Correa is our only truly elite prospect, and even with his struggles Appel is next. None of our other prospects are considered elite, and none of them are going to be the centerpiece of a deal for an all-star. Our system has great depth, great depth. But we aren't loaded with elite prospects. Doesn't mean some of them won't be stars but they aren't mlb "star" level prospects If you aren't willing to move Correa or Appel, you better lower your targets away from guys like Donaldson and Cueto
Yeah I've been saying that, and some people think that's too much. Correa would be almost untouchable, but if we are trading for a young All-Star, Appel is almost a guarantee to be gone. I think some people overall have a disjointed value placed on prospects. I have been on board with Luhnow's entire plan, there isn't much that he's done that I've disagreed with, including the Cosart trade. But we're reaching the point where winning has to become a priority. I'm not saying sell everything to compete this season, but we aren't gonna contend simply by promoting prospects. Not only is there a high fail rate, but they usually take a year or two to really hit their stride, if they ever do. Cashing in some of this depth to supplement the young risers is the best way to start winning. Luhnow knows this, but I'm not sure some people here do. Gotta give something to get something. Good organizations, and I hope that's what we are now, keep replenishing the farm to replace guys that are traded/graduate.
I've been in favor of the whole rebuild although I'm not 100% sold on Luhnow. Won't rehash my thoughts on the draft and Cosart trade but I think the jury is still way out in Luhnow I do agree with you on the prospects though. I think because that is about all we really had to pay attention too for a few years people around here overvalue them in a pretty big way. With our payroll so low I'd still rather see us attack improvement through free agency instead of dealing away prospects. With so many good but not great prospects, you won't get elite talent back without moving Correa or Appel and we just don't know who will and won't turn in to anything out of the rest of the top20. Now if I'm wrong and we can get a star dealing multiple non correa or Appel prospects, then get on with it
I don't really follow our minor leagues that closely, but how did Appel go so quickly from being labeled a potential disaster to untouchable? I know he's been much better in AA, but his numbers don't look untouchable-quality? Has he improved that much to be considered an ace-type prospect?
Is anybody really saying he's untouchable??? That being said, if they were to move him, they'd definitely be selling low. The Astros would probably admit that it was a mistake to send him to Lancaster and put him in the tandem system after he had no training camp or spring training thanks to the appendectomy, and it was clear that Lancaster's hitter friendly confines was already in his head before he threw his first pitch there. He did predictably improve at AA... But what the Astros still don't know is that even if he was at his best, and was dominating, can he really be a staff ace? There were certainly questions about it when he was drafted... what his true ceiling really was... And he obviously hasn't done anything to silence those questions.
Good question. It seems that a few people are lumping Appel with Correa as the two players they wouldn't move in a major trade, but I could be misinterpreting that.
Appel isn't anywhere near Correa, but he still has extremely high upside. Most of his issues seem to be between his ears. If anything his raw "stuff" is better than in college.
To be clear for me, I'm saying Correa is untouchable but not Appel. Appel is the guy we would have to include if we put a package together for a star Regardless of the fan base, overall I think Appel still has "top prospect" value
I could also see a financial reason why the team wouldn't jettison Appel just yet. The bonus money, while ultimately frivolous compared to what the player is worth if he blossoms, is an investment that the team would probably want to see if they can get any sort of direct return on. Not sure if there's ever been a #1 overall pick that's been traded after just his first pro season.
After reading through the past couple of pages I have to ask: Do you come up with these posts on your own or do you have some sort of roulette wheel of bull**** that tells you what to type?
How Quickly? Appel has had games where he could get no one out, followed by games he could do no wrong. Appel has even had games where he is completely unhittable except for that one inning where he can not seem to get anybody out. One has gotta think at some point that Appel has to figure how to get his skills to deliver better results. Despite what Luhnow says publicly about Appel's ETA, I would not be surprised to see Appel pitch the entire year at AA next season.
I would be surprised if that were to happen... at that point, either the Astros are set at starting pitching and there's no room for him, or he's an absolute failure. At the very least, there's no top-level prospects blocking him at AAA, let alone the MLB roster. And we already know that he doesn't have to pitch "well" to get promoted... just needs to be comfortable mentally.
MLBTradeRumors keeps saying that they think Sandoval will get 5 years and 100 million. They also think and hear that the Yankees, Dodgers, and Red Sox will be involved in the bidding. No thanks. I'd much rather the Astros get Headley or Aramis Ramirez on short-term deals for third base.
I've firmly been in the "tap the brakes" camp, in terms of giving away *too* much - but Donaldson is a very good 3B (terrific defensive player). As long as they don't get robbed, he'd be a major get for the Astros. He's, minimum, 4-5 more wins next year (if everything else doesn't fall off a cliff).
The game of baseball has changed drastically over the last 3-4 years. Look at the teams that are advancing in the playoffs. A decade or two ago Donaldson would be viewed as a starter but nothing more. Now, he is one of the 2-3 best third basemen in baseball. He may not mash 45 homers or hit 330, but he does almost everything well. If the Astros can protect most of their top prospects, he is worth targeting.
I think it is worth keeping in mind when we discuss trading prospects that we have the 2nd and 5th pick next year. Both of those picks will likely be in our top 5-7 prospects and can fill a void if we trade some high caliber prospects. Everyone in the minors is easily up for a trade outside of Correa, IMO, if the price is right. If you can get a guy like Donaldson, you make the trade if you think that it is going to better the club over the next 5 years of the deal. That being said, if we can go out and trade for someone of great value (WAR above 4), I would expect the Astros to sign someone of value as well and go into the "we can win now" mode.
