I have zero expectations for either one. But Good Lord … they were both supposedly coming back in August. We still shouldn’t expect them healthy 8-9 months later?
He’s smart and dialed in as well. Thats important to me when projecting if a guy is going to maximize. He gets it. Maybe he will even stay healthy.
Garcia had TJ 21 months prior to opening day. Anything over 18 months is way worse than expectations with a surgery that has like a 90% success rate. He absolutely should be ready to start the season. LMJ is a mess- who knows what you get from him. Bet on nothing and be pleasantly surprised. Javier best case is August- bet on not a single pitch. France was a shoulder. I assume those guys are dead until I see them on a major league mound.
Starting Blair Henley against the Rangers last year shows how desperate we were. Starter depth was a stretched as I've ever seen with this team. You can never have enough, which is why I wouldn't trade from this surplus quite yet.
If Luis Garcia still isn't ready opening day, then yeah I'm concerned, he should be ready.. TJ has a pretty low failure rate these days, but some guys don't bounce back. If he's still a question mark starting pitching absolutely should be on the offseason menu LMJ is just a lottery ticket at this point. Wouldn't shock me if he's great and a meaningful piece, would be even less shocked if he contributes absolutely nothing. Anybody planning a roster around his expected contributions is a fool, and I doubt the Astros are.
I would only trade Frambler if it seems like an extension won't be in play for him. Trade him now or months before the deadline while he's healthy.
He was surely shopped around this month like Tucker was but the packages must not have been appealing to entertain moving him. Starting pitchers drop like flies during the season and contenders typically overpay for starting pitching as the deadline approaches. Makes sense to wait to move him (if we move him at all).
FTR, I don't WANT to trade Framber. I do think that trading Framber is the smartest and right thing to do for the immediate and extended future of this team. In a perfect world, the Astros could hoard as much SP as possible, but this is not a perfect world. The Astros outfield is a disaster. Jim Crane appears to be determined to stay under the CBT and there is no budget to add another player without trading away someone. There are currently 10 potential SP on the roster. SP are extremely risky. The market is going to dictate at least 6 years for Framber and I think that's too much injury risk for any SP. Even if 6 years was smart, Jim Crane has been unwilling to agree to long term contracts. Currently, the compensation for losing a FA w/ QO attached pales in comparison to what a trade will bring back. The Farm system is still very weak in the type of high ceiling, impact prospects that could be acquired via trade. I contend that this team needs at least 1, probably 2, and maybe 3 outfielders who can be positive, impactful contributors this year. Trading away Caratini is smart because he has solid value on a reasonable salary. He is coming off of a career year that he is not likely to duplicate. With an everyday 1B on the roster, there is less opportunity for him to play. It makes sense for them to trade him and give the job to Salazar. Trading away Pressly is smart because his salary is high, the bullpen needs some kind of change and now looks to return mostly intact, and there are reports that he is unhappy in his role and wants a trade. Trading Framber can improve the outfield of this team which could potentially be a larger positive impact than substituting a different SP for him is negative. Furthermore, just like the Tucker deal, the trade could bring back multiple players who should bring a positive impact for multiple seasons. Since, I see no world where the Astros agree to a competitive offer to keep Framber, letting him walk away for just the QO compensation, keeping Framber greatly reduces the chances of this team being competitive 2026 forward. The idea that Garcia may not he healthy is concerning buy it is still the right move.
Because it will have been nearly 2 years for Garcia & LMJ. Almost seems like they have to be healthy by then. Javier obviously won't be, and it wouldn't shock me if he doesn't come back. Similarly, I don't expect France back.
It's been almost 2 years since he had TJ surgery. Most pitchers not only have pitched by now, they're looking forward to the 2nd year bounce in improvement. Did Garcia's arm fall off?
Trade away Pressly and Caratini and there's your money to add an impact bat. Dana will be making a trade for an impact OF bat and if he can find value add a pitcher/ another OF.
Maybe things are going extremely well so you trade Framber at the deadline ! Framber is Framber Brown keeps his ace trajectory. Arrighetti takes the next step and adds consistency. Wesneski is who they thought he is and pitches like a legitimate MOR. McCullers returns healthy and is as good as he has been when healthy in the past ( a guy can dream) Blanco keeps on keeping on Garcia gets healthy and pitches well Gusto, Gordon, Ullola, and/or Blubaugh tear up AAA and need a cup of coffee to start their MLB journey. Javier is rehabbing with no setbacks. You have a 10 game lead after 110 games. Do you trade Framber? I do.
You have to have a good backup C...who was the 3rd guy last year, Salazar maybe? I really like Caratini, but if you think that $6M could be better spent elsewhere....?
I think it's more than that. I think Caratini's value is inflated and can bring back a player/prospect that would help this team much more than the difference between he and Salazar. Salazar is very well regarded for his various catching skills and ability. With Walker and Yordan being everyday players at 1b and DH respectively, and Diaz being a young and very impactful player, Caratini's playing time is likely to be minimal unless Diaz gets hurt. Salazar is a better fit to sit on the bench and get 1 start and 4-5 PAs every 7-10 days. And this organization needs an infusion of talent.
After 110 games I do the player friendly thing and keep him through the play offs and let him walk in the off season.
No, I don't think it is. You need a backup C who can start behind the plate +/- 30ish games a year, unless you want to wear Diaz out by the middle of August. Yordan LF days are great days for Diaz to DH, but he also needs some complete days off.
What kind of surplus value do you think Caratini has? He’s on a free agent contract. Houston can probably get rid of his full deal and maybe get a very flawed/risky lotto prospect back, but he’s not going to bring back “an infusion of talent”. The only reason for Houston to trade him is if they have faith in Salazar and need to free up that $6M to spend elsewhere.
