(Boston Globe) Astros' players sought by contenders

You could easily get 2 ready to contribute RIGHT AWAY spects for Oswalt AND a spect whos a top prospect that has a few years to go. If you trade him to the Mets, they have a TON of on the verge to help players that are very young and very exciting.

I also disagree with the reloading thing. How often has Uncle Drayton went out and completely reloaded a team? Never! We have too many holes, and 1 off-season, even 2 would not complete the "reload". So by that time Oswalt, Lee, and Berkman are in the 32ish range and on the downside of their careers, granted their downside will still be better than most in the league, the time is now to guarantee top value for them and build a young nucleus around Pence that has some serious talent.

Also, if we were in the American League, there would be NO QUESTION it is time to rebuild, the only reason there is ANY hope what so ever is that the National League outside the Mets is extremely weak.

 

Was 2004 that long ago? They most definitely "RE-LOADED" by adding Pettite/Clemens to a pretty old nucleus of Bagwell/Biggio/Kent... and then Berkman/Oswalt.

Right now, building around Berkman/Oswalt/Lee/Pence is feasible... but of course you may have to trade some of the other underachievers (Wheeler/Qualls/Lidge/Jennings) to do so.

 

I would trade Oswalt or Lidge if you could get a can't miss 3b or SS, plus some above average pitching prospects. We have been really bad 2 years in a row. We are several starting pitchers away from even contending in the Central and there are very few FA pitchers to be had in the off-season. We should re-build now. Nobody save Pence and Berkman should be untouchable.
Unlike most on this board, I think Jennings could still be a serviceable pitcher, so if you can't get something substantial in the stretch run I would try and re-sign him. If you don;t resign Jennings or get something via trade our rotation next year is Oswalt, Sampson, Wandy, Woody, and Albers (or Patton). That would be a long-shot to compete. It is time to re-build and we will have to do it via trade.

 

One question for the board? Do you guys actually have faith in any trade Tim orchestrates? NOT I!

 

As a Red Sox fan, I'll throw this trade offer out there and see what you guys think:

Red Sox trade Clay Buchholz, Bryce Cox, and Manny Delcarmen to the Astros for Oswalt. Do you take that deal or not?

 

no, can't take 3 pitchers when astros have HUGE holes at catcher, 3rd and RF.

 

if we're trading with the Sox, I want Ellsbury!

 

I can't believe that O said he'd waive the clause...That's like giving up...Hell, would the team be more apt to do this than the player...

The firesale is coming, but I doubt it'll be Roy...Lidge, maybe...

 

No thanks. It would probably take Buchholz, Ellsbury and another high level prospect to make the Astros consider it.

 

he was asked a (likely leading) question by a known cage-rattler, not to mention talentless hack - you guys are blowing this way out of porprotion.

 

They have those outside of the Chronicle?

 

it was JdDO.

 

Okay, take out Delcarmen and replace with Ellsbury. So, the revised offer would be Ellsbury, Buchholz, and Cox for Oswalt. I doubt Theo, himself, would give up that much for Oswalt, so I would think that offer would make the Astros consider the possibility of dealing Oswalt pretty strongly.

 

Ah, I was thinking it was the Boston Globe writer.

 

I don't know anything about Cox, but his minor league numbers this season are pretty ordinary. I'd probably still say no to the deal, but I'd give it a long hard look. Oswalt is without a doubt one of the best pitchers in baseball, has been for the last 5 years, and is still only 30. Not to mention his contract is an absolute bargain. It's going to take an extraordinary offer for the Astros to let him go.

 

Yeah, it was.

 

Cox was a stud at Rice (too bad that bigtexxx has disappeared or you would have probably heard him go on and on about him). From what I read, the Red Sox are grooming him to be their closer of the future as they still have these plans of making Papelbon a starter (which I think is the wrong move to make). So, I would guess that he is an above-average prospect or the Sox must still be paranoid about Pap's shoulder - it is probably the 2nd.

 

Manny --

let's do Lidge for Ellsbury straight up. get 'er done.

 

Pettitte and Clemens came via the home town discount the first year. Also, FA prices have SOARED since then, Drayton will not spend that much money on anyone that does not have Texas roots. Plus in 2004, we didn't have as many holes as we do now. We have a hole now at C, 2B, SS, 3B, RF, a #2 and #3 SP, and AT LEAST 2 solid Pen guys.

Now there is two ways to fill every hole; spend at least 5 mil a year on 9 guys to add $45 mil to the payroll, OR Trade Lee, Berkman, Oswalt, Lidge, Wheeler, Qualls, Loreta, Lamb, Moberg, Jennings, ANYONE not name Pence which would create a hole at every position except 1 OF position. With those 10 guys you trade away you recieve at MINIMUM 20 pieces to the puzzle. That is nearly a COMPLETE team at a fraction of the price. Wouldn't it be fun to watch the youngsters all grow up together like the Indians or Brewers, this team has been extremely boring to watch the last couple of years, a shot of energy and youth would be a pleasant change IMO.

 

I would actually pass on that one, Max. I don't know why but I keep thinking that Lidge is going to break down soon.