Problem with Polanco is he is another guy who needs to be a DH In fact to start last year he was not even available to play in the field for a month or longer. Until Yordan got hurt, that would have been really ugly trying to fit both of them along with Altuve into the lineup every day. It's not like Espada is particularly good at stuff like that anyway
Maybe Dana will find another GM drunk at the bar this week and bend him over a barrel (via trade of course)
From Espada I thought there was buzz about Yordan playing more in the field. And this speaks to having other relievers emerge.
They have a serious DH issue. Altuve is a very poor defender at either 2B or LF and he's older and needs less wear and tear on his legs. Alvarez is fragile. He needs as little physical activity as possible to keep him in the lineup. Paredes can play 1B but Walker is there. He can play 3B but Correa is there. Maybe he can play 2B but Atuve is there. He can DH but Yordan is there. It feels like the best way to open a lineup spot is Yordan in LF or trade someone.
Agreed, 1. If Dana trades for a SP2 and Crane brings back JV would that meet your standards for an upgrade? 2. Agrred and this can be done fairly easily IMHO. Donovan/Duran/Abreu etc.... 3.This probably wont get done this offseason, but if the bullpen is an issue it will be addressed at the deadline. 4. I do think Dana signs a rule 5 catcher, Will that be an upgrade? Who knows. Janek hopefully will be ready in 2 years. Maybe even next year. Who are the rule 5 catchers you like.
I think people are setting themselves up for disappointment when it comes to what starter we are likely to bring in. Given the resources we are working with, I will be shocked if we bring anybody in that "looks" like a number 2 starter, or even a good number 3. I would be willing bet a whole lot that when we open the season it will be Hunter Brown and a bunch of other starters who the organization think can be really good but will look very flawed on paper. Javier, Arrighetti, Blubaugh, Weiss and another guy or 2 we bring in.
I disagree. I think your basis makes sense, but based on what Brown has said in past - and the older scouts I have been blessed to know- every prospect is fungible and expendable for the right price. I don’t think he will trade him just to trade him, but if he gets a deal that he feels meets the organization’s needs, he will do it.
Not necessarily. SP- Baz or Ragans would be cheap. JV should cost between 10-13 mil. OF/2b- Donovan 5 mil and Duran/Abreu should still be cheap. RP- Wont be addressed IMHO C- Rule 5 catcher is a min guy.
Baz is not a ToR SP. He’s the midpoint of Hunter Brown and Spencer Arrighetti. Meyers and Brito would be about right for him; I wouldn’t want them to give up much more than that. I do think Baz is better than Javier, which means adding him would at least be a meaningful improvement to the roster.
It isn’t a question of assets, the Astros have plenty of assets… Smith, Pena, Paredes, Diaz and a handful of minor leaguers. It is a matter of finding a deal the Astros feel is good enough to pull the trigger. They may not get a player as good as Alcantara or Ryan or Lopez or Ranger. However there are a number of 2/3 type starters out there that are capable of being #2’s. Could be Pivetta etc. even there payroll situation has some flexibility. The Astros have a lot of flexibility and potential fits… no guarantees but it’s like having a lot of raffle tickets in a raffle lottery. I would rather Brown not over pay if he doesn’t get a good deal. If someone is expecting a top ace and a 5 WAR corner outfielder and a top pen arm - then I agree people will be disappointed. However I expect the pitching added to be effective and at least one to be good enough to be a playoff starter …. Miller and Brown are just good at it, look back at the guys Miller has wanted… at least 85% have exceeded expectations… Kikuchi, Pivetta, Suarez, etc.
Baz is a 3/4 on a good team but he does have some untapped upside to be a #2 - but he could also end up hurt and selling used cars with Brett Oberholtzer.
You figure this out, what you dont do is trade a top 5 hitter in MLB especially when your team is offensively challenged.
