If the Cubs don't sell, it is going to be a very different market. Catcher is the thinnest position in baseball. We've had to trade for Martin Maldonado as an upgrade, TWICE! As long as Diaz is our catcher, I have no complaints about moving Lee. I was more disappointed when we gave up Stubbs.
So I guess since we just dealt with CWS, that means Cease & Roberts aren’t coming or it would have been a bigger transaction…
A solid late inning reliever with a year left on his contract at the cost of Lee is a good deal. What were posters expectations?
A solid late inning reliever with a year left on his contract at the cost of Lee is a good deal. What were posters expectations?
So I think this is a bad take. No one — not even front offices — knows how Lee will turn out. Could be a really fine player. But to pinpoint him as a career backup upside — “maybe starter” is a bit much. I think the odds are stronger he becomes a backup who is able to have a fruitful career, but no one knows. Yes, he has some holes in his game but he has other strengths. He’s a solid young player who could do well, and it’ll be interesting to monitor how he does (should fare much better than Notingham, or that other catching prospect we shipped to OAK).
I think he is a better catcher than Diaz. He is not an elite bat at catcher like Diaz is, and he is not elite behind the dish like Maldy was but I have no doubt he will make someone a good starting catcher. That is unquestionably an overpay for a season and a third of a high leverage middle reliever.
Could be, but him telegraphing our intentions to the media certainly does nothing to help our cause. It's lying season, and every GM does it.
I don’t think he had a lot of value around the league. I know a couple commercial publications had him as a top 100 prospect - but I know the Astros didn’t value him that way and I don’t think most of the league did. When he was drafted the expectation was that he would become a top level defensive catcher based on his work ethic, athleticism and intelligence. The reality is that he didn’t with the Astros. He was good at throwing runners out and he went from bad to adequate at framing. However he never became good at blocking balls and the big league staff wasn’t crazy about how he called games. With the bat, he has some pop but guys that catch and struggle to make contact need to really shine with the glove to be high end prospects -
What is he better at behind the plate than Diaz? Even with a rocket arm, he isn’t better at throwing runners out - he isn’t better at blocking balls and neither one of them are great at framing. The Astros didn’t like his pitch calling or prep work last year. What Lee is better at, is consistent effort and desire - and that matters…. Until the other player embraces catching too. Lee may prove to be a solid catcher. He has some pop, he works hard and he has an arm - it’s not unheard of for catchers to improve into their 30’s… but right now Lee isn’t great. I don’t think it’s an overpay by the Astros in reality. They get a pitcher they can use in the playoffs in high leverage situations, that is under contract for only 8 million next year and a player that wants to be on the Astros and is very well liked and respected.
Come on now that wouldn't come into play at all. Numerous contending teams are obviously needing SP and the pickings are VERY slim. Throw in Giolito and Lynn are off the board and as others come off the board the price to get a good SP is going to go higher and higher. Dana Brown talking about needing a SP doesn't do anything. The reality of the situation is just get in line behind all the other contending teams who are needing one as well and it doesn't take a genius to know what teams needs are. The market will dictate the going price not what a GM says in an interview with the media. I hear ya. Hopefully I didn't come off as a pr!@K with comments. My apologies if I did. That wasn't my intent.
Problem with relievers is They can throw 6 shutout outings in a row, but when they give up a run they are a bum to most fans Graveman was a stud when we needed him most Lee is a guy who “might” be a quality backup Trade increases our chances of going back to back
