I fcking hate false sht like that. If the Astros had any type of interest they would've extended Tucker already.
Rather have Tucker Bregman and Kikuchi for the cost of one Han Soto.Let those who take on that contract be damned forever (unless it's deferred, then do as you will) Also, can you imagine: Astros: "We plan to offer Soto a 10 year, $400 mil contact" Tucker:
You mocked me a few months ago for saying basically this exact same thing. Glad you've come to your senses!
No idea which teams but Boras claimed Kikuchi has gotten a lot of interest already. Kikuchi not being attached to a qualifying offer compared to some of the other pitchers makes him attractive. I think Brown said he did talk to Boras but not sure how serious the talks were. During the season Kikuchi said he's willing to extend with Houston (wants to be on a contender) but in the end money talks. This could potentially be his last contract (or at least contract that makes him the most money). Watch him go to the Dodgers lol. Couldn't play with Ohtani in Toronto so might as well join him in LA. Plus another Japanese (Yamamoto) he can hang out with and even potentially Sasaki.
I understand the no trade clause, but what are the odds Hader would agree to a trade to a contender? I'd rather spend that $19m on a bat to extend the lineup and let Abreu close.
Hader keeps blowing saves for me on MLB The Show... but anyways... I would rather have paid that money to a mid tier starter than our dumpster fire bullpen.
Crane crushes on stars and he wanted Hader. Billionaires would not be billionaires without ego. No way Crane decides it's a mistake and gives up on him before the deadline and probably not until 2026 deadline at the soonest. FTR I loved bringing Hader in and still do. He has to shoulder some blame, but not all of it. Their pitching decisions were frequently awful. He is a closer - put him in the last inning with a 1-3 run lead. Period. ( a bit simplistic as you gotta keep him fresh and can't burn out the others, but this should be 90%)
I have never seen a bullpen arm stack up so many losses on his record in one season. Fine, blow the save but also getting credited with the loss... is not good. His consecutive saves streak was all smoke and mirrors.
I'm not arguing that Tucker is better than Soto But 23 WAR before his age 28 season? He absolutrly can have a HOF career. It's going to come down to when the regression happens and how long he plays.
A single player becomes vastly more popular and important that anyone else on the team. The identity of the team becomes wrapped around a single player. "Soto did this" "Soto did that" Crane doesn't have the resources that LA and NY teams have. Having Soto means compromising on the rest of the roster.
Altuve says STFU Not sure who runs the clubhouse but I assume it's him (and Bregman?) Signing a Superstar player is now a bad thing, gotcha. "Soto did this" "Soto did that" Reminds me of Chappelle Show..."white people do this (beats drums) black people do that (beats drums differently)
Trading away the salaries of Hader and Pressly gets you most of the way to Soto's expected salary. The expiring salaries of Abreu and Montero generate another $30m savings in 2026. I don't think that Crane would have to scuttle the roster to afford Soto. I'm not saying they would sign him, but they could do so without becoming the Angels. And I don't think the Astros would ever become Soto's team while Altuve is still on the roster. They could still have a collection of stars like Yordan, Bregman, Tucker, and Framber. Or, imagine signing Soto, trading Tucker, and reaping all these prospects that some people are imagining while still upgrading in RF. None of this is ever happening, again, but it's not because signing him would be a bad idea. Much better than how we spent our money the last two offseasons.
It's not about the player as much as the media and what percentage of team resources it will require to get that player.
Altuve is the Astros GOAT, but he is not the media magnet that Soto is. I'm not saying Soto a "me first" selfish guy, but just requiring the salary and commitment he will command would tax any team outside of NY or LA and he is bringing lots of media attention
