The cheating scandal was huge. Without it, the Astros: Have 4 more high draft picks in their system (which likely means 4-5 prospects who fit in the top 10 of their system) Probably don’t sign Jose Abreu for 3 years Probably don’t sign Rafael Montero for 3 years Possibly don’t sign Josh Hader (which also lost a 2nd rd pick) In lieu of those moves, I do think Luhnow would have signed another position player to a big deal at some point, maybe Starling Marte. Most of the front office and the manager are all different, so it’s really impossible to guess. But I am confident the worst things weighing down Houston’s chances to win right now (bad contracts and lost draft picks) wouldn’t be there had the cheating punishment not happened.
2022 is the most recent numbers I’ve found (and they are estimates), but Dodgers were estimated operating income of 14.3M and Astros were at 44.3M. So closer to 3x. https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikeoz...-12-despite-regional-tv-woes/?sh=4617bab06501 Either way these numbers are small compared to the overall values of these teams and owners and pretty much every team could easily spend more money on players while still making money operationally. They introduce things like the luxury tax to make make fans think it’s a good idea to spend less money. Owners are also responsible to investors as well. Look Crane spends more than many owners and I’d rather him than most, but if he wants to remain competitive he could afford to spend.
SMH during his Free Agent year, same as when Carlos Correa won his First Gold Glove during his Free Agent Year. Voters vote for Future Yankee or Met East Coast Voters smh
If that’s true, I think he takes it. It means Tucker is gone next year, so Trade Framber for high end prospects, sign Walker and Kickuchi which will lengthen the lineup by 1 and Kickuchi to take Framber’s place in the rotation. We would still have a pretty good chance in 25 and hopefully some of the youngsters are ready to step up in 26. If you want to sacrifice 25 you could trade Tucker now take a chance with a platoon at first and go for Roberts.
I don’t see how he accepts that. He’s pretty clearly the 2nd best position player on the free agent market, and the guy in front of him is going to get $500M. Theres a half dozen teams that have both the need and the money to potentially give him $200M+. I think a $200M/7yr deal is his median outcome with $180M/7yrs as his floor.
Really happy for him - because he plays very hard, he prepares very well, he clearly has a love for the game that few have, stays out of trouble, is good with the community and is a leader. In many ways he is a model baseball player. He isn't a Superstar (although he was for a bit), but with a good second half of his career, he is a Hall of Famer. Reminds me a lot of Craig Nettles as far as impact on the field.
He may not accept it - and I am sure that his agency will push for more. For comparison - Chapman get 6/151 from the Giants.... Chapman is a year older, but also coming off a better season. It is a competitive offer - but the Yankees, Diamondbacks and others have interest in him as well. Having said that - emotional attachments aside, I don't know that he is worth much more than 6/156 from the perspective of the Astros going forward. Supposedly - those that know him well say that playing for the Astros and being an all time great with a franchise matters to him, especially with his success in the post season. He has made comments about Mike Hampton and others not having a franchise home post playing days. How much does that mean when the money is less? IDK
This is a solid offer, and more than I expected, frankly. I still think it gets topped by a few teams but it's likely not a "take it or leave it" offer. The Astros were In the position of having to make an offer and therefore setting the market. Not ideal. I don't see him taking it without seeing what other offers are out there. I would be shocked if teams like Yankees, Dodgers, Cubs, Tigers, Red Sox, etc don't go to 7 yrs and 175M as soon as this evening. If Soto or Alonzo change teams it ups his value. Of course this is just an initial offer and I still think Alex would rather stay and will take a VERY small discount to resign. If the overall guarantee is within, say, 5%, and the years match, I think he stays. I could see the Astros adding the 7th year if the other offers don't get too far out of hand. But if it goes to 8 or approaches $200M I think he's gone. My wildcard is the Red Sox who need a 2b or can move Devers to 1b and possibly trade Casas. They are specifically looking to add a RH bat to balance their lineup.
Good thing he needs a good 2nd half of his career. We know how he does in the first half of everything.
I know Alex had a very poor start to 2024, and every year in general. But while Tucker was out, he had 133 wRC+ and 2.5 fWAR (6/4-9/5). He really stepped up, like a leader does.
There have already been a couple of moves. Soler was traded to LAA Wacha resigned in KC 4PM central today is when teams can make offers to FAs who were on other teams to end the season.
That offer is a year longer than I expected and I do not believe he plays more than 5 more years. I would prefer to see him on the coaching staff after 3 or 4 years. He is someone that our players and fans trust and respect.
