I’m really worried about the right side infield. Altuve isn’t getting younger. And abreu is what he is over there. Makes the idea of a rookie at third really unappetizing.
I think it's a decent gamble that you get a healthy Mccullers, an improved and luckier Brown, or a more consistent Javier. If one of those 3 does it you have a strong #2. It is a gamble, but a lineup hitting Abreu, McCormick, or Arenado 9th will cover for much of it. The nice thing with Arenado is he's a defensive upgrade....
Just a side note, if they deal Framber for Arenado (and half his contract) then they save 12 million from swapping 3B and Framber's salary. They can then move Urquidy and Graveman which is 13 million. That gives you 30 million with Snell projected to a similar deal as Nola. Verlander Snell Mccullers Javier Brown France and Garcia in reserve....
Right on and me too. Look. How about if we trade the Bregman that we make em take Abreu 1b also. Then go for Chapman at 3b and pluck Christian from Zona for our 1b. Would that work? Cease, Luis, Kopech. Subtract Abreu add new 1b. Now, 162 n 0 is in range ladies and gentlemen!
Cowser was born in Houston in March 2000 is 23 now will be 24 next season. Cionel Perez was signed for 5.15million but did not pass his physical and signed for 2million. Whoa... he is a Cuban, correct?
I think this is the offseason where Crane needs to spend to make up for losing the draft picks in 2020-2021. I think the 2 underwater contracts they added in Abreu and Montero were an indirect result of losing those picks. It’s feasible Houston could have drafted a 1B (like Kyle Manzardo) and RP (like Bobby Miller) with those picks that would have made Abreu and Montero unnecessary and would hence have an additional ~$30M in 2024 money to play with. I think Crane needs to open it up to account for that. Break the bank for 2024, trade salaries next offseason to get under the tax when they’ll have at least 2 QO’s lined up (and possibly up to 5 depending on who they trade for and sign this offseason), and re-assess the organizational trajectory at the 2025 deadline based upon on their standings and how the farm has developed.
I have not grown tired of Framber but I’m close. How many times do we need to see him melt down? how many times does there need to be a slow roller to the mound and you just know he’s going to **** it up? (Alcs) He’s forever a Houston legend but if you can trade him and sign a legit consistent #2 pitcher then I’m all for it.
Just rough math... Out: Framber Bregman Graveman Meyers Ortega, Gage, Sousa In: Arenado (half salary) Snell (25 per) Belt (2.5) Caratini (3) Winn Cowser Z Thompson 40 man would be 237 million which is tax amount. They could then shed some extra salary like Urquidy or unload Montero eating half of his salary. Could also get a league minimum backup catcher via trade for Urquidy and save 2 million there. Bottom line is it's realistic money... just question on if deals could get made. If Cowser is a hit, he's Tucker's replacement effectively with Melton or Barber coming in behind...
No, it’s not. It’s looking at baseball history and realizing that the Astros have built a sustainable model that keeps up in World Series contention for longer than only a handful of teams have been able to duplicate. All the core pieces that got us to the ALCS are coming back healthier and without Dusty holding them down. I’m not worried about the Rangers. They got really hot at just the right time and benefited from a tired, depleted pitching staff (that led 3-2) in the ALCS. Sure, let’s follow the Ranger model that made it to the playoffs for the first time in a decade.
Eh, most of the guys who built that sustainable model are gone and the guys remaining are getting pushed out the door in favor of aging scouts. This org is cooked after 2025, imo.
It’s possible but I don’t think so. Crane has always been the ultimate decision maker. He picked Luhnow, and Click, and Brown. The early returns on Click’s contributions are extremely positive. It is too early to tell on Dana Brown but his background is in scouting and player development. If he is as good as we hope he is, there is no reason the window has to close. Of course it eventually will; when Crane sells the team or dies it will be a huge change. But as long as they excel at player evaluation and development and couple that with Crane approving a top 10 payroll, they can keep contending.
I think the Rangers tweaked the Astros method just a bit but are following the same blueprint more or less. They got a bit of a headstart by signing Seager and Semien. They would have likely been a few years away still. It would have been more of a 2015 Astros, but they fast forwarded with those two signings and then the pitchers which really didn't work out. They will have Carter for a full year. They have probably the best minor league hitter that will be knocking at the door and they have a few pitchers about ready to contribute. They will be a problem for a while.
I saw Click as a continuation of Luhnow although he didn't operate in exactly the same manner. They both had nontraditional backgrounds and if the idea was to keep what Luhnow built going then Click was an obvious choice. I see Dana as more of a sharper break in philosophy from Luhnow/Click with the org looking to move back into more of a conventional philosophy in terms of operating the org while also likely carving out a more significant role for Crane and his lackeys as a de facto PBO.
I'm curious as to why so many on this board think that Lance Mccullers will come back and be a top or mid rotation pitcher? I'm as sunshine and rainbows as anyone but I think hitching any wagon to him is fools gold. Just my 2 cents. Love the dude but he is Sam Bowie.
Hardly anybody is "expecting" LMJ to be a major contributor. He's just a card in the deck who realistically could help late in the season. I think the stupider thing is anybody looking to give up on Framber after a bad stretch. We need pitching, so lets trade our best pitcher from last season.
Another scenario as we wait for something to actually happen: 4-way trade: Dodgers get: 3B Alex Bregman Orioles get: Dodgers prospects, CF Jake Meyers, SP Jose Urquidy White Sox get: SP Hunter Brown, Dodgers prospects, OF Pedro Leon, SP Spencer Arrighetti Astros get: CF Cedric Mullins, SP Dylan Cease, 3B Yoan Moncada Astros sign Victor Caratini for 2 years. Astros sign Matt Moore for 2 years. Roster: CF Mullins 2B Altuve DH Alvarez 1B Abreu RF Tucker C Diaz LF McCormick 3B Moncada SS Pena Bench: Dubon, Caratini, Kessinger, Singleton Rotation: Verlander, Valdez, Cease, Javier, France Bullpen: Pressly, Abreu, Moore, Montero, Graveman, Sousa, McCullers/Bielak, Garcia/Whitley Astros over the tax in 2024. They would likely be able to stay under the cap in 2025, especially if Verlander’s 2025 doesn’t vest or if they trade Montero in a dump. They’d be poised to have 5 potential QO candidates in the 2025 offseason in Tucker, Mullins, Moncada, Cease, and Valdez, which could net them 5 addl 2nd round picks that would either totally replenish the farm to allow them to trade upper level prospects to keep contending, or serve as added juice to hasten a rebuild.
