I have a feeling the Sox would ask for Ullola instead of Matthews. Their bullpen is terrible as it is now and they almost certainly will trade Chapman if they sell. That leaves them Garrett Whitlock and a bunch of bad arms in their pen.
I doubt either Ullola or Matthews would get it done. It will take a much bigger haul for both Gray and Duran.
Yeah, I don't disagree. Blubaugh and Ullola would be a good start though. I could see them taking those two guys plus Matthews.
I am assuming Duran’s value is way down. He is going to be due $8M+ next season and has been replacement level this year (with a nearly unplayable bat). I’m basically thinking he and Meyers are a change of scenery swap. So the real trade is Matthews/Mayer/Blubaugh for Gray. That’s a pretty big haul for an aging rental SP who throws 92, even if he has been effective. I view Mayer as more valuable than Ullola so would have no issue swapping them out. I also wouldn’t have an issue leaving Duran out of it. Until he shows signs of rebounding he doesn’t project to be better than Wade or Trammell or Loperfido; he’s an upside play mostly for next season.
Exactly what I was thinking. Ullola Blughbaugh Mayer Matthews for Duran/Gray. It might even take more than this and I could see Neyens being added to deal as well as Meyers for salary reasons.
Agreed, but if you think Gray is a SP2 the most likely cost will be Neyens/Blughbaugh. You might even have to throw in a guy like Gordon. Also it's possible they would want Mayer or Ullola instead of Gordon. A legit SP2 which is what I consider Gray to be is going to cost a lot. It's going to hurt.
I'd argue Blubaugh, Ullola and Matthews is already a pretty heavy cost for just Gray. I think Blubaugh has pretty high value at this point.
Dana knows his job is on the line so he very well could say F it and trade for Skubal. Last ditch effort type deal. If we’re being honest, if you have a top heavy rotation you can very well make it to the ALCS. Hypothetically, if you brought in Skubal and make the wild card, you very easily win 2 games with Skubal and Hunter. Then the divisional. You probably got two wins off the rip again with Skubal and Hunter. Throw in maybe Imai and Javier having their stuff together and there’s a very real scenario that you’re walking into another ALCS. I’m not saying I’d trade the farm for a rental, but Skubal is next level elite. Maybe Dana is desperate. I have no clue.
So, other than the warm (Orbit) fuzzies, is there any reason to consider a Correa-style "bag of balls" trade for Springer? It *might* help the outfield, and if it didn't work out it would be a rental, but it is a tough sell.
Just from a roster building standpoint, this does nothing to use your rotation depth (2026) to improve the club. With the prospect of Blanco and Wesneski adding to the rotation mix around the deadline, you have gone from 7 potential starters to 8 And that doesn't even consider Javier or McCullers. I think at least 1 of Arrighetti, Lambert, Burrows, Blanco or Wesneski must be traded if they bring in another SP. I realize none of these guys are TOR (which is why they need to bring someone else in) but legitimate SP with control, even if they are #4 type guys, have value. And value among tradeable assets is what the Astros lack. In addition. Neither Duran nor Moniak are plus defenders. You would be trading away every good MLB CF defender the Astros have for a couple of left fielders. Both have played CF and both were moved to LF at least in part due to poor CF defense.
Forget about it. Springer has a full no trade clause and even if he is over his anger at the Astros ownership, he has made it very clear that he wants to play close to his family in the NorthEast. He is also basically limited to DH and does nothing to balance the LH/RH nature of the lineup. Add in the fact that he is hitting about the same as Cam Smith, well below MLB average and you have a very very poor trade option.
I don't really think it would happen either, but it is not out of the realm of possibility. It matches the Astros MO, particularly if there is a paydown for the remaining third of a season. The Jays want to be rid of Springer for the reasons you state, but he is also a year away from a very good season with the bat, and is only a DH because the outfield is full in Toronto. I also think the no-trade is limited. Eight teams he can say no to. Agreed it could be a non-starter if the hard feelings remain with management, but I could also see nostalgia and his need to "prove it" could be a reason to approve the trade. No better than 25% likelihood (again, assuming all of the above), but I would put it that high. My original question is do the Astros consider it?
