Payton doesn't thrill me. I'd actually rather keep Redding's potential over him. As mentioned before, he's not a leadoff hitter, and I while he's a defensive improvement, I see Payton having an above average year as equal to Ward having a down year. He's not really an upgrade over Ward, and not worth trading a guy who could have a slot in the back of the rotation or if Wagner is moved, could become a setup man for Dotel. I wouldn't mind the Lofton idea-do that for 2 years, and see if Jimerson or Mike Rodriguez breaks out in the minors. Maybe 2 years from now Burke is our SS/leadoff hitter, and we won't need our CF to be a lead off type guy.
The Astros have more quality arms in their system than outfielders like Jay Payton. I wouldn't give up on Hernandez just yet, but Tim Redding is worthy of trading for Payton. Good trade for both teams. Redding's potential and arm are offset by his relatively poor performance in the big leagues. Jay Payton is a solid outfielder who has been productive at the major league level. The Astros would probably have to throw in more than Redding to get him. Worth a thought by the team.
You don't trade prospects to get below-average players like Jay Payton, you sign them to the league minimum and hope they have a good year. You also hope that their "good" year isn't remarkably at the exact same time they get traded to Colorado. We'd never give up Carlos for Payton, for good reason, and Colorado was stupid to ask.
He's also far from above average. Why the obsession with a 30 year old, middle of the road, outfielder?
How in the world is a career .285 hitter terrible? I understand he's not an all-star, but if there are any options (other than Lofton) please spit it out.
Payton isn't a leadoff hitter either. And I'd use Berkman in center and Biggio, Ward, or Lane (who can actually play a little bit of CF) in left over losing Redding (or worse yet, Hernandez) and replacing one of those 3 with Payton.
Well, sticking with the lineup we have is a different story. People here would rather have Lofton. I would prefer Payton.
Agreed. It's not like Payton is Torii Hunter in CF, either. This is all a moot point, however, with the Kent signing. Biggio, Berkman and Hidalgo are the opening day starters, with Lane, Merced and/or Ward on hand in case of injury/suckiness. Payton for Redding or Carlos struck me as making a move for the sake of making a move, I just don't see how it would have solved any of the 'Stros problems.
Buck- I dunno...I can't see us keeping all those OFs. Isn't Hunter still under contract? Plus we have to stash that guy we got for Nelson Cruz (Victor Hall?) somewhere on the major league roster. I think Hun may have one more decent sized trade in him. I still wouldn't be surprised to see Wagner or Hidalgo moved, and if we go with Biggio in LF as it seems to be the plan, it makes no sense to keep Ward as a lefty PH- Merced is great in that role. I expect us to go out and sign one more cheap veteran (Jimmy Anderson or Todd Ritchie type) for the bottom of our rotation, and maybe try to parlay Wagner and Ward and/or Lane etc. into a setup man and a legit CF...Beltran would be a dream come true. I would be willing to "settle" for a Randy Winn/Shannon Stewart type.
Seattle loves Winn & plan on playing him in LF and hitting second. Stewart would be a great fit offensively as a top of the order guy, but his arm is said to be too weak for CF duty. With Biggio-Stewart-Berkman in the OF, you'd have runners taking extra bases all day long. I'd love Beltran, just as long as everybody understands that he's not a 1-2 hole hitter - he's a middle of the order, high K/low BB run producer, not leadoff material. KC has said that they have every intention of keeping Beltran, for whatever that's worth. I just don't see much in the way of CF'ers that could realistically help Houston. I think Ward is the odd man out, but he'll be moved for bullpen help, or a 5th starter-type. Not sure if they'd want to keep 7 outfielders (Biggio, Berkman, Hidalgo, Merced, Hunter, Hall, Lane) but it's possible, since Biggio can play another position if needed. Lane has options and may start out in New Orleans. I don't see how anyone would take Hidalgo, without dumping some other crap on the Astros. I'm also not sure who would want/need Wagner, other than Boston maybe, but I don't see anything on their roster that would help here. If I were Houston, I'd look at signing Ismael Valdes, he's pitched well, works cheap and if his blister problems flair up, the 'Stros would have Redding or Munro in the pen for spot start duty.
I AGREE wholeheartedly w/ you! NOT for Carlos!!! Can't believe some people around here are already giving up on a young, lefty fireballer?! What in the hell is wrong with some of you Astros fans?
Because there's a good possibility that he'll never pitch effectively again. I'm not "giving up on him", just being a bit realistic; Carlos isn't the prospect he was 2 years ago.
Yeah, you're right, BUT I still want to give him another chance this year. I really think(hope) he'll be okay cuz he's the lefty we've been needing in our rotation since Hampy left. I would trade him if the "right" deal came along but I wouldn't trade him just to dump him and get some mediocre player in return.
How about if somebody offered to take Carlos and Ward for some bullpen help and a CF (which we need)?
A good, young CF? Yeah, I'd make the trade! BUT we may not have to trade Carlos? How about picking up Cruz, Jr? Would he ask for too much? He'd look good in CF wearing the "star" cap!
