Yep. If you aren’t super close to exiting deadline territory it’s a good placeholder move to at least get rid of one of the guys that have no business playing in the major leagues. Your potential lineup Friday if we do nothing else: Diaz, Walker, Dubon, Pena (he’s definitely back they say) Urias, Altuve, Trammel, Smith, Caratini. we entry from 4 guys that were AAAA cast offs that couldn’t be bothered to be claimed off waivers to 1 essentially overnight. That lineup wouldn’t be good per se, but it’s at least major league caliber. Matthews and melton could also get some time to mix in while they are waiting for Yordan and/or Meyers to come back. That lineup should be able to get us to the playoffs and avert a major catastrophe as long as Framber and brown stay heathy and the bullpen doesn’t implode.
The Astros have 4 needs: 1 elite bat, 1 playoff SP, a rh RP, and a lh complimentary bat. Filling 2 of those is an ok deadline. Urias isn’t an elite bat and he hits rh but he hits rhp well enough to count as the complimentary bat.
This is what I think is happening in regards to the Correa situation: -Twins have absolutely no leverage and are essentially approaching the negotiation, bluffing like Correa is still a premium asset. -Astros know they have the Twins by the balls and offered what they believe is a “fair deal” which includes paying down Correa’s remaining contract. - After watching the Correa postgame interview he mentioned that it “isn’t serious right now” and that he’s been in communication with the GM and Coach and they’ve been transparent with him. I imagine that conversation went something like this: GM: “Hey Carlos. The Astros are calling. But we love having you here and we committed to you long term. We are going to be sellers but we won’t take anything less than what we think you’re worth… and you’re worth a lot to us here. The Astros are only offering x,y, and z AND they want us to pay down your contract” Hence Carlos saying it’s “not serious”. However, Dana is calling their bluff. Correa’s contract is under water. Houston is more than likely the only team he’d accept a trade to. And the Urias move further calls their bluff. The Twins are deep in the hole financially, about to go through with a sale, and this may be their last opportunity to trade him. Whether we get him or not, this looks like excellent negotiating by the Astros FO.
Or he can go back doing what he does best moving around the field and giving guys days off as needed. Seems like Melton is being discussed as the centerpiece in the Cease deal and we have no idea if Meyers can even return this season. A Trammell and Dubon platoon in CF isn't terrible.
Dubin just had a rehab appearance last night in Sugar Land. I'd put RH reliever very low on the totem pole, especially if we land Cease and can have Arrighetti pitch out of the pen in the playoffs.
I agree with the overall sentiment but I don’t believe the Twins would approach Correa about waiving his no trade clause unless they fully intend to trade him and/or already have the framework of a deal in place. Once you approach your franchise cornerstone about trading him, there’s going to be permanent damage to the relationship. The Cards didn’t go to Arenado until that trade was agreed to.
Very possible and would keep us under the tax But a team playing Urias every day at 3B and platooning Trammel and Dubon in CF likely isn’t a “team to beat” in October
Oh, they're gonna do something absolutely wild next like Cease for Ullola, Santa, Melton, Janek, and whatever complex leaguer the Padres want as long as it's not Kevin Alvarez, huh
he really was not all that great in Seattle when he played there. This move does not instill any fear in me whatsoever
Seems like the Padres are set on getting some major league help so I doubt it’s a package that doesn’t include at least one of Melton/Caratini
Hopefully they overpaid. He's had a good year but could easily see the guy being ass the rest of season.
I agree with about 90% of what you are saying. I think the only thing that isn't at all likely is the Twins GM telling Correa right now what their offer is for him. To the extent he's talking to him he's saying "hey Carlos, I don't know how close we are but we aren't sending you anywhere other than Houston if a deal is going to happen, and I think it's probably super unlikely it happens."