The Astros are interested in Jordan Hicks, per @JonHeyman.

Rangers, Cardinals and Orioles are a few other names interested in Hicks.

— Michael Schwab (@michaelschwab13) December 5, 2023

Ag_07 said:

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Not overspending on the BP and interested in Hicks don't really add up.

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To exemplify my point about wiffle-ball-esque pitches, I will point to a pitcher whose stuff on paper appears to be fresh out of a video game. Jordan Hicks of the St. Louis Cardinals might possess the single-most nasty two-pitch mix in MLB history. He is known for having touched 105mph on his sinker. That sinker runs 16 inches, and his slider sweeps 12 inches. A 28-inch horizontal movement differential combined with historical velocity must make Hicks unhittable. Right?

Somehow, the results don't seem to agree. This is Hicks' second straight season with an ERA above 5.00. He only strikes out 23% of hitters while walking 16%. Ah! There it is! Hicks must be another example of a flame-thrower with generational stuff who is plagued by an inability to throw strikes. Except… he's not. This season, Hicks has thrown 42% of his pitches in the strike zone. Out of 587 pitchers who have thrown at least 10 innings in 2022, Hicks ranks 270th in zone rate. His ability to throw strikes is quite literally average. How does a pitcher with an average zone rate have a walk rate that ranks in the 1st percentile? The answer is simple. Jordan Hicks cannot generate strikes on pitches out of the strike zone.

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Farmer1906 said:

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Basically he's uncompetitive on pitches out of the zone.

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The Astros aren’t trading Alex Bregman. So what else can they do? - https://t.co/RUlVPYuZOr

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) December 5, 2023

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"Most teams understand that we're not moving Bregman," Brown said from the Astros' suite at the Opryland Hotel. "I don't know where this whole Bregman rush is coming from, but it's certainly not coming from us because we need Bregman. He's a pillar for this club. So, no, we're not entertaining trading Bregman at all."

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Bregman will be the highest-paid member of a team that has little financial flexibility, a poor farm system and no precedent for issuing the sort of contract he will command next winter. If Houston does lose him, the team risks receiving nothing but a draft pick as compensation. And, if the Astros exceed the competitive balance tax in 2024, that selection wouldn't arrive until after the fourth round.

....

Doing all three while staying under the first, $237 million luxury tax threshold continues to feel far-fetched. Cot's Contracts approximates the Astros' CBT payroll at $235,168,810. After acknowledging in November the team had "not a ton" of financial flexibility, Brown softened his stance somewhat Monday.

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Crane has exceeded the competitive balance tax once during his ownership tenure, but not since 2020. Asked Monday whether Crane had given him authority to cross it this winter, Brown replied, "We haven't had that discussion yet, but I'm sure at some point we will. But I do understand that this guy is competitive. He wants to win. And so, we'll have that talk a little bit later."

It is difficult to believe an owner and his head of baseball operations have not discussed an operating budget by Dec. 4, so perhaps Brown was being purposely coy. It is important to note, too, that the competitive balance tax is not calculated until the season's end. So, even if the Astros exceed it this winter, they could maneuver under it during the season if Crane wishes.

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Brown seemed content to wait out the market in the hope prices drop, but acknowledged, "I'm not interested in overpaying in the reliever market" a mistake his boss, Crane, made last winter with Montero. [Chandler shooting arrows at Crane]

The team is showing interest in free-agent flamethrower and Houston native Jordan Hicks, a person with knowledge of the situation said Monday, and Brown said the team has engaged with Neris' representation about a possible reunion. Ronel Blanco, Seth Martinez and former top prospect Forrest Whitley were all mentioned as internal options if the market proves too costly.

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"You always have to entertain trading a major leaguer for a major leaguer. Sometimes you get a deal where it's a win-win," Brown said. "You may have a surplus in one area and they may have a need and then they have a surplus in the area where you have a need and then you can make that deal. We haven't gotten down that road yet, but if that option opens, if we think that we have a surplus then, well, we'll make a trade."

Depth starter Brandon Bielak is the only young rotation player who will enter 2024 without minor-league options, but trading him would do little for Houston's financial flexibility. Ditto for J.P. France, who could be ticketed for the minor leagues if Luis Garcia and Lance McCullers Jr. return in July.

If paring the payroll is a goal, trading Jos Urquidy (estimated to make $3.5 million in arbitration) or Framber Valdez (estimated to net $12.1 million) would be more prudent moves.

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Deluxe said:

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Marvin said:

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Letting Bregman and Tucker walk would absolutely suck. I'm not pushing for long extensions or for trades… just saying it would suck. Lose your talent for nothing.

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1) I tossed out the idea of using 2024 as a "semi-rebuild" year and try to angle for a 2025-27 run with centered around Yordan

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texasaggie2015 said:

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Deluxe said:

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Marvin said:

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Letting Bregman and Tucker walk would absolutely suck. I'm not pushing for long extensions or for trades… just saying it would suck. Lose your talent for nothing.

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1) I tossed out the idea of using 2024 as a "semi-rebuild" year and try to angle for a 2025-27 run with centered around Yordan

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Yeah. They're getting ready behind the scenes for a bit of a rebuild after 2024.

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Deluxe said:

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Ag_07 said:

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I tend to think it would be a re-tool as opposed to a rebuild.

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Yea I think of it like a semi-rebuild. Like 2020. Def not like 2011-2013 haha.

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Farmer1906 said:

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Deluxe said:

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texasaggie2015 said:

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Deluxe said:

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Marvin said:

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Letting Bregman and Tucker walk would absolutely suck. I'm not pushing for long extensions or for trades… just saying it would suck. Lose your talent for nothing.

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1) I tossed out the idea of using 2024 as a "semi-rebuild" year and try to angle for a 2025-27 run with centered around Yordan

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Yeah. They're getting ready behind the scenes for a bit of a rebuild after 2024.

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That could work too.

Take our best shot in 2024. We've got the chips so we might as well play them. If we win it all, maybe we consider going for it again in 2025 with the whole band (minus Bregman). House money at that point.

But if not, use 2025 as the semi-rebuild year. Listen to offers for Tucker, Framber and Pressly and focus on re-stocking the lineup around Yordan for 2026-2028.

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I think 2024-2025 should be years we go for it.

We have Pressly, Tucker & Valdez for 1 more shot. Then reevaluate in 2026.

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Farmer1906 said:

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If Dezenzo can have a big developmental year, maybe we can go Bregman to Dezenzo like we did Correa to Pena.

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Farmer1906 said:

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Wagner made it to triple-A last year. He only played 6 games, but he balled out in those 6. Most of the year was in AA where he was still very good. I think he's probably more projected at 2B, but maybe 3B could work out.

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agproducer said:

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I thought he was projected to not have the arm strength for 3rd.

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Defensively, Wagner could end up as a fringy bat-first regular at third base thanks to a solid arm that can supplement his minor range deficiencies. Second base is in the cards as well, although with the shift restrictions he likely does not fit there as well as he would have previously. While not a butcher defensively, Wagner does not figure to provide surplus value in the field, so he will have to hit to stick.

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The Angels have no plans to move Mike Trout pic.twitter.com/hsl5hbUneR

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) December 5, 2023

EastCoastAgNc said:

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The Angels have no plans to move Mike Trout pic.twitter.com/hsl5hbUneR

— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) December 5, 2023

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General belief that Ohtani will sign with Dodgers & Agent in process of negotiating out deal. Emphasis on more Guaranteed Money & less Incentives. Opt Outs likely? Dodgers have track record of heavy deferred money that is less appealing in current economic environment.

— MLBExecutiveBurner (@HotStoveintel) December 5, 2023