You play Brantley at Right Field / Tucker at CF and Yordan At LF ( They've played those positions here) while you DH Bell plus platoon Bell with Yuli at 1st base. We're not talking about doing this for 162 games just post Trading deadline and playoffs. These are moves with the post season in mind and post Yuli/ Brantley contracts. For Contreras,I'll let Machete catch our Cy young and Contreras can catch our future cy young Valdez. Then, they paper, scissors, rock for the next starters. That's how I would handle that.
That would be pretty hilarious if they deal for Bell and Dusty has him ride the bench. Dusty moves Yuli to lead off in protest lmao.
I'd sooner let Bryan Abreu take a stab at left field if it came to it. No way is Bell capable of playing a passable left field right now.
The only thing that isn’t clear is how Yordans hand injury impacts his fielding ability. He’s already having to sit out 2 games a week to manage the pain so I’m not depending on him playing LF regularly. Therefore, OF help will be needed at the deadline.
LOL, why is evrybody so set on Bell playing LF. Yordan can already play a passable LF, so can Brantley if he comes back, so can Chas against LHP. There's no scenario in which Bell should be playing LF, he's here to take most of Yuli's reps at 1B and split DH with Yordan. There's like 5 guys that would play LF before him.
Lots of smoke. Nats may be holding out for another team to come in and offer up there farm. Seems like its close though.
Bell would be a big upgrade over Yuli, but for a rental it better be a decent deal for the Astros. The only value this guy is going to provide is in the post-season which may end up being all of <20 PA even if he’s healthy and rostered.
Needs to happen so they can rest Yordan for alittle while instead of trotting him out there with pain
The Astros are looking at short term and longer term players. Astros have been open to trading longer term pieces in the minors or on the roster, but only in exchange for players beyond this season. The Astros are looking at a LOT of players, from bats to starters, to long term infield depth, to relievers. Red Sox are deciding what they will do, and that makes a big difference in the market for the Astros because there are a number of pieces that would impact the Astros. JD Martinez would be a player that would also impact the Josh Bell trade market. There are also a couple relievers that would interest teams. There are some waiting to see if the Red Sox would move one of their middle infield stars in a deal. The Orioles so far haven't signaled a fire sale and their asking price for Trey Mancini has remained more that teams are willing to play. His performance has been up and down so it will be interesting to see if they finally lower their asking cost. The White Sox have so far told teams they are not going to be sellers. They have Jose Abreu who would be in high demand with the Astros and the Mets amongst others. He has signaled he would like to remain on the White Sox, but they haven't worked out an agreement on an extension and the White Sox have a replacement internally in Andrew Vaughn that is ready. Don't count out how strongly the owner of the Sox feels about Abreu. If they make Cueto available, they can likely get a solid return for him. The Astros have spoken to them about Graveman, but the ask has been shot down. Teams are obviously interested in Bennintedi, but the asking price has been high. He is playing well and a number of teams view him as a solution in the outfield with some thought of even letting him play some first (not sure he has ever even played 1st). The player the Astros have been linked to is Michael Taylor. I didn't hear anything on asking cost for Taylor, but I wouldn't think it would be high knowing the Astros. The Astros and A's have talked Lou Trevino from the A's as well. Roberto Perez is another player they have at least asked about. David Robertson is someone that the Yankees, Dodgers and White Sox have been linked to. No idea with the Astros, only was told he is near the top of the list for relief pitchers in this market. The Astros really like Alek Thomas from the Diamondbacks. The Astros interest in Luis Castillo is very strong. The market for him is also very fierce. The Astros don't believe the reports on some of the names being dangled by the Yankees though. The Astros also really want Josh Bell, and possibly beyond this year if the market is fair this off season. They think he has improved as a hitter and will just get better. The active teams are the ones you would expect. The Mets and Yankees and Astros are the teams most active. The Dodgers have been interested in high level relievers and starters. The Mets have a lot of interests in the same players the Astros have interest in. The Mariners have been linked to very prominent players in discussions. Contrary to what will be reported in the media, the Astros would like to move Jake Odorizzi because of some chemistry issues but they don't want to take back any contractual money.
I think the scenario is that Yuli's defense is worth him being an every day starter if Brantley doesn't come back. Makes sense to me.
I can’t imagine the asking price Arizona would put on Thomas. That’s an odd target for Houston. I like Trivino but only if the asking price is low. He’s had bad luck but 6.90 era can’t be totally ignored. I do not want Michael Taylor. I do think Bell makes a good target for Houston this offseason if they intend to move on from both Yuli and Brantley.
It will be discussed internally. You are right that Gurriel is a favorite of Baker and a number of players in that Astros clubhouse and it is a consideration. However, Carlos Correa and Will Harris and George Springer were as well. Ultimately Dusty will do what is best for the Astros or, they will move Gurriel.... which would be a shame, because it is possible he gets hot and then the Astros can DH Bell and put Alvarez in left. If they keep Gurriel and add Bell, I expect to see them playing Bell at 1st and DH and PH.... and do the same with Gurriel, with him also possibly mixing in a little time at other positions. We are likely going to see Alvarez get more rest days.
Alek Thomas is an interesting name. Promising player but would the Diamondbacks part with someone that young?
I can see the Alek Thomas Fit as a Option to play in LF. Bell would be an Instant starter but Like I have said And I hope mainy of you will say, They need to let Yordan get fully healthy. Not put him on th eDL. but let him set and get a PH every now and then till his hands or what ever gets fully better. To me Castillo is the key but at what Price? And as far as Relief Pitchers we do need atleast one. I would love to move Odorizzi to the Cards for Alec Burleson as ive been saying for a minute on here. The kind of trades could make the Astros a force going forward past this year.
