WAR is a counting stat. Marisnick was producing WAR at a much higher rate than Fowler was last season in CF. At about the time of Fowler getting healthy last season, Marisnick's WAR in CF for Astros was 1 and -0.3 for Marlins in about 1/4 the time played of Fowler. Unless Fowler posted a near 2.8 WAR that I missed....or Marisnick generated huge amounts of negative WAR in CF in spot duty at the position the rest of the year...your statement is laughable. PS I am using fWAR. rWAR numbers would be 0.8 and -0.2 if I remember correctly. So Fowler would have needed to be around 2.4 rWAR to match Marisnick's rate.
I just skimmed the last few pages, but did nobody reply to you? That's rude, c'mon Clutchfans, we're better than that! As a non-expert, I'd venture to guess that Marisnick would be much more available than McHugh. In fact, I think unless we get an offer that blows us away, McHugh is too valuable for us to trade away. I personally like Gattis (as a rotational DH, LF, or even back-up C guy), so I'd be very interested in trying to trade for him, depending on the acquisition cost. It seems to me that John Hart's asking price for either Upton or Gattis is sky high right now, so the best thing would be to wait and see if he eventually lowers his demands. I also think he is hoping to dump BJ Upton along with Gattis, which I simply don't see any team agreeing to. I don't think it would get it done, but how close or far do you think a package of Marisnick, Mike Foltynewicz (hard-throwing minor leaguer who saw his first experience in the majors last year), and a top 15-20 prospect (granted a top 15-20 prospect for the Astros is probably a top 10ish prospect for most other ball clubs, so the quality should still be there) for Gattis?
I was expecting the Astros to try to add a ToR guy soon (this year or next) earlier in the offseason, but based on reports from Astros on budget was thinking even next year might be too soon for Astros. Wouldn't surprise me to hear the Astros at least kicking tires this year.
Scherzer is looking for a $200M contract, having turned down a 6 year, $150M contract from Detroit last year. I don't think Crane is going to get anywhere near what Scherzer wants, nor should he.
IIRC, didn't the Astros throw out their budget numbers before the tv situation was concluded? It's possible they were being conservative in case the judge decided to side with Comcast. Maybe the strings are much looser than we realize since the money is now coming in?
I agree. He's already 30, I wouldn't want to hand out 6 years to him. I wouldn't getting James Shields for 3 or 4 years at a much cheaper cost.
Crane and Luhnow have always contended that the pocket books will open up when they feel we are on the verge of contention, and it makes sense to do so. I still think it is a long shot, and perhaps a way for Boras to use us to drum up demand from other teams, but as crazy as it sounds, it does make some sense to have that workhorse ace to build our rotation around. $25-$30M a year for 1 pitcher sounds crazy for the Astros, but if you surround him with younger, cheaper, and productive alternatives such as Appel, Keuchel, and McHugh, then suddenly the total cost for what could develop into a strong rotation seems a lot more palatable.
The one thing about him is, though, that he has no injury history. He's started at least 30 games every season of his career with the exception of his rookie year...when he wasn't called up until late April and threw out of the pen for much of that season.
They almost all break eventually. Of course, the bigger concern is his velocity dropping last season. Could he have a dramatic fall like Verlander or Lincecum?
Does anyone else feel like we missed out on Kemp? Padres will be paying just $15m per year for the next 5 years now. He absolutely lit it up in the 2nd half last season.
Absolutely. I've been pushing for a Kemp (and the same money they sent to San Diego) for Jason Castro and Folty deal, but I did not get many people on board. I still would have done that in a heartbeat though.
