Graveman was the safe bet that improves us. He was the minimum so we didn't want the market to price us out. The Verlander stuff is very intriguing since there are 4 factors at play. Verlander's no trade clause and 3rd year option How much the Mets are willing to pay of Verlander's salary How much the Rangers and Astros are worried about the other team getting him. I personally would want Cease in a perfect world. I think we can do for him what we did for Cole. That being said, I don't want to mortgage the future. I would give the CWS one of our rotation guys not named Javier and Framber, and Gilbert or two lower prospects. I would try to keep France but if push comes to shove, I would give him up for Cease.
So did Cole for the Pirates a few years before we traded for him. Then, he regressed, and then he changed into a perennial cy young candidate after he came here.
Heston Kjerstad OF Orioles That needs to be a Target. Pitchers are Expnsive Oriles need some offer Blanco and Bielak. See what they say. Kjerstad has a sweet Left handed swing and loads of power. Strong arm for the OF and steals bases. Doesn't SO alot and walks a bit. That would be a steal.
Steve Cohen probably looking at JV possible returns and thinking, you know what, let’s do that and just throw 700 mil at Ohtani
Sure seems like there’s a good amount of pitchers theoretically available: SP definitely available: E Rodriguez, Montgomery, Lorenzen, Flaherty, Kopech, Blackburn, Singer, Quintana, Hill, Greinke SP possibly available: Cease, Scherzer, Gilbert, Verlander, Snell, Stroman, Civale, Keller, Smyly, Hendricks, Wacha, Taillon, Mikolas, Freeland, Lugo, Matz I think the fact that the 2nd list is so long just means the SP market won’t break open until Monday. But I will be surprised if Houston doesn’t acquire a SP, as there seem to be enough arms to go around. I also think there’s enough RP available that Houston will likely add another one of those, although I wouldn’t necessarily expect it to be an established late inning arm. I don’t see Houston adding a bat, there just isn’t the supply. Somebody’s gonna overpay for Bellinger and I don’t see anybody else out there who is a good fit.
Ring ring. Whats your number Jay? I remember that. Drabek and Swindell and we were gonna be amazing. Bruce Bochy was my Astros buddy when I joined that club when I was 8 years old or so!
And complains when they try to make moves to win championships during their window. These are the same fans that complained about Luhnow when he was building this dynasty. See: Drellich, Footer, Passan etc...
I miss having Luhnow. Can’t we just bring him back ? Dude is the best GM in the league. It’s been long enough and it’s not like he had anything to do with the “scandal” (right ?)
In his first trade deadline as a contender Luhnow traded for Kazmir who largely sucked for us. He also added Carlos Gomez and a rodent His second season he didn't do much. His 3rd trade deadline, he pretty much did nothing. The Verlander trade came afterward in a waiver deadline that doesn't even exist anymore. Luhnow was not the trade deadline wizard people have retroactively crowned him to be. He was a GM for 6 years, 3 years as a wartime GM before he finally connected on a big midseason deal with Verlander, which was largely luck that he was even available at that point.
The top guys in the starting pitching market need to be dealt and then the Astros will have a better idea of what they can or cannot get in trade. Lorenzo appears to the be #1 target of the non huge market teams. Astros, Rays, Marlins, Orioles and Braves have some degree of interest. While he is a really solid pitcher, he isn’t the only one. Rodriguez has a very good arm and success this season for Detroit, but a lot of teams are scared of the opt out for injury possibility. Even the Astros have backed off some of him. Cubs seem to be willing to wait and see on Stroman. They have been more aggressive on moving Bellinger. Teams have been burned by Cubs in past trade dealings and that figures into it as well.
Are you serious? Blanco is in the Minors and Bielak is at his highest peek so far. Kjerstad is a top end prospect t blocked in the Orioles minor leagues in AAA batting well over .300. Ith power and avg. Plus plus defending. Hmmmm
