May not be new news but: <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Astros?src=hash">#Astros</a> are reportedly prioritizing Johnny Cueto as their top trade deadline target: <a href="http://t.co/TsBYFV4yrP">http://t.co/TsBYFV4yrP</a> <a href="http://t.co/U3jfZ9caKd">pic.twitter.com/U3jfZ9caKd</a></p>— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisCotillo/status/615215857074049024">June 28, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
I have mixed feelings about giving up top prospects in a rental deal. I suppose it depends on which prospects specifically.
I doubt Astros give up a top prospect in a rental deal. Granted, Appel, Phillips, and Fisher are what I would consider top prospects not counting guys just drafted or in majors. I know most don't have Fisher that high so if you aren't big on him consider I said Appel and Phillips only.
A logjam is quickly developing in the Astros' system; they're going to have to find a way to clear-out some space. And don't be terribly attached to prospects: they're so much easier to acquire than TOR starters, and the vast majority never live up to the hype.
Hamels never said he wouldn't come to Houston. Seeing as though this is from the Globe, that's some Gammons-esque writing. Not taking the time to look at information that was posted days ago (the Astros were on his no-trade list from well before the season started) and just saying it won't happen because, you know, it's Houston.
I think Astros unload some volume, but Appel (even though he's probably dropped a couple of notches) and Phillips should still be in system after deadline unless Phillies kick in a lot of cash. That's assuming Astros don't trade for a TOR guy with club control on a before free agency deal (a.k.a. a unicorn)
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Source: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Angels?src=hash">#Angels</a> among teams thought to have interest in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Astros?src=hash">#Astros</a> LJ Hoes, who is a trade candidate. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Orioles?src=hash">#Orioles</a> reportedly in as well.</p>— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisCotillo/status/615668853218103297">June 29, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Wonder if this has to do with Jones. Adam jones has been struggling, he and Hoes are supposedly very close.
I would also trade Appel and Moran for Hamels, but for a rental like Cueto I would throw in Moran with other lower tiers prospects. Don't touch Hader even though he is a year away to sniffing the Majors he keeps improving every year and I project that he puts it all together next year and gets call up a year from now plus he is a lefty and those guys are hard to find. Astros will get a top of the line pitcher to with Keuchel and McCullers to into the playoffs. Astros also will be getting Feldman soon and Lawrie at offense.
I would trade Hoes for a Competitive balance pick...Hoes is never going to be a starter plus he never developed any power...The more money you can get for next year's draft the better.
LOL, so would Luhnow, but Hoes isn't gonna net anything close to that for Hoes. Once a player gets to the MLB and struggles his value depreciates immensely. Hoes is a throw in with a bigger prospect, otherwise he's unlikely to net much more than a PTBNL, or maybe a fringe MLB player.
