I doubt Benintendi's market was high enough to crater anyway, but I fully agree that he likely ends up in the NL where the chances of him having to go to Toronto for games in the playoffs would be extremely small
It was probably higher than you think before the vaccine stuff came out because the market is so bad for outfielders.
Yeah, I don't think he would have brought back a haul but he is very attractive to a competitor that wants a plug and play outfielder. He won a gold glove last year, he seldom makes mistakes and has few big weaknesses. Even his lack of power is mitigated because he doesn't strike out a lot.
Yea maybe so, I just see him as a rental who isn't special anywhere and those guys don't usually bring back much. But you are right the OF market is thin, and prices will likely be higher than normal with so many teams "in" the race
If Reynolds, Mullins, and Mancini aren't available which appears to be the case, Benintendi is the best outfielder on the market unless another surprise player becomes available. Maybe you could argue Drury but he hasn't played any OF this year. Benintendi wasn't going to bring in a top 100 type prospect but maybe a top 10 prospect and another top 30 prospect within some organizations.
He is possibly the top "known" OF on the market, but it's likely there are players being discussed that we aren't hearing about. I would guess Ian Happ could be had just to throw out another name, and as we near the deadline there are teams that could fall out of the race by then and open up a few more. I fully understand what you are saying though, I just don't see him as someone who moves the needle enough for me to want to give up anything significant for, and that's without the missing games in Toronto stuff. Don't get me wrong, i'd much much much rather have him on the team than Chas/Siri
I wonder if the Cubs would consider trading Happ since they should suck next year. That would potentially make Benintendi cheaper although I'm not sure how much of an upgrade Benintendi would be over McCormick.
I'm sure the Cubs would move Happ if they get a decent offer. They have Suzuki and Morel as long term OF's, and Brennan Davis their top prospect is close, and two more of their top 4 prospects are OF. Happ is having a nice year and is a career .800+ OPS guy, he would be a big upgrade over Chas
Happ would be. Benintendi, probably would be too but imo not worth the likely price. i've seen Astros fans also gush over David Peralta too which I don't understand at all unless McCormick gets hurt.
As we've seen the past 5 years as Astros fans it takes so much to win a World Series. You NEVER can have enough depth, and what is even better is PROVEN depth. If there is a chance to get a player or two who is clearly better than Mccormick, Siri, Matijevic, and Meyers for this World Series run then you have to do it. Same goes for pitching as well. IMO the only weakness we should have at the plate heading into the playoffs is Maldonado. It's become clear he's not going anywhere so I'm okay with that I guess. 1. Altuve 2. Brantley 3. Bregman 4. Alvarez 5. Tucker 6. Yuli 7. Pena 8. Meyers/Siri/McCormick 9. Maldonado If you have an opportunity to replace or upgrade the 8th whole you gotta do it. I think Meyers is a nice player and has a great future ahead of him but if you can get a Benintendi, Ian Happ, or Bryan Reynolds then you do it. Also this will be Pena's first postseason you never know how he'll perform. I'm optimistic but you never can have enough depth. 2017 was incredible but the sting of 2019 and 2021 still haunts me. This year I truly think we have a great shot to win it all. I really hope Click doesn't sit still. We need to get loaded if we can.
Although i've been dead against trading away our young MLB starters, I would be all in on putting ONE of them in a package for Castillo. Give our pitching coaches the opportunity to work with Castillo, and we might have another Cole situation on hand. Luis Garcia, Leon, Whitley, a guy in our 10-15 range they like and a lower level guy they like for Castillo and Drury
I don't know what the Reds would want, but I've always thought Castillo had more to unlock and the Astros (along obv with the Yankees/Dodgers) could be capable of reaching it.
Urquidy, Brown, and Barber I think might be enough. Also, sounds like Houston’s farm just might be underrated.
Still think we need to shoot for Yuli’s replacement. Earlier in the year I was not on board, but I am starting to worry about him and Brantley. Who is the best 1b, lf candidate?
Almost every farm has a guy like Brown that could be the centerpiece for Castillo. If the Astros are willing to deal Brown, a lot of doors should be open regarding trading. If Brown (or an MLB player) isn't dealt, Astros likely to try to make trades like last year for cheap relievers or a rental bat.
Would do that if needed, would rather move Leon and another prospect and hold on to Brown if possible though. Also, adding Drury in a deal like this would be golden
