I will be quite surprised if Houston ends up with a rental bat. My guess at their priorities/targets: 1. a lefthanded above-average veteran bat with multiple years of control who can play LF or 1B; they would probably be ok with a RHH if all the other boxes are checked. 2. a multi-year SP who can eat innings. 3. an underrated RP There is still way too much time before teams decide if they are buyers or sellers so it is very hard to know who will be available, but Lamont Wade Jr. seems like an extremely good fit. Jeimer Candelario and Luis Rengifo also fit. Brandon Lowe and Yandy Diaz also make sense if Tampa sells. A current semi-realistic ideal deadline for me Brandon Lowe, Kevin Gausman, and somebody like Pete Fairbanks.
If the Stros are looking for a cheap (ie: free) rental 1B to just try out, what's wrong with Harold Ramirez (other than the fact he doesn't play much 1B?)
He projects to be worse than Singleton. The presence of 3 guys (Singleton, Dubon, Loperfido) who can give Houston a league average bat at 1B means they don’t need to make a move unless it’s significant.
If they get someone, he would need to be as close to certain as possible to be a 120+ wRC+/OPS+ hitter. Otherwise stick with what you have. There isn't time to fix a reclamation guy.
All true. Kinda forgot about Dubon at the RH 1B. Was just thinking that they're somewhat enamored with Singleton they might want a RH option (can play OF some). He was bad this year but good the previous 2. Also, the org seems to be not all that enthused about playing Loperfido at 1B, given that he's started 10 games there this year, 2 in June.
Stros have nothing but time, if they think otherwise they should maybe start playing/managing like it.
Who says they're going to finish 4 games out? People were saying these same things last year. As long as Alvarez/Tucker/Altuve/Pena/Bregs are on the team they should be buyers.
Astros get: CF Cedric Mullins 3B Coby Mayo OF Dylan Beavers P Cade Povich P Carter Baumler Orioles get: P Framber Valdez CF Jake Meyers RP Rafael Montero $5M (2025)
Framber Valdez elbow injury is a warning sign to trade him before he loses value. Astros need youth, depth. Alex Bregman is the other, to try get a trade before he goes back to a slump.
Harvey would be coming ina trade and Garcia should be ready sometime in July. I also like Blubaugh/Bloss from the little I've seen/read. Bloss looks like a young Roy O.. What Brown really needs to add is a Pederson or Martinez type bat IMHO.
That bat's good for 1 year? How does this help? Mullins would have been awesome 3 or 4 years ago....wait a minute: Harvey hasn't pitched since 2021
I don’t know, the hall of Famer (Verlander), the multi-time CY finalist (Valdez), the guy with 2 no hit appearances this season (Blanco), the guy with a 1.42 era in 3 June starts (Brown). Maybe (but only maybe) the 2 guys scheduled to return from the IL who each posted 3+ fwar in 2021.
Yes. Davis is a bad defensive player. Ramirez is a non-defensive player. Not to mention Davis has been the more productive hitter over the course of his career.
