Interesting due to the recent conversation about first base: <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>The <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Astros&src=hash">#Astros</a> are pursing free agent slugger Mike Morse, source tells <a href="http://t.co/MCrT7Pxynv">http://t.co/MCrT7Pxynv</a>. Morse and Porter were in Washington together.</p>— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) <a href="https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/statuses/410514501717352448">December 10, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Help me understand why Morse > Carter. I know Morse had a killer 2011...was it just injuries that brought him down the last couple of seasons? I'd rather roll with Singleton and see where that gets you than bring in Morse at this point.
Also being reported by Tags: <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>RHP Jose Veras says he would like to return to Houston; <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Astros&src=hash">#Astros</a> have interest in Morse, Crain and Gaudin. <a href="http://t.co/VIqkeCoHbF">http://t.co/VIqkeCoHbF</a></p>— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) <a href="https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/statuses/410518409613283328">December 10, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> I would love to see Crain in Houston. Bringing Veras back would be interesting. I would hope that we pull in one of the mentioned above. As much as we need bullpen help, it is worth remembering these guys can be flipped too. As long as it doesn't cost us picks, I see no issue in signing these guys to some decent deals.
No clue. If Fowler wasn't on the team, I could see Morse being someone to plug into the corners for a decent fit, but this makes it to where he would have to play DH. I would rather keep ABs with Carter and not take a chance on injury ridden Morse. If anything (more so than Singleton), you have to wonder what Wallace is thinking right now.
Seriously!?!? I am usually not one to complain about athletes' personal lives but this guy is a total *******. http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/07/11/19410431-giants-pitcher-chad-gaudin-accused-of-improperly-touching-hospital-patient
Inevitably. He apparently has not made very much money as his attorney was terrible. Rhabdomyolysis causing disorientation to the point where he was disoriented at a hospital and fondling a woman? Is this the new athlete's defense for sexual assault charges? Claiming that the breakdown of their muscles from overexertion that leads to the release of muscles fibers into the kidneys? I guess they didn't blood test him because this was mere indecency? I wish athletes would just fess up to getting drunk and making mistakes.
I would also like to throw in that not having Hector Ambriz or Phil Humber on the roster may be our best move this off season.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>The <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Astros&src=hash">#Astros</a> are one of a handful of teams who have talked with reps for Grady Sizemore, who hasn't played since 2011.</p>— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) <a href="https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/statuses/410569226122821632">December 11, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Source: The Astros have interest in Joba Chamberlain. Buy-low candidate who, as a rookie in New York, had his locker next to Roger Clemens.</p>— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/statuses/410578817598500864">December 11, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Didn't really want to bump the International Signing Period thread, but a slight change is coming to the July 2, 2014 period. As you may or may not know, teams are allowed to sign up to 6 players for under $50K without having their bonuses count against the team's bonus pool. Well, no more.
Kenta Maeda is garnering consideration as being the next best thing to Tanaka, provided that Tanaka isn't posted. Want him, would like to see the Astros make a run at him, or pass on him? <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>A lot of buzz today from scouts about the future of Japanese RHP Kenta Maeda. He wants to come to MLB: <a href="http://t.co/DX4E2XqA2x">http://t.co/DX4E2XqA2x</a></p>— Ben Badler (@BenBadler) <a href="https://twitter.com/BenBadler/statuses/410597641311879168">December 11, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Compared to Tanaka, Maeda doesn’t throw as hard or have a devastating out pitch like Tanaka’s splitter, but he is the No. 2 pitcher in Japan and would go immediately to the majors if posted. This past season, Maeda led Japan’s Central League in ERA and ranked second in strikeouts, posting a 2.10 ERA in 175 2/3 innings with 158 strikeouts (8.1 K/9) and 40 walks (2.0 BB/9). In 2010, Maeda won the Sawamura Award, Japan’s equivalent of the Cy Young. Maeda is a slightly-built 6 feet, 160 pounds and throws around 87-93 mph with good sink and run, though he doesn’t get great angle on his fastball. He’s a good athlete, which helps him repeat his delivery and thrive when his command, which can be plus at times, is on point. Maeda doesn’t have one knockout secondary pitch, but he has a solid-average slider and mixes in a curveball and a changeup as well. “I liked Maeda” said a second international director. “He could be a fourth starter at the big league level. I really like his command and he has a good slider. He doesn’t have much plane, he really has to hit his spots, but he has good stuff. It’s not overpowering stuff, but he’ll keep you in games.” Since the new posting system hasn’t been finalized yet, Tanaka and Maeda are still in limbo at this point. But it’s possible another pitcher could soon be throw into the market.
In short, not nearly enough for the Rays to agree to a trade. I'd consider a Springer/Singleton/Folty or Velaquez deal. Anything more than, I'd rather the stros wait two years and shove all in on him in FA. They certainly wouldn't trade 2 of the big 3 (Correa, Springer, Appel) and I think thats the kind of trade Tampa would be looking for after the Shields trade. Price being far better than Shields and Shields having returned the AL ROY. There's pretty much nothing on the ML roster worth throwing in on a trade besides Castro and he's your 3-hitter/catcher/best player.
given the farm depth at C, I'd love it if we could include Castro as a big piece of a Price deal. But I don't think he'd matter enough to the Rays. Maybe I'm crazy, but I wouldn't give up 1 of the big 3 in a deal. This team isn't even mildly ready to win...why sacrifice potential in the future for a stud right now? I love Price and would want him, but I see no reason to sacrifice much of the future unless Price is locked up for the next 8 years or something
The astros trading for Price would be like cashing in a 401k you'll need for retirement for a fancy sports car that will depreciate to nothing in a few years. Why would the Astros trade the best of their hard earned prospects for a guy who's gonna be free agent before the team is ready to contend again?
