Trades & Free Agents

[m240]

Jun 20, 2018 7:28:42 GMT -6 m240 said:

Jun 20, 2018 7:05:20 GMT -6 astrosdoug said:

Here is an analysis of the Herrera trade.

www.fangraphs.com/blogs/royals-hastily-trade-kelvin-herrera-to-nationals/

It sounds like KCR settled for a deal that wouldn't have hurt the Astros. So I wonder what the issue was. Was Luhnow not interested in Herrera for certain reasons? Was an offer not made early enough?

Interesting that Herrera will be a setup man on his new team. On the Astros, I would presume he would be the closer, but maybe not.

Still several relievers out there to like for an Astros trade. Maybe the best news this week is that Herrera didn't go to the Yankees, Indians, or Red Sox.

Just looking at the rankings for comparison that would equal Houston sending Acala, H Perez, and Thornton to KC.  It would not take me long to make that call. 

if the Os want equal value to what the Royals got then I calculated this a month ago 

[m240]

It had been reported that we were fighting against the Braves for Britton, now it seems the Cubs have upped the ante.  

[koolade2]

Looks Like the Abreu is probably off the market because of his work with the younger players coming up. White Sox are having second thoughts on trading him.

[unionstation82]

Jul 22, 2018 7:34:41 GMT -6 koolade2 said:

Looks Like the Abreu is probably off the market because of his work with the younger players coming up. White Sox are having second thoughts on trading him.

Sez hoo?

[koolade2]

White Sox unlikely to deal Abreu
July 21: Despite some interest from the Astros, the White Sox appear unlikely to move All-Star first baseman Jose Abreu before the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline, according to a report by USA Today's Bob Nightengale.


Bob Nightengale
✔
@bnightengale
The Chicago #Whitesox are strongly inclined now to keep 1B Jose Abreu instead of trading him

4:42 PM - Jul 21, 2018
253
113 people are talking about this

[koolade2]

MLB.com's Richard Justice had previously reported that Astros president of baseball operations and general manager Jeff Luhnow was looking to add a big-name bat before the Trade Deadline, and that Abreu was among the players that Houston was exploring.

But the great value that the White Sox reportedly place in Abreu's clubhouse presence, his influence over many of the team's young players and the plethora of top talent in the upper levels of Chicago's Minor League system could have been factors in the organization's inclination to hold on to Abreu, who is under team control through 2019.

[unionstation82]

If not this season, they’ll surely trade him next season. Anyway, I wonder what other “big name bats” Luhnow is looking at right now.

[marshall]

Jul 22, 2018 7:42:02 GMT -6 koolade2 said:

White Sox unlikely to deal Abreu
July 21: Despite some interest from the Astros, the White Sox appear unlikely to move All-Star first baseman Jose Abreu before the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline, according to a report by USA Today's Bob Nightengale.


Bob Nightengale
✔
@bnightengale
The Chicago #Whitesox are strongly inclined now to keep 1B Jose Abreu instead of trading him

4:42 PM - Jul 21, 2018
253
113 people are talking about this

Interpretation:

We won't give him away too cheap. Give him some praise in case he stays and drive up his value if he goes. Classic negotiation tactics. Particularly if there is inadequate competition for his services.

[thomasj13]

Jul 22, 2018 7:25:32 GMT -6 m240 said:

It had been reported that we were fighting against the Braves for Britton, now it seems the Cubs have upped the ante.  

With the lack of top end starting pitchers on the trading block, relievers are going to be in demand.....

I think the Mariners were smart to obtain Colome earlier in the season...The Indians taking Hand off the market, the A's getting Familia...all were good moves, because they were preemptive; and now that the trade deadline is approaching, and the lack of quality SP seemingly on the trade block, they demand for quality relievers has exceeded the supply.

I think we all trust in Luhnow, if there is a player that he thinks is worth it (by use of his analytics) he will be a bidder....the Astros farm is better than most, so that should give Luhnow an advantage, albeit, doesn't automatically mean he will be top bidder....

[marshall]

At this point I'd trust in house prospects over those available from the outside. There are no wart free relievers out there and those close are likely to be overpayed. Though not used as a CLOSER, I'd love to see McHugh tried in that role. I don't know what Hinches problem is with letting him pitch over multiple innings, but he has used him with runners on base (a Fireman in old school parlance.)

[thomasj13]

Jul 22, 2018 7:56:05 GMT -6 marshall said:

Jul 22, 2018 7:42:02 GMT -6 koolade2 said:

White Sox unlikely to deal Abreu
July 21: Despite some interest from the Astros, the White Sox appear unlikely to move All-Star first baseman Jose Abreu before the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline, according to a report by USA Today's Bob Nightengale.


Bob Nightengale
✔
@bnightengale
The Chicago #Whitesox are strongly inclined now to keep 1B Jose Abreu instead of trading him

4:42 PM - Jul 21, 2018
253
113 people are talking about this

Interpretation:

We won't give him away too cheap. Give him some praise in case he stays and drive up his value if he goes. Classic negotiation tactics. Particularly if there is inadequate competition for his services.

I will be happy with either Joses (Martinez or Abreu), because they can rake....even though Martinez does not have the major league tenure as Abreu, he did put up big numbers in his last years in the minors...which allowed him to get promoted to the majors...

Neither one of them are good defensive players, not even average....so more times than not they will be getting ABs by being the DH....but at least the Astros will finally have a DH that truly can hit....Who doesn't like Gattis? but I think the Astros will be in better shape being less dependent on a streaky hitter...

[koolade2]

Posted in the Abreu thread. This is the other Jose Martinez. There is no bat on the Astros against Left Handers that can compare to this Jose

The other bat I mention that everyone wanted to quell right away. Right now this is him 130 wRC+

Here are his numbers against SouthPaws

.348/.430/.598 in his career).

Yes, he is a below defender, we don't need better defense. The Astros need a reliable bat, especially against Left Handers.

[nathangarza29]

Here is what I think should go down.

I really would love to get Realmuto even at the cost of Tucker.
But I understand alot of you are against it. But I still would.

Avisail Garcia to the Astros for Tony Kemp, Rogelio Armentaros, Jonathan Aruaz and Will Harris

Kirby Yates to the Astros for J.B. Bukouskas and David Paulino

Adam Conley to the Astros for Fredus Nova and Cional Perez.

[thomasj13]

Jul 22, 2018 8:28:41 GMT -6 nathangarza29 said:

Here is what I think should go down.

I really would love to get Realmuto even at the cost of Tucker.
But I understand alot of you are against it. But I still would.

Avisail Garcia to the Astros for Tony Kemp, Rogelio Armentaros, Jonathan Aruaz and Will Harris

Kirby Yates to the Astros for J.B. Bukouskas and David Paulino

Adam Conley to the Astros for Fredus Nova and Cional Perez.

why would the White Sox want an expiring contract in Will Harris?

[blcoach8]

Jul 22, 2018 8:28:41 GMT -6 nathangarza29 said:

Here is what I think should go down.

I really would love to get Realmuto even at the cost of Tucker.
But I understand alot of you are against it. But I still would.

Avisail Garcia to the Astros for Tony Kemp, Rogelio Armentaros, Jonathan Aruaz and Will Harris

Kirby Yates to the Astros for J.B. Bukouskas and David Paulino

Adam Conley to the Astros for Fredus Nova and Cional Perez.

You can pull Tucker.....Luhnow won't deal him.  Other than a good left-handed reliever, a catcher like Realmuto should be a target.  I have mentioned this before,but, working a deal with the Orioles for Britton and Adam Jones would be a big help.

[m240]

Jul 22, 2018 8:28:41 GMT -6 nathangarza29 said:

Here is what I think should go down.

I really would love to get Realmuto even at the cost of Tucker.
But I understand alot of you are against it. But I still would.

Avisail Garcia to the Astros for Tony Kemp, Rogelio Armentaros, Jonathan Aruaz and Will Harris

Kirby Yates to the Astros for J.B. Bukouskas and David Paulino

Adam Conley to the Astros for Fredus Nova and Cional Perez.

OK I will play some fantasy baseball with you;

I agree with your trade for Garcia,
I will trade you Tucker, Reed, and Brady Rodgers for Realmuto
and Fisher, Davis, Reed and Adcock for Britton.  
No to your other proposals

[koolade2]

Here is a question I have always thought about with Luhnow.

Do you think he reluctance to deal for a Player earlier in the trading timeline cost more or does he end up with the better deal waiting to the last minute?

Seeing as how the market is getting thinner and the price is going up on certain type players.

[olpapa]

One report says that Baltimore wants a return for Britton similar to what the Nats gave up for Herrera. The three prospects the Nats gave for Herrera were said to be two that fell just inside of or outside of their top 10 and one 17 year old who has a live arm, but was not among their top prospects. I would offer them Hector Perez, Ronnie Dawson and Sean Mendoza, a 18 year old kid who is on the Astros rookie level team in the Gulf Coast League in exchange for Britton. Perez is our #10 and Dawson our #14 prospect according to mlb.com. Mendoza is not rated highly.

Another report suggests the Orioles might get a package for Britton equal to what they got for Machado. The Dodgers gave up a prospect who I think was rated their #4 prospect and 4 other prospects. No way would I give up our #4 prospect and 4 others for Britton. If that is what it will take to get him, they can keep him.

[thomasj13]

Jul 22, 2018 9:29:01 GMT -6 olpapa said:

One report says that Baltimore wants a return for Britton similar to what the Nats gave up for Herrera. The three prospects the Nats gave for Herrera were said to be two that fell just inside of or outside of their top 10 and one 17 year old who has a live arm, but was not among their top prospects. I would offer them Hector Perez, Ronnie Dawson and Sean Mendoza, a 18 year old kid who is on the Astros rookie level team in the Gulf Coast League in exchange for Britton.

Another report suggests the Orioles might get a package for Britton equal to what they got for Machado. The Dodgers gave up a prospect who I think was rated their #4 prospect and 4 other prospects. No way would I give up our #4 prospect and 4 others for Britton. If that is what it will take to get him, they can keep him.

I have learned to agree on rentals, especially one coming off an injury....the Britton asking price has to be reasonable, or pass.

[Deleted]

Jul 22, 2018 9:26:26 GMT -6 koolade2 said:

Here is a question I have always thought about with Luhnow.

Do you think he reluctance to deal for a Player earlier in the trading timeline cost more or does he end up with the better deal waiting to the last minute?

Seeing as how the market is getting thinner and the price is going up on certain type players.

My thoughts too.

My heart sank when we didn't sign Hand.  I could see him easily in our  long term plans.   OTOH ....I seem to remember this being the prevailing sentiment last year, and Luhnow pulled a rabbit out of the hat at the last moment.  Can he do it again?  

I am also guessing the huge blood bath of mediocre teams fighting for playoff spots  in the NL has driven the price up so badly that Luhnow might just hold 'em this year.  I know that might not be a popular position right now.....   But with our 3 top starters (the real need in post season) and if our hitters  get hot.....    We might have enough to repeat.

I am betting Luhnow is not willing to mortgage the future for another run.  And I think m240's Golden 7 is a pretty solid sticking point.

[koolade2]

Jul 22, 2018 9:29:01 GMT -6 olpapa said:

One report says that Baltimore wants a return for Britton similar to what the Nats gave up for Herrera. The three prospects the Nats gave for Herrera were said to be two that fell just inside of or outside of their top 10 and one 17 year old who has a live arm, but was not among their top prospects. I would offer them Hector Perez, Ronnie Dawson and Sean Mendoza, a 18 year old kid who is on the Astros rookie level team in the Gulf Coast League in exchange for Britton.

Another report suggests the Orioles might get a package for Britton equal to what they got for Machado. The Dodgers gave up a prospect who I think was rated their #4 prospect and 4 other prospects. No way would I give up our #4 prospect and 4 others for Britton. If that is what it will take to get him, they can keep him.

How about something in between those two extremes.  Seeing as you seem to know the farm better than most of us especially me, I wouldn't be the one to figure that out.

What is the real fair trade for Britton especially there are at least three teams interested in him?

Not a one-sided for the Astros a true trade with a team that is hard to trade with, especially on the Astros side looking at last year as an example.

[olpapa]

Jul 22, 2018 9:33:08 GMT -6 thomasj13 said:

Jul 22, 2018 9:29:01 GMT -6 olpapa said:

One report says that Baltimore wants a return for Britton similar to what the Nats gave up for Herrera. The three prospects the Nats gave for Herrera were said to be two that fell just inside of or outside of their top 10 and one 17 year old who has a live arm, but was not among their top prospects. I would offer them Hector Perez, Ronnie Dawson and Sean Mendoza, a 18 year old kid who is on the Astros rookie level team in the Gulf Coast League in exchange for Britton.

Another report suggests the Orioles might get a package for Britton equal to what they got for Machado. The Dodgers gave up a prospect who I think was rated their #4 prospect and 4 other prospects. No way would I give up our #4 prospect and 4 others for Britton. If that is what it will take to get him, they can keep him.

I have learned to agree on rentals, especially one coming off an injury....the Britton asking price has to be reasonable, or pass.

In spite of his #10 ranking, we have a lot of pitching prospects who are better than Hector Perez, I think. I don’t think Dawson will ever play for the Astros.

[thomasj13]

Jul 22, 2018 9:37:25 GMT -6 olpapa said:

Jul 22, 2018 9:33:08 GMT -6 thomasj13 said:

I have learned to agree on rentals, especially one coming off an injury....the Britton asking price has to be reasonable, or pass.

In spite of his #10 ranking, we have a lot of pitching prospects who are better than Hector Perez, I think. I don’t think Dawson will ever play for the Astros.

I should have prefaced, your trade offer in the first paragraph was reasonable...what the O's are wanting in the second paragraph is unreasonable... and hopefully other teams will collude and not overpay.

[thomasj13]

BTW Angelos is the MLB owner that I despise by far the most.... followed by the Mets owner

[blcoach8]

Jul 22, 2018 9:26:26 GMT -6 koolade2 said:

Here is a question I have always thought about with Luhnow.

Do you think he reluctance to deal for a Player earlier in the trading timeline cost more or does he end up with the better deal waiting to the last minute?

Seeing as how the market is getting thinner and the price is going up on certain type players.

depends on the available players that he has on his list.  Last year, he sat around and didn't pull the trigger to get bullpen help we needed and ended up with Liriano and Clippard.  If he does that again, it will cost us.  If he wants Britton, he needs to get the deal locked down or another contender will get him.  We have the prospects to trade without emptying the farm.  Getting Britton or Iglesius should rank well above getting Abreu.  I want Realmuto but that is probably expecting too much.

[nathangarza29]

A. Garcia would be a nice bat.

Lunhow had said he wants a big bat. So I wouldnt count out Realmuto

[koolade2]

Here's a story on 5 relief pitchers that would fit the Astros bill. Not elite but I would say better than most of our middle relief maybe even as good as the better ones.

www.mlb.com/news/pressly-conley-yates-are-relievers-to-know/c-286520030?tid=282421090

I think the coaching staff especially Brent Strom could really help of a couple of those guys. After reading what was said about this guy Barraclough, I really think Brent Strom could help him with the walk issue.

[thomasj13]

Jul 22, 2018 11:48:28 GMT -6 koolade2 said:

Here's a story on 5 relief pitchers that would fit the Astros bill. Not elite but I would say better than most of our middle relief maybe even as good as the better ones.

www.mlb.com/news/pressly-conley-yates-are-relievers-to-know/c-286520030?tid=282421090

I think the coaching staff especially Brent Strom could really help of a couple of those guys. After reading what was said about this guy Barraclough, I really think Brent Strom could help him with the walk issue.

I would think of those two the Astros would be most interested in Pressly and Conley.

[nathangarza29]

I'm down for Conley and Yates.

I wanna see this big bat Lunhow is shopping for.

Hinch says they won't make any trades but lunhow says Reliever and Big Bat.

Radios tuned in.

[blcoach8]

Jul 22, 2018 11:29:46 GMT -6 nathangarza29 said:

A. Garcia would be a nice bat.

Lunhow had said he wants a big bat. So I wouldnt count out Realmuto

Since Realmuto is a catcher, 27 years old, with a contract we contol through 2021 if we get him. He is make %$2.9 million which is a bargain.  He would cost us but could be worth it even if Stubbs has to go in the deal. He is young and has major league talent and experience.  He should be a target even though he would cost us a lot.....probably worth it.  Deal killer would be if they wanted Whitley or Tucker.  This guy gives us the big bat Luhnow wants plus a catcher which we need......DFA Federowicz and use Stassi as backup.  We don't know when or IF we get McCann back.........go get Realmuto.  Addding  him and Britton or Iglesius should make us the AL favorite.