I was saying, keeping Reddick and signing Keuchel will probably take that flexibility away, as that would put us very close to the luxury cap. As for Kemp, if he doesn't make the roster, then a Davis-esque trade would be nice, so we can help clear out the OF logjam don't lose him for nothing.
And I don't see Keuchel coming at a price that maxes out our budget. I really don't see him getting more than the QO per year.
Keuchel for 2 years plus an option is a no brainer. We have plenty of depth if we need to move Reddick salary. Adding a legit solid starter is WAY more important at this point, and it covers us for 2020 too Even at 20+ per year, it’s an easy yes
I’m not especially excited with the prospect of Dallas K or Marwin coming back. Not really excited with Reddick being on the roster either. I would rather roll with McHugh and the younger arms and keep payroll flexibility. I don’t even see a spot for Marwin at this point and I prefer Kemp/Marisnick over Reddick. I know the asking price for legitimate top of the rotation arms is very very high. However if the Astros are to avoid rebuilding in the future, they will need players like James, Whitley and Martin to pitch well at low salaries. Supposedly the Astros are looking at relievers in trade and free agency. Seems odd to me, but what I was told. I guess with Pressly gone after this year, it is always worth trying to get ahead.
Could it be that we are looking at pitchers that could be long reliever OR starters? It seems logical that we could be looking at players that would take the place of Peacock and McHugh and eat those extra innings.
I think it would be a shame if Tony Kemp is not on a mlb roster this season. He has proven himself on every level, including with the Astros, and deserves to be on a major league team. I realize the Astros have potentially 6 starting outfielders counting Marisnick and Tucker. I guess that is a good problem to have, but it makes more sense to me to trade one of them. As for Keuchel, I would offer 2 for $32M and an option, but not much more than that. If he wants to stay with the Astros that is a fair offer. If he accepts more yrs & $ somewhere else, good for him.
This is exactly where I'm at. It's odd to say, but I'd rather not have Dallas or Marwin, as much as I love them. And I think I'd push Reddick out ahead of either of them.
There's no way Tony Kemp isn't on some MLB roster to start the season. Unlikely to be the Astros, but plenty of lesser teams would be more than happy to give him some playing time.
Astros have the relievers to eat Peacock and McHugh's innings. I'm guessing the relievers they are looking at are situational or high leverage guys to bump guys out of pen. For the starter, I expect Astros want someone that can start this year and next to help lessen the drop off next year.
Factoring in the likelihood of injuries and innings limits, there will be plenty of innings to break in James, Whitley, and Martin this season, even if they sign Keuchel. If they can bring back a ToR SP still in his prime on a 2-3 year deal, they should do it. At this point, given how cheap free agents have been, Reddicks contract is way underwater; they’d likely have to toss in $10M+ in cash or prospect value to get rid of him. Seeing as how he’s still a fairly productive player, it doesn’t make any sense to trade him. Now, if Tucker, Brantley, and Springer are all established and healthy next offseason, then maybe it will make sense to dump him, but even then I might rather they trade Marisnick and make Reddick the 4th OF rather than throw away $5M. There is simply no place for Marwin. If he comes back, it will be a purely sentimental move dictated by the owner and will require Luhnow to get very creative and/or waste more resources fitting him in. There are tons of high upside relievers still available, and most of them will be NRI or cheap 1 year types. If Houston sees one or two that they think they can get more out of, I’m all for it. There’s currently 1 open bullpen spot and injury will likely open another by opening day. And much like the rotation, through the course of the season there will be plenty of innings available to break in young guys for next season.
*never mind...saw you guys talking about it up top... saw this for Keuchel: HOU, offer 2 yrs, plus option.. MIL offer 3 yrs, ATL a finalist, no detail on offer
To me, $26 million to keep Reddick as 4th OF or Tucker in AAA seems worse than throwing away 5-10 million worth of prospects that likely won't be here this year or next. Not asking others to agree...just explaining my thoughts.
Assuming Houston could get rid of Reddick by paying $10M of his $26M, what Houston can get for that $13M/2yr difference: Another full year from Tucker (since Reddick allows them to put him in AAA until another year of team control is secured). High quality insurance against injury of Brantley. High quality insurance against Tucker not panning out. A high quality lefty bat on the bench who offers plus corner OF defense. I can totally see the argument for getting rid of him, but all things considered I think he’s worth keeping (for now).
Pressly was offered a three deal from Luhnow but his agent instructed him to wait until next off season to maximize his potential payout.
There is a good chance Pressly is priced out of the Astros budget. They have approached him several times for an extension and he has turned it down.
No, if he pitches well this season I think he gets his money. He will be at the top of the list for teams needing a top reliever.
I also think the best bargain and value might be signing an RP or two. It would at least lengthen our pen and give us the flexibility where we can actually utilize it. Our pitchers are the ones with options, and I could see us keeping players like Martin, Valdez and Armenteros in AAA as the first injury replacements. It wouldn’t be horrible to roll out a starting rotation of Verlander, Cole, McHugh, Peacock and James.
