Goldschmidt and Greinke makes an awful lot of sense for Houston. They’re one of the only contenders who need help at both 1B and SP. They’re one of the only contenders with both payroll flexibility and appealing 2nd tier prospects. It’ll all boil down to how much money Arizona is willing to eat. But if Greinke and Goldy are traded together, I can’t see them going anywhere but Houston. With Chirinos in the mix now, Nooks proposition of adding those 2 and Pollock makes more sense. Greinke, Goldy, and $30M for JBB, White, Kemp, and Martin. Pollock for $60M/4yr. Sign a few lotto NRI relievers to compete for a bullpen spot. RF Springer 3B Bregman 2B Altuve 1B Goldschmidt SS Correa CF Pollock DH Gurriel LF Reddick C Chirinos Bench: Diaz, Stassi, Marisnick Rotation: Verlander, Cole, Greinke, McHugh, James Bullpen: Peacock, Diekman?, Devenski, Smith, Harris, Rondon, Pressly, Osuna Optioned: Stubbs, Reed, Davis, Fisher, Straw, Tucker, F Valdez, C Perez, Guduan, Rodgers, Armenteros, Abreu, TBD x 3 60 Day dL: Martes, McCullers
With Chirinos being signed, I see Stubbs playing a bigger role next year over Stassi. Chirinos has slightly better splits vs lefties and Stubbs crushed RH pitching at Fresno last year. Stubbs also gunned down 45% of would be base stealers while hitting .310/.382. Stubbs is also 35 out of 38 in sb attempts in his minor league career. I am all over the Goldschmidt/Greinke proposal, but would not include both Kemp and White. Kemp, Bukauskas + McCutchen over Pollock would be a better signing in my opinion. Much more durable, no loss of draft pick and a clubhouse leader. I could see Cutch raising his avg back closer to .300 while maintaining high obp and good power #'s.
Yes on Stubbs! I'm a believer in him. Did not care for Stassi from what I saw last year. Also, with us apparently replacing McCann with Chirinos and Gonzalez with Diaz, our already right handed-heavy lineup has gotten even more righty-heavy, so a lefty would be nice.
You would have to be a little more specific on how that is going to happen. Stassi has no options. I expect him to be on the opening day roster and Stubbs to be the 3rd guy in AAA. Unless Stassi or Chirinos get hurt I don't expect Stubbs to be up until September. I do not believe the Astros would sign McCutchen or Pollock if they added Goldschmidt and Greinke. Even if you get 10 million a year back from the Dbacks on Greinke that is still over 38 million next year for Goldschmidt and Greinke. That along with Chirinos salary and arbitration increases puts them over last years payroll. If we get Goldschmidt, Tyler White doesn't have a roster spot and has no options so you either trade him or lose him for nothing.
Would McCutchen be an upgrade over Tony Kemp at this point (assuming we keep Kemp)? Cutch posted a 2.8 WAR last year; Kemp projected to ~2.3 for a full, near-700 PA season. And I'm not sure if this team needs a clubhouse leader?... The core of this team has won a championship and followed it up with a 103-win season. I think the clubhouse and its culture is set.
Yes, I would consider McCutchen an upgrade over Kemp, offensively and defensively. I was hypothetically including Kemp in a deal for Goldschmidt/Greinke. If Astros don't trade Kemp or Tucker, obviously they don't need to sign another OF whether McCutchen, Brantley or Pollock. As far as clubhouse leaders go, I don't think you can have too many good clubhouse guys. Astros lose Dallas, Marwin, McCann & Gattis. Yes, I think we have room for another good clubhouse leader.
I can't speak to the defense - though likely, given Kemp is a trainwreck defensively. But I'm not sure, offensively. McCutchen probably isn't going to get better at 32, and power (along with speed) are usually the first to dip as players age. We have no idea how sustainable Kemp's '18 season was - but he's been an OB machine at every level and was on pace to hit ~10-15 with 30+ doubles. Sure; you'd rather have a guy like McCutchen then, say... Trevor Bauer (I guess). But I wouldn't put a premium on it is what I meant. They don't *need* clubhouse leaders.
Goldschmidt will be a Cardinal. Will have to get an impact player elsewhere. And no, it wont be harper either. Goldy deal will happen soon to the Cards
I love Kemp, he has that knack for getting on base when you need it most. I wish he was a better outfielder but since he is really a 2B Lunhow needs to flip him for an upgrade elsewhere now that Diaz is in the fold. Straw and Tucker should be giving the chance to roam the outfield.
He's got average range and no arm. Luckily, teams didn't run on him as much as they should have last year.
it has nothing to do with luck, He's got a LF arm especially at MMP and certainly can judge flyballs plus has the speed to play out there successfully. He's not Jake but he plays LF well enough to start out there. Although Ideally he's a utility guy.
