I forgot about him and what about Rafael Montero? Is he a free agent? He somewhat looked okay in limited games.
A quick musing on Grienke.. Why is it automatically assumed that he’s leaving? he’s still looked quite good.. at times, and then like he’s lost it at others . But it appears he’s been battling injuries ? I wonder what he wants to do the rest of his career ? How much longer he wants to play? What will happen to his body ? but I hope that he likes the organization and they embrace him . Because he’s a genius and we need to replace storm. I propose we already have an elite rotation . Framber and Luis and lance and Jose are in their prime . It’s prime time . Options for 5th starter are Odorizzi or Raley opening for Grienke . Javier out of the pen ? Zach out of the pen too maybe . does he want more than Odorizzi $ ?
One thing could depend if the NL ends up getting the DH. If not, does he want to go to the NL so he can hit? Another is, Astros always pull him early and not sure he likes that. Was it two years ago where he said it seems like they don't trust me. Now that was about Hinch but Baker essentially did the same. Now sometimes it was deserved but sometimes he could have gone longer.
The Yankees aren't adding a 10 year 300 million dollar free agent. They'll sign one of the other great short stops on a short deal. The QO for Verlander is going to be a poison pill and I think he stays here. Remember what happened to Keuchel.
Montero is an interesting case. He looked pretty good in his 4 appearances with the Astros before his shoulder problems. However, he is in his 3rd year of arbitration and is estimated to get 3.1 million. I don't know that the Astros want to risk that. Maybe they reach a deal before they have to tender him with a lower salary and some incentives.
Handicapping Correa: Tigers 20% Yankees 20% Astros 10% Marlins 5% Rangers 5% Phillies 5% Angels 5% Mystery team 30% Handicapping Verlander: Tigers 20% Astros 15% Giants 10% Angels 10% Padres 10% Dodgers 10% Yankees 10% Mystery team 15%
Fangraphs depth charts are updated with 2022 projections (don’t yet include players with contract options like Gurriel). Astros project for 42.5 war (5th in MLB, would mean something like 90-95 wins). Positional rankings: C 27th 1B 17th (no Gurriel) 2B 2nd SS 20th 3B 2nd RF 5th CF 27th LF 8th SP 11th RP 9th So with Yuli factored in, they’d project to be excellent at 2B, 3B, RF, and DH, very good at 1B, LF, and RP, average at SP, below average at SS, and terrible at C and CF. The projections sure don’t think much of Meyers and Pena. Prescription: sign Marte and Story, trade for Zunino, Castillo, and Hader. Boom. https://www.fangraphs.com/depthcharts.aspx?position=Team
@Snake Diggit Odds on the Red Sox getting Correa? I've seen reports saying they could be a suitor, with a desire to improve 2B. As in, move Bogaerts to 2nd as his D is regressing and sign Correa to play short. I don't think he ultimately signs there but I don't think they should be lumped under the "Mystery Teams." If I had to guess, I'd say Tigers - They have the $$$, AJ Hinch factor, and I think the consensus among people around the league is they're closer to contending than the average casual fan thinks.
Volpe is a stud. It's believed whoever they sign would have to move positions when he's ready... cc has too much ego to move for a rookie. This isn't arod fleeing arlington with jeter in his way...
Not saying this is a good idea or that i would do it... but with Cora and Hinch immediately getting jobs again after their suspensions... Carlos Beltran replaces Dusty Baker? I bet Correa would like...
Surprisingly enough, Correa does not seem to be as coveted elsewhere as he is in Houston. I’ve actually heard from more than a few long time Yankees fans that there is no chance in hell the Yankees go after him. They actually do have SS’s in the pipeline (better than Peña/Leon), and Seager on a shorter term deal, being left-handed, would probably bring similar value. The intangible stuff is what nobody can measure (except Houston)…. And basically eliminates all non contenders from the discussion. if Correa wants to make a go of it in Detroit, so be it Detroit is a model of where the Astros could be 10 years from now with Correa = Miggy. If Correa thinks the Rangers are close, have at it the odds for the Astros retaining him are a pretty accurate… he likely doesn’t have as many for sure suitors as suspected.
Any interest in Jon Gray? Or is he no better than what we have already and it'll just be adding depth? Oh he wants to return to Colorado and he reportedly rejected a 3 year 35 to 40 million.
Just having our peeps stay healthy and getting some pitching… we will be right back in it next year. Losing Correa won’t matter if we add a solid starter and another relief pitcher. AmIRight?
If the Astros push the luxury tax they should have around 60 mil too spend. I like going heavy on pitching. JV for the QO (18.4 million) Graveman 2yrs/10 mil LH Reliever/Power Arm 1yr/4-5 mil (non-tendering Raley offsets most of this) Trade L.Garcia, Javier and 2-3 quality prospects for Glasnow under his last two seasons of arbitration (5 mil slotted number on Cots for his ARB3 season). Rays are floating him on the trade market. That could leave the Astros 25-27 mil left too add a bat to the lineup. 1. Maldonado 2. Gurriel (could play third) 3. Altuve 4. Bregman (could play SS) 5. FA SS/1B/3B 6. Brantley 7. McCormick 8. Tucker 9. Alvarez 10. Castro 11. Diaz 12. & 13. Best Two Prospects amongst Leon, Pena, K. Lee, Meyers, Siri, Stubbs, etc 1. Verlander 2. Glasnow 3. McCullers 4. Valdez 5. Urquidy 6. Pressly 7. Graveman 8. Stanek 9. P. Baez 10. Maton 11. LH Power Arm 12. Odorizzi 13. Best prospect amongst Paredes, Taylor, Solomon, J. James, Scrubb, Abreu, etc etc
We don't know what the luxury tax will be and what the new rules will be until the CBA gets done. If you are talking about getting back to a similar payroll as last year it is closer to 45 million to spend.
He doesn't move the needle much for me. I would prefer someone that would pencil in at least as a number two behind Lance and ahead of Framber/Garcia/Urquidy.
