2022 Trade Targets

If the Astros decide to upgrade CF because Meyers, McCormick, and Siri aren't doing enough then I expect them to go the most affordable route. Which is sticking Tucker in CF and trading for a corner outfield rental like Benintendi or Mancini who can play 1st and LF. If Conforto is healthy towards the end of the season they could also just pay him. I do not expect Javier, Abreu, Urquidy, or Brown to be traded. Bryan Reynolds won't be an Astro.

 

Would take a complete reversal of what they have steadfastly stuck to

 

And I believe they will do that for a couple months rather than trade away important MLB pitchers and gut their farm which is seriously lacking in starting pitching at the upper levels.

 

Would just go against everything they have done since Click took the reigns

Would be shocking to me if they go that route, much more likely they go status quo than move Tucker to CF in my opinion. Time will tell

 

So who in the hell is playing RF in this scenario?

An outfield with 2 leftfielders around Tucker better f**king mash

 

I believe status quo is more likely as well. I'm saying they are more likely to stick Tucker in CF than trade for Reynolds because the cost would be prohibitive and the Astros don't have the excess prospects to make it happen.

Brantley in RF and Mancini in LF if you are talking about that scenario. Mancini would also play a good bit of first if Yuli is struggling. Benintendi is a very good defender and could handle RF. Conforto is very good in RF.

 

Benitendi has literally never played RF professionally. He has played a little CF....poorly.

A team with a lot of flyball pitchers isn't gonna run a reprehensible outfield defense for a slight offensive upgrade.

 

Brantley cannot play RF.

We tried it a couple of times in the past years, it was a total disaster.

 

Generally agree. How about at Yankee stadium though with the short porch? If he could play RF anywhere that would be most likely. Still not sure what the point in that would be though, or what purpose it would serve.

 

Why ever even try it? LF/DH

 

You guys just want to hold onto the Reynolds in CF fantasy. He's the new Realmuto on this board. Not happening. I'm not saying Tucker is LIKELY to be moved to CF. I'm saying it's more likely than the Astros acquiring Reynolds because I put that at ZERO chance of happening. Most likely, some combination of McCormick, Siri, and Meyers will be in CF.

I personally think Benintendi can play RF. He played it some in college so it isn't completely foregin to him and he is a very good LFer. He's a gold glover in LF... but can't play a serviceable or even solid RF? Sure..... whatever you say. He may not have the arm Tucker does but he can run down a lot of balls and comes in on the ball very well.

If they do trade for Mancini most of his playing time would come at 1st. They don't HAVE to play him at the same time in the outfield as Brantley. We know how much Dusty and the Astros like to rest players.

 

I am leaning toward Contreras as the best target overall. He is an elite hitter for his primary position. But he can also serve as an option at 1B and LF (especially considering Alvarez can play LF, opening up DH).

Castro has been dreadful. So dreadful, in fact, that if Houston were to designate him, he would likely go unclaimed and not even be offered a major league deal by another team. Which means Houston could trade for his replacement, then offer Castro a few hundred k to chill in Sugar Land as an emergency catcher (and mentor to Lee/Diaz).

 

Castro knew he was done before the season started. He gets his walking papers from the Astros he will have a big grin on his face and skip out of the locker room for the last time. You do point out a problem for the Astros that they might address. Whether they add an MLB level catcher or not I could see them trading for a AAAA type catcher as an emergency catcher to be in Sugar Land. Lee just isn't ready.

 

the problem with Contraras is the cost and so many other teams will out bid us.

This is why i would think out side the box. If no Mancini why not Drury from the reds?

 

TYler Naquin is on just dont like the fact he is comming off a injury and at the age of 31 its iffy he wont get reinjured

As I said before Victor Robles would be a decent add to the CF spot

 

I'm hoping Click gives up what it takes to get Contreras. I expect Dubon to be playing alot of CF when Pena gets back. If Meyers makes it back then Dubon could play some 1st too.

Diaz will probably start splitting time with Yuli soon. BTW, when will Taylor Jones be ready to play?

 

Agreed. That’s why I said not sure what the point would be. Someone brought it up upthread and I can’t think of any conceivable reason to do it, but I we curious as to if Yankee Stadium was the one place it could happen.

 

Taylor Jones started his rehab assignment right around the same time as Meyers. So the Astros have some 40 man roster decisions to be made tomorrow. Jones is hitting worse than Meyers so he probably gets optioned to AAA.