I disagree that a return from a Framber deal would be "tepid" or shouldn't be. He is very comparable to Burnes, and SP has only gotten more valuable. Milwaukee got mlbpipelines #63 prospect ( at the time of trade), Mlbpipelines #97 prospect in their final 2013 list, and a Comp A pick in the draft (#34 overall) Joey Ortiz had a great rookie season, starting at 3b all season funishing w/ 104 wRC+ and 3.1 fWAR. With Adames gone, he currently projects as their starting SS and has 5 more years of control. DL Hall had a another down season and could possibly end up in the bullpen. He is currently projected to make their opening day roster as a long reliever. They used the #34 overall pick to choose 1b Blake Burke who has a 45 grade and is currently their #16 prospect. I would be thrilled to get a potential starter on the left side if the infield who can get 3 WAR per season for 6 years and 2 lottery picks.
So we will have another season like this past one, and then be looking at Altive, Alvarez, Pena, and Diaz with 5 likely black holes and a solid rotation. The window closes after 2025 unless they do something to extend it.
We’ll see. James Click is a VP for the Blue Jays and pretty much bet his career on Meyers during his time with the Astros. The Rays have had a player like Meyers in CF for over a decade between Kiermaier, Margot, and Jose Siri, who is a worse hitter and fielder than Meyers and whom the Rays traded for from the Astros. The Mets, Brewers, Twins, Dodgers, and Guardians (who also previously traded the Astros for a worse everyday CF than Meyers in Myles Straw) are all teams whose front offices likely value Meyers as an everyday caliber player; not all of those teams would trade for him but if you’re looking for 2-3 teams who might ask the Astros about him, that’s the group to look at. In terms of projections, Meyers would also represent an upgrade in CF for the Nats, Cards, and Marlins.
This was almost 4 years ago now. He’s had opportunities. The reality is that there are guys of similar age/ability, incapable of playing everyday, available every year… hence why nobody trading for him. Every one of those teams you mentioned already had versions of him, possibly at other positions. it’s clear that Dana brown has moved on… even though he says lots of stuff.
Trying to extend for 2026/2027 likely closes the window for 2025. Either way, windows being closed. I'd rather keep the one open that has the most likely chance of being open. Their WS odds won't get better for 2025 with sell-off trades. Their WS odds for 2026 and 2027 won't get better than what they currently are for 2025 with sell-off trades. Fairly certain that's why they'll do what they do... and hope again that a blanco-type performance comes out of nowhere (either for the lineup or the rotation), and guys expected to get healthy get healthy (not you LMJ... barista).
I shouldn’t have said that. I do think Meyers is one of the very best players in the league at taking the most efficient route to a ball in the outfield. Siri has a much better arm and a little better speed. Metrics like Siri quite a bit more.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/59...-agency-juan-soto-willy-adames-corbin-burnes/ The Houston Astros are continuing their efforts to re-sign Bregman, while also setting up contingencies. The team is staying in contact with Adames, and has expressed interest in another free agent, Jorge Polanco, as a fallback option. In the case of Adames, if the Astros are going to spend that kind of money, why not invest it in Bregman, a face of their franchise? The same logic would apply to a possible trade for Arenado, as The Athletic’s Chandler Rome recently mentioned.
The Astros would not get as much for Valdez - as the Brewers got for Burnes. The upside of Valdez isn't as high as it is for Burnes and that is why the payout likely would be lower. Also - we will have to wait and see what the Brewers ultimately get out of the deal. They so far have gotten a 26 year old third baseman with a 700 OPS+, a struggling bullpen arm and draft pick. I personally would rather have another shot at a World Series title in 2025 than that return. If I am dealing Valdez - then I am rebuilding and I am trading Tucker, Meyers, McCormick, Alvarez, Pressly and others and going into a 3 year rebuild.
The answer is that Bregman will no longer be a free agent. My understanding is that they want Bregman. Adames only comes into play if Alex chooses someone else, so is no longer on the board as an option. At that point, I could even see a scenario where they raise their offer beyond what they offered Alex so they don't miss out on him too.
FWIW the Astros and Cardinals have spoken a lot about a number of players. The Astros have an interest in Donovan potentially, and the Cardinals like Arrighetti amongst others. The Cardinals are motivated to make moves. Contreras is someone that has been discussed, but there is concern about the ability to make that work with Contreras' camp. Astros are also one of the teams talking to the Rays, Phillies and Giants.
We will just have to agee that we have differing opinions on this one. I would be shocked if we ever found out.
I am not saying that won't happen - but if it does, the general manager needs to be held accountable, that is the type of thing that the Astros need to be aware of.
I agree - I respect your opinion, and your opinion is the safest route. The reality is that the Astros will have like a 10-15% chance to win the World Series even if they have a great off season - it is the nature of baseball. Trading Valdez for young players, is likely the better long term outcome - same with Tucker. It just comes down to how much value you place on competing in 2025 versus how competitive you think the team will be a few years down the line.
Trade targets on each of those teams: Cards: Willson Contreras, Nolan Arenado, Brendan Donovan, Lars Nootbaar, Sonny Gray, Eric Fedde, Miles Mikolas, Steven Matz, Jojo Romero Rays: Yandy Diaz, Brandon Lowe, Zack Littell, Pete Fairbanks, Drew Rasmussen Twins: Jose Miranda, Carlos Correa, Trevor Larnach, Byron Buxton, Willi Castro, Chris Paddack, Jorge Alcala Brewers: Rhys Hoskins, Christian Yellich, Aaron Civale, Freddy Peralta, Devin Williams, Joel Payamps Phillies: Alec Bohm, Nick Castellanos, Kyle Schwarber, Ranger Suarez, Jose Alvarado
For all the talk about Houston’s offseason strategy and balancing short term and long term interests, I really haven’t seen anyone posit what is likely Jim Crane’s real plan: Spend a little money and trade a couple prospects to shore up the 2025 roster, and rely on Dana Brown and his scouts/coaches to revive the farm system to produce 2-3 core players next season. Time will tell whether or not that plan was viable, but that would be where I think his thinking lands.
