True... but this team is just one more offensive slump/losing streak away from being out of the playoffs altogether. The only thing in common with both losing streaks is really mediocre offense..... the first one was pre-Correa (he actually got the call during it), the second one was post-Springer injury. Luhnow has put Castro/Singleton/Castro on notice that they need to be better or they'll seek other options. I think they'll be looking at both, if possible.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Multiple scouts think the old Walt Jocketty-Jeff Luhnow friction could be an impediment in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Reds?src=hash">#Reds</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Astros?src=hash">#Astros</a> trade talks.</p>— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) <a href="https://twitter.com/jcrasnick/status/623210913097760769">July 20, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">"Walt isn't going to do Jeff Luhnow any favors,'' one scout said. Cueto and Leake potential fits for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Astros?src=hash">#Astros</a> rotation.</p>— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) <a href="https://twitter.com/jcrasnick/status/623210988267945984">July 20, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The Astros are not dealing Phillips or Appel for a dozen starts from Kazmir and Ike Davis and his 700 OPS doesn't make it a more attractive deal.
Uh... that article is fanfare at best. Kazmir and Davis for Appel or Maverick? Come on now... that is just plain stupid. It is a half season rental, and they think they can get a top prospect for that if they chip in a .715 OPS first baseman that has played some of 2015? Yikes.
Astros owner Jim Crane is willing to increase payroll if general manager Jeff Luhnow finds a deal to help the club at the non-waiver trade deadline. “If we get a deal we’d like, we’d certainly like to pull the trigger,” Crane said. “We also don’t want to sacrifice the future. We think we’re in good shape for the future. We have a little room to increase payroll if necessary.” The Astros, who are second in the American League West and currently in position to claim the second AL wild card, began the season with a $72 million payroll. They drew 115,377 fans during the three-game series against the Rangers, prompting Crane to joke that the club would definitely be more willing to make a deal “if we keep putting 100,000” in the stands. “Attendance is better and numbers are better,” he said. “But we won’t make a deal that gives away the future. We’re stacked pretty deep. We just have to keep moving forward.” http://blog.chron.com/ultimateastro...rce=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter#31931101=0 --- Not in love with him saying "a little room," but that could have just been a slip of the tongue..
eh, there are so many things in play. Don't want to say "we have tons of room" because then you lose leverage when you want the Phillies or Reds to pick up tens of millions. But you also want to show that you're somewhat flexible
More "speculative" reporting. I'm sure there's friction, but if Jocketty doesn't do what's best for his club out of "spite" (meaning turn down "better" prospects the Astros are offering for another team's lesser offer), then he would pretty much cement his reputation that he claims Luhnow helped "tarnish" in St. Louis. You know Jeff and co. would be able to leak to somebody about "shenanigans" if they felt that was what was happening, and that would pretty much make the Reds look bad. In fact, most Reds fans I know are "rooting" for them to unload all the high priced "free agent to be" talent while they can, and simply want the best possible deal out there.
If that happened, maybe we could add the Reds to the current federal case of tampering with the Cardinals. Maybe Jocketty helped...
http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/13292841/detroit-tigers-preparing-make-david-price-yoenis-cespedes-available-trade-deadline I find this rather interesting. Figured I would post. Dallas and Price seemed to build a friendly relationship between the All-Star game as they both complimented each other on their respective games. I actually think that we can get Price and only if Luhnow ok's it. He falls right into what the Astros are looking for outside of the rumored Cueto and Shields. This is a huge development. Getting Price could elevate us to a World Series berth and... that elusive ring.
Price alone wouldn't get the Astros to the WS unless he can magically hit as well. The Astros need a first baseman and outfielder too. Although I guess if you are willing to get Price you can also go after Lind/Parra or another type duo. Personally would rather spend less in prospects and get Kashmir and a bat than Price or Cueto.... There isn't a huge difference between the three performance wise and having a legitimate bat like Lind could make a difference.
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Price is going to get around 25 mil a yr, and probably a 5 yr contract. The Yankees, Boston, Angels, and the Tigers will all be throwing $$ at him. Throw the Dodgers in there as well if they lose Greinke. Would love to get him as well, but it's going to be tough.
We don't We need Springer back and the OF and offense in general will be fine. Springer and Lowrie are coming on offense A front line starter is the #1 need and nothing else is close. Luhnow knows this
Luhnow said yesterday (again) that they will consider Valbuena and Lowrie as first base options if Carter/Singleton never get going.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Baseball execs believe <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Tigers?src=hash">#Tigers</a> will sell at trade deadline, move Price, Cespedes. GM Dombrowski says no decision yet. <a href="http://t.co/1nAgU2VwCQ">http://t.co/1nAgU2VwCQ</a></p>— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) <a href="https://twitter.com/BNightengale/status/623310736475885569">July 21, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
