I'd say before season payroll will be someplace between 180 and 195M based on that statement and to keep some flexibility. Basically, if Astros want to add a decent salary, expect Reddick or Gurriel to be gone.
Grandal, Pollock, and Britton would make sense still. For Pollock, Reddick would have to be moved or possibly Gurriel if Brantley is DH or can play 1B.
Budget-wise, I don't see any of those on the roster except Pollock, and signing him would make it even more difficult for Tucker to graduate to a full-time role, which I think our FO is pretty set on happening.
Astros probably have about 10-15 million left in budget without trading anyone and still have some flexibility for trade deadline. Britton and Grandal both should fit even without trading someone else. On Tucker, I doubt Reddick makes it past trade deadline which would allow for Springer, Tucker, Pollock OF with Brantley at DH.
Based on what Luhnow has stated, our focus on relievers will be in house. When talking about a catcher upgrade, Luhnow has stated that we will continue to explore options but he is satisfied with what we have currently. I don't see any evidence that suggests we are in the market for a RP or C (aside from an upgrade like Realmuto). I only see Reddick being traded in 2 scenarios: --offseason: we are in real need to cut budget in order to make a trade happen --in-season: Tucker takes his starting job AND another team sustains an injury that makes them desperate for help
What my point was: When's the last time a WS contending team did not at least try and add to their bullpen (and other things) in July-Sept?
I agree with you. Just because Luhnow isn't focused on adding an RP in the off-season doesn't mean he won't try at the trade deadline.
Not sure how strong the reliever market is going to be at the deadline. The free agents after 2019 on likely non-contending teams aren't great.
There should be a few. Archie Bradley comes to mind. If Seth Lugo isn’t dealt now, we could revisit that too.
Not only that, I bet luhnow WILL continue to monitor availability of both FA and trade targets in the hopes of improving our team at multiple positions, AND at values that are suitable for the Astros. And I firmly believe he will continue to do this before spring training, as well as after spring training, and also into the regular season, and up to the trade deadline, as well as the waiver deadline.
Pressly is the one guy I would really like to see get an extension. A lot of fans don’t realize how many times he saved our ass and how having him changed the complexion of games for the Astros. Every year fans b**** about holes that become obvious (because we don’t have many) after 4-6 weeks of the season. Every year we lose a bunch of games because of a flaw in the roster, but at the end of season Luhnow always addresses the weaknesses. Look no further than how he addressed the rotation issues a few years ago (added Verlander/Cole) to the poor high leverage production of the pen (Pressly/Osuna/etc). I have no worries with this team in January. A really good starter will come at some point, and another reliever and a bat of some sort... it just doesn’t happen the first week of December.
Let me check my notes from January 2018... Pressly.... Yup, had him all along..... Or maybe that's why I said NOT SURE what the reliever market will be. It's easy to see the rentals that could be available compared to players under multiple years of control.
Pure speculation and we probably don’t have the resources to allocate to relief, but Ottavino would be a great addition. I think we’ll fill out the pen internally sans a few low cost low risk flyers, but Ottavino has some of the nastiest stuff in the league.
All good points. I would say there is evidence that Luhnow likes to bargain hunt. On Reddick....I think Astros want to use his money elsewhere whether for a trade or free agency such that we are already to one of your scenarios.
Out of the recent rumored targets: Seth Lugo and Ray—neither would require budget cuts. If we renter Greinke talks, or another player with an extreme salary, I can definitely see us shopping Reddick, but not for guys like Lugo or Ray.
