Offseason Chatter

[olpapa]

Dec 12, 2018 16:41:12 GMT -6 nathangarza29 said:

I'm telling you guys I dont want it but. I think they are all in on Harper.

Keep on chunkin’. If you through enough stuff at the wall, odds are something will eventually stick. 

[olpapa]

Dec 12, 2018 15:20:35 GMT -6 Saint said:

To think, Morton was pondering retirement two years ago before we signed him. He got a $14 million deal from us and has now turned it into an additional $30 million (maybe $45 million). In his final four seasons he is going to make more than he did in his previous 9 combined!

So, I’m wondering what Charlie will be.SP? Opener? Closer?

[abregmanfan]

Dec 12, 2018 16:57:03 GMT -6 olpapa said:

Dec 12, 2018 15:20:35 GMT -6 Saint said:

To think, Morton was pondering retirement two years ago before we signed him. He got a $14 million deal from us and has now turned it into an additional $30 million (maybe $45 million). In his final four seasons he is going to make more than he did in his previous 9 combined!

So, I’m wondering what Charlie will be.SP? Opener? Closer?

Middle relief papa.

[paastrosfan]

Dec 12, 2018 17:02:15 GMT -6 abregmanfan said:

Dec 12, 2018 16:57:03 GMT -6 olpapa said:

So, I’m wondering what Charlie will be.SP? Opener? Closer?

Middle relief papa.

Depending if Charlie doesn't have a no trade clause, how the Rays operate, and how their season plays out and how Charlie holds up, who knows if he will end up being trade bait.

[blcoach8]

Dec 12, 2018 16:41:12 GMT -6 nathangarza29 said:

I'm telling you guys I dont want it but. I think they are all in on Harper.

if Boras is still sitting on 10 years for $325 million, I don't think he gets it from the Astros.

[Saint]

Dec 12, 2018 16:57:03 GMT -6 olpapa said:

Dec 12, 2018 15:20:35 GMT -6 Saint said:

To think, Morton was pondering retirement two years ago before we signed him. He got a $14 million deal from us and has now turned it into an additional $30 million (maybe $45 million). In his final four seasons he is going to make more than he did in his previous 9 combined!

So, I’m wondering what Charlie will be.SP? Opener? Closer?

I think they said he would be one of the regular starters with Snell. Cash has already said they will go with two bullpen days in the rotation next year though.

[blcoach8]

these teams who rely on "bullpen days" will never win consistently. I realize the A's and Rays had some success with it last year, but, for them to keep relying on it makes no sense. You can't run the same relievers out there day after day without burning them out.

[thomasj13]

Dec 12, 2018 17:12:25 GMT -6 paastrosfan said:

Dec 12, 2018 17:02:15 GMT -6 abregmanfan said:

Middle relief papa.

Depending if Charlie doesn't have a no trade clause, how the Rays operate, and how their season plays out and how Charlie holds up, who knows if he will end up being trade bait.

That is what I was thinking

[nathangarza29]

Idk. The wait for something is killer.

I wonder what trade they where trying to work or what FA they are talking to?

It's way to quite and sounds just like Lunhow.

I think everyone will be surprised.

I hope it's someone with some pop and hits for average .

[nathangarza29]

Rangers nab Lance Lynn 3yrs. 30m

[nathangarza29]

Justin Bour to the Angels

[nathangarza29]

Tanner Rourk to the Reds for minor leaguer

[Saint]

Bour would have been a cheap effective DH also.

[ɮօʀȶǟʐ]

Stage set for Astros' top prospect to break out
Club's pursuit of outfield help won't block Tucker in Houston


By Brian McTaggart MLB.com @brianmctaggart
Dec. 11th, 2018

LAS VEGAS -- The Astros' pursuit of offense won't come at the hindrance of No. 1 prospect Kyle Tucker, club president of baseball operations and general manager Jeff Luhnow said Tuesday from baseball's Winter Meetings at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.

Tucker, No. 5 on MLB Pipeline's Top 100 Prospects, struggled in his big league debut last July, but will be in camp competing for a starting spot in the outfield alongside George Springer and Josh Reddick. That being said, the Astros are in the market for an outfielder or a designated hitter -- or perhaps a combination of both -- to bolster their offense in 2019.

Luhnow wouldn't give specifics on the club's pursuit of an outfielder, but the Astros have been tied to free agent Michael Brantley, a left-handed hitter who would be a good fit. Luhnow said if Tucker is competing with a veteran for playing time, that's a good thing.

"If we have an extra outfielder halfway through the season, we'll figure out how to deal with it," he said. "At this point, if we have expectations of repeating as division champions and hopefully doing damage in the postseason, we don't want to necessarily count on a rookie to produce at the level we're going to need."


Tucker, who was named the Astros' Minor League Player of the Year last season after hitting .332 with 27 doubles, 24 homers and 93 RBIs in 100 games at Triple-A, batted just .141 (9-for-64) with no homers after being called up in July. He'll be 22 when Spring Training starts in February and is determined to make a splash.

"I'm going to go as hard as possible and try to win that spot," said Tucker, who was at Mandalay Bay on Tuesday ahead of a video-game tournament he's participating in on Wednesday. "I'm not going make it a fourth-outfielder position for me, but become an everyday player and make an impact on the team this year."

Tucker said he's not playing close attention to any rumors about whom the Astros might be pursuing. He is more focused on putting himself in the best position to succeed but knows he'll have to learn and grow from his first taste of big league pitching.

"It's more of a mindset, not anything mechanical," Tucker said. "I feel fine at the plate. The more you see pitches, the more you feel comfortable. The more you play teams, you kind of figure out how they're going to pitch you and everything. You have to make that adjustment at any level, but it's just getting in there and playing and making them."


Luhnow remains committed to Tucker and hopes he has to make some tough decisions because the youngster has performed so well.

"Kyle has all the ability in the world, and he will do it, but when things come easy to you in the Minor Leagues, sometimes you just expect that in the big leagues," he said. "He'll be fine. I have a lot of confidence in him. I hope he's going to be a really good impact player, and hopefully it will be this year."

Luhnow said the Astros have offers on the table to free agents and have made some trade proposals, though there's a sense the team won't do anything significant before it leaves Las Vegas. The Astros are still in the hunt for a starting pitcher to join Justin Verlander, Gerrit Cole and Collin McHugh -- all of whom are free agents after next season.

"We are looking at both short- and medium-term deals for pitchers," Luhnow said. "That being said, I think a year from now we'll know a lot more about [No. 6 prospect] Corbin Martin, we'll know a lot more about [No. 2 prospect] Forrest Whitley, and we'll have a better sense on [Josh] James and [Framber] Valdez and it could be we don't have an issue a year from now. If [Verlander, Cole and McHugh] were free agents right now, I'd be nervous about replacing them with those guys, but a year from now, I think we're going to have a lot better information."

Brian McTaggart has covered the Astros since 2004, and for MLB.com since 2009. Follow @brianmctaggart on Twitter and listen to his podcast.

[nathangarza29]

This really sound like. Sign Harper let Tucker take over for Reddick . Lol

[nathangarza29]

I like Castellanos aswell and Avisail Garcia

[marshall]

Dec 12, 2018 17:28:09 GMT -6 blcoach8 said:

Dec 12, 2018 16:41:12 GMT -6 nathangarza29 said:

I'm telling you guys I dont want it but. I think they are all in on Harper.

if Boras is still sitting on 10 years for $325 million, I don't think he gets it from the Astros.

I'd rather wait 2 years and spend it on Trout instead of spending it on what would be our fourth or fifth best player.

[nathangarza29]

Dec 12, 2018 19:28:42 GMT -6 marshall said:

Dec 12, 2018 17:28:09 GMT -6 blcoach8 said:

if Boras is still sitting on 10 years for $325 million, I don't think he gets it from the Astros.

I'd rather wait 2 years and spend it on Trout instead of spending it on what would be our fourth or fifth best player.

I would to but. He will be way more then 325 m. I think he will be in the 450m range

[blcoach8]

Yesterday, Luhnow said they had a good day........made trade proposals and some contract offers to FA. Today, he was on mlb network talking like he is comfortable with things the way they are. Sounded like he had written Marwin off and knew several teams would be a good fit for him. he wished Morton well and I got the impression that we didn't try very hard to sign Charlie. One day, he sounds like he is working hard to get missing pieces and the next day he is pleased with what he has. Maybe it's strategy. Last thing I remember him saying was something like maybe we can make a couple of moves in the off-season. I know with Luhnow you never know what he means or what he is doing,but, I really hope that he doesn't think we can win it all with what we have. He did say he expects Altuve and Correa to show up totally healthy for spring training. I don't know how to read Luhnow at this point and maybe that's a good thing. I just don't think we are as good as we need to be to win a chamnpionship.

[ɮօʀȶǟʐ]

"Gosh, guys. I'm so, so sad that none of those meanies accepted my offers!!" - Corch's ideal GM.

[Saint]

Tucker was there for a video game tournament? Ahahahahahajajaj.

Millennial.

[paastrosfan]

Dec 12, 2018 17:50:45 GMT -6 thomasj13 said:

Dec 12, 2018 17:12:25 GMT -6 paastrosfan said:

Depending if Charlie doesn't have a no trade clause, how the Rays operate, and how their season plays out and how Charlie holds up, who knows if he will end up being trade bait.

That is what I was thinking

Rays beat writer was just on the network, saying Charlies contract is the biggest ever given by the organization.  Man they are going to have to fill those seats at the Trop.

Another thing what you cannot figure with the Rays they release Chron, showed at good bat last season, and I can't think of the OF they released and the Pirates signed last year after he put up good numbers.

[astrosdoug]

I have to think the medicals came back on Charlie suggesting the front office couldn't justify making the QO.

yes there is the sentimental value of bringing back the man who closed out the WS, but Luhnow is too smart for that kind of emotional approach.

there are still lots of good players available. he'll get the job done.

as the roster stands today, the Astros probably win the division with 95 wins or so. Getting past the ALDS would be a coin toss with today's roster, but with the improvements Luhnow stands to make, the team can get back to being an ALCS or WS caliber team.

[paastrosfan]

Speaking of Charlie, even if he has the clean bill of health, can he consistently get by the fifth and sixth inning on a regular basis.

[m240]

Last week I suggested that we would wind up pretty much with what we have and that would be enough to take the division and then we would take an approach of getting what we need for a WS run at the deadline.  I did not give that much credibility when I said it but give it a whole lot more today. 

[olpapa]

Dec 12, 2018 17:02:15 GMT -6 abregmanfan said:

Dec 12, 2018 16:57:03 GMT -6 olpapa said:

So, I’m wondering what Charlie will be.SP? Opener? Closer?

Middle relief papa.

Could be all four.

[paastrosfan]

www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/mlb-hot-stove-manny-machado%e2%80%99s-first-choice-is-to-sign-with-yankees-report-says/ar-BBQT3rA?li=BBnba9I

Figures.

[blcoach8]

Dec 12, 2018 20:44:56 GMT -6 ɮօʀȶǟʐ said:

"Gosh, guys. I'm so, so sad that none of those meanies accepted my offers!!" - Corch's ideal GM.

My ideal GM is one who takes action to improve his team.  He did that when he signed Reddick, Morton, and Beltran plus trading for McCann and we won the WS.  He traded for Cole and that was a good trade. Now, we are losing key parts to FA and all he has done is sign Robinson Chirinos and trade for Diaz. McCullers is out for next season.  They are letting Marwin walk and Morton is gone.  Good riddance to Keuchel.  

If you agree that we don't need any help, then, Luhnow has had a big week.

[blcoach8]

Dec 12, 2018 21:18:06 GMT -6 m240 said:

Last week I suggested that we would wind up pretty much with what we have and that would be enough to take the division and then we would take an approach of getting what we need for a WS run at the deadline.  I did not give that much credibility when I said it but give it a whole lot more today. 

If winning the division is the ultimate goal we are probably in good shape. I was under the impression we wanted to win another WS.

[astrosdoug]

Dec 12, 2018 21:34:20 GMT -6 paastrosfan said:

www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/mlb-hot-stove-manny-machado%e2%80%99s-first-choice-is-to-sign-with-yankees-report-says/ar-BBQT3rA?li=BBnba9I

Figures.

It's not a happy thought, but what if Correa never gets over his back problem or whatever it was that held him to league average (102 OPS+) performance last year? Who plays SS if Correa's career fizzles out?

Bregman could play short, but at the cost of creating a need at 3B.

Diaz is mainly a bench player and can't be tied down to SS if he is going to fill a utility role. (Incidentally, Diaz's offensive numbers last year were a tad better than Correa's.) 

The Grizzlies currently list Alex de Goti as their primary shortstop, but it's not clear he will ever be major league material. In case of multiple injuries on the big league club, de Goti may be the immediate go-to guy at short.

Further down in the minors, Jonathan Arauz might be ready to play SS at the big league level around 2020/2021 and beyond that, there's Freudis Nova who projects to be ready around 2022. 

The market on tradeable or free agent shortstops is pretty thin. De Goti stepping up this spring and showing he's ready for MLB would be big from an insurance standpoint.