Why haven't they given Zach Cole another shot given how bad the other OFs have been hitting? Is he crapping the bed in SL?
I'm not sure what's going on with him this year other than still recovering from nagging injuries. But in AAA in 34 games he's hitting .158 with 2 HRs. Not good
Yup - Astros have been trying to get one for a month. The problem is teams don’t want to deal yet. Blubaugh is already discussed with teams and I really wouldn’t be shocked if Cam Smith is included in the right deal.
Need to go 39-25 for 86 wins. Boston (9 win streak) and Minnesota went ahead of us this weekend and Baltimore is coming from behind with 4 wins a row. Toronto prob.refuses to bow out too (after getting to WS) and are ready to spend prospects & $ so we are not just looking above us. Texas could win AL West and we could against odds go past Seattle if they keep sucking but nothing says it's one certain team we need to beat for last WC. That's why I keep bringing up the win totals. Feels like so many many games to play because it's just AS break and deadline ways away. But there is only 64.
As much as I love Cam, I would not be heartbroken to see him go, he has potential and is a hell of an outfielder, but I am not sure he will ever get used to MLB pitching
I would be devastated if they trade Cam. I don’t think Brown would do it, unless Crane gave him an ultimatum to get an Ace. This guy has more potential than anyone we’ve had in years.
Everything has a price, but I would really try to avoid trading Cam. I know the end results haven't been there so far, but all the supporting numbers suggest he's been quite a bit better, he's just having some bad BABIP luck on some balls that could be singles and doubles. His barrel rate, exit velo and hard hit% are all way up, his K rate is down and his expected OPS is right around .800. Even with his sub par offensive results so far, he's still been a net positive with his glove and I think him being a good to great bat is not far away.
If they trade Cam it better be for a controllable star (borderline superstar) player. The last month he’s shown very concrete signs that he’s taking another step.
I think the Astros are in much the same situation as the Rockets. It’s not time to burn the house down for a full re-build, but it does make sense to take a step back and re-cycle some vets for a bit of a youth movement. I think this would be an ideal time to trade Pena, but unfortunately there is no SS on the horizon in our system, so it would limit us in what we would need in return. I think a soft re-build is in order with guys like Neyens and young Alvarez a couple of years away and untouchable. I really don’t understand how the almost certain lock-out should impact our plans. If anyone has an opinion on that, I would like to hear it.
It is going to come down to what Crane wants and if it is obtainable without giving up Cam Smith. The Astros are now open to moving Blubaugh in the right deal - and have discussed Pecko for pitching under control beyond this season. From what I have been told, Brown has been protective of the players in the lower minor leagues. The most interesting name I have heard connected to the Astros recently is Gausmann from Toronto. Since the Angels have a new GM - the Astros have again asked about Reid Detmers. Robbie Ray and Freddy Peralta have also been discussed. Most the names I have heard have been starting pitchers.
I could see giving up Smith plus a fringey prospect for Detmers and Adell. Detmers is controlled thru 2028 so has a lot of value. Adell and Wade would pair to form a borderline elite LF platoon. All those other pitchers are rentals and not worth giving up Smith.
I don't think that the Astros would give up Smith for a rental (sorry if I didn't post that) - they want a pitcher with control beyond just 2026 ideally.
Crane should fire Espada now, let Lopez get a look and let Dana know it’s time to shine or get him a Burger King application. Just the change of manager may be all we need
The owner and general manager need to have a completely honest and long conversation about what they are doing going forward and exactly what expectations are. It is highly unlikely that Brown is going to be able to change how Crane feels - but a clear cut direction needs to be established. Seems like the Astros have definitely decided to "go for it" based on the players that the Astros are targeting, but it also seems like Brown isn't wanting to "win at all costs". The Astros have increased what they will make available in trade, but they have been very definitive in protecting the guys in the lower minor leagues, and while the Astros took a couple of players in the draft that will move quickly - they overall had a pretty balanced approach. Doesn't seem like Brown wants to throw everything in but the kitchen sink to maximize the chances to win in 2026.
I think that the Astros would give up Smith for Detmers and Adell, especially if they make another move as well. Detmers is someone that they asked about multiple times the last few years and again this season. They think that he can be really good with some tweaking.
I agree. I would think managing a ball club is much like being your own daytrader in the stock market. It's easy to say go for it and feel the market will only go up, but that's hard to do when you've been burned before. The best ways to make this work is to have a plan in mind before you invest. What if scenarios that cover short term gains or losses and what if the market crashes? Will you have more to throw in on the dip? Astros don't want to take what they can get by trading away pieces they could either develop more or get more for next season. If ownership feels this team has a good chance at winning the division by adding a few key players but it would cost them to start selling next season if it went sideways then is it worth it. Are they prepared to sell and at what quantity? Who goes first just to get rid of and who do they hold onto for more of a return? Also, is the trade this year just the start of adding more in the off season regardless of how it turns out? These conversations all need to happen so everyone is on the same page and there are no surprises.
Other than Yordan and Altuve, there are zero position players that I would be devastated to see go if it improves the roster as a whole.
