The Astros gave up Drew Sutton a couple of years ago to get Keppinger. Seems like yesterday that people were freaking out about dealing a "solid young prospect" for a "mediocre journeyman".
A few points: 1. I'd much rather have a 1st round pick and supplemental pick for Keppinger. (Interesting though that Sosa was ranked just two notches below Bumgarder by BA in 2007...hasn't showed much since...and while a starter he has yet to actually start a game in his 17 AAA appearances.) 2. The picks we would receive for Keppinger would be made by whoever is picked to head the new regime. I feel alot more comfortable with Mr. X making future moves than I do Wade/Heck at this point. 3. Altuve, while appearing to have a bright future for the Astros, will be jumping from Lancaster (A) to Houston in the span of a month.
i agree with all that...i guess the better question would have been, what are the chances that he would have turned down arbitration?
I'm thinking the chances him declining would be good...I can't imagine any veteran desiring to spend any longer on this sinking (sunk) ship than they have to.
A couple of things here, doesn't Kepp need to reject arbitration for us to get those picks? Why would he reject a raise? Valverde did it because he was a premier closer looking for BIG MONEY, Kepp would accept his arbitration in a heart beat. Also, clubs know that they would lose a first rd pick plus signing him to a multi-year deal, what's the incentive in picking up a utility guy?
He wouldn't turn down a starting position with a NICE raise coming his way. He would just wait to get traded next season. Edit - He was making 2.9 million this season, he is looking at making over 5 million next season...would be dumb to turn down.
I'm pretty sure Kepp has one more year of arbitration left so he wont be a free agent until 2013. By then one or maybe both of these two pitchers might be in the majors.
Good article on Sosa: http://www.sfdugout.com/entry.php?82-The-Fall-of-Henry-Sosa-Top-Pitching-Prospect
well, they would certainly make it clear that he wouldn't have a starting position. so he'd have to be willing to languish on the bench on a god awful team.
And making 5 million + for being a bench player...Ty Wiggington all over again. Stros would probably not offering arbitration and let him be a FAgent. Plus, if Kepp is here, Altuve isn't so who starts ahead of Kepp?
Because of what Mills said tonight...you don't do what Altuve has and bring him up to sit on the bench. So you play Altuve and bench the 5 million dollar man instead? You could play Kepp at 3rd but his production is nice for 2nd but not so much for 3rd...in a regular lineup that is.
sure. would you rather lyon or melancon close games? would you rather carlos lee or j.d. martinez start in left field next year?
I don't have a problem with the Keppinger deal even if we didn't have a guy like Altuve to bring up. Stoffel seems like a decent prospect that might be able to crack our bullpen shortly and with as bad as our bullpen is, why not give the Sosa guy a try at some point? Both of those guys have a good shot at being upgrades over the guys that we are marching out there every night. Glad to see them bring up Altuve and even more glad to hear that he will be playing everyday.
Imagine if 4 years from now, we are in contention and can't afford to add a missing piece or two because we pointlessly called up the likes of Lyles, Altuve, etc... and started their clocks during a meaningless season. Note: I'm not on top of all the details of how clocks and stuff work so if these moves have zero financial bearing on the future, disregard the previous comment.
If all these guys are that valuable, and we "can't afford to sign them" because they all panned out, and we're in contention... why would you complain about arbitration eligible years? I'd be ecstatic... and then focus on signing guys who are re-signable (or letting guys go who don't need to be overpaid). Also, you have to realize that this has to be a continuing revolving door from here on out.... prospects come up, while more prospects get seasoned. When we get close, trade seasoned prospects for established stars (but don't trade EVERYBODY). Continue to draft well and SIGN those picks. That's how you avoid lulls like the Astros are in now... with no superstars at the major or high minor league levels.
