800+ OPS in the second half He wouldn’t bring back much in return, but it wouldn’t be terribly difficult to move a good chunk of his salary if needed to accommodate other salary coming in
I looked at it this morning and Arizona and Miami seem like the only plausible fits but neither would be desperate and I doubt Houston is desperate enough to do what it would take to move Walker. If nobody meets the demand for Paredes I think they will use next week to trade Meyers or Sanchez and call ther offseason done.
I think the long-shot of the ideal fit has passed and the Astros make one more move to prepare for ST: sign a veteran C to compete with Salazar. I don’t see Meyers or Sanchez being moved at this point. I think Cam starts in AAA and CF/RF rotates Cole, Sanchez, and Meyers. Look for Alvarez to start the year as the primary LF.
Yeah I should have said “use next week to try to trade”, because at this point I agree with you and think the odds are against any trades actually being made. It won’t surprise me if they don’t even sign a backup C. Im ok with the roster as it is; it is a competitive roster with more upside than downside. If they stay healthy they’re probably gonna end up playing Alvarez in the OF a lot more than they’d like but I think it will work out fine. Having guys like Smith and Dezenzo in AAA will be a luxury they haven’t had in awhile, and the same on the pitching side. They have a lot better insurance against injuries than they had last year.
I would be incredibly surprised if Cam Smith started in the minors. He’s going to be the Astros everyday right fielder unless he looks terrible in Spring Training. You don’t get better by seeing weaker pitching. The battle in Spring Training is primarily between Zach Cole and Jesus Sanchez as the other left-handed outfield bat besides Yordan Alvarez. Cole has to significantly cut down on his strike out rate (20 in 52 plate appearances is a gigantic hole that MLB pitchers will exploit) and ideally show he can be a solid defender in center field. If Cole cuts down his strike out rate, the Astros will probably trade Sanchez. If Cole can do both, the possibility of a Jake Meyers trade becomes more realistic. Until he does, I doubt the Astros trade Meyers unless the deal is just too good to turn down. His defense in center field is a big plus for the pitching staff, and he paired that with a solid offensive season last year.
If the Astros don't get an outfielder then I would hate to see them trade Meyers or Sanchez. Take away Yordan and Altuve who they clearly want to keep out of LF: OF on 40 man roster: Cole, Dezenzo, Matthews, Meyers, Sanchez, Smith, Whitcomb. Trading Meyers would leave very inexperienced and uncertain Cole and Matthews as the only CFers. Trading Sanchez leaves Cole as the only lefty hitting OF. This team needs more not fewer outfielders.
The Astros would have made this deal weeks ago. The Red Sox are trying to move W. Abreu and filler to the Astros for Paredes and stuff. When Duran has been discussed - the Red Sox have asked for more, like Abreu from the Astros. The Astros were willing to move Abreu and Paredes, but they wanted the right second piece from the Red Sox, not the garbage being offered.
With Paredes and Walker both on the roster, Alvarez and Matthews are considered OF. Right now the 40 man position player roster breaks down: C (2): Diaz, Salazar IF (6): Walker, Altuve, Pena, Correa, Paredes, Allen OF (8): Sanchez, Meyers, Alvarez, Cole, Dezenzo, Smith, Whitcomb, Matthews They also have Trammell, a LHH who was on the 40 man all of last season and signed a split deal this year.
The Astros have spoken to the Red Sox about both Abreu and Duran. The Red Sox want more for Duran - and Astros aren't willing to deal what the Sox want without more coming back to the Astros. Personally I prefer Abreu anyway.... and Sox want less for him.
This makes complete sense. Abreu for Paredes has always been the most logical deal, especially if the Astros think Abreu can play a good center field defensively. However, if Boston wants Paredes + for Abreu, it explains why a deal hasn’t been reached. They are overvaluing their assets.
I can't imagine a scenario in which Meyers plays RF...not with that arm. It would be 1st to 3rd all day every day.
Yup - and then the Astros were going to move Meyers to the Mets for Senga, and the Mets would eat some of the contract. The Astros would have a young outfielder in Abreu that could play center when Cole didn't - and some of the money saved from Paredes would go towards Senga, and the Astros would have another 2-3 type starter....... the Sox get their 3rd baseman, the Mets get a centerfielder and get to sign their ace... and the Astros get an outfielder and pitcher. It hasn't happened because of the Sox insistence on more pieces.
As for the backup C: you basically have to wait long enough for veteran catchers to settle for the league minimum and a chance to compete for a back up job. You aren’t getting the cream of the crop. You are just looking for a glove to give ST innings and see what Salazar does. We are looking for the Chas of catchers, lol.
