I think this is what they are trying to do in free agency. Stanek and Baez will both be Astros for 3 years if they play well. I still expect at least 1 OF of a similar length of contract or longer who is unlikely to see skills age much in 3 years. While Astros will free up some salary next year, it will come at a loss of a SS, 2 starters, and $10M from Detroit.
Astros stopped getting money from Detroit 2 years ago. They are getting money from Arizona on the Greinke deal. This is another reason they need to stay under the luxury tax. If we are going to be shopping in the big boy pool next offseason you will be looking at players with a qualifying offer attached. The draft penalty is worse when you are over the luxury tax and sign a player with a qualifying offer.
https://www.espn.com/mlb/insider/st...ns-updates-every-top-remaining-mlb-free-agent ESPN has Houston as the favorite to sign Marcell Ozuna. Not sure how much stock to put in that but I definitely can see him as good fit if his market doesn’t materialize. He is really best fit for AL teams, and there aren’t many AL contenders with an opening in LF and money to spend. A 5 year deal to stretch the AAV would net Houston a bat that can legit outperform Springer without exceeding the cap or costing prospects or draft picks. I honestly think Ozuna/Benintendi would be better overall than Springer/Brantley.
Ozuna is the guy the big bat that can probably help now and in a few years. He does tend to have years when he's merely good with other years that he's elite. I'd prefer Springer/Brantley, but it isn't my money. If Astros get Ozuna and Leon is ready sometime in 2021 (longshot), it would make the Astros obsession with bullpen and depth make a lot more sense (not the choices, but the number).
I wonder if Houston has seriously considered extending Verlander to spread his tax hit. Would solve a problem for both sides while giving Houston a few million more of wriggle room for this season.
I think he's a candidate for a qualifying offer. If the Astros like what they see with his rehab it makes sense because what team is going to risk 20 million or more and lose draft picks for a 39 year old coming off TJ? I do like the idea of extending him to lower the AAV.
My goodness the Padres are going all in. That rotation could be something SPECIAL. Will be fun to keep an eye on them this season.
Based on what I know about Verlander’s personality and relationship, I would almost be surprised if Verlander wasn’t an Astro in 2022.
Good for Joe. He gets to go home to San Diego and not pitch in cold weather. The Fathers are really pushing in all the chips.
The Giants and Dbacks should wave the white flag, trade everyone, and start tanking. You have zero shot at competing the next 3-4 years with those 2 monsters in your division.
Totally agree. Rockies, Giants, and DBacks are not competitive in their current state, and all 3 have chips that could get them competitive in 2-3 seasons.
