Even if it takes Springer until September next season, I don't think playing with retreads in CF for a year will affect the Astros chances of winning a pennant in the next two seasons.
Justin Maxwell is a very good player, not an all star, but a good starter. When you look at his numbers he's actually very similar to Hunter Pence. Minute Maid is only serving to increase his numbers. He has 664 PA, which is basically 1 full season, and his career WAR is 4.1 He plays great defense and has good pop, 28 HR. He's all or nothing offensively, but given his spectacular defense he doesn't have to be that good offensively to have good value. I'm not saying we don't trade him, but Luhnow is a numbers guy. He's under our control for 3 more seasons. He is 29 which certainly hurts his value, but he should only trade him for a package worth his value, or close to it.
I don't think you'll ever see Springer under 125 Ks in a season once he makes it to the majors. Just my observation in the 2 games I saw up close, he is a free swinger with a violent cut. I think the Astros will have to accept that about him.
Springer will strike out. That is something we must live with, but over 50 players struck out 124+ times last season. If he is the five tool player that we believe he can be, the K's will be something that can be easily swallowed. Maxwell really interests me. If Springer can be brought up to play CF or we have another option to play out there (I guess Barnes), then I would be okay with seeing Maxwell go. He brings and interesting blend of athleticism and pop to a club that may be looking for it, and he will make a defensive addition anywhere he goes. This may be the fan in me, but I would hate to see him go if he doesn't bring something above "fair market value" in return. I love watching his game, and he is one of the few bright spots on the team outside of Altuve and Carter offensively. I am all for rebuilding, and Maxwell having a good to great first half would leave us no choice but to possibly trade him, but I like having someone with pop that can roam center field during this desolate time.
I feel like it is a fairly safe assumption Maxwell can hit .240 with 20 hr, 20 sb and play a very good center field. That is far less than all star caliber, but it is still a quality major leaguer. If we could get someone who might have a low floor, but also a very high ceiling, I would be all for moving him. I wouldn't move him for a package of guys who do not have high ceilings though. I think Norris is the most interesting one. If he can put together a very strong first half then I think his trade value becomes as high as pretty much anyone we have moved in this whole process. He is also someone who isn't "young" by rebuilding standards, but if we are optimistic and say we could compete in two or three years, he could certainly be a guy who could be a part of a winning team at that point. I would want a very nice package of quality prospects for Norris or i'd prefer to keep him. Funny in a total rebuild year, but Bedard might be one of our more important players right now. He is certainly not a part of the future here, but if he could be a very solid starter for the first half he could bring back a pretty good prospect or two. Teams always overpay for pitching, and it always seems like what you are doing right now is much more important than your entire track record. And before anyone laughs at getting something for Bedard, we got a pretty good deal for Carlos last year and he could certainly have as much or more value as Carlos did
it's a tough call. lowrie's larger sample size certainly carries more weight. he seems elite when healthy. possible that a better package could have been obtained down the road, but the fact that luhnow acquired lowrie for peanuts in the first place makes me give him the benefit of the doubt.
I wouldn't be surprised if his bat was about on par with Chris Carter's. Only he's got the other tools like speed and his arm to make him a plus player.
Forgot about Bedard. He would also be up there with Maxwell as guys I think are tradeable. I wouldn't trade them for less than market value. I just don't know how high the value would be. There should be plenty of teams needing an outfielder or a pitcher that don't want to break the bank for an all-star.
I think it shows that Lowrie is being overvalued by fans. He has been traded for Mark Melancon and now diminished prospects. It is key that Lowrie has never stayed healthy, and he had bad Home/Road splits last year.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23rangers">#rangers</a> are expecting to trade julio borbon. orioles identified by @<a href="https://twitter.com/britt_ghiroli">britt_ghiroli</a> as 1 suitor, mets, astros among others</p>— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonHeymanCBS/status/324551464888451072">April 17, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
not sure how excited I am about Borbon. He's already 27 and doesn't bring anything J Max doesn't. What am I missing?
I say we claim Borbon off waivers, then put him in Center, put Maxwell in Left, and Fernando Martinez in Right when he gets healthy (not holding my breath though). This would allow us to send JD to the minors (this might be premature, but I am done with him, he shows me nothing to get excited about), and put Carter at DH, with Wallace staying on the bench.
Not sure, I honestly haven't paid too much to the major league team (no Comcast), but off the top of my head I would say either Rick Ankiel or any of the bullpen arms really.
