The more Altuve plays LF, the more important it is that Meyers is flanking him in CF. Matthews would be especially bad. It's not that he won't be able to run balls down, as much as he simply doesn't have the years and years of reps. Any kind of unusual play in the L-CF gap with Altuve and Matthews playing could result in a very ugly play as neither of them could simply react from instict/muscle memory.
I hope none of our guys play. Altuve and Framber playing screwed up a whole season for the Astros. They should start putting in their contracts not to play. They are getting paid millions by the team. Same thing with Olympics in my opinion. Leave it to the amateurs.
Anyone out there to bolster the outfield/ bat left handed? Shown Furcotte and Dwigt Rortugal shouldn’t cost much at this point in their careers.
Yeah but they want to play. They have no other opportunity to play for their countries. I think it should be moved to the summer and played over a 2-3 week extended All-Star break.
That is one complicating factor: dealing Paredes helps a League rival. If Boston were in the NL I think it would be a lot more likely that a trade would have gotten over the line. I think Houston may be standing pat with their roster. It’s a good, deep roster with a lot of upside that lacks big bats compared to the best teams in the league but plays to Houston’s strengths of maximizing pitchers’ value.
Rockies DFA Yanquiel Fernandez. Lefthanded OF former top prospect who I think was rushed and mishandled by Colorado. He has an option year left so I wouldn’t mind Houston adding him.
What do you want them to do? They should NOT trade Paredes because thinking this infield will be healthy all year or having all these guys play 150+ games is never going to happen. But if you are going to trade him, you obviously have a chance to get even more pitching (which you can't have too much of). Otherwise there's not that much more payroll before the CBT threshold and as is, Crane likes to keep a little buffer in case a deadline move needs to be made (another time where Paredes may be able to be moved, depending on where the team is). There's enough parity now in baseball (even with bloated mega-teams) that much like the NFL... the best teams will probably be ones that have the best injury luck, have the "unexpected" breakout star (cam smith?), and make the best deadline decisions.
The Astros have been open to making a trade to bring on an outfielder and/or young pitching. The problem is that they cannot force the Red Sox to deal Abreu for Paredes (or Duran) and they don't want to trade Paredes for the scraps the Red Sox have offered. Paredes will get plenty of at bats if nothing changes.
I would have thought the padres would have been interested in a free first baseman that rakes in the NLW. But what do I know.
I'm sure they would for "free" But even with a glut of corner infielders, trading him without any salary relief would be stupid. Any trade must result in the new team paying at least $12M ( maybe even $14M) of his 2026 salary or else they just keep him, so he would not be "free" Maybe they do a Cronenworth ( if he allows it - no trade w/ 8 teams one of which may be the Astros) for Walker ( if he allows it - no trade w/ 6 teams one of which may be the Padres) deal. It's certainly not ideal, as Cronenworth is an average player at best and has a guaranteed contract through 2030. But his $12M AAV is easier to "earn" and/or hide, he hits lefty which balances the lineup and he fits as a bench bat rather than "needing" to start everyday. They would likely very much regret 2028-2030. He could, potentially block a prospect, or two from getting an opportunity and developing. Brown probably doesn't due it because he's a lame duck and Walker projects to be more productive in 2026. Crane likes stars, and Walker is much closer to that then Jake, so he may void the deal anyway.
I don't want to trade any of them but we do need to find a catcher . Jonah Heim is a free agent . He's a switch hitter with a good bat. And if there was a trade to be made Wilyer Abreau from the Red Sox would be a good move maybe.
Jonah Heim is unlikely to accept a backup catcher job at this point - he can wait until spring training to see if a starter position opens up or even into the season if wants and wait for an injury. Unless the goal is to get a career backup catcher, that's a move that's not happening until later.
