Wondering if a team would be interested in Montero if we paid say 3-5 mil of his contract this season and next and say we also throw in a prospect? Then use the Montero $$ (8-10 mil for '24 + '25) to resign Neris on a 2-3 yr deal. Thoughts?
Neris is probably as likely to underperform as Montero. For all 3 of Houston’s bad contracts (Abreu, McCullers, Montero), the best bet is to roll with them another year and hope for a turnaround.
I can't believe I'm saying this but I think this team needs Montero. After the top 4 guys there is little to no experience in the bullpen. Relievers are notoriously inconsistent He has the stuff to be dominant and has been at times in the past. Just gotta live with him and hope
If a Montero clone was available for the minimum salary right now, I think he would be the type of arm I'd like them to buy low on. If they could move his salary to add a more reliable reliever, that's cool, but I think it makes sense to at least see how he's pitching to start the year before cutting bait.
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/12/astros-tayler-scott-agree-to-minor-league-contract.html 31 year old journeyman. FB sits 94-95. Dana Brown must really not like Houston’s 2023 AAA pitching staff.
This team needs to trade Montero even if it means having to attach a guy like Melton to get rid of him.
Attaching Melton would be a bad idea as we've got to keep talent in our system. Let's see of Montero rebounds this year. With Dusty gone the pitching staff will be managed differently and hopefully effectively
I have more faith in Neris then Montero and why I'd be interested to see if they could flip Montero and his remaining two yrs in order to bring Neris back on a 2-3 yr deal (preferably just two yr but more then likely he'll get three yrs).
I’m assuming you’re joking. Attaching their #1 prospect to lose a high ceiling RP whose contract is only about $8M underwater from their already shallow bullpen would be one of the stupidest moves in the history of the franchise.
Yes that wouldn't be a wise move (including Melton in a trade in order to move Montero). It wouldn't require some highly regarded prospect at all. Would love it if there was a way to keep Montero and add Neris but it doesn't appear Crane is going to spend anymore $$ since they'll be over the luxury tax.
Feels to me like the deadline for 2024 will be similar to 2021. Astros will be scrambling for bullpen arms at the deadline. It's one thing to rely on 1 or 2 unknowns in the pen. Half the pen is a question mark headed into the season at this point, and that is only if you count Montero as not being a question mark...
You may be right but there are so many options that there is also a chance that some step up. There is also some smoke around Garcia returning around the ASB as a reliever. I suspect the bullpen ends up just fine. 1B/ LF is where I worry.
No cash to spend. No one we want to trade who has value. No good crops on the farm. The writing on on the wall.
Carpenter just waived by Atlanta. If he has anything left, would be a good guy to bring in for a very cheap.
To clear money off of the books so they can add a contributor to this years team. Look at this as trade of Montero and Melton for whoever they add with the 10 million.
