NO I get that. He was mocking the trade by saying- OH Anaheim only has to give up Trout, Ohtani and Rendon for Chas and Whitley. That was pure mockery. But, when you account for just how truly terrible the Rendon contract is and the fact that Ohtani only has one year left that makes it a lot more reasonable. If Anaheim wanted to clear the books for new ownership I and I was GM I would probably try to trade Trout and Rendon together and not take back any money and sell Ohtani to the highest bidder. I don't think you'd get much for Rendon/Trout.
Maybe From where the team is now 20% better would be amazing. And all improvements are not equal. If the Pirates wanted to improve 20% it would take mush less than the Astros improving 20%. Let's say the Pirates can be 20% better by adding 3 all star level players or 6 MLB average players. Let's say $50M AAV. The Astros would need to add 3 superstar players and even that isn't likely to get them to over 120 wins and the World Series. Let's say $100M AAV. If there was a guarantee 20% better pay any price.
Yep. I would absolutely pay that price and end our serious competitive window at 2025 if we could put together 2 or 3 monster teams that competed for 120 wins. Then, you either figure out how to build an 88 win playoff team around Yordan, LMJ, Pena and Brown or you trade those guys for serious prospect equity and start over again like you did the last time around. But with maybe the greatest team of all time, hopefully 3 or 4 WS titles and a shitload of brand equity that makes the rebuild quicker and easier to stomach.
Hot Stove picking up again. Would love Kluber or Wacha for 1/$10M, both are veterans who would probably love to ring chase. Then try to use Garcia as a centerpiece for Reynolds.
that game. Still remember it. I recall Bob Knepper started correct? I remember thinking we were cooked but he did pretty good. Remember thinking just get to game seven and get Mike Scott up and it’s over. Scott was unhittable that year. I remember rushing but still passing my driving test during Scott’s no hit clincher. That team had squat for offense. Game 1 was 1-0 Astros on a Glenn Davis bomb. Barely cleared the fence but in left center in the dome that is a bomb
While I did like the idea of signing a veteran SP and using Garcia or Urquidy aa a trade piece for a CF/LF now that Brantley is signed it no longer makes sense. McCormick would now need to part of that deal. Most evaluators see Reynolds as a corner OF playing CF which is fine for what he brings offensively, but the team will need to pay CF value to get him. This basically makes him a better lefty hitting Chas McCormick. Since the team values CF defense, and Meyers' trade value is basically gone, Jake needs to be on the roster as a CF option. For defensive versatility, 5 OF is really the most any team can roster unless one of them can back up in the infield as well. Yordan, Tucker, Brantley, and Meyers leaves room for Reynolds OR Chas but not both. I think this is enough of a reason to start the year with the infield and outfield currently on the roster and look to make a deal, if necessary, before the trade deadline.
They must really think Lee is ready to be in the big leagues if Maldy is the only catcher on the roster.
Confused Maldy, Lee, and Diaz are all currently on the roster. But I agree that they must have some confidence in him or else they would have worked harder to get some of these catchers that signed elsewhere. I still think they MUST sign some veteran to compete for the backup job but the lower he is on the catcher totem pole, the more likely it will be for Lee (or Diaz) to beat him out this spring.
Not a fan of Meyers playing a major role, really. I think there's a decent chance his 2021 numbers were a combination of good luck and the lack of a real scouting report on him, and he could be someone who gets "figured out" (if he hasn't already). His BABIP was 352 in 2021, and 344 in 2022. Before people say "well Pena doesn't have that big of a sample size," they are totally different circumstances. Meyers has 323 career MLB plate appearances so far. Pena has 558, and has already gone through rough patches and showed the ability to adjust to adjustments, not to mention that he also proved himself on the biggest stages of the game. Meyers has a career K rate of about 32%, compared to about 24% for Pena. From a business standpoint, I would keep Meyers in AAA and then try to flip him at the deadline.
After making this trade I would reverse my opinion of acquiring Bryant, what’s another hundred million among friends
I understand your view and while I hope it doesn't come to pass it certainly could. My point was mostly that I don't feel Reynolds is a CFer and since I am convinced the Astros don't feel McCormick is either then SOME CF will need to be on the roster (unless they change philosophy and decide CF defense is less important) and at this point it's Meyers. If that is accurate Reynolds gives the team too many LF and not enough CF. But it would make for a hell of a hitting team !!
If he did play CF, it would likely be a one-year stop gap until Gilbert (I expect him to be promoted aggressively) or someone is ready. Reynolds also has a stronger arm than both Meyers and McCormick. Best of all, this keeps him away from the Yankees. Looking at his Savant numbers, he was actually pretty solid in CF defensively in 2021 (and was a GG finalist), then took a step back in 2022. I expect the Astros are doing their due diligence on Reynolds, but at the same time, I highly doubt a trade actually materializes. But I would love that. Also, it would help if one of Brantley, McCormick, or Reynolds (if we get him) could learn a serviceable backup 1B to relieve Abreu for 20 or so games, that would help in the regular season.
Infield is another interesting area. Dusty likes to give starters, especially veteran starters, off days. As of right now they must have complete faith in Hensley because he looks to be the primary backup for 1B and 3B and possibly 2B and SS. I hope he is above Dubon in the middle positions and Dubon just sits as emergency filler or late inning pinch runner/ defensive sub.
Astros and Reds have had discussions about various players. Astros asked about Alexis Diaz and some minor league middle infielders. Reds want MLB starting pitching and outfielders in the minors.
Well, that would certainly be us dealing from a position of strength. If you bring him in and send out a Garcia or Urquidy the move has to be to try to make Abreu a starter- right?
