He's 33 (so about a year older than Brantley when we first signed him). Not that old, and he still provides plus defense and good power. Always liked him as a person, and from his interviews (and interactions with Altuve when he was on 1B) he seems like he'd be a good clubhouse fit (if we do end up signing him). Not the best batting average but he had good WOBA and xWOBA to go with decent K-BB rate, and should benefit from the new shift rules next year. Plus, he'd be another lefty to help balance the lineup. I think he'd be a good target, and I definitely hope we at least look into him.
I would like Rizzo also. I think the Astros need to sign 1 veteran bat for 1B and fill the rest of the position players with the youngsters in the system. Rizzo, Bell, or Abreu ( or a younger trade target like Walker or Lowe) would really deepen this lineup for 2023 and give time for Melton, Clifford, or someone else to develop into the next Yuli. I really like McCormick as a 4th OF/ LF platoon w/ Yordan and expect either Meyers or Leon to take a Jeremy Pena type step up next season in CF. I also expect Hensley to excel replacing Diaz next season. Looking ahead, I can see this team being better next season than now if this happens.
Yuli is going to get a 1 year deal as long as he finishes up this season playing decently well. Playoff performance is kind of a big deal for this team.
That would not surprise me at all especially if they feel they have the future 1B in the system. Similarly, I think they feel they have the future CF in this organization as well so won't seek out a younger player, but only a band aid type if any at all. If they resign Yuli then there is no point signing another 1B. Just like 2022 Dusty will start him 99+% of the time regardless of how bad he is. Buy the team should be ready and willing to move Diaz, Matijevic, or someone else there if age catches up and Yuli can't physically hold up.
Timing is everything The organization LOVES Yuli and all the things he brings ( Cuban connection, clubhouse, defense) besides his bat. If he continues to show he MAY not be done by continuing to hit in the World Series I could see them bringing him back.
Pick one from each tier: Tier 1: Verlander, Nimmo, Bell, Abreu, Rizzo, Contreras, Benintendi, Haniger Tier 2: Nathan Eovaldi, Andrew Heaney, Omar Narvaez, Christian Vazquez, Brandon Drury, Trey Mancini, JD Martinez, Joey Gallo, Jurickson Profar, Joc Pederson, Michael Brantley, Justin Turner, Gary Sanchez, Kolton Wong Tier 3: Tucker Barnhart, Mike Zunino, Noah Syndergaard, Brad Hand, Corey Knebel, Evan Longoria, Yuli Gurriel, Wil Myers, Brandon Belt, Matt Carpenter, Trevor Rogers, Rafael Montero, Aledmys Diaz, Adam Frazier, Andrew McCutchen, Robbie Grossman, Adam Duvall, David Peralta, Tommy Pham, Nelson Cruz
On a scale of 1-10… how shocked would y’all be if we won the WS, Crane let’s Click walk, and brings in Luhnow’s former right hand man? I wouldn’t be shocked at all personally.
Verlander, Vazquez(if he basically swapped amount of playing time he currently gets with Maldy, and probably Pham(with Peralta being a close second)
Primo 1B: Goldscmidt Will be 35 for 23 season and 36 for 24 season. Local product from The Woodlands. STL need SP. Spent money on younger players like Arenado.
I doubt the postseason performance will matter more than the number of games it ends up being. He's had stretches this good during the season. If the Astros bring him back, it will be because he's cheaper than he should be based on the regular season numbers.
I think Verlander is in a tier of his own. He will cost over twice as much per year as anyone else on this list. That said .1) Verlander 2) Brantley (platoon w/ McCormick) to share DH/LF vs RH pitching with Yordan. 3) Montero would be my choice but I don't think the Astros add that kind of payroll to the bullpen. Nobody else there excites me. Maybe Yuli but only if Brantley isn't back and only if it's to be a bench player. Also if Verlander is resigned ( and the big 1B are out in this exercise) trade a SP like Garcia for a starting 1B like Walker.
I wouldn’t mind that. Mine would be Verlander, Profar, and Zunino (assuming Zunino’s medicals check out). Verlander is by far the most impactful player available. Profar offers defensive versatility and a low k rate with significant upside. Zunino offers a complementary catcher that fits the budget, offers power, and is good defensively. 1B would be a hole but Id hope one of Yainer Diaz, David Hensley, or JJ Matijevic could step up, and adding an adequate 1B at the deadline usually isn’t a huge issue.
very shocked. Luhnow eta in Houston over. also, I want no part of Pham. Guy is a lunatic. Would be ecstatic if we brought back JV and Vazquez, though, and would be fine not adding anyone from tier 3 and forming out the club internally.
8? Letting a WS winning GM walk is pretty crazy no matter how you slice it. To be fair, the fact that m Click's status is up in the air as it is probably already puts me at a 6. I have been pretty skeptical about the idea of Click leaving, but it's hard not to wonder if these are linked. At this point, I'd almost be surprised if they let replaced Click with anyone but Stearns.
