Webb would probably be the most valuable player traded since Juan Soto. The money I had was mostly to cover Lee and give him some surplus value, plus to make it more realistic since there’s probably no way Crane would take on both contracts in full even after dumping Javier. Maybe the same deal without Lee and Mayer and the money is more realistic (so just Webb for Smith, Arrighetti, and Neyens). Then Houston adds Mayer to the Colorado trade and gets both McCarthy and Moniak. McCarthy is not as good as Lee but he’s cheaper. SS Pena DH Alvarez 3B Paredes 1B Walker RF Moniak 2B Altuve LF Wade C Diaz CF McCarthy Bench: Allen, Vasquez, Matthews, Trammell SP: Brown, Webb, Lambert, Imai, Blanco, McCullers RP: Hader, King, Blubaugh, Okert, Sousa, De Los Santos, Abreu
I really don't think that Brown wants to trade Cam - I think it would have to be at the request of ownership to get a big piece, and to protect the prospects in the lower minors. Cam isn't in center right now because they did not want to overwhelm him - as he was already working on his bat. Unless someone better comes along, the Astros want to move him to CF at the right time. In an idea situation he would be in CF in a loaded line up and no one would say much about his bat.
Trevor Rogers rental anyone ? LH starter . Fangraphs war #64 best pitcher this year . Which is still net than our best performer so far with #96 Pete lambert. Could be affordable given he will be a pure rental. Granted the market might be tough. Adrian houser ring a bell ? Not particularly great , but could be an arm that with the right coaching gets hot . Giants player , will likely be for sale
Why don't you want houser ? Granted I just saw he got moved to the pen , but that's actually ok . I feel like he can be an "opener /tandem" guy for us . I like his chances to go out and throw hard for a few innings . Also he was throwing pretty well a year ago. Classic change of scenery guy. Plus he was drafted here lol
Houser is a ground ball pitcher who is now barely above average at getting ground balls. His breaking ball is among the worst in the league. Hes never been able to consistently strike out big league hitters. He’s fine as an extra SP but just not a guy you want pitching for you in the playoffs.
Frees up some money. Houston should have ~$15M under the tax if the Brewers are taking on the whole remainder. That would let them take on a decent but overpaid player like Robbie Ray, Luis Robert, Luis Severino, Sean Manaea, etc. which would lessen the prospect cost.
Rogers would be great but Orioles are only a half game behind us in the wild card race If we want Rogers we need to sweep them this weekend
I know Houston is looking for controllable players but I think it makes more sense for them to target rentals. SP: Casey Mize, Sonny Gray, Foster Griffin, Robbie Ray, Freddy Peralta, Trevor Rogers, Jack Flaherty, Kris Bubic, Brady Singer OF: Seiya Suzuki, Michael Conforto, Taylor Ward, Luis Robert Jr., Lane Thomas This is the first time I’ve considered Conforto a potential target because the Cubs are contending. But they need pitching depth and have a bit of an outfield surplus. Maybe Conforto for Javier and Abreu, with Houston paying 90% of the remaining money owed to Javier and Abreu?
A couple hypothetical trades based on rumors/fit: Astros get: SP Reid Detmers Angels get: OF/2B Brice Matthews P AJ Blubaugh P Bryce Mayer Astros get: OF Michael Conforto Cubs get: OF Jake Meyers P Bryan Abreu P Brandon McPherson $2M Roster: SS Pena DH Alvarez 3B Paredes 1B Walker RF Conforto 2B Altuve LF Wade CF Smith C Diaz Bench: Allen, Vasquez, Trammell, Dezenzo SP: Brown, Detmers, Lambert, Blanco, Imai, Wesneski RP: Hader, King, Okert, Sousa, Teng, De Los Santos, Javier
