my favorite "stat" with Framber is his ground ball rate. it cant be overstated how impactful the ability to always be able to get a double play ball out there.
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/11/dbacks-trade-rumors-alek-thomas-jake-mccarthy.html Astros get: OF Jake McCarthy SP Jordan Montgomery $6M Diamondbacks get: RP Ryan Pressly SP Spencer Arrighetti
Jordan Montgomery is due 22.5m next season. Even with the cash, it's too much to take on to swap Arrighetti for a "he'll do" outfielder. If I'm trading away Pressley, it's to swap that salary for a good bat. Montgomery is gonna eat up roster space all season and probably suck.
McCarthy was a 3 win player last season and is the kind of low strikeout good baserunner Houston needs to deepen their lineup. I actually think this deal would be pretty lopsided in Houston’s favor, and Arizona would have to be really enamored with Arrighetti’s upside to do that deal.
And a 0 win player the year before. You're buying high and believing that he will repeat on a career 102 OPS+ guy who hits .270 with no power (not even doubles). If you're running a slap hitter like that in the lineup, he should probably hit at the top or hit him 9th, so he can set up your run producers. And I don't know that an McCarthy-Yordan-Tucker 2-4 is a smart idea, with them all batting lefty. So I'd bat him 9th. Again, he's fine. He'd extend the lineup. But he's not an impact bat. I'd pass if the cost is taking the brunt of that terrible contract for Montgomery.
For me it depends on the cost. He hits RHP very well which would balance the lineup w/ Pena. He isn't terrible vs LHP. He adds a legitimate basestealer to the offense He doesn't strike out. He is not quite as good as Jake, but much better than average. His arm looks worse though, if that's possible. He is much better than Trammell but nut as good as Robert, lol.
The more I look at the options, the more I think it's crucial that this team brings Alex back. In order for that to happen: They must be likely to compete over the next 6+ years so Alex will want to return. They must have a roster minus 3b that has reasonable payroll to afford him. They must be willing to give out the largest contract they ever has - at least 6 / $155 but possibly even 7 or 8 yrs and in the $200M range. Lets say he ends up with the $7 / $182M deal mlbtradevalues predicted ( the Kris Bryant contract that I have referenced here for over 2 years). So, how do they build this roster so it impresses Alex and Boras now, is strong through at least 2030, and allows the team to reset the CBT every 3 seasons ( this is simply necessary for a team outside LA or NY because the penalties can't he absorbed indefinitely)?
What if they trade Pena? He has established himself as a pretty dependable but average player at a premium position, but I think it's pie in the sky to expect more. That was great when he was pre-arb and was expected to be a complimentary player. As he starts making more, and the roster develops hikes and weaknesses, he is less and less valuable. He still has 3 years of affordable control and therefore tons of surplus trade value. I do not want to see Dubon, Kessinger, or anyone currently in the organization ( besides Jeremy) as the starting shortstop so another one will need to be brought in.
If they stop spending big money on relief pitching and stop bringing in old guys on their last legs, they should be fine. They need to add a couple of B level bats to go along with retaining Bregman and they will be improved from last season. McCormick bouncing back would help a lot.
I would have to be blown away to move him I know he has not followed it up with great success yet, but we KNOW for a fact he can perform on the big stage. ALCS MVP. WS MVP. Dude certainly isn't untouchable, but I wouldn't move him without a really strong return
