Rome on 790: I’ve heard that, while not considered serious or close, they did check in on Arenado. He makes a lot of money and has a NTC. They have checked in. Santander? I find that hard to believe. If you’re gonna pay that money, that AAV, why not just turn back to Bregman?
Word. Flip Framber for a RF and a good prospect. Sign Walker or Bregman. Sign a lesser SP they can max out. Deep contending roster, dramatically improved farm and long term outlook.
Paredes is a couple years younger than Tucker - is under control for 3 seasons and the Astros are expected to talk about tacking another year onto his existing deal per Bruce Levine. Paredes can play at least three positions adequately, can spell Altuve at times and be the starting third baseman for the foreseeable future. He isn't a star hitter but he is good, should give you a .750-.800 OPS and solid glovework. Doesn't hit for a high average but has power and can draw a walk. He is a good and affordable starter for the Astros for at least the next three years. Cam Smith is a minor leaguer, considered a strong athlete that can play the infield and corner outfield spots. Supposedly a favorite of Dana Brown and near the top if not at the top of the Cubs minor league system. I personally like Shaw better than Smith, but the Astros wanted and got Smith. He is a very good prospect, potentially makes a good book end with Brice Matthews. Wesneski is an arm under long term team control, the Astros will work with him to at least make him a swing guy if not a starter. This trade accomplished several things - first, the Astros have tried for years to extend Tucker without success and he was not going to pass up free agency and he was going to take the largest contract offer. So, the Astros traded one year of Tucker for financial breathing room in the short and long term. They also filled one long term position play hole with Paredes and possibly two if Smith keeps hitting. There were fans floating Suzuki and Shaw and Bellinger and all kinds of packages but none of those were ever believable for one year of Kyle Tucker. Overall the Astros did well to get what they did. They also freed up long term money to sign a star or keep a star if someone emerges.
So is there any smoke to this Santander talk or is it just some idea dropped on ‘Climbing Tal’s Hill’? Sounds like he’d be a $20mil+ annual per, good power, less than stellar average, and questionable fielding
In the end, I'm always a fan of the name on the front of the jersey way before the one on the back. I very much like Tucker and wish him well. It's been clear for a while that he'd most likely be leaving and I think this gets us good value and fills a hole...while simultaneously creating another. I think it's a good deal. I also think that I'd take this deal over one with even slightly better return from the yankees.
What are you hearing on Bregman? Also if Bregman does leave are they looking to flip Framber as well?
I feel good about this trade. Maybe I'm just in cope-mode, but it feels like a good trade the more I read about the players the Astros are getting.
