Yeah Framber is super strange. He’s unpredictable and when he isn’t good it looks mental. But he can also be a total f’n gamer, and generally he’s been badass.
Yep. It all came together in 2022 for Framber (especially in the postseason). In '23 + '24 he was horrible in the postseason. Why I would be reluctant to give him big $ on an extension.
Framber melted down against the Rangers and neither Maldy nor any coaches went and talked to him at all, just let him melt down After that, anytime he has a poor game everyone here says “mental meltdown” Framber is fine mentally, and one of the most consistent pitchers on the planet
Arrighetti, Wesneski, St Louis gets to pick 7 prospects from the Astros farm system for Donovan, the Astros get to pick 7 guys from St Louis Farm, but St Louis can protect 25 players. Not a big fan of trading MLB pitching, but Astros don't really have much else to deal.
Yep, in the 2 seasons plus since then he has only thrown 410 innings of 3.27 era, gives up a little over a baserunner per inning and has won 28 games. Trash
I believe the Astros pull a mid rotation starter from thin air every year it seems like. I would certainly trade pitching for position players which we have had trouble developing.
I'm totally against trading Framber and the only way Crane would allow it anyway would be if we totally fell out of the race BUT Since we are playing GM games, here is what I would involve him in a trade for Red Sox get: Framber, Blubaugh, Janek, C Gordon, Whitcomb Astros get: Rafaela, Mayer Sox have Roman Antony waiting and ready to play CF as one of the top prospects in the sport. Both him and Mayer are only at AAA right now because they are blocked in MLB, and Framber could be the piece that puts them over the top. They have no catching prospects in their top 30 and the top one they do have isn't likely to be ready until 28 or later. Astros get their CF and 2B for the next decade ish. Rafaela is already signed to an 8 year deal at a rate even Crane would accept. Obviously losing Framber hurts and Blubaugh would be the next in line to step into his spot in the rotation, but getting those two would be expensive Pena SS Altuve LF Yordan DH Paredes 3B Yainer C Walker 1B Rafaela CF Cam RF Mayer 2B Brown Lance Blanco Arrighetti/Gusto Wesneski
So Arrighetti, Wesneski, Matthews, Melton, Ullola, Brito, K Alvarez, Blubaugh and Janek for Donovan and 7 guys who aren't in their top 25? Lol, I do like Donovan and the fit, but if we were willing to trade those 9 it certainly wouldn't be for Donovan and fillers
Half a year of Kikuchi was Bloss, Wagner, and Loperfido. 2.5 years of Donovan should be about 5 times as much.
There is risk involved in this trade for sure. As for Donovan, he is in his 4th season and has a career OPS+ of 120. So, while he may not keep up a .950 OPS, he is a legitimately established bat at this point. He gets on base - with a career OB% of nearly .370, he could really fit nicely in the Astros line up and he plays second base. He is under control for this season and two more. The Astros would have their infield locked in for the next 2.5 years with Paredes/Pena/Donovan/Walker ..... there aren't any stars in that group but that is a pretty rock-solid infield offensively and defensively, at a low cost and for a reasonably long time. I would defer to Murphy and Miller or Arrighetti, but if the Cardinals called and offered Donovan for Arrighetti, I would think long and hard about it.
What's his playoff record during that time? He can still shut out a team when things go right, but when the pressure hits he gives up 4-6 runs quick and can't recover. Playoff pressure has toasted him the last two years and that's not a coincidence. But if someone likes him winning 12-15 games in the regular season and AVERAGE 3.27 ERA (by allowing almost no runs then turn around and bomb it) then he's their guy.
Agreed, why give up some of our present and future for one guy that barely moves the needle. We'd be rebuilding in 2 years time with that trade.
I don't think trading away 10 guys for Donovan and 7 guys is something either team would consider. That's a very very fantasy offer. But I completely disagree that Donovan is a guyvwho "barely moves the needle" As noted above, he has a career OPS+ of 120, OB% of 370, hits lefty, is controlled for 2 more seasons after this one, and plays the position this team needs the most help in. He is quite literally the perfect player for this team. The Cardinals will want to compete next year so not interested in high ceiling lower level guys. They will want MLB ready and/or semi-proven players. Whitcomb, Dezenzo, Blanco, and a AAA/AA SP prospect for him.
How much does Donovan make per year? Have you accounted for the teams primary goal of keeping wages at or below their current level? If they bring in anybody at second base that player will have to come from the teams minor leagues. Fortunately there are a couple of options there and both have a chance to be just as good as Donovan.
