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2015 Random Astros Trade Thread

Discussion in 'Houston Astros' started by The Beard, May 2, 2015.

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rocketpower2 Member

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So many reasons why we need a bat. Having to play Gattis in LF is a major one.

#1121 rocketpower2, Jul 28, 2015

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rocketpower2 said: ↑

So many reasons why we need a bat. Having to play Gattis in LF is a major one.
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Lowrie on the infield should allow us to move Marwin to LF and sit Carter?

#1122 kaleidosky, Jul 28, 2015
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sealclubber said:

Then you have McHugh who looks to be regaining form
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Jinxer.

#1123 LonghornFan, Jul 28, 2015
Nick Member

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LonghornFan said: ↑

Jinxer.
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There's a lot of that in here... especially all the "superfluous pitching" talk.

#1124 Nick, Jul 28, 2015
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kaleidosky said: ↑

Lowrie on the infield should allow us to move Marwin to LF?
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Are yall just making **** up to troll people at this point?

#1125 Buck Turgidson, Jul 28, 2015
kaleidosky Member

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Buck Turgidson said: ↑

Are yall just making **** up to troll people at this point?
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just grasping at straws given what seems to be the inevitable lack of an impact bat coming over

#1126 kaleidosky, Jul 28, 2015
UTAllTheWay Member

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Go get Carlos Gonzalez. Make him a first baseman lol

#1127 UTAllTheWay, Jul 28, 2015

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Nick said: ↑

There's a lot of that in here... especially all the "superfluous pitching" talk.
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The fact that you think people discussing something on a message board would affect player performance is disturbing.

#1128 Major, Jul 28, 2015
The Beard Member

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Maybe Hamels is afraid to grow a beard

#1129 The Beard, Jul 28, 2015
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Major said: ↑

The fact that you think people discussing something on a message board would affect player performance is disturbing.
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If I ever catch you mentioning a no-hitter in progress I will find you, Liam Neeson style.

#1130 Buck Turgidson, Jul 28, 2015
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I read Bucks post like Liam in Taken. It scared me.

#1131 LonghornFan, Jul 28, 2015
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Major said: ↑

The fact that you think people discussing something on a message board would affect player performance is disturbing.
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Don't get worked up simply because you were the one who mentioned "superfluous pitching".

I also don't believe in jinx's... nor do I believe people should refrain from mentioning no-no's on a message board.

I also don't believe superfluous pitching exists... ever.

#1132 Nick, Jul 28, 2015
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Does hamels know that the astros and rangers both play in Texas?

#1133 conquistador#11, Jul 28, 2015

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I don't believe in Beatles.

I just believe in me.

#1134 LonghornFan, Jul 28, 2015
The Beard Member

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conquistador#11 said: ↑

Does hamels know that the astros and rangers both play in Texas?
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The list was made when we were losing about 110 games a year

#1135 The Beard, Jul 28, 2015
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conquistador#11 said: ↑

Does hamels know that the astros and rangers both play in Texas?
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He's probably just a fan of Chandler Parsons epic pump fakes.

#1136 LonghornFan, Jul 28, 2015
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LonghornFan said: ↑

I read Bucks post like Liam in Taken. It scared me.
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But have you seem him lately?

#1137 Disciple of RP, Jul 28, 2015
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The latest on the Astros and Cole Hamels, keeping up with the Angels, more. Astros have inquired on Carlos Gomez. <a href="http://t.co/t3b8FiRVDH">http://t.co/t3b8FiRVDH</a></p>— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/status/626215747849703424">July 29, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The Astros are seriously in the Cole Hamels sweepstakes but the Rangers and Dodgers still appear to be in better position to land the lefthander, multiple people familiar with the situation told the Chronicle on Tuesday, with the Rangers likely leading the pack. The Giants, per multiple reports, are also in the mix.

Hamels, however, isn’t the only player the Astros are seriously pursuing as the trade deadline looms Friday.

The Astros continue to think highly of Tyson Ross, whom they’ve talked to the Padres about, and are keeping all their options open. A simple summation: Ross is cheaper in dollars, but Hamels is better in performance.

Most any significant piece out there — that includes Carlos Gomez — is a player the Astros have at least inquired about.

It doesn’t appear the Astros are injecting themselves into the Hamels competition simply to boost the price for the division-rival Rangers, whom one person predicted would still end up with the lefty ace. Either way, reports of trade talks this time of year can artificially increase markets.

Remember: the need for the Astros to add a starting pitcher for 2016 and beyond still exists after the acquisition of rental Scott Kazmir. The team pursued James Shields as a free agent this winter but didn’t land him.

Hamels might not think of Houston as home

But when it comes to Hamels, it remains unknown whether he would approve a trade to the Astros, one of 20 teams that he contractually cannot be traded to without his permission.

There remains no indication Hamels has been approached about the matter, and he is not expected to be approached unless a deal with the Astros is actually struck.

A deal with the Rangers, on the other hand, would not need Hamels’ prior approval.

From the Astros’ perspective, they plan to negotiate and worry about approval later.

If Hamels, who has been the subject of trade rumors seemingly ad infinitum, were told his only way to get out of Philadelphia and to join a contender were to come to Houston, he may be inclined to accept a trade, even if the city isn’t his favorite.
Would Astros pay?

Hamels would instantly become the Astros’ highest paid player, by more than double the current leader, Scott Kazmir, who’s owed the remainder of $11 million on the season.

Hamels is owed the remainder of $23,500,000 this year, and makes that amount the next three seasons as well, with more money coming on top of that in the form of a 2019 option/buyout. Even though the Phillies are willing to pay some of Hamels’ contract in a deal, there’s no precedent with this Astros ownership group that shows they’re willing to take on Hamels’ caliber of salary.

Bullpen can be improved by adding to rotation

The Astros are open to upgrading in all areas, but another starting pitcher might be the most beneficial route — depending on the cost, of course.

Another starter acts as a de facto upgrade to the bullpen, and the workloads of Lance McCullers and Vince Velasquez could be eased even more with increased depth.

The Padres and Phillies both had eyes on the Rangers-Astros Class AA games in Frisco over the weekend. The Padres have closer Craig Kimbrel available, but the Astros would prefer a Padres starting pitcher rather than Kimbrel, a source said.

That’s a statement on the return on investment on Kimbrel rather than his ability.

Kimbrel’s owed a guaranteed $25 million over the next two seasons. He’ll cost some pretty prospects. And if the Astros are going to pay the price in money and talent to get a controllable player, a starting pitcher would probably bring them better value. The Astros have talked to the Padres about Andrew Cashner as well as Ross.

It would be unlikely for the Astros to go for another rental arm. Kazmir filled the glaring need.

Since that deal last week, the Astros have been in a position to let the trade deadline come to them. They can be more opportunistic, rather than operate with the intense pressure to improve the rotation everyone knew existed prior to the Kazmir deal.

But they can’t sit comfortably, either.

A trade to Rangers would be blow to Astros

The Rangers have been searching for controllable starting pitching even as far back as last year’s trade deadline. If Hamels lands with the Rangers, it certainly would hurt the ‘Stros — although general manager Jeff Luhnow can’t make a trade strictly for defensive purposes.

“Jeff could step up,” one executive speculated. “Or he’ll get to face Hamels for the next three years.”

Of course, it’s no guarantee the Rangers get Hamels. But their longtime GM, Jon Daniels, has always been aggressive.

How the Dodgers will act is less predictable. In some way, they face a test the Astros did with Kazmir.

Dodgers GM Farhan Zaidi came from the A’s and president Andrew Friedman came from the Rays, thrifty teams where the management style was to collect prospects, not trade them.

Like Luhnow did to acquire Kazmir, the Dodgers execs have to show now they can surrender the kids if they want to land Hamels.

Keeping up with the Halos

In the big picture, the other Southern California team is the real worry for the Astros.

Luhnow declined to talk about trade market Tuesday while his club took batting practice at Minute Maid Park before the start of a three game three-game series with the Angels, saying only he was still active in the market.

“I don’t think it’s appropriate to comment on anything until, if and until something happens,” Luhnow said.

That’s a departure from Saturday, when Luhnow said “there’s a good chance that we’ll be involved in other deal, but you never know.”

Shortly after Luhnow talked Tuesday, the Angels took batting practice and completed two trades for a hitter in that time, their second and third trades for a bat in two days.

On Tuesday, they acquired David Murphy and David DeJesus, who are expected to be platoon players, the former at designated hitter, the latter in left field. Another outfielder, Shane Victorino, joined the Halos on Tuesday after a trade on Monday.

“Angels adding pieces putting some heat on Houston,” one executive said. “Sometimes the unsexy moves like the Angels are making can have the greatest impact.”

There’s no doubt the Astros are watching the Angels closely.

“These games are worth, I don’t know how much more than a normal game, but they’re worth a lot,” Luhnow said. “This is the team that we need to beat if we want to win this division. Every game here, our team’s going to be very focused on winning these games.”
Click to expand...

#1138 rocketpower2, Jul 28, 2015

The Beard Member

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Gomez would be PERFECT

#1139 The Beard, Jul 28, 2015
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Cole Hamels isn't even that great. So what if the Rangers get him. Dime a dozen.

#1140 SooneRockStro, Jul 28, 2015

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