My understanding is the White Sox are not selling low on him. They are going to either collect what he is worth coming off an all star season or gamble that he has a good first half and they get that at the deadline. They are expecting a Tucker-like return.
Thanks for the chuckle. I am not saying he is. I'm saying Chicago expects a return like he is or they won't trade him.
I really think Altuve to LF/DH/2b in that order is the Astros plan. I think that's about Altuve's overall athleticism coupled with his poor defense at 2b, but also because the Astros don't have a Kyle Tucker in the system that they expect to be able to start 140 games in the OF and be a ROY finalist.
I’d envision gradually working toward something like this: 20-30 games at DH on Alvarez’s days off or the rare occasions Alvarez plays the field. 40-50 games in LF at home with a ground ball starter on the mound. 40-50 games at 2B with a fly ball pitcher on the mound.
To be fair he does have multiple years of control on a reasonable contract. They’d be stupid to sell low on him.
So where does Altuve play? Altuve in the outfield isn’t a fun experiment- it’s to get him consistent playing time in the lineup since we already have a DH named Yordan. Don’t think Cam’s bat comes close to Altuve
Bregman was getting 28.5 million because he was a top-5 MVP candidate in 2018 and 2019 with a juiced ball. He’s been very good the last 3 years but no all star level. He’s getting a pay cut as a result. The AAV of the contract is still higher than his extension. I know professional athletes have big egos, but he was worth more to the Astros when they needed a 3B than now. They aren't going to up the offer and he’s gotta know that. If he’s got a bigger deal from a place he likes less he can make the call in what he values more.
I think Polanco was the last remaining free agent position player that the Astros were seriously interested in. I think the Astros have a trade lined up for Arenado and are just waiting on Bregman to make up his mind. Arenado is also waiting to see what his options are after Bregman signs; I think if Bregman signs elsewhere the Cards are going to tell him it’s Houston or you stay here and play less on a team that’s not contending. I do expect Houston to engage on some remaining pitchers once the Bregman/Arenado drama plays out next week. There’s a half dozen SP left who could upgrade the rotation with McCulllers/Garcia/Javier out and there’s upwards of a dozen RP who could handle the 7th inning. A lot of those guys have got to be desperate to get a guaranteed role on a contender and many of them will sign for peanuts.
Bregman also was getting only 2 years at $28.5 mil/year (with his overall avg being only $20 mil/year the last 5 years). Why would he think he's owed $28.5 mil/year for the next 6 straight when he'll obviously be past his prime. $30 mil for the next 3 years and $22 mil avg the last 3 years is very fair.
Starting to form an opinion about the Bregman situation as it drags on into February. I'll give him sixteen more hours before I say my piece.
If I'm Brown I'd go to Crane and say this... It's a face/pride thing that Bregman doesn't want to take a pay cut, let's give him a 6/$160.5M final offer that gives him $28.5M for first 3 years, with an opt out/opt in at that point for another 3/$75M. He continues to make his current salary and in three years he can opt out if he sees a chance for bigger money. God, I just want this to end and I'd prefer Breggy stay here.
I'm actually starting to wonder if Crane really cares if Bregman comes back. He may be thinking, "If he doesn't accept the fair terms then we don't want that kind of attitude here anyway and fate says to move on. Ho hum, we tried and looked good doing so."
