So something that likely didn't cross Angelos' desk. There's nothing online about any trade with anyone this season.
Any possibility on acquiring Matt Kemp? Has a great bat, albeit he seems slightly psycho. Under control for next year, albeit he is expensive. He fills 2 Holes, one in LF and the other being another elite bat. I don’t follow the trade market in baseball like I do basketball, am I out of my element on this being a potential target?
The Astros have had conversations with Baltimore since the deal fell through. Only difference is Duquette is no longer handling negotiations.
You still haven't said what trade they made with Baltimore. I've searched every possible transaction list and there's nothing.
Google search "astros leon international money orioles" and I see a link that to minor league transactions list from BA from May 19-29.
See it now. Still, as I mentioned before, that's not a deal that would've crossed Angelos' desk. He's the problem.
I can't imagine him standing in the way of a Britton trade this year, unless he's willing to pony up to slap a QO on him.
The roster Id most hope for in October C (3) McCann, Stassi, Gattis (DH) IF (5) Gurriel, Altuve, Bregman, Correa, Marwin OF (4) Reddick, Springer, *Corey Dickerson, K. Tucker Rotation (4) Verlander, Cole, Morton, McCullers Bullpen (8) *Kelvin Herrera, Devo, Rondon, Harris, Keuchel (4a), McHugh (4b), Peacock (4c) One spot amongst Giles, J. Smith, Sipp, Martes, Paulino, Hoyt, Armenteros, etc Final roster spot for the most contributing player (not opposed to 13 Position Players). A massive group of Kemp, Fisher, Davis, Marisnick, Straw, Giles, J. Smith, Sipp, Martes, Paulino, Hoyt, etc too choose from
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/06/top-50-mlb-trade-candidates.html Players of interest to Houston (imho): Catchers with multiple years of control: JT Realmuto, Salvador Perez 1B/DH/LF with multiple years of control: Jose Abreu, Nick Castellanos, Justin Bour, Shin Soo Choo, Miguel Cabrera, Khris Davis, Derek Dietrich, Jorge Soler Rental 3B/IF: Adrian Beltre, Manny Machado, Josh Donaldson, Jed Lowrie, Mike Moustakas Rental 4th OF: Curtis Granderson, Adam Jones Relievers: Kelvin Herrera, Brad Hand, Zach Britton, Raisel Iglesias, Mike Minor, Blake Treinen
Tony Kemp is certainly making things interesting right now. Up to 69 PA and his OBP is still .373. That OBP is supported by paltry 9% K rate, a 12% walk rate and a 30% LD rate. He's not striking out, he's walking and he's hitting the ball hard with speed on top of that. The fact that his BABIP is only .294 would suggest he's been unlucky so far if anything. He's very little in the way of a power threat, but he has enough pop to keep pitchers honest. the longer he keeps getting on base like this, the more you start to believe Tony Kemp the viable everyday player may be a thing. Combined with Gattis getting back on his feet I'm not sure just how much offense is a pressing issue. Still almost 2 months before the deadline, so there's time to let this play out, but the bottom of the order doesn't feel like a black hole at all.
I agree. There’s a certain element of “we need to do at least something at the deadline”, even though the current roster is so deep/complete. Right now, the “last 4” guys are Marisnick, Kemp, Smith, and Sipp. Kemp and Sipp are playing pretty well right now, Smith has an onerous contract (and hasn’t been that bad), and Marisnick still has his defense. Combined with the depth in the minors (especially the impending arrival of core players in Tucker and Whitley), it really doesn’t make a ton of sense to ship out good prospects for such a marginal upgrade. For now I think Houston will wait until closer to the deadline to see if any injuries crop up, and if there aren’t any, they’ll go for a reliever (Britton, Hand, or Herrera) and make the roster numbers work through phantom DL stints and options. It’s bad to say, but a significant injury to McCann, Gattis, or Marwin would make things a lot clearer, as all 3 of those guys are pending free agents (and haven’t hit all that well over the course of this season) and they could then make a move for a multi-year replacement. Same goes for Sipp.
Yeah, of McCann, Gattis, and Marwin, all three have had ups and downs. I'd say, trade for Bour and Hand, and call it a deadline. Maybe go after Realmuto next offseason, but Stassi/Stubbs could be a solid R/L platoon option. On a side note, I wish Correa was sent to the 10-day DL so that we could both give one of our AAA guys more playing time, and also, make sure Correa is rested enough so he doesn't re-aggravate his injury.
When Jake doesn't play, I agree with you. We also dont know what happens when Fisher gets healthy. He wasn't exactly ripping the seams off the ball when he was playing. Kemp/Gattis have been trending well lately. Marwin's .615 BA/1.692 OPS over the last 7 days have been welcome as well.
Over the next month a lot of our lineup and bullpen holes are going to seem like they are magically cured...however, this is the easiest stretch of the season. I saw what happened against the Yankees, Red Sox, Indians, and Mariners - we need at least one more bullpen arm. A power bat at LF, 1B or DH would be welcome as well.
