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Post by astrosdoug on Jun 20, 2018 9:50:22 GMT -6
Yankees look like juggernauts offensively....I want to match fire power.......BTW - the Yankees have a really good farm now, I don't see them standing pat come trade deadline in search of a top rated starting pitcher.....And then there are still the Red Sox (who will surely do something before the trade deadline) and Indians... Right now the Yankees have the #1 offense by OPS and #3 pitching by ERA. Astros have the #1 pitching by ERA and #3 offense by OPS. We're talking about evenly matched teams here. Something has to happen between now and October for the Astros to gain a clear advantage. How can the Astros improve? - Reduce baserunning gaffes, one of the few areas the team is measurably bad in compared to the rest of the league. - Add a Top 20 Reliever, though recognizing the current bullpen is about the best around - Add a good-hitting OF who can replace Marisnick and DH at times That's about all I can think of. Sending Tyler White back to the minors would be a mistake in my opinion. He's offensively superior, though defensively inferior, to Marwin, but when we look at all those losses with less than 4 runs, those are games where having White would often make a key difference. The man simply can't be kept off the bases. I like keeping the regime of 12 pitchers and 13 position players, at least until such a time as the bullpen starts to get overworked. |
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Post by unionstation82 on Jun 20, 2018 9:52:51 GMT -6
F—k it. Let’s just trade for Machado. Bregman goes to LF. Badass lineup. Infield defense gets strengthened while the outfield is still okay. Let Tucker rake some more with the Grizzlies.
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Post by astrosdoug on Jun 20, 2018 9:56:20 GMT -6
The Yankees are a bit sore that the Astros knocked them out of the playoffs in 2015 and 2017 (think how we feel about the Mets in '86 or the Royals in '15, and multiply a few times).
The Astros need to be cognizant that that sense of determination is there on the Yankees' part. NYY can be beaten, but the Astros have to be at least as psyched up about the rivalry as the Yankees are.
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Post by bearbryant on Jun 20, 2018 9:59:27 GMT -6
I'd still like to see BOS or NYY finish with the best record so they can square off vs. one another in the 1st round
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Post by astrosdoug on Jun 20, 2018 10:13:10 GMT -6
F—k it. Let’s just trade for Machado. Bregman goes to LF. Badass lineup. Infield defense gets strengthened while the outfield is still okay. I get where you're coming from. At various times, I'd like to think it's possible to add Votto, or Machado, or DeGrom, or Goldschmidt. Or, screw it, all four. Essentially we're talking about trotting out the All-Star Team every night. Of course they would make mincemeat of the rest of MLB. Maybe there is one superstar trade in the cards. Certainly not four, but maybe one. If we look at positional weaknesses, they are -- * 1B - Basically, Gurriel needs to be used against RHP but another guy against LHP. I say let White take the starts against LHP. * C - Hate to say it, but McCann is an offensive liability. Of course his leadership and defense (kinda/sorta) makes up for that, but honestly, next year's duo of Stassi/Stubbs will be better. Theoretically, Stubbs could come up now, but for various reasons, that wouldn't fly. * LF - Neither Marwin nor Fisher are viable answers here; and Gurriel/Bregman/White/Gattis are only emergency subs at this position. On an everyday basis, I like Kemp, but in a playoff game I worry about his arm. The 1B situation can be taken care of internally. The C situation should stand as is and then be improved next year by letting McCann walk in favor of Stubbs. LF needs a trade and we've got a list of 10 or so decent candidates on the Trades thread about them. It might be an unpopular idea, but getting a SP might make sense in case the Astros' discussions with Morton and/or Keuchel indicate that one or both will be leaving. Maybe Morton has decided to retire. Maybe Keuchel wants a huge payday the Astros could/should never give him. Getting DeGrom or Syndergaard would not only bolster the rotation; it would keep that pitcher out of NYY's hands. For relievers, there are still guys to go after: Iglesias, Watson, Hand, Britton, Avilan... surely they can land someone. |
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Post by thomasj13 on Jun 20, 2018 10:44:21 GMT -6
F—k it. Let’s just trade for Machado. Bregman goes to LF. Badass lineup. Infield defense gets strengthened while the outfield is still okay. I get where you're coming from. At various times, I'd like to think it's possible to add Votto, or Machado, or DeGrom, or Goldschmidt. Or, screw it, all four. Essentially we're talking about trotting out the All-Star Team every night. Of course they would make mincemeat of the rest of MLB. Maybe there is one superstar trade in the cards. Certainly not four, but maybe one. If we look at positional weaknesses, they are -- * 1B - Basically, Gurriel needs to be used against RHP but another guy against LHP. I say let White take the starts against LHP. * C - Hate to say it, but McCann is an offensive liability. Of course his leadership and defense (kinda/sorta) makes up for that, but honestly, next year's duo of Stassi/Stubbs will be better. Theoretically, Stubbs could come up now, but for various reasons, that wouldn't fly. * LF - Neither Marwin nor Fisher are viable answers here; and Gurriel/Bregman/White/Gattis are only emergency subs at this position. On an everyday basis, I like Kemp, but in a playoff game I worry about his arm. The 1B situation can be taken care of internally. The C situation should stand as is and then be improved next year by letting McCann walk in favor of Stubbs. LF needs a trade and we've got a list of 10 or so decent candidates on the Trades thread about them. It might be an unpopular idea, but getting a SP might make sense in case the Astros' discussions with Morton and/or Keuchel indicate that one or both will be leaving. Maybe Morton has decided to retire. Maybe Keuchel wants a huge payday the Astros could/should never give him. Getting DeGrom or Syndergaard would not only bolster the rotation; it would keep that pitcher out of NYY's hands. For relievers, there are still guys to go after: Iglesias, Watson, Hand, Britton, Avilan... surely they can land someone. Astros are not acquiring Thor or DeGrom, you are talking about losing Whitley or Tucker...heck even both....and either one of them is untouchable.... I like Britton, but not if he can't be had for a blocked prospect...especially coming off injury he is more name than game right now. What is the asking price for Hand: an organization two top 10 prospects and maybe onevor two 10-25 prospects? |
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Post by blcoach8 on Jun 20, 2018 11:05:25 GMT -6
Yankees look like juggernauts offensively....I want to match fire power.......BTW - the Yankees have a really good farm now, I don't see them standing pat come trade deadline in search of a top rated starting pitcher.....And then there are still the Red Sox (who will surely do something before the trade deadline) and Indians... Right now the Yankees have the #1 offense by OPS and #3 pitching by ERA. Astros have the #1 pitching by ERA and #3 offense by OPS. We're talking about evenly matched teams here. Something has to happen between now and October for the Astros to gain a clear advantage. How can the Astros improve? - Reduce baserunning gaffes, one of the few areas the team is measurably bad in compared to the rest of the league. - Add a Top 20 Reliever, though recognizing the current bullpen is about the best around - Add a good-hitting OF who can replace Marisnick and DH at times That's about all I can think of. Sending Tyler White back to the minors would be a mistake in my opinion. He's offensively superior, though defensively inferior, to Marwin, but when we look at all those losses with less than 4 runs, those are games where having White would often make a key difference. The man simply can't be kept off the bases. I like keeping the regime of 12 pitchers and 13 position players, at least until such a time as the bullpen starts to get overworked. What have you seen that makes you say White is offensively superior to Marwin? Keep in mind that Marwin led the team in runs batted in last year and has been hitting much better lately. He does need to stop making an ass of himself when umps call him out on strikes. |
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Post by blcoach8 on Jun 20, 2018 11:06:26 GMT -6
I get where you're coming from. At various times, I'd like to think it's possible to add Votto, or Machado, or DeGrom, or Goldschmidt. Or, screw it, all four. Essentially we're talking about trotting out the All-Star Team every night. Of course they would make mincemeat of the rest of MLB. Maybe there is one superstar trade in the cards. Certainly not four, but maybe one. If we look at positional weaknesses, they are -- * 1B - Basically, Gurriel needs to be used against RHP but another guy against LHP. I say let White take the starts against LHP. * C - Hate to say it, but McCann is an offensive liability. Of course his leadership and defense (kinda/sorta) makes up for that, but honestly, next year's duo of Stassi/Stubbs will be better. Theoretically, Stubbs could come up now, but for various reasons, that wouldn't fly. * LF - Neither Marwin nor Fisher are viable answers here; and Gurriel/Bregman/White/Gattis are only emergency subs at this position. On an everyday basis, I like Kemp, but in a playoff game I worry about his arm. The 1B situation can be taken care of internally. The C situation should stand as is and then be improved next year by letting McCann walk in favor of Stubbs. LF needs a trade and we've got a list of 10 or so decent candidates on the Trades thread about them. It might be an unpopular idea, but getting a SP might make sense in case the Astros' discussions with Morton and/or Keuchel indicate that one or both will be leaving. Maybe Morton has decided to retire. Maybe Keuchel wants a huge payday the Astros could/should never give him. Getting DeGrom or Syndergaard would not only bolster the rotation; it would keep that pitcher out of NYY's hands. For relievers, there are still guys to go after: Iglesias, Watson, Hand, Britton, Avilan... surely they can land someone. Astros are not acquiring Thor or DeGrom, you are talking about losing Whitley or Tucker...heck even both....and either one of them is untouchable.... I like Britton, but not if he can't be had for a blocked prospect...especially coming off injury he is more name than game right now. What is the asking price for Hand: an organization two top 10 prospects and maybe onevor two 10-25 prospects? The know-it-alls on mlb network say the Padres want Tucker in a trade for Hand.........I would veto that in a heartbeat. I also agree with what should be offered for Britton...No top tier prospect for him. |
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Post by astrosdoug on Jun 20, 2018 11:17:52 GMT -6
I get the sense Luhnow likes to avoid the big price tag type of relievers in favor of 'diamonds in the rough' who come at a reasonable cost.
One such reliever may be Luis Avilan. Avilan is a lefty who has consistently maintained a FIP under 3 the past few years, plus he has made 11 postseason appearances and has not given up an earned run in any of them. He's probably an improvement over Sipp. He has 1.5 years left on his contract and is earning around $2.5 million/year now. Maybe the White Sox would take Sipp in exchange (as he'd be redundant) plus one or two prospects.
In this deal, the White Sox would continue to have a major league lefty to trot out there, and their farm system would be enriched... and we know they will be a force in a few more seasons.
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Post by m240 on Jun 20, 2018 11:29:29 GMT -6
Astros are not acquiring Thor or DeGrom, you are talking about losing Whitley or Tucker...heck even both....and either one of them is untouchable.... I like Britton, but not if he can't be had for a blocked prospect...especially coming off injury he is more name than game right now. What is the asking price for Hand: an organization two top 10 prospects and maybe onevor two 10-25 prospects? The know-it-alls on mlb network say the Padres want Tucker in a trade for Hand.........I would veto that in a heartbeat. I also agree with what should be offered for Britton...No top tier prospect for him. it takes a lot of intestinal fortitude to blow up your team as completely as the Astros did. The Padres reportedly do not have the same set of bowels that the Astros have. They want to hang onto Hand and only will let him go for a "Chapman" type of return. No thanks |
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Post by m240 on Jun 20, 2018 11:31:00 GMT -6
Yankees look like juggernauts offensively....I want to match fire power.......BTW - the Yankees have a really good farm now, I don't see them standing pat come trade deadline in search of a top rated starting pitcher.....And then there are still the Red Sox (who will surely do something before the trade deadline) and Indians... Right now the Yankees have the #1 offense by OPS and #3 pitching by ERA. Astros have the #1 pitching by ERA and #3 offense by OPS. We're talking about evenly matched teams here. Something has to happen between now and October for the Astros to gain a clear advantage. How can the Astros improve? - Reduce baserunning gaffes, one of the few areas the team is measurably bad in compared to the rest of the league. - Add a Top 20 Reliever, though recognizing the current bullpen is about the best around - Add a good-hitting OF who can replace Marisnick and DH at times That's about all I can think of. Sending Tyler White back to the minors would be a mistake in my opinion. He's offensively superior, though defensively inferior, to Marwin, but when we look at all those losses with less than 4 runs, those are games where having White would often make a key difference. The man simply can't be kept off the bases. I like keeping the regime of 12 pitchers and 13 position players, at least until such a time as the bullpen starts to get overworked. Very valid point about the strength of the Yankees. Additionally they have a top notch minor league system with tons of talent and will go for a starter at the deadline. That is what is reported anyway, So for us to stand in step with the Yankees and knowing that we have a problem offensively who would you like to see us bring in. |
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marshall
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Post by marshall on Jun 20, 2018 11:41:11 GMT -6
Astros are not acquiring Thor or DeGrom, you are talking about losing Whitley or Tucker...heck even both....and either one of them is untouchable.... I like Britton, but not if he can't be had for a blocked prospect...especially coming off injury he is more name than game right now. What is the asking price for Hand: an organization two top 10 prospects and maybe onevor two 10-25 prospects? The know-it-alls on mlb network say the Padres want Tucker in a trade for Hand.........I would veto that in a heartbeat. I also agree with what should be offered for Britton...No top tier prospect for him. One rule of negotiation is to always ask for more than you want or expect, but not so much that the other party simply goes away. You never know what you can get if you low ball your own expectations before making an offer.
Reporters like to act as if the initial requests are unchangeable. In other words, NON_NEGOTIABLE. It makes negotiation moot. They've been going to WALMART for too long.
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Post by astrosdoug on Jun 20, 2018 11:43:51 GMT -6
By xFIP, these are the top MLB relievers who might be available in trade this year:
1. Tony Watson (#9 in MLB by xFIP at 2.36)
2. Adam Cimber (2.48)
3. Blake Treinen (2.66)
4. Ryan Pressly (2.69)
5. Brad Hand (2.73)
6. Craig Stammen (2.74)
7. Tommy Hunter (2.75)
8. Robbie Erlin (2.79)
9. Will Smith (2.84)
Incidentally, the Astros have 4 pitchers among the MLB top 30 relievers by xFIP: Harris, Rondon, McHugh, Peacock (in expected order of excellence).
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Post by thomasj13 on Jun 20, 2018 11:46:50 GMT -6
By xFIP, these are the top MLB relievers who might be available in trade this year: 1. Tony Watson (#9 in MLB by xFIP at 2.36) 2. Adam Cimber (2.48) 3. Blake Treinen (2.66) 4. Ryan Pressly (2.69) 5. Brad Hand (2.73) 6. Craig Stammen (2.74) 7. Tommy Hunter (2.75) 8. Robbie Erlin (2.79) 9. Will Smith (2.84) Incidentally, the Astros have 4 pitchers among the MLB top 30 relievers by xFIP: Harris, Rondon, McHugh, Peacock (in expected order of excellence). Wonder what the asking price would be for Hunter? |
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Post by astrosdoug on Jun 20, 2018 11:49:32 GMT -6
That Padres pen (including Hand, Cimber, Stammen, and Erlin, plus Yates and the Japanese sidewinder) continues to be nails, like we saw when they came to MMP. I know they would like to keep that pen intact for their next window of contention, but they also have position player needs to address. I suspect they would be willing to give up one of their relievers if a couple IF/OF needs could be solved in the deal.
Of course Hand has the big name, but he might not be the best of the bunch, considering price, for the Astros postseason run.
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Post by astrosdoug on Jun 20, 2018 11:54:49 GMT -6
By xFIP, these are the top MLB relievers who might be available in trade this year: 1. Tony Watson (#9 in MLB by xFIP at 2.36) 2. Adam Cimber (2.48) 3. Blake Treinen (2.66) 4. Ryan Pressly (2.69) 5. Brad Hand (2.73) 6. Craig Stammen (2.74) 7. Tommy Hunter (2.75) 8. Robbie Erlin (2.79) 9. Will Smith (2.84) Incidentally, the Astros have 4 pitchers among the MLB top 30 relievers by xFIP: Harris, Rondon, McHugh, Peacock (in expected order of excellence). Wonder what the asking price would be for Hunter? My guess is that Hunter wouldn't be too expensive in terms of trade pieces, given that he is earning $9 million/year and the Astros would have to cover half his 2018 salary plus all of his 2019 salary. The Phillies would love to get that obligation off their books. |
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Post by astrosdoug on Jun 20, 2018 12:05:40 GMT -6
The Phillies are especially weak at C, SS, and RF. They also need SP in the coming years. I'm sure they would require some kind of prospect coming back for Hunter in addition to the salary relief. Maybe they'd be interested in Chuckie Robinson, Nova, Ferguson, Kemmer, Arauz, or Celestino.
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Post by paastrosfan on Jun 20, 2018 12:11:47 GMT -6
The know-it-alls on mlb network say the Padres want Tucker in a trade for Hand.........I would veto that in a heartbeat. I also agree with what should be offered for Britton...No top tier prospect for him. it takes a lot of intestinal fortitude to blow up your team as completely as the Astros did. The Padres reportedly do not have the same set of bowels that the Astros have. They want to hang onto Hand and only will let him go for a "Chapman" type of return. No thanks I agree, the Padres broke the bank to sign Hosmer to the franchises largest contract in their History. Of all things it looks like the Phils might be in pursuit of Hand. www.nj.com/phillies/index.ssf/2018/06/mlb_trade_rumors_how_padres_brad_hand_could_be_sea.html |
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Post by blcoach8 on Jun 20, 2018 13:08:29 GMT -6
I am pretty sure that Kyle Tucker or Forrest Whitley will not be included in any package Luhnow offers for a reliever or another bat. I have never been a big fan of Tommy Hunter, although he does seem to be getting better with experience. I feel like Luhnow is more likely to deal for a left-hander than any righty that is available. I just hope the "piece" he is trying to add isn't similar to the "pieces" he added at the deadline last year...........Liriano and Clipard.....which were not an improvement over what we had. We gave Teoscar Hernandez to get Liriano and that deal definitely went in the Bluejays favor. Teo is hitting .268 with 12 home runs and 32 runs batted in, which is better than Reddick and Marisnick combined.
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Post by ɮօʀȶǟʐ on Jun 20, 2018 13:37:06 GMT -6
Abreu would split time at 1b and DH, but he is always starting. Gurriel takes up the other 1b starts and is either in LF, 3B or DH on a part-time basis....Gattis is getting his ABs at DH and very part time catcher... Could work... Somebody has to get cut for this to work. Who ya cutting? |
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Post by Saint on Jun 20, 2018 14:21:38 GMT -6
Somebody has to get cut for this to work. Who ya cutting? Marisnick. |
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Post by thomasj13 on Jun 20, 2018 14:24:16 GMT -6
Somebody has to get cut for this to work. Who ya cutting? Marisnick. Music to Timmy's ears. |
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Post by Saint on Jun 20, 2018 14:25:16 GMT -6
Kemp or Straw can play Jake's role next year too. No loss. |
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marshall
Veteran
21st Century Luddite
Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood...
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Post by marshall on Jun 20, 2018 14:37:03 GMT -6
Kemp or Straw can play Jake's role next year too. No loss. Marisnick is good at what he does best. DEFENSIVE REPLACEMENT and PINCH RUNNER. He should not START.
Kemp , on the other hand, should start and I like him batting 9th or eventually leading off. |
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Post by ɮօʀȶǟʐ on Jun 20, 2018 14:50:35 GMT -6
Somebody has to get cut for this to work. Who ya cutting? Marisnick. Amen Brohan. |
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Post by unionstation82 on Jun 20, 2018 15:05:16 GMT -6
Kemp or Straw can play Jake's role next year too. No loss. Marisnick is good at what he does best. DEFENSIVE REPLACEMENT and PINCH RUNNER. He should not START.
Kemp , on the other hand, should start and I like him batting 9th or eventually leading off. No, what he does best is letting the offense down. |
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Post by blcoach8 on Jun 20, 2018 15:15:54 GMT -6
Marisnick is good at what he does best. DEFENSIVE REPLACEMENT and PINCH RUNNER. He should not START.
Kemp , on the other hand, should start and I like him batting 9th or eventually leading off. No, what he does best is letting the offense down. i have to go with Saint on this one....Jake is a great centerfielder and pinch runner...........a terrible hitter. |
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Post by thomasj13 on Jun 20, 2018 15:20:40 GMT -6
No, what he does best is letting the offense down. i have to go with Saint on this one....Jake is a great centerfielder and pinch runner...........a terrible hitter. Even Marisnick's mother would agree. |
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Post by ɮօʀȶǟʐ on Jun 20, 2018 15:28:34 GMT -6
Jake's best role would be as a beer vendor for the Sugarland Skeeters
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Post by unionstation82 on Jun 20, 2018 16:07:37 GMT -6
i have to go with Saint on this one....Jake is a great centerfielder and pinch runner...........a terrible hitter. Even Marisnick's mother would agree. ***** Vintage Thomas. |
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