iBrad said:

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Between Abrueu, Montero, Caratini, and what we're picking up for Pressly this season, we have around $42M coming off the books next season. Include Framber and you're at $60M. I think we can use that money wisely to keep the window open.

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But then you need to factor in raises.

Alvarez goes from 15.83 M to 26.83 M
Javier goes from 10.4 M to 21.4 M
Dubon, Abreu, McCormick, & Garcia all go from Arb 2 to 3
Paredes, Pena, & Meyers all go from Arb 1 to 2.
Singleton, Scott, Diaz, and Brown all go from Pre Arb to Arb 1.

As far as CBT space goes we have ~5 M as things stand now I could see us being around 35-45 M under the CBT entering 2026.

2026 MLB Free Agents
1. Tucker
2. Guerrero Jr
3. Cease
4. Gallen
5. Valdez
6. King
7. Devin Williams
8. Bieber
9. Edwin Diaz
10. Bellinger
11. Ryan Helsley
12. Bichette
13. Ozuna
14. Arraez
15. Naylor
16. Ranger Saurez
17. Realmuto
18. Schwarber
19. Pederson
20. Eugenio Suarez

The only names that make sense for us would be a top-of-the-line SP. Maybe some international players, but we seem behind others on them.

Yeah, if Altuve is in LF, the Astros are tricking me into wanting to trade for Arendo so I don't have to see Dubon at 2B. Very clever reverse psychology.

I'd really like us to extend Valdez… And then next off-season really focus on getting another top-of-the-line starter. I want us to get back to a place where we have one of the best rotations in baseball. We have the pieces in place to make that a possibility, it would just require one more big move in the off-season.

Walk off double today. All those 2012 and 2013 pitchers were very confusing. The hitters around then were easier to separate based on SB.

Need to hire the best sports psychologist money can get for Valdez too.

Walk off home run.

I looked at it for a while and then I figured there was only three guys who belonged in the 80+ K (pitcher) category.

texasaggie2015 said:

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Couple brief updates after a conversation I had last night:

- Arenado is still absolutely in play and talks are still happening
- Once again had it confirmed that Montero would be a part of any Arenado deal
- Arenado had agreed to waive his NTC to come to Houston, but after the Tucker trade he wanted to wait to see what direction Houston was going

I've always thought there's no way they're giving Altuve substantive reps in LF just for Dubon to see more time at second base. They had planned on it for a while, but there was always more to it.

We'll see what happens.

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Are they close?

Throw out Alvarez and Javier as their AAV will be the same.

That's important but we have actually pay each year matters too to ownership.

superaggie73 said:

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Mr. Awesome Time said:

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Looking for any Seattle/T-Mobile Park recommendations

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I recommend not buying any food in the park and, instead, eat Seattle Dogs from the vendors outside the stadiums. Food is much better and cheaper and more choices outside with the vendors.

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I'm usually too cheap for overpriced stadium food anyway but good to know.

texasaggie2015 said:

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Couple brief updates after a conversation I had last night:

- Arenado is still absolutely in play and talks are still happening
- Once again had it confirmed that Montero would be a part of any Arenado deal
- Arenado had agreed to waive his NTC to come to Houston, but after the Tucker trade he wanted to wait to see what direction Houston was going

I've always thought there's no way they're giving Altuve substantive reps in LF just for Dubon to see more time at second base. They had planned on it for a while, but there was always more to it.

We'll see what happens.

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Any news regarding Caratini? Is he still a possible trade candidate?

07ag said:

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The Original Houston 1836 said:

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texasaggie2015 said:

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Couple brief updates after a conversation I had last night:

- Arenado is still absolutely in play and talks are still happening
- Once again had it confirmed that Montero would be a part of any Arenado deal
- Arenado had agreed to waive his NTC to come to Houston, but after the Tucker trade he wanted to wait to see what direction Houston was going

I've always thought there's no way they're giving Altuve substantive reps in LF just for Dubon to see more time at second base. They had planned on it for a while, but there was always more to it.

We'll see what happens.

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Any chance we can trade them Jose Abreu?

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no, Abreu was released, montero is still in the astros org

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Sorry, I didn't use the satiricial emoji.

tjack16 said:

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I'd really like us to extend Valdez… And then next off-season really focus on getting another top-of-the-line starter. I want us to get back to a place where we have one of the best rotations in baseball. We have the pieces in place to make that a possibility, it would just require one more big move in the off-season.

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He's rumored to be willing to sign a long-term extension but hasn't been approached about one:
https://www.thescore.com/mlb/news/3217570

Seeing how some of these other teams have spent it's nice as a fan knowing Crane isn't likely to get cheap all of a sudden no matter what happens this season.

Who said he's willing to sign an extension?

I think leadership already picked Javier over him with the early extension. If we go big on a SP I would guess we want one younger.

30 in 2026
Cease, Gallen, Saurez

31
King, Bieber

32
Valdez

I just don't see any situation where Framber doesn't test FA and then sign the deal with the most money. Framber is a flashy kind of guy and he needs the money to keep up that lifestyle.

2 out tripple. I was just randomly putting 3 names in 3 columns.

"I'm ready for both occasions," Valdez said. "Doesn't matter if I'm a free agent or the Astros approach me about a contract extension - I'm ready for both. There's always an answer for both. I'm ready to do whatever is best for me."

Who knows if he is really open to an extension or if his agent is just doing work. Wouldn't surprise me if we go in a different direction anyway, and i seem to recall a lot of interest in Cease from the Astros previously.

2015-

I'm interested what the hold up could be with Arenado.

We already had a deal in place with the Cardinals earlier in the offseason. I would think we could draw something similar up again.

Are the Astros trying to get a better deal now that we have less need and the Cardinals have less leverage (Red Sox/Yankees out)?

Is Arenado holding things up? Are the Astros/Cards working to get his approval?

we live in a different world than we did early in the offseason.

I agree, but with the amount of starters having to get TJ surgery nowadays and how much he relies on breaking stuff it could be just a matter of time for Framber despite how durable he's been. I know he wasn't 100% in '23 but pitched through it.

Farmer mentioned Javier being picked for an extension over Valdez previously. Hate having to wait a while longer for Cristian to return, but hopefully Lance (and Luis eventually) can return eat some meaningful innings in the meantime.

Farmer1906 said:

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Donovan is the top guy I want, but if Altuve is serious about LF - what about trading for Brandon Lowe? He's got this year and a club option for next. He's the 2nd highest-paid player on the Rays (10.5 M). This is the time the Rays like to unload guys. He's a 30-year-old 2B who hits lefts and crushes RHP.

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Would love to see this happen

tylhair said:

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2015-

I'm interested what the hold up could be with Arenado.

We already had a deal in place with the Cardinals earlier in the offseason. I would think we could draw something similar up again.

Are the Astros trying to get a better deal now that we have less need and the Cardinals have less leverage (Red Sox/Yankees out)?

Is Arenado holding things up? Are the Astros/Cards working to get his approval?

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My uneducated guess is possibly trying to work out how the deferred money is gonna work. He's under contract to get paid for many years

A combo of velo/spin moreso; that makes sense. I seem to recall a brief elbow issue for Framber last year but might be thinking of someone else, or it wasn't anything to worry about anyway.

Javier's mechanics seemed to get out of sync at times in the past. Curious how that is adjusted at all while rehabbing. LMJ mentioned making some adjustments as well.

Mr. Awesome Time said:

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"I'm ready for both occasions," Valdez said. "Doesn't matter if I'm a free agent or the Astros approach me about a contract extension - I'm ready for both. There's always an answer for both. I'm ready to do whatever is best for me."

Who knows if he is really open to an extension or if his agent is just doing work. Wouldn't surprise me if we go in a different direction anyway, and i seem to recall a lot of interest in Cease from the Astros previously.

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not exactly channelling his inner-Altuve

Dirty Mikes Boyz said:

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I am interested to see Altuve in left field but I do not really understand the move. Dubon has played plenty of outfield during his time in the majors and Altuve has played second his entire career. Why would we all the sudden switch those two before the season starts. Certainly an interesting move unless they have something brewing behind the scenes.

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This. If we're moving Altuve to LF, isn't it because we wanted to add another bat that could play 3B or 2B? Dubon isn't that bat, so hopefully this is in anticipation of making a move. Otherwise, just leave Altuve at 2B and put Dubon in the outfield.