I wouldn’t trade Chas straight up for Trout. he’s owed like 40M per season, plays like 80-100 games a year lately, and Chas actually has a higher ops+. And makes way less. If trout was healthy sure- it’s a no brainer. He just hasn’t been that guy for years. Pass. I think. On the flip side- it’s Mike Trout.
I hope they do not trade for Trout, but let's say they do. We can use the Verlander deal as a model - The Mets got the Astros 2 top prospects and are paying 58% of his 2024 salary. The Astros don't have prospects as good anyone longer so let's adjust the best we can. Trout has 7 yrs and $260M remaining (rounded). $37.117 AAV. Let's say Angels pay 40% because Moreno isn't Steve Cohen, the Angels have different motivations and goals, and the Astros don't have the same level of players to trade. That drops his AAV to $22.25M (again, rounded) so 7 yrs $155.75. Lets say to get to that deal, the Astros would need to trade their 2 best prospects and throw in a lottery ticket in the 5-10 range because the Angels are paying well over $100M. So: Jacob Melton, Spencer Arrighetti and Colin Barber? I don't think the Angels even consider paying that much of his deal, but I don't think Trout is worth that for 7 years. Hard pass for me. Buy it may get the batters eye remodeled.
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/dan-szymborski-fangraphs-chat-9-14-23/ James: If Chas and Yainer are for real, do the 2024 Astros challenge the Braves for best offense? 12:30 Dan Szymborski: They certainly could. The high end of their offense is very good already 12:30 Dan Szymborski: Kinda curious what Dusty does, if he actually retires ---- Just odd that he thinks whether Dusty is the manager or not has relevance in whether the Astros will challenge the Braves as the best offense next year.
I can't imagine they will bring back Maldy next season. His defense is just too poor at this point to justify giving him a new contract. Would Dusty latch on to whatever vet backup C Dana signs in the off-season the same way he has latched onto Maldy? That would suck.
At this point, if Dusty is back and the Astros want Diaz to catch, acquiring a catcher that Dusty dislikes more at catcher seems to be the only way to guarantee Diaz playing time at catcher. Trading Dubon and Julks, and cutting Singleton also seem to be necessary if the Astros want their best 9 players to play more often.
You can't really game by game these things, but according to statcast Diaz's framing has moved up to the 16th%. That's still terrible overall, but like a month ago he was down around the 2nd% Maldonado has also been on the move....to the 1st%
Amazing what he is doing to this organization And our owner has no balls so he just lets it go We could easily be the best offense in baseball RIGHT NOW
Well, I expect Maldy to be back in some capacity (whether as a player, or perhaps in a coaching role) because Framber is still under team control. I've read in the Athletic that Framber describes Maldy as "he was sent by God" to help guide him through his mental struggles. The guys on ESPN Radio said Maldonado appears to be Framber's personal in-game "Dr. Phil."
Well in that case, just like Dr. Phil, Maldy has been exposed as a total and complete quack this year. But in all honesty, none of this is Maldonado's fault. This is 100% on Dusty Baker putting pressure on Maldy by playing him as often as he does. If Maldonado was slowly transitioned to be in a true 50/50 platoon with Diaz as this season had gone along, I don't think the majority of fans would be giving him the grief that he's gotten. And no, this isn't a justification for the absolute shitstains that think it's somehow acceptable to personally attack a player and his family just because they aren't playing well. **** each and every one of those sub-humans.
Valdez has not been as consistent but he still threw a no hitter and got close to another one. Valdez is the only pitcher that may justify Maldy over Diaz.
50/50 would be absurd. Don’t buy into the nonsense. 80/20 split in favor of Diaz is the only logical answer and that’s because no catcher should catch more than 80% of the time.
the team almost had a combined no-hitter two days ago.....with diaz as the catcher. to me i think diaz calm the pitchers down better than martin.
