And on top of that, it's not like he'd be going to some crappy city. I could understand if he didnt want to move to Milwaukee or Cleveland...but playing for the best team in the AL, having a legitimate chance at a World Series ring, and living in a good city...not sure why there would be any reason to veto a trade. That would be ridiculous if it came to that and Hamels rejected the opportunity.
My CRAZZZZZYYYYY trade idea for today: Astros get: Cole Hamels, Jon Papelbon (and Phillies agree to pay for an undisclosed portion of both player's remaining financial obligations) Phillies get: Jose Altuve, Mark Appel, Derek Fisher & Josh Hader DK Hamels LMJ Obie Feldman/McHugh/VV Kemp-4 Correa-6 Springer-9 Tucker/Rasmus-7 Carter-3 Valbuena/Lowrie-5 Gattis-hitter Castro-2 Marisnick/Rasmus-8
I like the idea overall. Would be incredibly bold to move Altuve's friendly contract for 2 bloated ones, even given this team's current position. The massive question remaining is Kemp leading off...no one even considered it before this season. Now we're going all in with 2 older guys and throwing a guy who's never played in the ML and wasn't a hugely touted prospect before the season into the leadoff slot on a team that you want to win the WS?
I think because McCullers and Correa have come up and immediately been awesome, some feel like any prospect playing well in our system can easily come up and be great I'd pump the brakes on moving Jose
Nobody is enamored by Houston from afar. Hell, people in Milwaukee and Cleveland feel their cities are far more pleasant than Houston (especially in the summer when the season is... Hell, I love Houston, but i hate the weather and traffic more and more every year). Apparently, Randy Johnson hated every second of living here. Obviously he loved being on a first place team, but having his first taste of Houston living being in the heart of humidity filled/mosquito laden summer basically all but sealed his impending departure.
Not true. Many people living in places like Illinois, Ohio and Wisconsin do not especially want to live there. They complain about their harsh winters far more often than the humidity and temperature in places like Houston. I have maintained multiple residences in Illinois and Ohio for nearly a decade. The economic issues up here especially have hit the region very hard. Randy Johnson also did not like NYC, and already maintained a residence in Arizona prior to being dealt to Houston. Historically more players than not have been happy to come to Houston, and few have listed the city as a reason to live. Every person is different and every situation is dependent on factors such as where someone is born, their personal preferences and where their roots are; but the idea that the CITY of Houston is going to hurt the Astros in recruiting or trading for players is foolish.
Underratedly I would love to make a move for Joey Votto. I think he would stabilize our otherwise erratic offense. I'd hold onto Reed, move Singleton and some pieces. FWIW, Votto is like a career .450 hitter at MMP
20 million dollars. If a team on no trade list can get a deal made for Hamels, they can get a deal made for him with him forcing option to be picked up. The only risk to demand option being picked up is that you get traded to a place you want to be instead. Not a bad deal.
yep agree on both points. Though the trade above certainly is intriguing. Would rather move Kemp instead of Altuve in that deal. Unproven instead of proven
He's owed $212MM over the next 8 years. He's 32 years old. The Astros are more likely to sign me than trade for Joey Votto.
Yeah, I'm aware of his price and age. I would expect a significant portion of that contract to be paid, and we have the prospects and depth to make it work.
You're absolutely right; no one should assume anything when it comes to these prospects. The current Kemp infatuation (which I'm admittedly driving) is based solely on the fact that he seems to excel in an areas where the team is decidedly terrible. He's patient, works counts, draws walks... They really, and truly don't have anyone like that, outside of Springer, although I don't think "lead-off potential" was among his skill-set.
Why would trade and then pay an enormous price for the opportunity to watch a player age and decline? At the expense of Singleton, Reed, Nottingham, not to mention a position where you can slide guys who hit but can't find other places to play, maybe a Derek Fisher or JD Davis? I highly doubt it'll ever happen, and would be openly irked if it did.
I mean, basically every stud FA signing or veteran trade prize is set going to age and decline. Thats just how it is. Hamels is going to age and decline. Cueto. Pretty much every feasible impact player will age and decline. Yes, obviously, the price would have to be right. But CIN needs prospects badly. Their farm lacks depth. We can provide depth. In exchange, we get a perfect fit at 1B (in contrast with the rest of our lineup), and depending what we determine to give up, control how much of the contract CIN will eat. CIN has little reason to keep Votto. They are better off eating a substantial portion of his contract in exchange for a handful of prospects, some of whom may be gone via Rule 5 anyways. Votto is coming off a down year in 2014, but he's still a very solid hitter and would be a fantastic addition to our team. He may not have the most power on our team, but I do believe he would be our best and most advanced hitter. Now, obviously, it all depends on what we're willing to give up and what they are willing to eat. But I would move say, Santana, Singleton, and another piece or two and pay Votto 60-70MM for the remainder of his deal.
I don't man - if the Reds agree to eat 65-70% of his deal, I think they're going to want more than Singleton/Santana/piece 1 and/or 2. But I go back to age and length of contract: I'd really be irked if the Astros dumped whatever chunk of Votto's salary they'd assume + 8 years onto a team they promised they were going to build the right way.
Luhnow said on 790 that anyone on the big league roster right now is not available in trades. Specifically mentioned McCullers.
Interesting, I assume he is referring to the young guys. If the Astros trade for someone, they obviously will need to send someone down, trade a player, or release a player to make room on 25-man roster.
I wouldn't put too much faith in what he says publicly on a radio show It isn't like he is going to come out and let his players hear him say "oh yea we would move guys like McCullers and Vince if we like the deal"
Don't laugh me out of the thread... I know that Cueto is somewhat available and we have the prospect package to pretty much get anyone. I really like his makeup, age, and situation for us better than Cole Hammels. My question is, would it be too expensive for us to get Cueto AND Chapman? I personally do not want to see Qualls pitch again this year and I'm not looking forward to Gregerson closing out games during a pennant race. I would love to get Chapman, designate Qualls for assignment, and move everyone down a peg. I know that the pen is a strength and it's very hard to beat us when we're up after 6... but I want to make it impossible to beat us if we're up after 6. If a Cueto/Chapman deal is too expensive in terms of prospect cost, could we afford maybe a package that returned Kazmir, Clippard, and Zobrist?
