Ag_07 said:

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Agree

Just reminding everyone that while Cabrera may be cheaper money wise he's going to cost us some significant talent.

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Houston wants to take advantage of a competitive window that will extend through at least 2018, after which left-hander Dallas Keuchel will be eligible for free agency. And they want to address not just holes on their roster, but also a void of leadership in their clubhouse, sources said.

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Encarnacion, who will play next season at 34, is not necessarily the right fit the Astros already are stacked with right-handed hitters, and analytically oriented teams generally do not like older free agents on long-term deals. Houston likely would want him only on a shorter deal say, three years with big annual salaries.

Beltran, who is turning 40, is a switch-hitter who would fulfill the Astros' need for a left-handed bat, and require fewer years at lower dollars. But the Red Sox and Rangers remain interested in him, sources say.

McCann, who is turning 33, is a left-handed hitter who could platoon with Evan Gattis, get additional at-bats as a DH and benefit from playing mostly indoors at a ballpark with inviting dimensions in right field.

Free agent Dexter Fowler, a switch-hitter turning 31, would be an excellent fit in center, and he played for the Astros in 2014. One source, however, said a reunion was "very unlikely." Another option for Houston would be to trade for a left-handed hitting center-fielder such as the White Sox's Adam Eaton or Yankees' Brett Gardner.

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Any team interested in [Brian] McCann would need to deal with A) his full no-trade clause and B) the remaining money on his contract $34 million over the next two seasons, plus a $15 million club option.

The Astros, as an American League team, hold an advantage; McCann no longer wants to catch 125 to 130 games, sources say. His body began hurting less after Gary Sanchez replaced him as the Yankees' primary catcher on Aug. 5, and he told the team's coaches in September that he felt as good physically as he usually does at the start of the season.

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McCann would not be certain to approve a trade to even the Astros; he enjoys playing for the Yankees. However, the Yanks could add a right-handed hitter who would DH against lefties, further reducing McCann's at-bats. The mere possibility of a diminished role could increase McCann's willingness to be traded.

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Houston Astros

The Astros are the inverse of the Tigers.

For years, their payroll has been lower than their market size suggested it could be. Now the Astros are prepared to move it northward, from below $100 million in 2016 to the range of $140 million -- if not right away, then gradually over the next few seasons.

Cabrera would be the biggest splash, of course, but other viable options exist on the free-agent market, including Encarnacion, Ian Desmond and former Astros outfielder Carlos Beltran. (The New York Daily News has reported the Astros are pursuing Beltran.) Houston also has shown interest in acquiring catcher/designated hitter Brian McCann from the Yankees. One way or another, the Astros are certain to add an impact bat.

The need to acquire another proven starting pitcher exists, as well: Dallas Keuchel's ERA increased by more than two runs after winning the 2015 AL Cy Young Award, and Collin McHugh was Houston's only starter to surpass 170 innings last season.

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Ag_07 said:

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From mlb.com article titled '5 Teams Expected to Bring Hot Stove Drama'

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Houston Astros

The Astros are the inverse of the Tigers.

For years, their payroll has been lower than their market size suggested it could be. Now the Astros are prepared to move it northward, from below $100 million in 2016 to the range of $140 million -- if not right away, then gradually over the next few seasons.

Cabrera would be the biggest splash, of course, but other viable options exist on the free-agent market, including Encarnacion, Ian Desmond and former Astros outfielder Carlos Beltran. (The New York Daily News has reported the Astros are pursuing Beltran.) Houston also has shown interest in acquiring catcher/designated hitter Brian McCann from the Yankees. One way or another, the Astros are certain to add an impact bat.

The need to acquire another proven starting pitcher exists, as well: Dallas Keuchel's ERA increased by more than two runs after winning the 2015 AL Cy Young Award, and Collin McHugh was Houston's only starter to surpass 170 innings last season.

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astros4545 said:

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That's murderers Row

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My truly only legitimate fear is bringing in a contract like that at the expense of altuve, Springer etc down the road

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Ag_07 said:

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So where do we stand on LMJ?

I feel he's almost in the same boat as Springer in that he's a nice piece but I wouldn't let including him in a deal be the killer for the right piece.

When he's healthy he's a stud but GD if he's only pitching a 1/4 season at a time he's useless to us. They've got to make a real decision on if Lance is injury prone and how they see his health moving forward.

They've done an incredible job on this front in the past and think that if they indeed see him as a risk then they shouldn't be afraid to let him go for the right return.

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Ag_07 said:

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So where do we stand on LMJ?

I feel he's almost in the same boat as Springer in that he's a nice piece but I wouldn't let including him in a deal be the killer for the right piece.

When he's healthy he's a stud but GD if he's only pitching a 1/4 season at a time he's useless to us. They've got to make a real decision on if Lance is injury prone and how they see his health moving forward.

They've done an incredible job on this front in the past and think that if they indeed see him as a risk then they shouldn't be afraid to let him go for the right return.

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iBrad said:

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I could live with a Gattis/McCann C/DH combo, especially if they combine for 50+ home runs. We'd be reuniting the 2013 Atlanta teammates. If Gomez resigns with the Rangers, I'd definitely like to sign McCann. I know many considered McCann to be the d-bag in that confrontation, but that's the type of leader many want on this team. I also bet a lot of opinions have changed regarding that incident.

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Ag_07 said:

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I think we're in trouble if Springer is the best offensive outfielder we've got. He's too streaky and as soon as you start counting on or needing him is when he disappears.

He excels when he's just there rather than him being the guy.

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Ag_07 said:

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I meant if we're depending on him for all our OF production.

I think an OF bat needs to be on the top of Lunhow's list. Either tha or move Bregman into LF Need to get Marisnick out of the lineup ASAP.

An outfield of Springer, Aoki, Marisnick ain't gonna cut it. Hell I'm OK with resigning Rasmus if it means sliding George to CF and getting Jake out of the lineup.

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Ag_07 said:

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I meant if we're depending on him for all our OF production.

I think an OF bat needs to be on the top of Lunhow's list. Either tha or move Bregman into LF Need to get Marisnick out of the lineup ASAP.

An outfield of Springer, Aoki, Marisnick ain't gonna cut it. Hell I'm OK with resigning Rasmus if it means sliding George to CF and getting Jake out of the lineup.

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J_R said:

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Blue Jays signed Gurriel's younger brother, Lourdes. (Reportedly 7 years, $22M)

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