It’s a really good question and one I have grappled about in the past. I asked a former Astros front office guy (Click fired him because he wouldn’t move to Houston) and I agree with what he said. He told me that the Astros leaked to the media that the Astros would listen on Tucker and Valdez but the cost would be steep. Tucker is gone, for a solid return. Valdez is still an Astro - which means no one made a strong offer for Valdez. He told me that teams gamble on upside and Valdez hasn’t been a Cy Young guy, he has been more consistent than a lot of Cy Young guys but executives sell owners on upside so Valdez is likely under valued around the league. The one caveat he gave me is that it is possible after Burnes signs that a couple teams comeback with a really strong offer - the Orioles for example or Mets. However - most likely the Astros just value Framber more than everyone else. Also - he told me Framber is willing to sign an extension when Tucker flat out shut down negotiations. The type of return the Astros would want would be a big leaguer under multiple years of team control that is established or close to it and a top 50 prospect that the Astros like. The Orioles are a good match IMO but they are looking for pitchers with multiple years of control.
even if Joc was still there, I think Verdugo is the move because of his defensive ability is a little bit better
He's valuable as a guy you can call up from the minors for a month if a starter is hurt and give you quality starts.
It's a shame we didn't pony up $17M for Joc. He would've been exactly what we needed in 2025. Now it's looking like either Heyward (great defense), Gamel, or Winker as the lefty platoon bat option we can start against RHP
The only issue with this is it would be considerably better if this new LH OF could play CF. Playing Meyers vs RHP is the biggest current issue this roster has. It's not tragic if LF and RF are solid vs RHP, but having SS already weak vs RHP and not getting an upgrade in CF could limit the run scoring. I still like a Pressly for Mullins deal.
If Chas can bounce back to where he was pre-2024, he's a better bat vs RHP than Jake and a good defensive CF (not Meyers, but more than adequate). It might be the team is leaning in that direction.
Corner Of wish list in order: 1) Teoscar Hernandez 2) Anthony Santander 3) Jurickson Profar I don't see any other impactful bat out there.
Basically the same return as for Tucker as I’m sure they’d as for a lotto ticket too. Or a fringe guy they like in bullpen. And they should absolutely do that.
I agree. I hope Chas rebounds and I think its maybe 75% that he can. In 2023 he was .769 vs RHP (1.008 vsLHP) In 2022 he was .645 vsRHP (.972 vs LHP) In 2021 he was. 745 vsRHP (.822 vs LHP) The fact that he was good vs RHP 2 of his 3 years before 2024 gives me hope. I do not want to see Chas in RF. If the team only brings in 1 LH outfield that is a platoon only option, I would like to see: VsRHP L) new guy C) Chas R) Dezenzo or Leon VsLHP L) Chas C) Meyers R) Dezenzo or Leon In this scenario, Heyward would be a good option if the team cries poor. He can play RF, but it may be better, especially with Dezenzo, to let him stay in 1 spot to learn and adjust.
Sometimes I wonder about the posters on here. Losing Framber for Mullins would be a huge loss. He is a slightly better Jake Meyers with more big name recognition.
Heyward is a freak athlete and great defender. The only thing that worries me about Jim playing CF is the mileage on his legs, but if he sits 30% of the time vs LHP maybe it's not an issue. Having Chas in LF could help too if they work it where Chas covers a bit more of the real estate. Chas Heyward/Meyers Dezenzo or Leon Would be perfectly good for the first half of the season. If Dezenzo or Leon don't play well enough, try Whitcomb and then Melton. If none of them work out, bring in a bat first LH guy after the ASB. Get him early, pay a premium but don't wait until there's a deadline and shopping spree competition. At that point they simply can't miss out.
Framber is frustrating because of his post season failures but I don't get the push to move him. He's as solid it comes for the regular season and been top 10 in the Cy Young voting the past 3 years.
