Meyers hits for more power than Naylor does (and is a better overall hitter) against lefties. Plus Meyers is one of the most valuable defensive players in the league. They have Manzardo ready to take over 1B. Meyers would allow them to shift Thomas into RF and Brennan into the 4th OF role he’s better suited for. And Cleveland would save $7M in the trade that they could use some of to add JD Martinez or Carlos Santana or another decent hitter to replace most of Naylor’s offense against RHP. I’m not saying Cleveland would do it, but they are one of the 4-5 teams out there that would value Meyers.
To your point- they valued Straw and Meyers is better. But, 31 bombs last year and a 470 slug over the last 3 seasons is numbers Meyer’s hasn’t touched, and they are pretty power/offensively challenged. I would do it and I like Meyers more than most. I know you like the pitcher you offered a lot more than I do, maybe Cleveland likes him. Or maybe they like Whitley or something, but developing pitchers hasn’t seemed to be their problem, so I don’t know.
The idea of using Framber to get a veteran OF + young players is a good one. Just like the Tucker trade. The issue I have with this particular deal is that Marte is RH and is below average vs RHP. The Astros have Chas, Meyers, and Dubon who can all hit LHP. Any OF brought in should be good vs RHP. This would be perfect if Marte was 141 wRC+ vs RHP and 87 vs LHP instead of vice versa.
Hypothetical for Caratini and Pressly: Tigers get: RP Ryan Pressly $4M Astros get: 2B Max Anderson Red Sox get: C Victor Caratini Astros get: 3B Blaze Jordan
I prefer Framber going to the NL, but. . . Framber to Baltimore for Kjerstad, Mullins, and #8 prospect Luis De Leion. Kjerstad: corner OF was 2023 #80 prospect but was unable to break through last year and as 2025 will be his age 26 season and he is not currently #1 at any position on their depth chart, he is likely viewed as a bit more expendable though still has a lot of value. Mullins is a 1 year rental, and while still a good player, is unplayable vs LHP which actually plays in Houston's favor in him being available. 121 wRC+ vs RHP (119 career) 43 wRC+ vs LHP (86 career) Mullins would platoon with Meyers, Chas. and/or Dubon to make a complete CF. De Leon: is a 21 year old LHSP who hasn't yet made AA, but has 3 legitimate pitches and better command/control than most prospects of his talent in the Astros organization.
While I think that is a fairly light return for Framber, I do like Kjerstad and Mullins as targets. I would much rather have Dylan Beavers than De Leon. But I also think Ryan Mountcastle would be a good get that Baltimore might part with. Kjerstad, Mullins, and Mountcastle would round out the lineup pretty well: CF Mullins/Meyers 3B Paredes 2B Altuve DH Alvarez C Diaz LF Kjerstad 1B Mountcastle RF McCormick SS Pena Bench: Dubon, Caratini, Singleton, Meyers Singleton would get pinch hit ABs against RHP for McCormick and Pena (when he hits for McCormick, he could actually stay in the game at 1B and have Kjerstad and Mountcastle play RF/LF). Swapping Dubon out with an infielder who hits RHP better would be good. There would be significant pressure on Kjerstad to be a really good hitter in the middle of the lineup, but if he wasn’t cutting it, Melton, Dezenzo or another prospect will likely be ready by midseason, or a deadline acquisition could be made.
I was modeling it on the Tucker deal - 1 above average veteran at a position of need, 1 highly regarded prospect, and project pitcher. I didn't consider Paredes' 3 yrs of control vs Mullins' 1. Smith is higher rated and younger than Kjerstad, and De Leon is still in A ball, so at risk of never making it. while Mullins and Kjerstad are absolutely players the Astros would want, the 3rd player needs to be a much better prospect to offset their values being much lower than Paredes and Smith respectively. Revision of the trade substitutes Chayce McDermott for De Leon. I don't see any question that the deal is isir. Because Mullins is a rental, the Astros may even be entitled to another lottery ticket prospect. But for 2025, Mullins is the key to the deal as it is a huge uprade at a position that simply has very few options.
Swanson was considered the 1-1 pick. How are the rules nowdays when you have an Aiken/Bregs situation. If Aiken doesn't sign does where does the pick the following year fall?
Cleveland are very similar to the Astros in pitching development and may like Dubin as a SP project. Furthermore, they may like Meyers as a defense first CF, but to do that they will not want to give up Naylor's run production. It feels like they would not want a guy already in arbitration. However, even if they decided to trade Naylor and liked both Astros players, they would probably expect another minor league SP ( Gusto, Gordon?) to get them to trade away Naylor.
He was everything the team could have wanted or expected. He also was way better than his career numbers with no reason to think he is any better. He is due for a mediocre year, especially with new expectations. Trade him high and watch him be a negative contract in 2025.
What would you like me to propose? I want one of the most gifted 15 players on earth who would be a great fit in the clubhouse on the team I root for. Try this Framber for Nootbar and one of the Cards top 10 prospects. Preferably a pitcher, but I'm not picky. I'm not familiar with the Cards farm system.
