I think the Astros have to be aggressive buyers. There’s no way you can count on everyone coming back magically healthy and productive by the postseason. Obviously our farm isn’t that attractive as far as trade pieces, but thats why Dana Brown gets paid the big bucks. If the Twins are sellers, hell go bring Correa back and slide him at 3rd. Parades DH.
One more thumper in the middle of the lineup would be very nice, and also be a bet hedge in case everybody is *not* healthy in September
Ok- what about a challenge type trade with another contender: You give us your right handed 7th inning reliever, you get to choose any of our bullpen left handers you want. this astros bullpen is so left handed. If Javier and Arrighetti come back and are really good they will be our 3rd and 4th starters so it’s not like we even get more right handed quality in the bullpen. I really like Sousa and Okert, and King is growing on me, but I wouldn’t mind trying to get the right handed version of them and some other contender might want to get a little more left handed.
The Astros expected Yordan back in May. Even if they think guys will be back by the end of the year . . . they should know by now and the empirical evidence . . . that may not be the case. If they want to compete this season and give this pitching staff a chance . . . they make some trades. If they don't make a few moves, it is simple . . . they don't think this team has the juice. But if they don't believe in the team to make some meaningful moves, they need to shop Framber.
I actually think a Correa trade would make some sense for both sides, even though there’s a 0% chance of it happening. Correa is owed ~$110M/3.5yrs guaranteed. Thats about fair value considering he’s an aging oft-injured superstar, but it fits Houston’s window and is short enough for Crane to stomach. The 4 options are essentially team options since it will be easy for any team to prevent him from reaching the 500+ pa thresholds to trigger it. The Twins are about to have a new owner who I’m sure would like to inherit as little payroll commitments as possible. They also have Brooks Lee and Luke Keaschall who can step into the middle infield, with very good 1st round pick SS prospects in Culpepper and Marek Houston who should be up in the next 2-3 seasons. Clearing that 9 figure deal while adding 1-2 more good prospects would be smart for them. Correa would solidify the 2025 lineup to mitigate all the injury uncertainty, and he could be moved to 3B or 2B over the offseason; he probably wouldn’t be happy about that but winning cures a lot.
we had @IdStrosfan on our podcast last night talking trade deadline. He's been writing pretty extensively on it. Had a fun podcast. Hope yall enjoy. Breathing Orange Fire on spotify or Apple. If you subscribe or leave a review will enter you for a pair of playoff tickets in round 1 of the playoffs.
Oh man this would make me so happy. Correa and 15M (just to cover this years remaining salary and keep us out of the luxury tax so we can re-set it) for Blubaugh or something like that. He's owed 30M next 3 years right? That's your Abreu and Montero money and then your LMJ money after that. By the way- I think he would be, even as he ages, an absolutely great 1B defensively. He could take over for Walker when we decide to cut bait there and when he sucks on his way out of the game we can b**** about another aging 1B that makes too much money. Also- those 4 option years as you point out are really cheap. There's some potential for good value there if he ages even somewhat ok. Make it happen Jimbo!
Unfortunately the CBT impact of trade acquisitions is calculated using the average annual value of remaining contract, so you can’t have a team just cover one seasons salary to keep out of the tax; if Houston trades for Correa, they are adding his $30M+ AAV and there’s no way to get the Twins to eat enough to keep Houston out of the tax. Trading for Correa means going over the tax. For whatever Correa’s flaws, and there are a lot, he’s a guy who really wants to win and when he’s healthy he’s one of the best players in the world. Hes the type of guy smart teams trade for.
We have been spoiled. With 62 games to go, this team is 5 games up in the AL West and 1 1/2 games behind for the best record in the AL. Baseball Reference gives them over a 95% chance at the playoffs and nearly a 10% chance to win the World Series. And this is with 5 members of the opening day lineup and 3 members of the early season rotation injured. Despite what you think you know, these chances do not happen every year. Prospects are just prospects. Look at Forrest Whitley and Pedro Leon. When having this type of season you MUST go for it. Be smart about cost, but would you rather have a 2025 World Series trophy and Ryan Gusto in your 2026 rotation or no ring and Miguel Ullola in that rotation?
The problem is that Yordan is much more likely to be healthy. Correa would be a 3b because option is because Paredes would be out. And you saw it here first - don't be surprised if the Astros return to looking at Arenado.
Astros top 20 trade chips in order of how likely they are to be traded: Shay Whitcomb Bryce Mayer Joseph Sullivan Ethan Pecko Miguel Ullola Chas McCormick Jose Fleury AJ Blubaugh Walker Janek Ryan Gusto Michael Knorr Spencer Arrighetti Brice Matthews Jackson Nezuh Zach Cole Kenedy Corona Colton Gordon Jacob Melton Kevin Alvarez Chase Jaworsky
there isn't a zero percent chance for the Astros to acquire Arenado, but it's pretty close to that. His tax hit for this season is $26M, meaning the Astros would be over the tax limit. They're (almost certainly) not doing that for Arenado, regardless of Paredes' status. He also (still) doesn't want to be here.
I agree but Crane has also shown he wants to win and will talk himself into things if he thinks it will bring rings. He did that with Greinke, did it with Hader, did it at least to a certain extent with Abreu and Walker. If a star player comes available that Crane thinks will get them over the top, he won’t let money stand in the way.
Still don't think Arenado wants to get traded, especially with STL being 500 ish so not an absolutely miserable situation.
