If we keep winning, and we should given the competition, I could see resting Pena through the all-star break.
I could see Pena signing a semi club friendly 10 year extension and finishing his career as the greatest SS in team history. Maybe 5 GG and 3 ASG but no silver sluggers. I can also see him being significantly more valuable right now as a trade piece than an actual contributor. He is good, maybe a top 10-15 SS in baseball, but over 162 games he is not a star. Last year= 102 wRC+/3.4 fWAR and 101 OPS+/4.9 bWAR. This year after 1/2 the year= 93 wRC+/1.3 fWAR and 93 OPS+/1.8 b WAR. There is no doubt that he can and does bring winning attributes to a team but this team is very short on trade assets and has dangerous holes. He can bring a difference maker while Dubon can fill in at SS with very little reduction in production.
Like I said, I wouldn't do the deal, but there's a case to be made for trading him for a TOR young starter with multiple years of control. As long as you've got pitching you're ahead of the game.
I respect you Idstros fan, but this is ridiculous. Pena will be here a long time and will get better and better. Dubon is a great utility guy and should get a lot of money next year to be that guy. People talk about the PR hit we would get for letting Dusty go. Trading Pena would be much worse.
While I agree about not trading Pena, decisions shouldn't be made with PR reasons in mind. Luhnow should've taught us this, not doing the popular media/fans PR things is the reason the Stros are where they're at today. Thanks Jeff Luhnow
Everything you just wrote is true. ( except Dubon still has 3 years of control so won't be making TOO much) And as I said, I can totally see Pena being the starting Astros SS and ending up being the best ever in team history. While never being a top 5 SS in the league I just think Dubon COULD fill in with little to no drop off, and Pena COULD bring back a haul that could change the trajectory of this team in a meaningful and positive way. I agree the chances of said trade are very very small. And if Pena stays, I will cheer him for as long as he wears orange and navy.
If we had anyone in the minors that was capable of being an everyday shortstop (maybe we do and I am missing it) I would feel more comfortable trading Pena away. I would hate to have to rely on Dubon as the SS for the next three years. He could be good like this year or bad like last year. I would just hate to rely on the good right now. Think Montero but at SS.
I have no issues with Dubon at SS, I believe he's fixed his swing. However they definitely need to find some infield depth pieces if they made this trade. I've got little faith in Kessinger if anything happened to Dubon.
1b-Abreu 2b-Altuve 3b-bregman Ss-Peña LF-Chad/Julks/Yordan CF-Gilbert RF-Tucker DH-Yordan/Diaz C-Diaz Bench: C-FA(Lee traded) UTI-dubon OF: Chas, Julks SP Valdez Brown FA/Trade Javier France Urquidy RP Presley Abreu LMJ Montero Dubin Neris Martinez 26 guy a rotation of call ups
26 Man: C Diaz 1B Abreu 2B Altuve 3B Bregman SS Pena LF Gilbert CF McCormick RF Tucker DH Alvarez C Maldonado IF Dubon FA IF/OF OF Meyers or Julks SP Valdez SP Brown SP Javier SP Urquidy SP Garcia or McCullers RP Pressly RP Abreu RP Neris RP Maton RP Montero RP Garcia or McCullers RP France or Bielak RP FA It’s pretty nice only needing a backup C, backup bench player and possibly a high leverage reliever in free agency
What he triggered is control. It's no longer a club option, it's now a player option. He will opt out and look for a Montero type 3 year deal.
Starting lineup 2B) Altuve CF) Gilbert DH) Alvarez 3B) Bregman RF) Tucker 1B) Abreu C) Diaz LF) McCormick SS) Pena Bench: Dubon, Meyers or Julks ( whichever isn't traded), Kessinger, Salazar Rotation Valdez Javier Brown McCullers Garcia Urquidy Bullpen Pressly Abreu Montero Martinez Mushinski France Blanco I see the team bringing in a veteran back up catcher to replace Salazar, A position player to upgrade Kessinger, and probably 2 veteran relief pitchers because that bullpen is weak after the top 2. Others who could compete in spring training: K.Lee, Dirden, Pedro Leon, Hensley, Whitley, Gage, Dubin
