***Official Houston Astros 2023-24 Offseason Thread*** [Staff Warning - OP]

1,023,384 Views | 11245 Replies | Last: 10 mo ago by Lonestar_Ag09
MaxPower
How long do you want to ignore this user?
bearkatag15 said:

Lonestar_Ag09 said:

Wabs said:

SpaceCityAg05 said:

At this point, I would ride with Abreu and hope that he indeed will produce now that the back is a known factor.

The contract is untradable unless you really sweeten the pot, and why would you want to waste resources to trade someone who is capable of being a major middle of the order bat for someone who performed equally bad last year and doesn't have the optimistic upside?

To me, your pool of ML players that can be easily used in trade (and that you would even legitimately consider trading) are Meyers, Urquidy, France, and Kessinger. Chas or Pena could be movable if it was for a major piece, but otherwise they are starters. You would not get the value for a Framber or Tucker in a trade that makes sense for a team trying to win a championship, so I think those are pointless to list.

Needs:
1. LF
2. bullpen
3. backup C
4. middle to back of rotation starter

You need to use tradable assets to cover at least one of these. The rest fall to limited FA budget.
Pretty much in line with my post on Page 1

My priorities (some of which posted on the season thread).

1. Left Fielder (Lourdes Gurriel?)
2. Bullpen (Neris and Hader)
3. Mid-level SP (Sonny Gray type)
4. Backup catcher (Diaz starts, see ya Maldy)
5. Lock up Altuve and Bregman
What money are you covering that wish list with, because it will take a lot plus trade capitol.


Crane is a billionaire. He can afford it
He can but he won't. That's a $300m payroll.
Ag_07
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Sleeping Giant said:

Doesn't Neris have a player option with the Astros for 2024 for $8.5m?

I'd like to see him stay.

He can get WAY more than that with a multi year deal.

He'll almost certainly decline and hit the open market.
The Porkchop Express
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Well guys, I really gave it the old Aggie try. I have stayed out of their thread, I've only made fun of the Cowboys on the Trash Talk thread, and I've just stayed off any sports websites except Fantasy Football for the last several days.

But tonight, I took my daughter to dance class, and in walks in smug 30-something dad, much more in shape than me, much more handsome and younger, and wearing a GD Rangers cap with the T inside the shape of Texas, big smirk on his face, looking around for someone to make eye contact with. Eventually sat right next to me as I'm on the lap top.

Most days I've got my Stros hat on, but today i opted for a Star Wars hat - side note, the other day a guy from Germany thought my Star Wars hat was the Star of David and was me supporting Israel in their war - I had to tell him it was actually the symbol for the Galactic Empire.

So with a Star Wars hat and a Disney shirt on, i was non-sports denominational and I just had to screw with him.

So as I stretched my arms I did a feigned double take at his hat and started this conversation.

Pork: "Hey, cool hat. Is that your college?"

Younger, better looking dad (YBLD): "Uh, no, it's the Texas Rangers."

Pork: "Oh , OK. Is that hockey?"

YBLD: "NO, it's the baseball team. They won the World Series last night."

Pork: "OH NEAT! Who did they play?"

YBLD: "Arizona."

Pork: "Cool, my brother went to college in Arizona. It's so hot there."

YBLD: "Great."
irish pete ag06
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Sleeping Giant
How long do you want to ignore this user?
S
Ryne Stanek, Martin Maldonado, Michael Brantley and Phil Maton have elected free agency, per the Astros transaction page
Houston Astros, 2017-2024: 7 ALCS, 4 World Series, 2 titles
Beau Holder
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/38804549/world-series-was-least-watched-fall-classic-tv-history

Despite what some think, this is objectively hilarious. Down 23% from Phillies-Astros.

"Baseball and network executives figured this year's series might face a tough audience because of two teams that don't have much national appeal."
agproducer
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
"Is that hockey?"
cap-n-jack
How long do you want to ignore this user?
I don't know what's better about this story dude, the Star of David and the German dude or the ****** bag arlington fan. Although I suppose ****** bag and arlington fan is pretty much redundant.
I'm going to go with the Star of David and the German. I'm thinking arlington is really just a passing fancy.
Anyway, tits to you man.
cap-n-jack
How long do you want to ignore this user?
A common feminine hygiene practice is blocked on here? Seems strange to me.
stoneca
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Sleeping Giant said:

Ryne Stanek, Martin Maldonado, Michael Brantley and Phil Maton have elected free agency, per the Astros transaction page
I might be reading to far into this, but does the fact that Neris isn't on this list mean he might be coming back.
EastCoastAgNc
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
stoneca said:

Sleeping Giant said:

Ryne Stanek, Martin Maldonado, Michael Brantley and Phil Maton have elected free agency, per the Astros transaction page
I might be reading to far into this, but does the fact that Neris isn't on this list mean he might be coming back.

He has a player option that he has to decline or accept. I think the deadline for doing that is coming soon.
Farmer1906
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
EastCoastAgNc said:

stoneca said:

Sleeping Giant said:

Ryne Stanek, Martin Maldonado, Michael Brantley and Phil Maton have elected free agency, per the Astros transaction page
I might be reading to far into this, but does the fact that Neris isn't on this list mean he might be coming back.

He has a player option that he has to decline or accept. I think the deadline for doing that is coming soon.


See post # 1

Player, Club. & Mutal Options must be exercised 5 days after the World Series ends.
Lonestar_Ag09
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
The Porkchop Express said:

Well guys, I really gave it the old Aggie try. I have stayed out of their thread, I've only made fun of the Cowboys on the Trash Talk thread, and I've just stayed off any sports websites except Fantasy Football for the last several days.

But tonight, I took my daughter to dance class, and in walks in smug 30-something dad, much more in shape than me, much more handsome and younger, and wearing a GD Rangers cap with the T inside the shape of Texas, big smirk on his face, looking around for someone to make eye contact with. Eventually sat right next to me as I'm on the lap top.

Most days I've got my Stros hat on, but today i opted for a Star Wars hat - side note, the other day a guy from Germany thought my Star Wars hat was the Star of David and was me supporting Israel in their war - I had to tell him it was actually the symbol for the Galactic Empire.

So with a Star Wars hat and a Disney shirt on, i was non-sports denominational and I just had to screw with him.

So as I stretched my arms I did a feigned double take at his hat and started this conversation.

Pork: "Hey, cool hat. Is that your college?"

Younger, better looking dad (YBLD): "Uh, no, it's the Texas Rangers."

Pork: "Oh , OK. Is that hockey?"

YBLD: "NO, it's the baseball team. They won the World Series last night."

Pork: "OH NEAT! Who did they play?"

YBLD: "Arizona."

Pork: "Cool, my brother went to college in Arizona. It's so hot there."

YBLD: "Great."
My brides favorite comment has always been that the rangers are a minor league team. This stems from way back in our youthes when she legit thought they were the Astros AAA team, she had them confused with the Express.

It's not her running joke mixed in with other barbs. It's hilarious with my DFW college roommates who have been around all along so they know the origin but she plays it off well and it infuriates them immensely
Lonestar_Ag09
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
The Porkchop Express said:

Well guys, I really gave it the old Aggie try. I have stayed out of their thread, I've only made fun of the Cowboys on the Trash Talk thread, and I've just stayed off any sports websites except Fantasy Football for the last several days.

But tonight, I took my daughter to dance class, and in walks in smug 30-something dad, much more in shape than me, much more handsome and younger, and wearing a GD Rangers cap with the T inside the shape of Texas, big smirk on his face, looking around for someone to make eye contact with. Eventually sat right next to me as I'm on the lap top.

Most days I've got my Stros hat on, but today i opted for a Star Wars hat - side note, the other day a guy from Germany thought my Star Wars hat was the Star of David and was me supporting Israel in their war - I had to tell him it was actually the symbol for the Galactic Empire.

So with a Star Wars hat and a Disney shirt on, i was non-sports denominational and I just had to screw with him.

So as I stretched my arms I did a feigned double take at his hat and started this conversation.

Pork: "Hey, cool hat. Is that your college?"

Younger, better looking dad (YBLD): "Uh, no, it's the Texas Rangers."

Pork: "Oh , OK. Is that hockey?"

YBLD: "NO, it's the baseball team. They won the World Series last night."

Pork: "OH NEAT! Who did they play?"

YBLD: "Arizona."

Pork: "Cool, my brother went to college in Arizona. It's so hot there."

YBLD: "Great."
also Porkchop you might officially be the nerdiest guy I know whom I've never met and the more I read your Star Wars comments the more it makes me grin. I love it.
linkdude
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Farmer1906
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
I need help. Someone talk me down off of Trever Bauer. Seems like a nice value play with serious upside. If we unload pitching to add a bat, why not?
Farmer1906
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
linkdude said:




Strengthening a strength.
The Porkchop Express
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Yeah I like making other adults feel slightly uncomfortable by talking about Star Wars stuff like it's all 100% real. And I have put a Star Wars reference in literally every book and white paper I've written in the last decade as a freelancer, probably 500+ works.
PrestigeWorldwideAg12
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Farmer1906 said:

I need help. Someone talk me down off of Trever Bauer. Seems like a nice value play with serious upside. If we unload pitching to add a bat, why not?
I was in on Bauer before it even came out that the whole story against him was BS
Farmer1906
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
PrestigeWorldwideAg12 said:

Farmer1906 said:

I need help. Someone talk me down off of Trever Bauer. Seems like a nice value play with serious upside. If we unload pitching to add a bat, why not?
I was in on Bauer before it even came out that the whole story against him was BS


I think that makes you a bad person by association.
W
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
it wasn't just Astros' and Phillies' fans that were disappointed in the LCS game 7 results

one of the consequences of expanded playoffs

crazy that the 84-win Diamondbacks made it so far
irish pete ag06
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
irish pete ag06 said:

After spending time on fangraphs I'm freakin furious about Chas. Dude hit righties better than league average thjs year. He's the everyday CFer. Period. Dusty is a dumb ass.

I'm still trying to find time to get on fangraphs on my computer to get super nerdy and find my absolute targets.

Last year my #1 target was Matt Olson. Still wished we had hkm.
Ok... here goes. This is what we look like vs LHP and RHP using wRC+. Remember 100 is league average.



What I see:

  • Bregman, Altuve, Tucker, Alvarez - mainstays.
  • Jose Abreu - as mentioned above, this guy needs to get it done. Hoping this year was an anomaly and he's back to his old self... including this absymal year, he's got a career 144 and 123 vs LHP and RHP. Anywhere closer to this would be a gigantic boost to this lineup.
  • Chas McCormick - he's your everyday CF. Period.
  • Yainer Diaz - strangely he's a reverse platoon guy. Struggles vs LHP as seen above.
  • Jeremy Pena - I think he's going to come through and be pretty productive offensively. His approach improved. He has to find the barrel and elevate the ball a little more. Put him in the 9 hole and leave him there as your extra leadoff guy.
  • I'm fine with Dubon (138 wRC+ vs LHP) playing vs Lefties and sliding Chas to LF... let Yordan DH.

What free agent(s) can we sign to help this lineup (basically who can be our next Brantley)?

  • Mitch Garver - could play backup C/DH. Has also played a little 1B and has played 6 innings of LF. He shouldn't cost a ton and can start at C vs LHPs. What I don't like about him is that this lineup struggled vs RHP more than LHP and he doesn't give us a strong presence on the left side. I think he's easily the best value out there.


  • Cody Bellinger (120 vs R, 164 vs L) can play 1B/LF. Would be a great fit. Will be pricey. Scary to think he could fall off a cliff like a few seasons ago.
  • JD Martinez (132 vs R, 143 vs L) pretty much a pure DH though, and you gotta think the end is near, good thing is he probably only wants a 1 year deal.

  • Brandon Belt (64 vs R, 146 vs L) would be cheap and a 1 year deal for sure. His K rate ballooned to nearly 35% this season and his BABIP was a career high, so honestly DO NOT WANT. He screams regression but would probably be cheap.

  • Shohei Ohtani (196 vs R, 135 vs L) is there anything to say, lol

  • Jason Heyward (123 vs R, 97 vs L) - can play OF and could really help vs RHP. Farmer's pick. Would be another great value guy because he'd probably only be a 1 year deal.

  • Andrew McCutchen (113 vs R, 120 vs L) - would be a great clubhouse add, still productive this year at age 37. 1 year deal for sure and probably cheap.

  • Donovan Solano (120 vs R, 110 vs L) - pretty unheralded, but not bad. Would be a very cheap 1 year deal. Has predominately played infield at 2B and 1B.
  • Joc Pederson (115 vs R, 80 vs L) - he's a straight platoon bat, but can play LF/DH


Who could we acquire?

  • Juan Soto, San Diego (166 vs R, 130 vs L) - would be a perfect fit. May could be had for pretty cheap since it's 1 year. He would make this lineup absolutely filthy for 2024.
  • Xander Bogaerts, San Diego (121 vs R, 118 vs L) - the Padres are likely to be desperate to offload some of those contracts and while I don't think this would happen...and I love Jeremy Pena... flipping him to the Padres for Bogaerts and some cash wouldn't be the dumbest thing ever. I know this is crazy but trying to really dig here.

  • Lamonte Wade, Jr, San Francisco (125 vs R, 101 vs L) - I have no reason to believe they will trade him, but he would be a decent fit as a 1B/OF. Love his K and BB rate.

  • Yandy Diaz (152 vs R, 204 vs L) or Randy Arozarena (124 vs R, 134 vs L) - both of these guys are controllable over the next few seasons, so the only way I could see a trade with the Rays is if they want one of our controllable pitchers like Urquidy. Also, both are RH so not the ideal pickup in my opinion, although both rake.


Ok, I've been working on this for an hour. Give me Mitch Garver and one of the old guys who can rake (JD Martinez, Jason Heyward, or Andrew McCutchen) and call it an offseason.
PrestigeWorldwideAg12
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Farmer1906 said:

PrestigeWorldwideAg12 said:

Farmer1906 said:

I need help. Someone talk me down off of Trever Bauer. Seems like a nice value play with serious upside. If we unload pitching to add a bat, why not?
I was in on Bauer before it even came out that the whole story against him was BS


I think that makes you a bad person by association.


Ehh I never truly believe the whole story but I'm also a separate personal and work life. If he did it no I think it's terrible and he should serve his time but you cannot hang it over his head for the rest of his life. People make mistakes. In his case, he didn't.

Serve your suspension and move on.
irish pete ag06
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Farmer1906 said:

PrestigeWorldwideAg12 said:

Farmer1906 said:

I need help. Someone talk me down off of Trever Bauer. Seems like a nice value play with serious upside. If we unload pitching to add a bat, why not?
I was in on Bauer before it even came out that the whole story against him was BS


I think that makes you a bad person by association.
IN. Can you imagine his geek brain with Astros metrics.
Mathguy64
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Farmer1906 said:

I need help. Someone talk me down off of Trever Bauer. Seems like a nice value play with serious upside. If we unload pitching to add a bat, why not?


Step back from the ledge.
irish pete ag06
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
linkdude said:


Yeah, I'd allow that.

He will probably cost too much. But it's not my money and the window is closing so let's go.
MaxPower
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Not sure he makes sense for us. Right handed and bad OF and Yordan going to take a lot of DH ABs. If you are getting a bat first guy then Garver makes more sense as his secondary position is more of a need.
Marvin
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Farmer1906 said:




Baltimore looks like a potential flyer on that list.
I love Texas Aggie sports, but I love Texas A&M more.
Farmer1906
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
MaxPower said:

Not sure he makes sense for us. Right handed and bad OF and Yordan going to take a lot of DH ABs. If you are getting a bat first guy then Garver makes more sense as his secondary position is more of a need.


Garver can't catch more than a couple dozen games, max. He's a liability back there.
astros4545
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
If Dubon starts more than 25% of our games next year I'll be pissed
Texaggie7nine
How long do you want to ignore this user?
7nine
EastCoastAgNc
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
We thank Chandler for his great service to Astros fans everywhere
W
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
the Rangers should give a playoff share to Dusty

.850 OPS hitters...who needs them
n_touch
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Texaggie7nine said:


Love how they put that out in a tweet
SpaceCityAg05
How long do you want to ignore this user?
AG
Soler is the kind of move you make at a deadline and find a way to make it work, but it is not a good move for the offseason. You need to make sure you have a legit LF than can play the spot on the road in bigger parks. I am not looking at the stats at the moment, but Yordan is a better OF than Soler. The two DH approach is a nonstarter for team building - just too limiting. In fact, it is what blockes Yainer at times from gettijg into the lineup.
First Page Last Page
Page 60 of 322
 
×
subscribe Verify your student status
See Subscription Benefits
Trial only available to users who have never subscribed or participated in a previous trial.