<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>White Sox still looking to deal a SP. Would love to offload John Danks' contract, but takers unlikely. Quintana, Santiago also available.</p>— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/statuses/410106133748011009">December 9, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>In order to trade Chris Sale, sources say, White Sox would be looking for a package much bigger than what David Price is expected to get.</p>— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/statuses/410106262487957504">December 9, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
We need D. Brown!! Brown, Fowler and Springer could be very entertaining and exciting for many years!
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>The <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Astros&src=hash">#Astros</a> have officially released OF Eric Thames, who will play in Korea next season. Houston's 40-man roster now stands at 37.</p>— Houston Astros (@astros) <a href="https://twitter.com/astros/statuses/410152562709389312">December 9, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Bullpen still an Astros target. First base also an area they're looking at.</p>— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/statuses/410178022680297472">December 9, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Astros&src=hash">#Astros</a> GM Jeff Luhnow just addressed media, says reliever and another bat are goals. Didn't give indication anything was close.</p>— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) <a href="https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/statuses/410178094285463552">December 9, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Teams see <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Astros&src=hash">#Astros</a> as realistic trade partner after Fowler deal. RHP Lucas Harrell drawing interest.</p>— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/statuses/410181438085300224">December 9, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Astros&src=hash">#Astros</a> looking for a reliever who can potentially close. One of many names on their list is their former closer, Jose Veras.</p>— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) <a href="https://twitter.com/jaysonst/statuses/410189933978996736">December 9, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Absolutely. White Sox would want a lot more. Sale is only 2 years older, and under contract for the next 6 seasons (Appel would be under team control for 6 seasons). The question is would you unload Springer+Appel+Singleton? Expect that kind of cost, if not more. Appel can't be officially dealt until June 19th. As a PTBNL, Appel is not eligible until December 19th. PTBNL must be finalized within 6 months.
Take away that one HR stretch he had last year, and he wasn't that good. Last 102 PAs: 0HR, .609OPS. I'd consider a deal, but him being shopped means Philly is trying to cash in on his regained value before he loses it. Cost? Maybe Domingo Santana?
Sale is under contract based on a real contract (not club/arb control) for the immediate next 6 seasons and is then a FA. Appel is under control for 6 (likely 6.25 or 6.5) seasons once he's called up (which means more seasons within the Astros contending window and less immediately compared to Sale)... plus he would likely be signed to a long-term deal after his first few seasons just like Sale. In which case he's probably under contract for 8-10 years and not just 6. Just think that comparison should be more detailed is all, because I think they're in very different scenarios with Sale having 3+ years of ML experience on his clock.
I know this was rumored earlier in offseason as well, but: <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Astros&src=hash">#Astros</a> looking for a reliever who can potentially close. One of many names on their list is their former closer, Jose Veras.</p>— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) <a href="https://twitter.com/jaysonst/statuses/410189933978996736">December 9, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Sale is under a remarkably friendly contract: 2014: $3.5M 2015: $6M 2016: $9.15M 2017: $12M 2018: $12.5M (buyout $1M) 2019: $12.5M (buyout $1M) These deals aren't really that common. I wouldn't expect one from a Boras client.
understood, but I think the point is that Appel would likely be under minimal contract #'s for 2-3 years, and then arb for a year before a LT deal, or else sign a LT deal at that point. I don't think it'll be as friendly as Sale's, but I also don't think it'll kill our payroll. And if we're talking about 8-9 years of Appel starting in 2015 vs. 6 of Sale starting in 2014, I think there is a price you're willing to pay for the delay and the longer time under contract.
The value isn't really there, because Sale is so cheap. Inexpensive, proven, & flexible. Appel won't kill our payroll, but neither would Sale. It would be different if we knew Appel would be a top 10 pitcher like Sale, but that is so unknown. Other than fear of injury (which some have speculated will happen with his mechanics), the White Sox would be crazy to move Sale. I don't think we have ever seen a player get moved at such a value contract for so many years locked in.
http://blog.chron.com/ultimateastro...n-tear-but-astros-may-still-upgrade-at-first/ Singleton’s winter-ball performance — seven home runs, a .283/.405/.565 line in 26 games in Puerto Rico entering Monday — has been eye-opening. It could take at least some pressure off the Astros to look for outside help, but the bottom line remains Singleton would have to win a job in spring training. Nice to hear he is coming back to his 2012 performance.
More importantly, from the same article: Singleton, 22, is said to be in a better state of mind now than he was a few months ago. He served a 50-game mar1juana-related suspension last season, and he was having a difficult time generally. There was concern that Singleton, listed at 6-2 and 235 pounds, needed to improve his conditioning. The Astros suggested he stay in Houston and work out with a personal trainer this winter. “He’s a very strong individual,” Luhnow said. “He likes to spend time in the gym, conditioning and lifting and everything else. He does more sort of football conditioning, if you will, and ends up bulking up maybe a little more than he should. He’s really worked well with our nutritionist and our conditioning people, and we feel he’s getting very close to the optimal body composition and the sort of strength and agility combination. He’s a very, very good defensive first baseman, and he’s going to hit for a ton of power. This is a very exciting player.”
Thirded. Considering last season that the 1B position put up a .224/.316/.423 triple slash, Singleton should have a decent to great shot at making the roster. If we continue the spring without signing a first baseman, I feel like he will get the nod with Carter moving to the DH spot almost exclusively with left field filled. First base did also see 29 homers and 74 RBI, and surprisingly only 10 homers and 26 RBI came from Carter in that cut. Wallace, in the exact same amount of plate appearances (223), put up 10 homers and 23 RBI. The rest of the homers came from Pena. Singleton will most likely not play all 162 games at first, but I would be surprised if he alone cannot match that same output (except maybe homers in that rookie year).
I don't think that's a reason to rush somebody up who isn't performing in the minors. I'm gonna make an out-on-a-limb call and say Japhet the Hutt is our opening day 1B.
I would agree that it is not worth rushing him, but a strong spring would make it an interesting situation. Also, I am somewhat pulling for Japhet to make the roster just so I can make more of these in my spare time:
