Are you saying if Wagner wasn't traded you think he is on the Astros right now? Because I see no scenario short of injuries to at least 3 of Bregman, Dubon, Altuve, Dezenzo, Whitcomb, Amaya and Kessinger where Dana Brown brings him up in 2024.
I'm saying he should be on the Stros roster right now. How do you think a league avg bat would look at 3B/DH? Heck I would've given him a shot in LF especially at MMP.
I'm saying no way Brown actually does bring him up. If he had not been traded, Kessinger woukd be ahead if him forca callup if necessary. And I think the organization gives both Whitcomb and Dezenzo opportunities ahead of him and with Altuve, Pena, Bregman, Singleton, and Dubon on this roster, Dana Brown is not bringing up another infielder. Zero chance Wagner isn't in Sugar Land the rest of 2024 if he wasn't traded, so losing him does not hurt the 2024 Astros team in any way.
I'm proposing Blanco go to the pen (like we did with Javier in 2021). Kikuchi be your 4th starter in the playoffs. I just don't see the fit for Kikuchi pitching in relief. Blanco has extensive pen experience.
It was (and still is) reasonable to think the Astros gave up too much for a rental. However given everything we've seen from this organization, it was always stupid for everybody to assume we gave up a ton without good reason.
You say has helped us win 6 games and we are 4.5 ahead of the mariners within striking distance of a bye in the playoffs. This trade was well worth it.
How close has he been to 1998 Randy Johnson? 6-0 team record when he pitches. Tons of K’s. Low ERA. Not too shabby.
