This is one more sign that Luhnow/Crane really do get it. They know we will not be good at the mlb level this year. Trades like this have dual purposes, one we get back some prospect guys who may or may not make it. The more numbers you have of mid level prospects gives you that much more of a chance that some make it. It also likely makes you a little worse at the major league level, which means even higher likelyhood you draft first again. If you are bad, be bad, and draft at the top. The chances of us being really good in 2015 gets better and better everytime a deal like this is made
Jake Elmore is another consideration. If either Elmore or Gonzalez do not make the team, they will start the season in AAA and will fight Jonathan Villar for PT at SS.
I hated to hear Lowrie is gone... But I do feel better after reading some thoughts here. I don't mind Big Luh not thinking of the fans in terms of players... But come on with the CSNHouston thing... Enough already
I think it's best to trade Lowrie now. Marwin Gonzalez played well last year and Corea, Mier, Villar are all 2-3 years away. Just no point in keeping Lowrie if he's not in the future plans. Make a case we could have gotten more mid-season but we were at .500 and I do believe the front office wants to see the young guys winning and growing together (ala Rockets). Oakland has one of the best farm systems if we can get three prospects from them you have to trust Luhnow knows what he's getting.
I wouldn't consider the Astros an "opponent". That would infer that the Astos actually compete when they play.
I don't think he will trade altuve, he seems like an important part of the future considering he is still 22
Next Person I can see being traded would be Bud. Or maybe even Harrell, but I'd rather keep him even though I think he will regress a bit