Same things were said about Garcia and LMJ last off-season. They shouldn't count on anything from Javier.
Shockingly, Kikuchi used his curveball 20% yesterday. Teams don't know what the hell the Astros will do -- but whatever it is, Miller does an excellent job keeping opponents off balance.
There are teams out there that need a closer that will be willing to trade for Pressly and 14 isn't exhorbinate for a quality closer.
It's not just the pitches thrown but where the pitches are thrown. As an org, we've focused on tunnelling more where different pitches look exactly the same until the ball is halfway to the plate.
Yep. For the most part, the Astros want all/most of a pitcher's pitches to come come out of the hand on a similar trajectory with a similar spin axis (same spin direction or 180 degrees opposite) coming out of the hand. Cutters (and sliders that are cutters, but called sliders) are really the only pitch that comes out of the hand of Astros pitchers that doesn't have a spin axis mostly perpendicular with arm angle.
He can but the Astros brought in another man to take his closer job from him. Why would he veto a trade to a team that wants him to close?
That is true. 1) Pressly is still a trusted member of the bullpen. He is not relegated to mop up duty or performing at a level that equates to negative wins like Monteto or J.Abreu. 2) The Astros are still in Win now mode and won't do anything to hurt the chances in Framber and Tucker's final season. 3) Pressly has full 5/10 no trade rights so can refuse any trade and dictate any terms he wants or where he goes if the Astros try to trade him. 4) Pressly is an Astro icon. Trading him would very very unpopular among the veteran players. 5) Trading a player who is a net positive simply because of money, while trying to win is a terrible message to send to the entire organization or the fans. Now that I think on it, much much less than 10%
You gotta be winning in order to save games. These teams are also likely to be direct competitors to the Astros . A lot of leverage is also lost if Pressly only has 2-3 teams on his list of where he will accept a trade. Hence, him on the roster still may provide more value than what he can return. The 10-and-5 is what will make someone like Abreu more likely to be dealt.
Sure looks like: Valdez Brown Blanco Arrighetti Garcia Then you start to factor in Jr, Javier or Urquidy in the latter half of the season. Whether Jr ever throws another pitch is very much up in the air. It's a damn shame because he's an exceptional pitcher.
Good post that I disagree with. Particularly numbers 2, 3, 4 and 5. 3. You dont think Pressley doesn't want to close for a team in the last year of his contract 2. They wont be hurting their chances if they could get back a good young OF/!B or #B in a trade. Think a Diaz level young player. In addition to this the money saved by trading Pressly and letting JV walk could let Crane keep Kikuchi and maybe even Bregs. 4. You dont think if Brown could get a Diaz level player in a trade and keep Kikuchi they players wouldn't be happy? 5. Trading players to add good young players and, or signing a vet FA to shore up a weakness seems like a smart move to me. I get that you dont like change but things are going to change in the next couple of years regardless of what we like or dont like. How that change is dealt with will determine how long the Stros dynasty will continue to roll on. I just wish Luhnow was here to make those calls.
You dont think Pressly would jump at the chance to close for another team in the last year of his contract. I dont see your post as an issue.
I actually don't. He will be 36 next year and isn't looking to impress anyone to earn a big contract. He's a Texan through and through and bleeds orange and navy. I think unless the Astros tell him they don't want him, he will do everything he can to stay. And, again, this team is better with him that without so I don't think Dana Brown will even attempt to trade him.
Depending who they add in a trade and what they do with Pressly's money would determine if your last sentence is true. Example: If Pressly's money was used to bring Kikuchi back would the team be better with Kikuchi or Pressly?
We get pennies to the dollar if Pressly says trade me, and it must be Minnesota (who drafted him and needs a closer) or Arlington (grew up there, wife is a former Cowboys cheerleader, and allegedly a bullpen away from contending) or maybe even Detroit (could use an upgrade, best season under Hinch). At this stage of his career, stability and winning matter more than the cash at 40 years old.
Not holding my breath on LMJ. Javier will likely miss all of 2025. Urquidy will probably be non-tendered and miss all of 2025 also. I'd like to re-sign Kikuchi as we have proven this year: you can never have enough starter depth.
