Still a while before the deadline but let's hear some trade ideas I would like to see us make some "buy" moves but nothing big enough to sell off any top 10 prospects Wonder what the Angels would say to something like Brady Rodgers and JD Davis for Y Escobar Rodgers having a good year but not a top prospect. Escobar would give our lineup a much needed contact batting average hitter at a position of need
I'll play: Astros get: C Jonathan Lucroy OF Ryan Braun Brewers get: RHP Francis Martes RHP Joe Musgrove OF Daz Cameron 1B Jonathan Singleton C Max Stassi RHP Aaron West LHP Brian Holmes Lucroy could take Gattis' reps at catcher and also see time at DH and 1B to get full time ABs; then he could be the everyday C next season. Braun becomes the middle of the order hitter they need in LF over the next 4 seasons. He would split time between LF and DH this season. Houston gives up 3 Top 100 prospects and 4 fringy guys with varying reasons for optimism, but doesn't give up anyone that is an integral part of the next 3-4 year plan. This may not be enough to get it done as Stearns will probably hold on to Lucroy until someone gives up a package headlined by a truly elite prospect (on par with Bregman). Also, Martes and Cameron may have their stock a little down, which might make it hard to justify them as headliners in a deal like this. Might also be difficult for Houston to justify this deal since they won't truly have a full time need for either player until next season. But given the slim pickings expected this offseason it woukd be prudent for them to address these major needs now if possible. Astros get: RHP Julio Teheran Braves get: RHP David Paulino RHP Albert Abreu 2B/LF Tony Kemp RHP Mike Fiers Houston gets (arguably) a ToR SP to fill out its rotation. Atlanta gets 2 extremely high upside SP plus an established innings eater and a versatile lineup balancing bat. Hard to peg Teherans price since some team may really love him and overpay. And since he has so much team control remaining Atlanta doesn't really have to trade him. Houston might be better served to see how Tyson Ross pitches in the 2nd half and try to trade for him this offseason. Other targets: Carlos Gonzalez, Evan Longoria, Charlie Blackmon, Stephen Vogt, Sonny Gray, Zack Greinke, Chris Archer, Ervin Santana
Is there a version of this game where they're out of it and are entertaining offers for McHugh, Fister, and Fiers?
I hope not Would like to see them entertain offers for Fiers and move Devenski into rotation though, with Musgrove on call if Devenski doesn't get it done
On first one, while i think Lucroy would be expensive, I don't think Braun would cost a lot in terms of prospects, he is playing great but the cost of his contract combined with age and history, wouldn't have to add a lot for him in my opinion. And I know this sounds crazy at first glance, but if used in a strict platoon Castro and Gattis give is great production at catcher. Lucroy would be awesome, but if I'm moving Musgrove I would rather it be in a deal for an ace, maybe a Sony Gray deal
Then try to trade for Braun (A package starting with Paulino/Rodgers/Cameron/West Stassi. Next yrs OF would look like this LF Braun/ CF Benintendi/ RF Springer. Rasmus $$$$ would cover a yr of Braun and Gregerson's $$$$ would give you $$$$ to get a 1B in FA or by trade. Gattis would become the everyday C and I would try to find a Conger type backup Cin a small trade.
Red Sox would tell Luhnow to go F himself if he asked for that Those two are elite. Would be like us trading Bregman for a set up man
I dont know about that. The Red Sox are going for a WS and need BP help badly. I would counter with Holt or Swithart.
You could get Holt for him, possibly Swihart But guys like Moncada and Benentendi are the types moved in deals for Ace starters, top hitters or big time closers Don't get me wrong, if they want to give us another Bagwell Anderson I'm ready to roll....just would be shocked to see it
Here are my Astros-as-sellers hypotheticals: Orioles get: OF Colby Rasmus Astros get: RHP Dylan Bundy PTBNL Baltimore gets the outfield help they need (they tried to sign Rasmus in 2014). Houston gets a high upside arm and a lottery ticket. Cubs get: RHP Luke Gregerson Astros get: OF Elot Jimenez LHP Bryan Hudson Cubs get the bullpen help they need without paying for Chapman/Bailey/Betances. Astros get two really good prospects to fatten their pipeline in the lower minors. Red Sox get: RHP Doug Fister Astros get: LHP Brian Johnson LHP Trey Ball Other trade candidates: OF Carlos Gomez, IF Luis Valbuena, C Jason Castro, IF Marwin Gonzalez, C Evan Gattis, RHP Scott Feldman, RHP Pat Neshek, LHP Tony Sipp, RHP Will Harris
I'd be very cool with trading Gregerson for Swihart and I think that would be a fair deal for both sides.
Red Sox & Orioles REALLY need bullpen help - will we be sellers? I don't think we need Gregerson, but I also don't think he nets much in a trade. However, I could see him heading to either of those teams. I sincerely hope we aren't buyers - Lunhow has proven to be horrific at "win-now" trading.