I love what Josh Reddick brings to the outfield and club house, anything from the plate is gravy but Tucker getting a little bit of grown man strength on that lanky frame is a great sign. If he earns the starting spot and the rest of the line up is healthy opposing pitchers are going to need a double play from Maldonado every inning. Tucker is now seasoned enough after the playoff run to hold the starting position and let Reddick fill in late and spot start. I keep Reddick for clubhouse reasons unless the trade is viable roster improvement. Players in contract years many times have that career year, he just turned 33 yesterday (Happy Birthday) and has the right attitude to deal with all the public backlash. The guys will rally around his charisma of DGAS.
Crane has stated money not going to be an issue this season and it has been long suggested to trade Reddick for salary relief. I am stating at this point keeping him is probably the best thing for the team because he has that wresting attitude of screw the rest of them we got this. His attitude will be more important in navigating this troubled waters season than saving his $13 million which by many account may require giving something else away.
I think the Astros will have a tough time getting adequate return for mediocre veterans that were on the 2017 team. Other teams may not want to deal with the hassle.
Rank by position: C 19th 1B 17th 2B 1st SS 2nd 3B 1st CF 3rd RF 8th LF 7th DH 1st SP 7th RP 8th If I’m Click I target Willson Contreras and Jon Gray (and would be willing to take on Wade Davis and Charlie Blackmon if it meant lowering the prospect cost of Gray).
Houston Astros: Jared Hughes is the team’s latest reclamation project Hughes posted a 4.04 ERA, while tossing 54 strikeouts to 32 earned runs along with a 1.18 WHIP, 6.8 K/9, 1.6 H/9 through 71.1 innings pitched with the Cincinnati Reds and Philadelphia Phillies in 2019. https://houseofhouston.com/2020/02/...jared-hughes-team-latest-reclamation-project/
By no means am I posting this and trying to say I'm happy that Severino is out. I feel bad for the guy since he can't seem to get healthy (dating back to around this time last season). However, I would find it very ironic if the Yankees "Elite Rotation" was all of a sudden dwindled down to Cole, Tanaka and Happ (Paxton out until at least June).
Cubs have tried hard to deal Contreras but no one will pay their asking price. Clubs are concerned about his focus and competitiveness. Yeah he admittedly mailed in part of the season last year... but he can really hit... he would be an awesome get for the Astros.
