|
|
Post by olpapa on Dec 4, 2018 8:45:36 GMT -6
You gotta love Luhnow. Little to no info leaking out of the Astros FO concerning player(s) he might be trying to deal for or sign. Some people seemed to think he was sitting on his hands and doing nothing at the non-waiver deadline last season. Only recently did we find out that he actually had a deal made to acquire Harper, but the Nats ownership vetoed it. I don’t recall reading any rumors last summer about the Astros attempting to trade for Harper. I remember there was a lot of info leaking out of the FO about Luhnow’s pursuit of Kimbrel leading up to the non-waiver deadline in 2015. That probably didn’t help this chances of making a deal. Then...after that deal failed to materialize..., came the Gomez/Fiers debacle in which he gave up Hader.., the best left handed pitching prospect the team had... and 3 others... for a nut case and a batting practice pitcher. I’ll bet he would like to have that one back. Luhnow learned a lot from that experience though. He probably thinks about Hader every time another team mentions Whitley in trade talks. Although everyone... including me... assumes he will have to give up Tucker to get a guy like Realmuto or Thor, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he finds a way to make a deal for one of those guys without giving up Tucker or Whitley. I forget which poster, I know a more prominent one, but he didn't like giving up Hader in the deal. He said that was one the Astros would really regret, while Ghick was lamenting over the loss of Phillips. I was that poster my friend. I said at the time the trade was made that while most hated to lose Phillips, I believed when all was said and done Hader would be the player we most regretted losing in the deal. When we got Hader from Baltimore I read where some scout(s) said that he reminded them of Chris Sale. That got my attention and I started following him closely in our minor league system. It made me sick when he was traded away. |
|
|
|
Post by m240 on Dec 4, 2018 8:47:04 GMT -6
You gotta love Luhnow. Little to no info leaking out of the Astros FO concerning player(s) he might be trying to deal for or sign. Some people seemed to think he was sitting on his hands and doing nothing at the non-waiver deadline last season. Only recently did we find out that he actually had a deal made to acquire Harper, but the Nats ownership vetoed it. I don’t recall reading any rumors last summer about the Astros attempting to trade for Harper. I remember there was a lot of info leaking out of the FO about Luhnow’s pursuit of Kimbrel leading up to the non-waiver deadline in 2015. That probably didn’t help this chances of making a deal. Then...after that deal failed to materialize..., came the Gomez/Fiers debacle in which he gave up Hader.., the best left handed pitching prospect the team had... and 3 others... for a nut case and a batting practice pitcher. I’ll bet he would like to have that one back. Luhnow learned a lot from that experience though. He probably thinks about Hader every time another team mentions Whitley in trade talks. Although everyone... including me... assumes he will have to give up Tucker to get a guy like Realmuto or Thor, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he finds a way to make a deal for one of those guys without giving up Tucker or Whitley. I forget which poster, I know a more prominent one, but he didn't like giving up Hader in the deal. He said that was one the Astros would really regret, while Ghick was lamenting over the loss of Phillips. I hated the deal from jump street. Hader had made such a huge jump in his velocity over the last two years before the deal that it really drove me crazy. I said it was a terrible deal at the time but I hardly fell into the category of a prominent poster as my post count was less than 2k over 10 years. |
|
|
|
Post by thomasj13 on Dec 4, 2018 8:56:12 GMT -6
The thing that keeps me from wanting Tucker sent away for Realmuto is I can’t picture him staying past 2020. At that point Reddick will be gone and possibly also Springer. What the heck will our outfield look like by then? Brantley and Pollock are great but can’t stay on the field, and I don’t know if McCutchen would still be worth it by then. People say getting an outfielder is easier than a quality infielder. That’s true, but people forget how many mediocre players we’ve seen between Berkman and Pence and Springer. As usual, I agree with you BFAM. Realmuto will probably come at the expense of Tucker + Stubbs. And after thinking more about it, I am against even giving Tucker straight up for Realmuto. Rather keep Tucker and have him being one of the key players of the Astros for years to come. If you look at the top Astros prospects, outside of Tucker, they really don't have one that comes close to the potential/ceiling of Tucker.... And people's contention, well you can always get quality FA OF's....Yes, but the truly quality ones that are not past their prime are going to be relatively expensive and want more than likely 4 to 5 year deal, like they did with Reddick years ago. So then you are tying up decent amount of money to just have a quality FA OF. Tucker definitely has the ability/ceiling to be better than just a quality OF. Not to mention, he is hella of lot cheaper. Given Astros prospects, the average ability of Reddick and his remaining 2 year contract and Springer could sign elsewhere in 2021, trading Tucker should not be an option at all. He is the 2nd untouchable, Whitley of course being the first and foremost. |
|
|
|
Post by olpapa on Dec 4, 2018 8:57:39 GMT -6
I read an article this morning about the prospects it would take to get Realmuto over at House of Houston. The article indicated that in their opinion it would take Tucker, Nova, and Valdez to land Realmuto. I thought about that for a while and came to the conclusion that if it were me making that decision I would grit my teeth, rant and rave for hours on end, try everything in my power to reduce the package but in the end I would pull the trigger. Getting a high end catcher is critical in keeping Verlander and Cole past this year and will help land a high end free agent. That is a lot to give up but I would stack the deals for Realmuto and a high end free agent starter and then pull the trigger on both. I hope we don’t deal Nova. He is projected to hit MLB about the time that Correa is eligible to become a FA and appears to have the same kind of tools as does Correa. You never know with back injuries. This may be something CC will deal with for the rest of his career and we saw how much it limited him in 2018. He has dealt with injury issues every year, if I recall correctly. Even if he is healthy there is no guarantee we will be able to sign him to a long-term deal. Tucker and Nova in the same deal would be tough. Would much prefer Alvarez, Nova and other(s) for Realmuto. |
|
|
|
Post by unionstation82 on Dec 4, 2018 8:59:00 GMT -6
I read an article this morning about the prospects it would take to get Realmuto over at House of Houston. The article indicated that in their opinion it would take Tucker, Nova, and Valdez to land Realmuto. I thought about that for a while and came to the conclusion that if it were me making that decision I would grit my teeth, rant and rave for hours on end, try everything in my power to reduce the package but in the end I would pull the trigger. Getting a high end catcher is critical in keeping Verlander and Cole past this year and will help land a high end free agent. That is a lot to give up but I would stack the deals for Realmuto and a high end free agent starter and then pull the trigger on both. Catchers as good as Realmuto (offensively) usually don’t stay catchers. Posey is a rare exception. |
|
|
|
Post by thomasj13 on Dec 4, 2018 9:00:34 GMT -6
I read an article this morning about the prospects it would take to get Realmuto over at House of Houston. The article indicated that in their opinion it would take Tucker, Nova, and Valdez to land Realmuto. I thought about that for a while and came to the conclusion that if it were me making that decision I would grit my teeth, rant and rave for hours on end, try everything in my power to reduce the package but in the end I would pull the trigger. Getting a high end catcher is critical in keeping Verlander and Cole past this year and will help land a high end free agent. That is a lot to give up but I would stack the deals for Realmuto and a high end free agent starter and then pull the trigger on both. I am against it...Rather sign Ramos and bring up Stubbs...Realmuto is only controllable for 2 more years, so I don't know how that keeps Verlander and Cole, since their contracts will expire first.. I am sure they are smart enough to know Realmuto could bolt in 2021, so that 1 year might not have much credence....Hopefully Stubbs can gain their trust and fondness. |
|
|
|
Post by m240 on Dec 4, 2018 9:04:58 GMT -6
Ramos is a very good offensive catcher but does not call a good game and that is what made Verlander rail against Stassi last year.
|
|
|
|
Post by blcoach8 on Dec 4, 2018 9:28:59 GMT -6
Sources: After landing LeBron, Magic Johnson travels with Dodgers officials to court Bryce Harper "The courtship of Bryce Harper likely means a journey to Las Vegas, the 26-year-old outfielder’s hometown and a place where one generally arrives with hope and cash and leaves with less of both. In recent weeks, Major League Baseball teams interested in perhaps the most sought-after free agent in nearly two decades road-tripped there with plenty more – a keen interest in getting to know him, a sales pitch on why he should sign with them and, in one case, even some Magic. Officials from the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago White Sox, Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees are among upward of a dozen teams that have traveled or plan to travel to Nevada to meet with Harper, league sources familiar with the discussions told Yahoo Sports. Other meetings already are set for a site away from MLB’s winter meetings, which start Sunday at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. The Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres are expected to check in. The Washington Nationals, with whom he has spent his seven major league seasons and who offered him a 10-year deal worth around $300 million toward the end of the season that Harper rejected, almost certainly will circle back. Harper’s affection for the Houston Astros is well-known, as is the St. Louis Cardinals’ for him. - Tim Brown and Jeff Passan sports.yahoo.com/sources-la...s-officials-court-bryce-harper-050324678.htmlLet him stay in the NL. If he has an asshole like Lebron James speaking up for him, I'm glad we won't get him. |
|
|
|
Post by Saint on Dec 4, 2018 9:31:01 GMT -6
We have to remember that we can improve at multiple positions without making blockbuster deals or signing huge contracts. I mean, hell, Nick Hundley would be an offensive upgrade from Maldonado and McCann last year and could be had for nickles. Matt Adams can play LF, 1B, or DH and would be an improvement over Gattis and add some more defensive depth.
|
|
|
|
Post by thomasj13 on Dec 4, 2018 9:39:15 GMT -6
We have to remember that we can improve at multiple positions without making blockbuster deals or signing huge contracts. I mean, hell, Nick Hundley would be an offensive upgrade from Maldonado and McCann last year and could be had for nickles. Matt Adams can play LF, 1B, or DH and would be an improvement over Gattis and add some more defensive depth. If you look up defesnse catcher rankings, Stassi did a pretty good job...he will be a good backup catcher...I still hope that Stubb's gets a call later in the season. |
|
|
|
Post by thomasj13 on Dec 4, 2018 9:41:42 GMT -6
We have to remember that we can improve at multiple positions without making blockbuster deals or signing huge contracts. I mean, hell, Nick Hundley would be an offensive upgrade from Maldonado and McCann last year and could be had for nickles. Matt Adams can play LF, 1B, or DH and would be an improvement over Gattis and add some more defensive depth. Sign Cruz... Both Brantley or Pollick will want too many years, at too high of price....Or if the Cardinals don't ask for too much, acquire Jose Martinez. |
|
|
|
Post by m240 on Dec 4, 2018 10:03:17 GMT -6
As an outsider looking in there seems to be two clear and distinct tracks that the Astros can take, the first is to go all in on getting a second title next year. If that is the route that we go in then guys like Tucker, Nova, and other high upside guys will be gone in trades. The second will be to play the first couple of months of the year with the intent on seeing what the kids can do and then make trades as the deadline approaches to have a chance to push us over the top. This scenario would allow us to keep our prospects and budget in check as we would sign guys like Hundley, Happ, Holland, Granderson, Dietrick and other second tier free agents to shore up our roster (not all of these but two or three of them). The good news is our roster is still good enough to keep us close to the top if not at the top of the division while we wait for the kids to prove themselves up.
We are in a unique position this off season where we can do whatever we need to do to win. We have the budget, we have the prospects, and we have the reputation for success to attract players. My guess is that Luhnow wants a second title badly as that will help him and secure his legacy but he is smart enough not to just throw caution to the wind. So he will continue to explore the top end guys until he is sure he has the best deals lined up that he can possible get and then if these deals are deemed to be cost effective for the long term success of the team, he will start to pull the trigger. If it is too high then the second route will be the one he chooses. Either way I have faith in his ability to acquire talent and will impatiently wait for things to start happening so that we know which direction we are headed in.
On a different note when do the winter leagues start?
|
|
|
|
Post by nathangarza29 on Dec 4, 2018 10:35:44 GMT -6
I'm in the realm of sign Avisail Garcia and Derek Dietrich both.
Sign Cruz
Trade for Realmuto
Then figure out what you can do from there as well as Sp and Bp.
Alot of teams backed off Ramos due to age and Injurys. Apparently he wants some big money and longer deal.
Anyways. I think it's cheaper in the above manor.
I would go hard for Goldschmidt
|
|
|
|
Post by Saint on Dec 4, 2018 10:41:59 GMT -6
We have to remember that we can improve at multiple positions without making blockbuster deals or signing huge contracts. I mean, hell, Nick Hundley would be an offensive upgrade from Maldonado and McCann last year and could be had for nickles. Matt Adams can play LF, 1B, or DH and would be an improvement over Gattis and add some more defensive depth. If you look up defesnse catcher rankings, Stassi did a pretty good job...he will be a good backup catcher...I still hope that Stubb's gets a call later in the season. Stassi is a very valuable commodity given his 4 years of control, above-average defense and solid offense for a catcher. The only concern with Stassi is how well can he work with the veteran pitchers. The numbers should speak for themselves, but numbers aren't everything when it comes to building relationships with pitchers. I know I'm the only one here that feels this way, but I have no problem going into 2019 with Stassi and Stubbs doing the catching. You save a ton of money AND prospects. Improve the offense for cheaper by signing Cruz. Springer Altuve Bregman Cruz Correa Gurriel Reddick Tucker/In-season trade Stassi White Stubbs Diaz Marisnick or Kemp If you can keep a guy with a 143 OPS+ in 2018 and another with 18 HR and a 106 OPS+ on the bench then you have a heck of a good lineup. |
|
|
|
Post by nathangarza29 on Dec 4, 2018 10:43:18 GMT -6
Snydergaard seems to be out of the question.
Mets New GM. NO PROSPECTS PERIOD
We need full time starters and good ones
|
|
|
|
Post by nathangarza29 on Dec 4, 2018 10:44:28 GMT -6
If you look up defesnse catcher rankings, Stassi did a pretty good job...he will be a good backup catcher...I still hope that Stubb's gets a call later in the season. Stassi is a very valuable commodity given his 4 years of control, above-average defense and solid offense for a catcher. The only concern with Stassi is how well can he work with the veteran pitchers. The numbers should speak for themselves, but numbers aren't everything when it comes to building relationships with pitchers. I know I'm the only one here that feels this way, but I have no problem going into 2019 with Stassi and Stubbs doing the catching. You save a ton of money AND prospects. Improve the offense for cheaper by signing Cruz. Springer Altuve Bregman Cruz Correa Gurriel Reddick Tucker/In-season trade Stassi White Stubbs Diaz Marisnick or Kemp If you can keep a guy with a 143 OPS+ in 2018 and another with 18 HR and a 106 OPS+ on the bench then you have a heck of a good lineup. I think you could use Stassi to get a piece of the puzzle you need. Example. Tony Kemp and Max Stassi for Micheal Conforto?? |
|
|
|
Post by Saint on Dec 4, 2018 10:54:39 GMT -6
Stassi is a very valuable commodity given his 4 years of control, above-average defense and solid offense for a catcher. The only concern with Stassi is how well can he work with the veteran pitchers. The numbers should speak for themselves, but numbers aren't everything when it comes to building relationships with pitchers. I know I'm the only one here that feels this way, but I have no problem going into 2019 with Stassi and Stubbs doing the catching. You save a ton of money AND prospects. Improve the offense for cheaper by signing Cruz. Springer Altuve Bregman Cruz Correa Gurriel Reddick Tucker/In-season trade Stassi White Stubbs Diaz Marisnick or Kemp If you can keep a guy with a 143 OPS+ in 2018 and another with 18 HR and a 106 OPS+ on the bench then you have a heck of a good lineup. I think you could use Stassi to get a piece of the puzzle you need. Example. Tony Kemp and Max Stassi for Micheal Conforto?? Why would the Mets give up a good controllable OFer when they want good MLB-ready players in a trade for Syndergaard? Especially considering Stassi would be a comparable C to who they already have. I think Stassi would have to be component in a trade for a C but that proposal would not benefit the Mets at all. Although I'd love to have Conforto. |
|
|
|
Post by nathangarza29 on Dec 4, 2018 11:09:58 GMT -6
If we brought that trade to them they said no we ask what it would take to get it done I'm sure it's not much more..
Stassi is better then Plawecki
|
|
|
|
Post by Saint on Dec 4, 2018 11:44:22 GMT -6
If we brought that trade to them they said no we ask what it would take to get it done I'm sure it's not much more.. Stassi is better then Plawecki I agree, but not THAT much better to warrant giving up an all-star caliber OFer with three more years of club control. |
|
|
|
Post by blcoach8 on Dec 4, 2018 12:14:52 GMT -6
We have to remember that we can improve at multiple positions without making blockbuster deals or signing huge contracts. I mean, hell, Nick Hundley would be an offensive upgrade from Maldonado and McCann last year and could be had for nickles. Matt Adams can play LF, 1B, or DH and would be an improvement over Gattis and add some more defensive depth. If you look up defesnse catcher rankings, Stassi did a pretty good job...he will be a good backup catcher...I still hope that Stubb's gets a call later in the season. stassi makes a good backup, but, we need a quality starting catcher., I had rather sign a FA to fill in until Stubbs is ready. |
|
|
|
Post by blcoach8 on Dec 4, 2018 12:16:16 GMT -6
I'm in the realm of sign Avisail Garcia and Derek Dietrich both. Sign Cruz Trade for Realmuto Then figure out what you can do from there as well as Sp and Bp. Alot of teams backed off Ramos due to age and Injurys. Apparently he wants some big money and longer deal. Anyways. I think it's cheaper in the above manor. I would go hard for Goldschmidt I have no idea why you keep talking about Garcia and Dietrich.......they are not upgrades over anything we have. |
|
|
|
Post by unionstation82 on Dec 4, 2018 12:35:07 GMT -6
I would go hard for Goldschmidt Whoa there, son. |
|
|
|
Post by thomasj13 on Dec 4, 2018 12:52:25 GMT -6
I would go hard for Goldschmidt Whoa there, son. Nice catch. |
|
|
|
Post by blcoach8 on Dec 4, 2018 13:54:08 GMT -6
If you look up defesnse catcher rankings, Stassi did a pretty good job...he will be a good backup catcher...I still hope that Stubb's gets a call later in the season. Stassi is a very valuable commodity given his 4 years of control, above-average defense and solid offense for a catcher. The only concern with Stassi is how well can he work with the veteran pitchers. The numbers should speak for themselves, but numbers aren't everything when it comes to building relationships with pitchers. I know I'm the only one here that feels this way, but I have no problem going into 2019 with Stassi and Stubbs doing the catching. You save a ton of money AND prospects. Improve the offense for cheaper by signing Cruz. Springer Altuve Bregman Cruz Correa Gurriel Reddick Tucker/In-season trade Stassi White Stubbs Diaz Marisnick or Kemp If you can keep a guy with a 143 OPS+ in 2018 and another with 18 HR and a 106 OPS+ on the bench then you have a heck of a good lineup.  "above average defense" and "solid offense". Please!! average catcher at best......and is not a hitter. He has a few streaks but is very inconsistent. Definitely someone who should be packaged in a trade for a quality player. |
|
|
|
Post by Saint on Dec 4, 2018 14:21:42 GMT -6
Stassi is a very valuable commodity given his 4 years of control, above-average defense and solid offense for a catcher. The only concern with Stassi is how well can he work with the veteran pitchers. The numbers should speak for themselves, but numbers aren't everything when it comes to building relationships with pitchers. I know I'm the only one here that feels this way, but I have no problem going into 2019 with Stassi and Stubbs doing the catching. You save a ton of money AND prospects. Improve the offense for cheaper by signing Cruz. Springer Altuve Bregman Cruz Correa Gurriel Reddick Tucker/In-season trade Stassi White Stubbs Diaz Marisnick or Kemp If you can keep a guy with a 143 OPS+ in 2018 and another with 18 HR and a 106 OPS+ on the bench then you have a heck of a good lineup. "above average defense" and "solid offense". Please!! average catcher at best......and is not a hitter. He has a few streaks but is very inconsistent. Definitely someone who should be packaged in a trade for a quality player. There's no point in arguing about Stassi anymore. If Stassi is our worst position player and is considered "average" even by you, then you have a hell of a team. The point is that we're not necessarily in need of all these giant splashy moves we all keep going back and forth on. Get a real DH, re-sign Morton, and then to try to get one more controllable pitcher. Boom. Done. |
|
|
|
Post by unionstation82 on Dec 4, 2018 14:34:17 GMT -6
If you look up defesnse catcher rankings, Stassi did a pretty good job...he will be a good backup catcher...I still hope that Stubb's gets a call later in the season. Stassi is a very valuable commodity given his 4 years of control, above-average defense and solid offense for a catcher. The only concern with Stassi is how well can he work with the veteran pitchers. The numbers should speak for themselves, but numbers aren't everything when it comes to building relationships with pitchers. I know I'm the only one here that feels this way, but I have no problem going into 2019 with Stassi and Stubbs doing the catching. You save a ton of money AND prospects. Improve the offense for cheaper by signing Cruz. Springer Altuve Bregman Cruz Correa Gurriel Reddick Tucker/In-season trade Stassi White Stubbs Diaz Marisnick or Kemp If you can keep a guy with a 143 OPS+ in 2018 and another with 18 HR and a 106 OPS+ on the bench then you have a heck of a good lineup. Do you still sell Max Stassi posters? I want one. |
|
|
|
Post by blcoach8 on Dec 4, 2018 14:39:38 GMT -6
"above average defense" and "solid offense". Please!! average catcher at best......and is not a hitter. He has a few streaks but is very inconsistent. Definitely someone who should be packaged in a trade for a quality player. There's no point in arguing about Stassi anymore. If Stassi is our worst position player and is considered "average" even by you, then you have a hell of a team. The point is that we're not necessarily in need of all these giant splashy moves we all keep going back and forth on. Get a real DH, re-sign Morton, and then to try to get one more controllable pitcher. Boom. Done. Are you actually implying that we should be content with Stassi as our regular catcher?? I know you know better than to think that will work. Sign Cruz as the DH, re-sign Morton, sign a FA catcher in case Stubbs is not ready. If Stubbs is ready, trade Stassi. Sign or trade for a decent starting pitcher as long as Whitley and Tucker are not included in any deal. |
|
|
|
Post by blcoach8 on Dec 4, 2018 14:40:34 GMT -6
Stassi is a very valuable commodity given his 4 years of control, above-average defense and solid offense for a catcher. The only concern with Stassi is how well can he work with the veteran pitchers. The numbers should speak for themselves, but numbers aren't everything when it comes to building relationships with pitchers. I know I'm the only one here that feels this way, but I have no problem going into 2019 with Stassi and Stubbs doing the catching. You save a ton of money AND prospects. Improve the offense for cheaper by signing Cruz. Springer Altuve Bregman Cruz Correa Gurriel Reddick Tucker/In-season trade Stassi White Stubbs Diaz Marisnick or Kemp If you can keep a guy with a 143 OPS+ in 2018 and another with 18 HR and a 106 OPS+ on the bench then you have a heck of a good lineup. Do you still sell Max Stassi posters? I want one. he probably has a life-sized one on the ceiling of his bedroom. |
|
|
|
Post by unionstation82 on Dec 4, 2018 14:51:43 GMT -6
I like Tyler White and all, but he’s had three years to prove he can mash in the pros the way he does at AAA. What worries me is he’ll hit and then just disappear. Quite often, he did Ensberg’s “deer in the headlights” look watching strikeouts. We already had Correa doing that, which compounded the annoyance of it all.
Cruz is almost 40, but I’ll still take him at DH over White.
|
|
|
|
Post by blcoach8 on Dec 4, 2018 14:53:36 GMT -6
I like Tyler White and all, but he’s had three years to prove he can mash in the pros the way he does at AAA. What worries me is he’ll hit and then just disappear. Quite often, he did Ensberg’s “deer in the headlights” look watching strikeouts. We already had Correa doing that, which compounded the annoyance of it all. Cruz is almost 40, but I’ll still take him at DH over White. Totally agree..........I don't trust White as our DH |
|
