2016 Random Astros Trade Ideas

While I agree that the middle of the infield is covered for years, I think Bregman @ 3B or LF could lead to the best, and youngest, 1-4 hitters in the MLB. I really like Sale, but I'm not entirely sure I want to move a potentially elite everyday player for a Pitcher who has only really had 1 Ace year, especially when our lineup has proven to be a weak spot at times over the last 1.5 years. I'd be totally willing to move guys like Feliz, the Tucker Brothers, Reed & Moran for Sale, but Bregman & Lance are non-starters IMO.

 

Yeah, it's Jon Heyman, but here's this:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">marlins, astros join the cashner derby, which is heating up. others in too. <a href="https://t.co/v137R9y9w7">https://t.co/v137R9y9w7</a></p>&mdash; Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonHeyman/status/757224081854959616">July 24, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Astros have a nice core group. They've turned heads with their improved play after a horrible start.

Even without trades, there are not many places for all the prospects to play no the ML club.

I recal that Luhnow said that his minor league system is to help out the ML club. Either by trades or developing talent to the club. When he drafted Bregman the day Correa who is younger made it to the majors, Luhnow alluded talent sorts itself out either by trades or forcing itself onto the field.

The Bregman chip will be playing for the Astros or traded for one of the few elite played in baseball. Now that is quite a value.

My personal opinion that he was not brought up this weekend is that he is being mentioned in trade talks. If a team gets him, they'd like to say he started his career with their team. Imagine seeing a baseball card of Bagwell with 5 AB with the Red Sox. But Bregman should not bring anything but an MVP position player or a CY young calibur player.

Brady Aikens turning down the Astros s looking better and better.

 

Don't really see the point in acquiring a 1/2 ass rental like Cashner, especially if it means giving up any prospects with real value.

 

Maybe they're trying to get Upton or another starter as well. Being involved doesn't mean Cashner is the main target.

 

The only players on San Diegos roster that would have a meaningful impact for Houston would be Norris and Myers. I suppose Kemp or Upton could be useful in the OF mix next season but don't see any way they get ABs this year.

 

Here is my hypothetical Padres trade:

Astros get:
1B Will Myers
SP Andrew Cashner
C Derek Norris

Padres get:
SP Francis Martes
1B AJ Reed
SP Mike Fiers
2B Tony Kemp
SP Brady Rodgers

 

There is no way I would deal Bregman for Sale in a vacuum... The thought being that Bregman won't be a free agent until 2023 and Sale will be a free agent after 2019.... Plus Sale will be making about $40,000,000 in that span. While that is an exceptional deal, it is still money that can be allocated elsewhere.

Three more years control of a veteran 27 year old ace pitcher at a fraction of the going rate is extremely appealing; especially when you have Dallas K and McCullers already on staff. Having said that if you are confident that Bregman is going to be an all star or better player early on; you don't trade those type of players away.

 

I don't think the Padres would do that deal, they seem intent of signing Myers to an extension.

 

Astros don't seem willing to give up their top prospects. With their interest in Pineda and a couple others; it seems they are targeting guys who are not aces but have the upside of pitching like an ace.

 

Away from PetCo he has never been good, I really doubt the Astros are wasting their time targeting Cashner. Sonny Gray or Archer would make a ton of sense, Cashner not so much. Plus he's an upcoming FA.

 

There are certain prospects that end up defining your future team. If you trade those away, your future team will suffer. Its not how many, but which ones.

If we had traded Altuve, Correa and Lance for an elite pitcher that we held on to for two years. Suffering for a decade may not be that far fetched.

The real problem is you dont know with certainty which prospects will turn into game changers later. What looks like a good trade now can look very bad later and visa versa.

 

If Luhnow keeps Bregman I wonder what kind of deal it would take to do a Sale deal and would the Sox be interested in any deal that doesn't include Bregman?

I was thinking about this kind of deal,

Sale

For

Martes/Musgrove/Rodgers/K.Tucker/Hernandez/Reed.

 

Jose Quintana is the White Sox pitcher to go after. Not Sale.

 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Luhnow says the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Astros?src=hash">#Astros</a> could add a left-handed reliever to the bullpen, but he doesn't feel like he has to make a move.</p>&mdash; MLB Network Radio (@MLBNetworkRadio) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBNetworkRadio/status/757253735202586624">July 24, 2016</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Astros?src=hash">#Astros</a> GM Jeff Luhnow says the team has been in on Aroldis Chapman before, but won't say if Houston is in the mix for him now.</p>&mdash; MLB Network Radio (@MLBNetworkRadio) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBNetworkRadio/status/757253556932079616">July 24, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Chris Sale has a history of run ins with the White Sox front office and is considered difficult. You can call it being competitive or old school or ignorant... I don't think that part would deter the Astros or Rangers from targeting Sale, but I am sure it is something they are aware of. Not sure the Astros clubhouse last year would mix well with a 26 year old going on 80... but things seem more professional this season.