Astros have liked Thomas and McCarthy for as long as Brown as been with the Astros. Astros have tried to get both before. At this point I don't know how much value Thomas has, but McCarthy has some as a controllable bat. I don't have any special knowledge of Montgomery but it seems to me that the missing Spring Training etc. hit him hard... I expect a bounce back but it doesn't seem like anyone else in baseball does based on comments made about him. Not sure the Astros would deal Ullola - they were very high on him by the end of last year, thought he had #1-2 starter upside, but who knows.
May piss em off reading it on the forums, but sure as hell won't piss em off once time comes to see it played out on the diamond!
This will piss some off too. At his age Walker is more likely than not to have a dramatic fall-off before his contract ends. Doesn't mean it will happen, some guys last for years. Till there is a better alternative it might be wise to hold on to Singleton.
Walker will turn 34 next season, he doesn't have a lot of mileage on him and his performance and advanced stats show he hasn't lost any bat speed or reaction speed. It is possible that he slows down - he will be 36 when he is playing his last year of his contract. I personally have stuck up for Singleton the man - he dealt with a very sick father that was dying - anxiety and weight issues and mar1juana dependency at a young age. He fought back, has a very supportive wife and kids - and has dealt with a lot of racist comments on social media.... and hasn't complained about it or publicly discussed..... Having said that, I don't want Singleton on the Astros in 2025. I hope he plays another few years in the big leagues somewhere else..... I just don't think he fits the Astros needs overall. FWIW Singleton and Walker are both 33 years old.
I agree, but he likely isn't going anywhere until we bring in a couple lefty outfielders. The lack of lefty bats on this roster is troublesome. Singleton at least has some value has a DH facing righties and late game PH option off the bench. Due to the CBT constraints, we'd be fortunate to sign a guy like Winker for $5-10M. I suppose we can bring back Gamel for even cheaper.
Not exactly what I want in CF, but trading him for Pressly would allow Dana to trade for a guy like Leon or sign Winker and add a SP, RP if they also trade Caratini.
I e been banging the drum as Ullola being a potential TOR guy I wouldn’t part with except for a massive offensive upgrade so I like hearing that the Astros feel similarly about him. I’d tend to defer to their opinions over mine (unless it involves Maldonado) so, glad we are on the same side of this.
Hope he turns out better (ie starter) but if that’s what he is that’s a pretty damn valuable piece. hell I’d still try to turn Abreu back into a starter.
Why in the world would you take one of the best relievers in baseball and try to turn him into a starter? Weakening your pen even more.
Probably. Unless he was an above average starter in which case he'd be way more valuable than as a 7th or 8th inning guy to say nothing of what his value would be if he was actually a really good starter. But, if he flames out then you do lose an important piece so it's a risk. I like chasing upside more than guaranteeing floor though.
Willi Castro seems like an under the radar trade target for Houston. Versatile defender, has hit RHP very well the last 2 seasons, shouldn’t be too expensive as a middling player who is a free agent after this season. Astros get: OF/IF Willi Castro Twins get: RP Shawn Dubin P Misael Tamarez https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/01/top-20-trade-candidates-mlb-offseason.html Other targets from that list would be Lamont Wade Jr., Mike Yastrzemski, Luis Robert Jr., and Jake McCarthy. Brett Baty and Triston Casas would be less clear fits but a match if Houston thinks they could play LF.
