Luhnow needs to stand pat. Trading away top prospects for rentals is usually not smart. This organization has the depth to compete for years to come if they don't blow it up. The Astros can still win it all with this roster. Just wait til Bregman catches fire and Gurriel is up.
This. You make the deal for a rental if the price tag is low enough. The Rangers gave up a high upside top 100 prospect for Beltran. That is probably too much for the Astros. You make the deal for a long term piece and include top prospects if the price tag isn't insane, but the price tag has been very high. To get Hill and Reddick; the Dodgers gave up 2 top 100 prospects, and a third that is likely a top 150 prospect..... all for two players that are free agents in a few months.
Seriously though, we need an ace. The team will need a lucky draw to get through three series without an ace on the staff. We can compete, but we have no leverage.
what ace was moved? I know Sale and Archer were mentioned, but clearly their price tag has been astronomical. Because everyone wants them. And I'll add, Archer has had issues this year. If he was on the Astros to start the season as the "ace", I'm guessing we'd be b****ing at the deadline saying we need an ace and can't count on him. His 4.42 / 1.35 is only slightly better than Keuchel's--probably the same as what Keuchel was at prior to the blowup a few days ago
This is where dealing some of their own pitching rentals would be helpful in adding even more prospect depth. They could enter the offseason as one of only a few team with the depth to pull off a major move giving them some leverage (pay market value versus perceived gross overpay). None of their pitching rentals right now is the difference between the playoffs or not. They're only going as far as DK and McHugh can right the ship and if they can get their offense back on track before falling too far behind.
agree with this. But giving up on the season at this point would be a poor move with so much potential. Even if they aren't necessarily worse-off based on incoming prospects, the clubhouse would feel like they were given up on if Fister/Sipp/etc. were dealt for young prospects. I would like to do it also in a vacuum, but I don't think you can do it when you have to deal with the blowback internally.
No issues standing pat. I just don't see anything out there that is a real remarkable upgrade at a price that is worth it. Why give up anything for a guy like Cashner, etc, when they really are not any better than anything already on the team. Would have loved to get a front-line starter, but other than Sale, I didn't see anyone remotely available and the asking price for Sale was obviously way too much for everyone.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Astros?src=hash">#Astros</a> have had dialogue with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rays?src=hash">#Rays</a> on starting pitchers.</p>— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) <a href="https://twitter.com/jonmorosi/status/760195569784455168">August 1, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
And, you would be adding the type of mid range depth prospects that we are already loaded with We will already have to deal with spots for Devo, Feliz, Musgrove, Paulino, Martes, Rodgers....soon if none are moved
I don't see putting Musgrove (top 100 prospect) and Hoyt (by all accounts major league ready) as giving up in place of Fister and Neshek if you could get good returns on both. If you want veterans, some will be available in August when the Astros by virtue of being behind in the standings have claim priority (if a deal could be worked out).
