I disagree with the premise. Springer and McCullers aren't going any where unless other team offers something stupid good in return.
If the Yankees are sellers, I don't think a Beltran trade would have a great return (viz-a-viz what the Yankees got for Chapman). Beltran is old and on the last year of his contract. A half year rental may yield 1 WAR.
It was just a hypothetical question.. Let's assume this is for a deal to land Mike Trout (I know it's not happening).
Had we swept them, they would have been about 7 games back of the WC with about 5 teams in front of them. Sure, that doesnt mean they would be out...but if you can get something in return for expiring contracts, it would probably be a wise move at that point.
Angels can pick in that scenario. Springer and McCullers are similar value players right now. Springer is safer, but McCullers is likely to produce more if healthy. There is not a player, I'd accept for Springer that I wouldn't accept for McCullers and vice versa. Even then, that is a short list of players.
So are things going to start picking up in terms of rumors once the weekend games start?? Are teams trying to see if they can make one last push this week into contention? Outside of the Chapman deal, there really hasn't been much activity.
Only reason I'm skeptical re: Beltran's price is that NYY would've already struck a deal of that magnitude (e.g., Fisher/Moran/1-2 "B" prospects) if it were on the table. And, I'm assuming Luhnow (and other teams) have already offered similar packages. Also, a report came out recently that Cashman and the owner are at odds. The owner wants to compete this year, while Cashman wants to sell off pieces. With NYY only 3.5 GB of the 2nd WC, I just don't think they move Beltran unless they're blown out of the water. That said, perhaps teams get more reasonable with their trade demands once Aug. 1 approaches. I do agree with you though--a deal focused on Moran and Davis seems fair, especially if we give up another solid piece or two. Could be a win-win for both teams.
We have the lowest RA in the AL, I'm not so sure we need to add pitching, even if it feels like it. I think lucroy or Bruce would be our best targets.
Houston is tied with the Dodgers for 5th in the majors in ERA+, behind the Indians, Cubs, Nats, and Mets. They are pretty much exactly average at runs/game.
Lucroy is really the only position player likely to be traded this week that I really want Houston to get. All the other guys being shopped are either not good enough to make an impact, play a position Houston doesn't have room for,, or are rentals that will cost too much in prospects. Archer, Sale, and Quintana are unlikely to be traded, but if they are I hope Houston gets one of them. The other middling guys (Cashner, Santana, etc.) are unlikely to be a significant upgrade over Fiers.
You're probably right, but Lucroy is the one player available who represents a meaningful upgrade over Castro/Gattis, and he's likely to be traded this week (possibly to the team we are trying to catch in the division). If they wait until hds off the market, they'll be choosing between options that are not much better than what they already have and would probably be better off just resigning Castro. And it'd be pretty easy to shift Gattis over to DH (where he spent the last 2 years). With Bregman, Marwin, Gurriel, and Valbuena being so versatile, they can get away with carrying 3 catchers with only 12 position players. RF Springer LF Bregman 2B Altuve SS Correa C Lucroy/Castro 3B Gurriel 1B Valbuena DH Gattis CF Gomez/Rasmus UT Marwin Tucker and Marisnick could be optioned if not traded.
