What does that mean? Sorry I dont fully understand the qualifying offer. That means we cant go for them now?
Only if they accepted does it mean they are unavailable. If they rejected they are FA with comp picks attached to them.
Final Answer on the order of who Houston should target for each of their needs (* indicates trade target, all others are free agents): Elite bat: 1. Cabrera* 2. Encarnacion 3. Freeman* 4. Bautista 5. Martinez* 6. Abreu* 7. Cespedes 8. Braun* 9. Holliday 10. Jaso* Catcher: 1. Vogt* 2. McCann* 3. Iannetta 4. Ramos 5. Norris* 6. Castro 7. Avila 8. Weiters 9. Salty 10. Suzuki Outfield: 1. McCutcheon* 2. Puig* 3. Fowler 4. Calhoun* 5. Gordon* 6. Desmond 7. Gardner* 8. Blackmon* 9. Ellsbury* 10. Reddick Starting pitcher: 1. Sale* 2. Quintana* 3. Archer* 4. Verlander* 5. Zimmerman* 6. Pineda* 7. Ross* 8. Gray* 9. Hill 10. Teheran* Relief pitcher: 1. Chapman 2. Jansen 3. Cecil 4. Robertson* 5. Melancon 6. Doolittle* 7. Uehara 8. Duke* 9. McGee* 10. Rzepczynski If Houston adds one player from each of those lists without giving up any of their core players (Altuve, Correa, Springer, Gattis, Gurriel, Bregman, Keuchel, McCullers, McHugh, Giles, Harris, Gregerson) they will be the favorite to win the AL.
Ok, not to seem like a debbie downer or pessimist, but duh. If they add a top 10 player in each category of need whilst keeping all current best players, I feel like any team that does that would be a favorite. I'll take top 5 SP. and Top 5 bat. If we can do that without giving up too much we will be awesome.
One thing that's clear whichever hitters Luhnow goes after will be left handed or switch hitters Biggest need: Wieters, McCann, Ramos, Castro at C I don't think 1B is a need as much as a luxury. I'd go for the Encarnacion grand slam but if he passed you still have Gurriel & Marwin who can play and it leaves the door open for Reed if he makes the adjustments and hits like the 2015 Milb player of the year. OF is where I want the big bat. Reddick, Beltran, Gardner sure there's more lefties. SP isnt a need. There's no one on the FA market who's an upgrade over Keuchel, McCullers, Musgrove, McHugh, Devenski, Feliz, maybe Martes/Paulino. Even Mike Fiers would be a top 10 starter in this years market. Give the prospects a shot if none (which I couldn't fathom with that talent) can hold down a spot then deal a said prospect for a quality vet. I'm banking on Keuchel & McCullers to be top 1&2 guys. LHRP is a big need. We have Sipp, not many internal options. Chapman and Jansen would be nice, I don't see us mentioned anywhere as suitors. There's always elite closers available at the deadline it blocks Feliz or Devenski from progressing
Do ya'll think we make a run at Chapman? Probably not considering they just signed Giles last year, but Chapman is leagues better than Giles but also leagues more expensive. Might be considered a luxury pick up. Our bullpen is a strength, but I'm a believer you can never have enough good arms in the pen. With that said, I agree with the sentiment that we need a TOR starter and an impact bat.
Not to be an a$$ or anything but it seems like you kind of just talked to yourself around a circle lol. That being said, while Chapman would be cool, I like the 7-8-9 set up we have and we have much better areas of need to throw money towards.
Teams will get into a bidding war over Chapman, rest assured, and Crane doesn't like to get involved in bidding wars.
Melancon would be the better get in terms of cost. I've heard $20 mil per tied to chapman and that much money would take a serious chunk of cash they intend to spend.
Sanchez was only there for a 1/3 of a season worth of games and Naquin had a very good offensive season. At least the right guy won.
I feel much more comfortable in Luhnow's signings and drafts than I do his trades (Giles and Gomez). I'd rather roll with the young guys we have and make some signings, maybe one big splash signing (Encarnacion) and supplement with some solid Luhnow signings that dont break the bank (Melancon, Fowler?).
I have to say, if Jose Bautista wears the orange H star and bat flips all over the Texas Rangers I would be ecstatic.
He's a douche, but I'd love him on the Stros. We need some guys that don't take **** from anybody, and one thing is for sure.....he hates that Quasimodo-looking **** Odor and the Rangers as much as we do.
