good with that. He had a couple of decent years...though he's likely done. But if he's an interim platoon 1B or DH after trading Singleton until a solution is figured out, it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. (Just thinking ahead...seems like trading Singleton is plausible)
I have heard the Astros offered 5/65...same average, but one more year. Sickening that Astros can't win a free agent deal with one extra year at same rate. Granted, I think Astros choose the wisest path to rebuild...just need to see if they are choosing the right players. Astros are going to need to win 80+ to get rid of the stigma, IMO. In terms of risk, he at least has a lot of upside on his contract and that assumes the 2012 season was a fluke. I suspect he'll put up about 11 WAR over the next 4 years provided he doesn't get hurt badly. He signed a contract worth about 6.5 WAR. That's a lot room for error on the injury front or in case he ages poorly.
come on.. let's be realistic. he chose the NYY over the Astros. there is no embarrassment or shame in it. swap NYY with the Royals & yea, i would be disgusted. for what it is right now, no biggie.
Maybe the front office super-computer should stop spitting out players that the Yankees are also targeting!
Maybe the Yankees are just offering contracts to people they think Astros are after. It is very scary that the Yankees are the team that seems to value players like the Astros.
NYY traded for Headley last season & andrew miller spent the last 4 seasons in the AL East while dominating as a reliever for the last 3 years. There is no conspiracy
Way to throw logic on it. I have heard that the Astros and Yankees are the two teams that value defense the most. So....where are the Chris Carter is on the trade block rumors? I've been hearing a lot about right handed power being in demand this off season. Astros are a team that may be willing to accept more value that isn't right handed power for right handed power.
And its a lot more money in Houston without state income tax. There is no conspiracy... I'll be more worried if they can't lock up Springer to an extension.
fortunately the astros have the luxury of time to get this done. i think 6 more years until he becomes a FA. although his arbitration years will get expensive.
At that point, if he's dominating, it won't make sense for him to sign an extension. The type of extension I'm looking for them to obtain is one that buys out the arbitration years and maybe a couple of free agency years. The time to sign (for both parties) would be now... Astros have to pay guaranteed money with the slight gamble that Springer may not match that value, and they have to offer enough to make it seem worth it to Springer, who then won't have to wait till 31 to finally get a multi-year deal.
True. Very tricky situation. Personally, I would like to give Springer a few seasons in the show to prove himself before signing him long term. Clearly Springer is not interested in signing a "Singleton" type of deal. Going forward, I would like to see Springer improve his approach, plate discipline, and contact %. On top of that, it would be nice if he started stealing bases. Just a few things before opening the vault to an inexperienced 25 year old.
Sure... but the average salary is going up every single year... so the more you wait, and even if Springer does exactly what he did during his rookie year (never improves...but stays healthy), its gets more and more expensive. There's nothing to suggest (based on all the college AB's, minor league AB's, and his rookie year) that he'll stop hitting HR's, getting on base, having a great arm and having great outfield range... yes, he'll steal more bases (if his quad is healthy) and possibly strike out less which will raise his average... but just the former goes for a major premium these days (not to mention that he'll easily be this team's most marketable/recognizable player once they're good... hell, he's already been on the cover of SI).
Like I said above... even if he simply hits like he is now, and never improves (which is doubtful unless you truly think he's peaked), that 40+HR, .350 OBP, +.800 OPS trend (combined with OF speed/arm) will get him a ton of money. If he fixes the "major issues with his swing" as you put it... he'll get Trout/Stanton/A-Rod money for sure. Thus, makes more sense to possibly lock him up now after his half-season spectacular, but injury-shortened, rookie year as salaries are likely going to continue to rise till whenever the next CBA expiration/threatened work stoppage is. I'd say the only "gamble" would be his health... and that's only a concern because he missed so much time with a nagging injury last year (he hasn't shown to be injury prone prior).
Position players have not been having as significant of improvements in most cases in the post steroid era from what I've read than the steroid era.
That could very well be the case... was one of the reasons why I was clamoring for him in 2013 when I stated at the time he may be exactly who he is, and more "seasoning" wasn't the reason for keeping him down. But given who that is, its still worth a lot now... and will likely be worth even more in subsequent years even if its the exact same production. But then again, you also see guys like Altuve and Carter make strides... so I'll still say its unlikely George has already peaked (hell, he hasn't even filled all the way out yet).
