Joe Espada is out with an anal fissure and the bus driver has been diagnosed with clymedia and will not drive the bus.
Snell, 31, is believed to be seeking the same type of contract recently signed by two other Scott Boras clients, Cody Bellinger and Matt Chapman — a three-year deal with two opt outs. The question is whether Astros owner Jim Crane is willing to sign Snell for the $30 million to $32 million annual salary the pitcher is believed to be seeking. The New York Yankees and Los Angeles Angels also have been linked to Snell. But the Yankees must pay a 110 percent luxury tax on every dollar they spend, meaning Snell would cost them almost double his salary. The lack of state income tax in Texas would be another advantage for the Astros. A trade of Urquidy, who is earning $3.75 million, could have created a measure of financial flexibility for the Astros, who repeatedly have dangled the pitcher in recent seasons. But with Urquidy’s physical status uncertain, the team almost certainly cannot move him now. And the roster does not include any other obvious salaries to move. Like Hader, Snell declined a qualifying offer. Because Houston is on track to pay the luxury tax, the addition of Hader cost the team its second- and fourth-highest draft picks in the 2024 MLB Draft — at No. 63 and No. 135 overall — along with $1 million in their international signing bonus pool. If the Astros sign Snell, they must also forfeit their third- and sixth-highest picks — Nos. 102 and 193. For a team with one of baseball’s worst farm systems — and still reeling from a lack of first- and second-round picks in the two seasons following the sign-stealing scandal — it would be a hefty price to pay.
Snell signing would be amazing for the postseason. Javier, McCullers and/or Brown could go straight to the bullpen.
Feel great about the team offensively. Only Diaz has struggled and he appears to be breaking out of his funk.
All winter long on my podcasat I've said the following: "the astros bullpen is just fine- unless they want to go sign Josh Hader" and "The Astros depth of starting rotation is just fine, unless they want to go sign Blake Snell". I'm 1/2 and I'd feel a lot better about going 2/2 if it weren't for all the damn Chandler Rome ****. He's being used like the stooge he is for Boras, I'm almost positive. Still, my head was in the right place. The Astros only make sense to sign guys, with this team, if they are big game hunting. I'd give Snell 3/96 or 6/150 personally. I would also give him 3/75 if he wants 2 opt outs. I don't think I'd do 3/96 with 2 opt outs, but I suppose it's Crane's money so whatever.
Jared took over Crane's other business. Maybe Jim is getting bored and wants some excitement. Spend spend spend!!!!
