I wouldn't say Asian in NYC is better. It's just different. I think NYC Chinese is vastly overrated. Nothing like San Francisco or Vancouver. Vietnamese in Houston world class with only Orange county being comparable. Japanese in NYC is definitely better. Houston has probably the most underrated food scene in the country. That's why Houston is freaking fat.
I have lived in NY, Houston (and in Asia, the Middle East and Europe). Houston’s food is world class. The (good) Chinese is on par with NY, and Vietnamese is way better. Middle Eastern/Turkish is just as good. Indian is better. Obviously BBQ, southern, creole all way better. NY has great sushi and good European food (though their Italian is overrated - very Americanized in general) … but nothing else is better than in Houston. Houston is as good as any city in the world in terms of variety, quality and quantity (not just a few top restaurants) except for Singapore, Hong Kong and perhaps Dubai. In the US, Chicago, NY, LA and San Fran can compare … but none is better. Damnit, now I’m hungry … and way off target. Let’s get Giotto. There!
I would give up Barber or Loperfido to go along with Daniel's, Perez, and Bielak for Snell and Harder. Then I would use some of the other guys to add an impact bat.
That’s probably a fair deal. I wouldn’t mind it. Barber, Perez, Daniels, and Bielak would roughly be the org #4, 25, and 35 prospects plus a MLB-ready BoR SP. Fans that don’t like Bielak would crow that it favors Houston too much.
If you told me Crane could and would be willing to re-sign Ohtani and he would be willing to re-sign with the Stros, I would do this deal
If you told me Crane could and would be willing to re-sign Ohtani and he would be willing to re-sign with the Stros, I would do this deal
That’s a possibility. I’m also wondering if there is concern about Javier regaining last years form, or they feel like there will be more LH bats on the market than initially thought.
The issue with Bielak is he will no longer have options next year, is already in arbitration, and has not developed to the point where he can remain on an MLB roster for the entire season. That's exactly a player who has little to no value. As of 2024 a team will be worse off being stuck with him than not, unless they simply don't have 13 MLB calibur pitchers on the roster. This year might as well be a AAAA level rental. I also fully expect him to be released by the Astros this offseason if not traded.
You consistently dramatically overestimate the value of a 40 man roster spot and minor league options. Bielak might very well be DFA next offseason, but he will be claimed if he is. And if he isnt claimed he will certainly not just be released. He may not have much trade value if teams think he’s just another replacement level arm. But he is a guy who has put up a sub-4 era over 10 MLB starts this season who has 4 more years of control remaining; so it’s reasonable to believe that other teams might view him as a solid SP5-6 or possibly a guy whose FB might tick up in relief, making him very valuable there.
Man, we are hard on our young guys. Bielak is a sub 4 ERA guy that has lots of control. We paid a lot more for a lot less(cough, Odorizzi, cough). He's valuable if nothing more than an inning eater. I would give him up for a legit playoff starter, but otherwise I would keep him since we need inning eaters. As Brown said, we need to trade our outfielders for pitchers and infielders. If Dubon goes down, we will be really short on infield depth. I don't want to be trotting out Hensley during the playoffs.
I understand what you are saying. Maybe teams believe that, but are they sure enough to actually trade away another player to find out? If a team has to DFA a player to send him to the minors, and he has not yet proven good enough to stay in the majors, why would they consider him someone who adds value to a trade? As much as you say I overvalued a 40 man roster spot, I think you under estimate it. However I am talking about the 26 man, not the 40 man. I think being required to be on the 26 man reduces the value of a prospect, and almost kills the value of a journeyman who is already in arbitration unless he can stay in the majors. He is essentially a rule 5 guy next year, but the team will be using trade equity to trade for him. Teams want roster flexibility and talent upside. Bielak does not provide either.
Exactly, which is why I would put him in this trade. He will be traded if he doesn't make the Stros bullpen next year. He does have value. I kinda expect him to make next years team as a long reliever since there will be a big change in next years bullpen.
