A LOT can change in a year, especially with regard to prospects. By this time next year, Matthews, Dezenzo, and Melton could be really good major league players while Janek, Baez, Ochoa, and Gomez (pulling names out of a hat) are all Top 100 prospects. Gotta take it year by year at this point.
Why wouldn't you trade a top prospect or 2 to fill one of the holes if say they can get a guy like Robert who has multiple years of control in a trade?
Maybe not but I don’t really want Comforto or Walker. Robert seems like an attitude issue. This would not restore the glory.
Who would you like to get in FA/trades? Walker is a proven run producer, Robert is very talented and I dont hold it against him for not putting his body on the line for the worst team of all time. There's no doubting his talent and he would fit in well in the Stros clubhouse IMHO. The attitude issues wouldn't be a problem.
At some point the farm has to be allowed the resources to develop the home grown stars required to open a new window. But of course it’s all about value.
I agree with you and that's why I want to keep Matthews, Blubaugh/Baez. But I would trade Baez and maybe even Blubaugh to keep the dynasty rolling. Supposedly they have top tier pitching prospects and OF'er's in the lower minors. Plus give Dana 3 years of drafting and I'm very confident the farm system will be in good shape even if a few top prospects are traded. If you can extend out the dynasty for 4/5 more years by trading say Melton/Baez or Matthews/Blubaugh to fill a couple of holes in the lineup you do it. With as well as Dana has drafted since he's been here I'm confident Dana can restock the farm. Remember when the world was going to end because Gilbert/Clifford were traded?
I do think Baty will be better than Dezenzo in 2025, especially with the glove. And he hits lefty which helps balance the lineup and pairs well with Dezenzo. MLBpipeline: Power: Baty 60, Dezenzo 45 Hit: Baty 60, Dezenzo 55 Run: Baty 45, Dezenzo 40 Arm: Baty 60, Dezenzo 50 Field: Baty 50, Dezenzo 40 Overall: Baty 60, Dezenzo 45 Fangraphs: ( current/potential) Raw power: Baty 70/70, Dezenzo 70/70 Game power: Baty 50/60, Dezenzo 50/55 Hit: Baty 45/50, Dezenzo 30/30 Run: Baty 45/45, Dezenzo 40/40 Arm: Baty 60, Dezenzo 50 Field: Baty 55/55, Dezenzo 40/50 Overall: Baty 60, Dezenzo 40+ As for Matthews, I think like Dezenzo and Whitcomb he has a cup of coffee in 2025 but doesn't make any kind of impact until 2026 - and that may be at SS or CF. I like Dezenzo and think he will outperform his scouting grades, but Baty has better tools and projection, more experience, and may he available strictly due to his position and the Mets roster.
I trust Dana to be able to build a farm system that adds 2-3 top prospects each year. Whether that's by signing international prospects this year like Alvarez and drafting guys like Janek/Forcucci. Apparently you dont have the faith in Dana's ability that I do.
I'm keeping Tucker and adding 3 bats unless Dana gets a deal that knocks his socks off for Tucker. If you have to trade Pressly using prospects to get rid of his salary, plus trade Caratini and let Dubon/Meyers/Chas etc... walk to free up the cash to make this happen you do it. I would like for Dana to keep Framber, but if you need even more money to make this happen then you trade Framber. There should be no sacred cows this offseason. This lineup/pitching staff could happen. 1. Altuve 2B 2. Alvarez DH 3. Tucker RF 4. Walker 1B 5. Diaz C 6. Robert CF 7. Comforto LF 8. Dezenzo 3B 9. Pena SS SP Framber/Kikuchi/Brown/Arrighetti/Blanco (With Garcia/Blubaugh, maybe LMJ as SP 6-9 depth.) Bullpen- Hader/Abreu/Whitley/Garcia/Ort/King/Ferguson/Scott. This can be done by getting rid of Pressly/Caratini's money and letting the arb eiligible guys walk.
Baty has been around awhile and Dezenzo has played well in the minors. The only thing that has held Dezenzo back is he got hurt and doesn't have as much experience as even a guy like Baty. I would rather take a chance on a guy like Dezenzo rather than trade prospects for Baty. However I like the case you made for trading for Baty and would be very happy if Dana traded for Baty. Depending on who Dana traded. Example, I wouldn't want Matthews/Blubaugh/Baez/Janek or Melton to be traded for Baty. Now if the Mets wanted do do a Gusto/Cole type trade foe Baty I would be on board.
My idea is to keep Dezenzo and use him as platoon/back up 1b/3b depending on who else the Astros bring in. Maybe Pressly? Add prospects either way to equal out the value. Maybe in a blockbuster for Tucker with a couple of top 100 prospects - Bring Gilbert and Clifford back? Maybe Meyers as their CF is a free agent?
You dont see Dezenzo as a possible long term solution at 3B? Not interested in bringing back Gilbert and Clifford. Who does Meyers start for in CF?
If we sign kikuchi and everyone comes back healthy, we would have Framber Brown blanco Kikuchi Javier Garcia Urquidy Arghetti JP McCullers depending how they play we could get a pretty decent size haul of prospects and needed bats at the half. That is probably the fastest way we can reload the farm for a quick retool.
Hope you are right, but the bats looked pretty impotent a good part of the season and in the playoff series.
I do see Dezenzo as a possible long term solution at 3b. I say, maybe 50-50 chance he can put up 2+ WAR and 120+ OPS+/wRC+ in multiple seasons there. But I think he's due lots and lots of growing pains in 2025 if he starts everyday. Let's say Baty has 60% chance due to his higher scouting profile and semi established profile. Thats 2 chances instead of one. It's better to give them both a shot at it without the pressure of having to start everyday than just gamble on one or the other. Allowed to develop with less pressure could possibly help both of them turn into 2+ WAR and 120+ OPS+/wRC+ players.
If the Astros add 2 run producing bats between 1b/3b/LF then I think Meyers is back as a placeholder at least 1/2 the season. If the Astros trade for Robert, then Meyers' defense at a premium position will bring back a good prospect ot 2 from a contender who are happy with their offense but need CF help.
Yep, but they have the money and prospects to add the bats that was missing this season. I also hope they bring back Gamel as a 4th OF/1B type guy.
