I wouldn’t count out Pressly returning to form next year. Even the best relievers have down years, which for Pressly is a 3.49 era
The implication is that the Astros don't want to get out from under Pressly's contract. They will likely be postseason team next year and FanGraphs values his postseason value as equivalent to a 1.2 fWAR player this postseason. I'd guess his regular season value will be around 0.7 or 0.8 fWAR. I highly doubt the Crane will be inclined to trade prospects to get out of a contract that would likely be exactly the type of contract the Astros would trade prospects for to acquire at next year's trade deadline. If the Astros are going to trade prospects to save money, it won't be to move Pressly who is in the last year of his deal. Pressly is likely is a valuable pitcher to have in the postseason even if by WAR standards, his regular season contract value is negative. Considering the Astros are likely not going to be good for too many more years, I just don't see Crane caring about a contract that doesn't extend past a year, that isn't too expensive, and the player can still make a difference in the postseason. Edit: When a team is still improving, getting the best bang for the buck contracts matters a lot. I am very big on $/WAR in almost every situation except for a team with limited prospect value that is going to have a hard time keeping the MLB talent together for much longer. The Astros current situation is one that they don't have the luxury of time finding the best deals. They just need to assemble as much talent as they can and hope the owner's wallet sucks it up for a couple more runs at a World Series before going back to the bang for a buck mantra.
We will do everything in our power to get under the cap after next season get reset the repeater tax. Crane isn't going to pay it 3 years in a row. That is why I'm not optimistic about Tucker at all. I'm less optimistic about Tucker than I was with Correa.
It would be significanlty easier than next year, which may be the last ride. Staying under the cap and making any kind of competitive moves this offseason will be difficult, and we know we should still be a contender for at least one more year. The team will have significantly more financial flexibility after next season...if there's even a major competitive core worth spending on. I'm not as down on both being gone, but yes 2 of the 3 (with Bregman) are for sure out,
After next season. We will pay the tax this coming season if it means we are still in contention, but there is no way we pay in 2026 with a 50 percent hit.
Yep... and he said he liked water parks in the post celebration interviews... lots of value gained that post-season with his presence!
The 50% hit only applies to salary that is over the luxury tax threshold, right? Are you saying there is no chance the Astros go a buck over the luxury tax threshold in 2026, and Crane has to cough up an extra 50 cents along with the non-repeater tax? I don't expect Crane to go way over the luxury tax in 2025 or 2026. I don't think Crane will care about going a little over the luxury tax threshold if he thinks the Astros still can contend. I think Crane cares about spending a lot when the Astros aren't contending.
No way they pay a dime over the LT in 2026, because it prevents them from making any big moves after that. If they drop under the LT, then they can go over again 2027 if the right player or deal comes along.
This seems like an outstanding plan. It would really help if they could make another Diaz type deal. LOL
Love CFM. But he's 40 and cooked. Kikuchi is the clear answer of the guys on that list. Burnes, Snell, and Fried are clearly better, but after that it's hard to find a better fit than extending Yusei at market rate for another 3 years. I think I'd rather do that than sign Heaney or Flaherty.
If i'm the Dana, I'm offfering up Ronel this winter to see what kind of return you can get on him. He is under control and worthy of Cy Young votes but is on the wrong side of 30 and never performed like this before. Sell high would be my move.
4 years. He was still technically a rookie last season. He has 2 more seasons of pre-arbitration. That being said, there is not way we are getting good value back. He is inexpensive and played at an all-star level. We have him under control during the prime years.
Yea I think selling Ronel now would be pretty ballsy. Cheap contract and likely to be at least a 4th starter moving forward. That'd have to be a pretty nice return to give up a cheap MOR.
Fixed it for ya. When is the last time a starting pitcher with a sub 3 ERA and 4 years of control was traded?
Exactly why they won’t do it…. Nor should they ever trade any club-controlled pitcher with talent and MLB success.
