be the everyday LF (McCormick) can handle backup CF duties. Maldonado is a fine backup C who is miscast as the everyday C; he’s actually a perfect fit as a savvy vet mentoring Diaz. Abreu appears to be somewhat fixed, and his contract renders him irreplaceable at least for this season. France is a fine SP 5/6. Stanek is a fine 13th pitcher.
I hit like but wish we had the laugh button here over your demented use of Montero. Woof. That could get ugly as far as showdowns go if a team decided to do that. I think France might be a 4 as opposed to a 5, but I need 50 more innings before I believe that for sure. The pieces all fit if the team gets healthy. Your everyday lineup is Diaz, Abreu, Altuve, Pena, Bregman, Yordan, Chas, Jake and Tucker. Dubon can literally play every single spot as your backup guy, Julks can play 3x a month and Maldy play 2X a week (with Diaz DH'ing those days and sending Meyers to the bench). Not a thing on offense except for health and a will to deploy the right lineup. If Urquidy is back you need 1 leverage reliever. If Yordan isn't back then you need a bat- but what the **** is the point of that if Yordan's not back this team isn't going anywhere anyway I wouldn't think. So, get your leverage reliever as a rental for a fringe prospect if possible or do nothing. I really expect to be bummed if we give away anything of value while we are 8 or 10 games out. Sometimes it just doesn't work.
This 100%. We “lost” in the offseason and there’s little one can do to make up for an entire offseason shot to hell in one trade deadline without going off the rails and risking even more long term damage. Add to that significant injuries and underperformers and the notion that we can cure what ails us in season isn’t realistic. You hope and pray that Yordan and Altuve return and return to form. You hope and pray that Tucker, Bregman, and Pena find some damn consistency. You hope and pray that Abreu continues this decent month of play. That Brantley can provide anything at all this year. That we tighten up defensively FFS. That Dusty pulls his head from his ass and begins trotting out his best lineup most nights and stops playing favorites w Maldy. And then definitely pray that Brown makes a move for some legitimate pitching depth.
I wonder if the Cards would do: Montgomery and Donovan for Korey Lee, Miguel Ullola, Jaime Melendez, and Misael Tamarez. Astros fill #4 starter spot ( rental) and young utility lefty bat with 4 yrs of control left. Cards get MLB ready catcher of the future and 3 potential #3-5SP prospects.
