2016 Random Astros Trade Ideas

The last part is the key. There have been rumblings about his hand injury last year and that it is a recurring one. It was mentioned in spring training and especially during his struggles, despite the fact that he denied it.

When I look at a guy like AJ Pollock whose elbow injuries have derailed multiple seasons in a young career, I get worried (even if it's totally unrelated and a different injury...it's an arm thing that showed up multiple times after the first injury).

If our docs can completely clear him, I'd be interested. And yes, I think the prospect vs. $ ratio is definitely in play. I'd give up a bit more from a still-deep system to pay less on the contract.

 

The Braves are on pace to win 46 games this year (not a typo: 46!) after losing 97 last year. They are (probably) not two years away from being competitive. Jettisoning $118.5MM for a top-50 prospect and 1 or two other lower levels prospects likely looks pretty good to them right now.

 

What are the specific details, re: trades + physicals? Obviously, there's a window available to the team to run the acquired player through their medical system - but what is it?

 

I didn't find the details--but I did find that during the Matt Kemp trade to the Padres and subsequent holdup, it was written that (1) the trade was agreed upon, (2) the physical was performed, and only then (3) the clock started ticking after that physical. They had 2 days from that point to decide.

 

This is exactly how I view the Braves. Sure kick the tires, but I don't see good MLB players under club control/decent contract being traded for prospects that aren't Top 10-20 (Reed has dropped some most likely this year) unless a team just overpays with sheer quantity. Freeman is on a decent contract.

Braves should have traded him this offseason if they were going to deal him. They can stomach one more year of his salary (right now their roster next year projects into the 70 million range) before they expect to be fielding an MLB team.

 

If this teamessage really thinks they can compete this season, I really wouldn't mind seeing them go get Carlos Beltran again. He would be the perfect answer for the DH spot this season.

That would allow them to platoon Gattis and Castro without hurting their DH spot as well.

 

Yankees currently ahead of the Astros in the WC standings....

 

I don't know about decent... it crosses (and then stays above for the next five seasons) the $20MM/year threshold next year. I don't know when the Braves can realistically expect to be a competitive team (again, they're on pace to win 46 games this year) - but it's *at least* two years away, right? If so, they'll be paying him nearly $50MM (if we prorate this year's remaining salary, ~$8MM) to be the best player on a bad team. And then they'll still owe him $65MM.

ETA (And, generally speaking - I have no insight on Freeman, specifically - overpaid veterans on bad teams can tend to be terrible influences on younger guys; it's a disproportionate salary structure; they tend to grouse and complain with grater frequency - and, because of their status, have tremendous clout and influence. Again, Freeman might be an exemplary guy, etc. But sometimes a house cleaning is in order before you turn your team over to rambunctious youngsters.)

He signed that extension in the winter after the Braves won 96 games. They (rightly) saw him as a key piece of their future. They've since lost nearly 60% of their games and are now the worst team in baseball. I would certainly see if they're having any buyer's regret on the contract.

He won't be had for peanuts by any means. But if the Astros agree to take on his contract and build a package around AJ Reed - I'd have to think that's a really good place to start.

 

In the context of upcoming free agent deals and the market, Freeman is a bargain. The new stadium opening up plus him being a fan favorite will hurt the chances of acquiring him. You are looking at maybe Moran+Reed+Paulino getting their attention. That would be a steep price to pay but now they've gotten a taste of lopsided awesomeness thanks to the Shelby Miller deal, they'll want even more now.

 

Who would we give up for Harvey? What if the Mets ask for Springer?

 

This thread depresses me.........

 

I don't know anything about Paulino - but Reed+Moran as 2/3 of the deal for an upper echelon 1B signed through his age 31 season? I wouldn't even think twice - unless someone tells me Paulino is Baby Kershaw.

Maybe Reed will eventually be better than Freeman; but he's not right now - and probably won't be next year, either. If you have a playoff-caliber team, that's a trade you make every day and twice on Saturday.

 

You can't view it as a straight salary dump, though. They would add... 2-3, 4 more players to their system. And sure, everyone owner has different financial thresholds - but I would guess most would rather pay AJ Reed (assuming he reaches his potential) the next five years than Freddie Freeman. Especially if, for a chunk of those five years, you're likely to be a bad baseball team.

 

Atlanta isn't trading Freeman unless one of the following is true:

1. They expect him to quickly, drastically decline over the next 3 seasons.
2. They find a team willing to take on his entire contract plus give up 3-4 premium, MLB-ready prospects. For Houston that would likely mean a package built around Reed, Musgrove, and Martes/Paulino. I would probably be ok with that but it's a risky move.

 

Trade something relatively minor for Jose Reyes if the Rockies pick up most of the remaining contract and if there's any chance he can play 3B? He's never touched it in his 12 years in the league, so maybe an irrelevant question..

 

i dont see HOU as a match, but jose reyes was just DFA'ed.