.@jonmorosi says that a Luis Arraez trade to the Yankees is a "possibility" but that sides are not close right now. #MLBNHotStove pic.twitter.com/EgOb2fSnB2

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) January 7, 2025

I wish we had room for him, do not want him on the Yankees

1 tool player.

I hope he goes to the Yankees! It would make them worse!

I had forgotten about the Prince Fielder mega-contract

throw it on the piie -- another disaster

The Astros signed infielder Zack Short to a minor-league deal, according to their transaction wire. Has 219 games of major-league experience across the past four seasons with Detroit, Boston, Atlanta and the Mets. Presume the deal contains an NRI to big league spring training.

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) January 7, 2025

Scouting report on Weiman from source in the know:

“Good kid. Doesn’t walk guys, strikes out guys at a decent clip. Just doesn’t throw hard, is 89-92.”

— Ari Alexander (@AriA1exander) January 7, 2025

The next Maton?

Speaking of framber, do you know if they're still getting any offers for him or if they are even asking around?

EastCoastAgNc said:

---

I looked at the biggest needs on contenders (as defined by the depth chart projections @FanGraphs) and tried to come up with some reasonable solutions. https://t.co/b0P7nYWydQ

— Eno Sarris (@enosarris) January 7, 2025

Quote:

---

With Kyle Tucker gone, Yordan Alvarez is the only outfielder who was an above-average stick in Houston last season. Jake Meyers is a plus-plus defender, so he's fine. That third spot is a sticky wicket for a team projected to be just outside the top five in the game. With manager Joe Espada saying he'd like to cut down on Alvarez's time on the grass, maybe that's two sticky wickets. Currently, the top of those depth charts list Taylor Trammell, Mauricio Dubn, Chas McCormick and Pedro Len. Last year, that group combined to hit .234/.279/.312 with scratch defense in the major leagues.

McCormick is projected to bounce back and could be useful against right-handers even without a full recovery. Len hits the ball super hard he had a 117.5 MPH max exit velocity in Triple A last year, which would've been in the top five in the big leagues, equal to Aaron Judge and runs well, so he's a wild card. Dubn profiles as a super utility guy.

This group could use more of a sure thing. Maybe calling the Giants and asking about Mike Yastrzemski would make sense. As a lefty, he could fit into a platoon with one of the righties, reducing the Astros' dependence on two iffy right-handed bats to step forward and take the job. Of course, that would ensure that the Astros were north of the first luxury tax apron, and if that's the case … they might as well sign a free agent at that point, right?

---

Also mentions the Red Sox need a catcher. What about sending Presley and Victor to them for Wilyer?

---

Would you take guys like Pressly & Caratini for Yainer?

They aren't trading him unless something drastic changes.

Farmer1906 said:

---

EastCoastAgNc said:

---

I looked at the biggest needs on contenders (as defined by the depth chart projections @FanGraphs) and tried to come up with some reasonable solutions. https://t.co/b0P7nYWydQ

— Eno Sarris (@enosarris) January 7, 2025

Quote:

---

With Kyle Tucker gone, Yordan Alvarez is the only outfielder who was an above-average stick in Houston last season. Jake Meyers is a plus-plus defender, so he's fine. That third spot is a sticky wicket for a team projected to be just outside the top five in the game. With manager Joe Espada saying he'd like to cut down on Alvarez's time on the grass, maybe that's two sticky wickets. Currently, the top of those depth charts list Taylor Trammell, Mauricio Dubn, Chas McCormick and Pedro Len. Last year, that group combined to hit .234/.279/.312 with scratch defense in the major leagues.

McCormick is projected to bounce back and could be useful against right-handers even without a full recovery. Len hits the ball super hard he had a 117.5 MPH max exit velocity in Triple A last year, which would've been in the top five in the big leagues, equal to Aaron Judge and runs well, so he's a wild card. Dubn profiles as a super utility guy.

This group could use more of a sure thing. Maybe calling the Giants and asking about Mike Yastrzemski would make sense. As a lefty, he could fit into a platoon with one of the righties, reducing the Astros' dependence on two iffy right-handed bats to step forward and take the job. Of course, that would ensure that the Astros were north of the first luxury tax apron, and if that's the case … they might as well sign a free agent at that point, right?

---

Also mentions the Red Sox need a catcher. What about sending Presley and Victor to them for Wilyer?

---

Would you take guys like Pressly & Caratini for Yainer?

---

No, but there are GMs dumber then me who might

texasaggie2015 said:

---

You're not getting much back for Pressly unfortunately.

Wilyer was discussed with Boston as part of a potential deal for Framber that never came to fruition.

---

I think at this point we likely need Pressly more as a bullpen arm than whatever we could get for him in return.

texasaggie2015 said:

---

You're not getting much back for Pressly unfortunately.

Wilyer was discussed with Boston as part of a potential deal for Framber that never came to fruition.

---

True, but by trading him.Does it not open up an opportunity to sign a difference maker in the outfield.

Might just be noise, but I've heard some talk that the Angels might be moving Taylor Ward before the arbitration numbers get exchanged this week. The #Royals have been interested in the past, and he's definitely a fit. Just something to keep an eye on.

— David Lesky (@DBLesky) January 7, 2025

Astros signed Zack Short to Minor League deal.

This is how I see it.


Needs:

-Corner Outfielder (LHH)
-To maintain/reduce current payroll

Plan 1A:

-Trade Ryan Pressly ($14M 2025) and/or Victor Caratini ($6M 2025) for a bucket of baseballs
-Sign a free agent LHH OF. Even with freed up cash this will probably not be a player of Santander's ilk. Potentially Profar. More likely Verdugo or Winker.
-Cesar Salad is backup catcher

Plan 1B:
-Trade Ryan Pressly and/or Victor Caratini and/or a more attractive asset or two for an MLB LHH Corner OF.

Threat:
-Ryan Pressly has a no trade clause. He can veto any trade and may be motivated to do so.


I'm not sure this team can really upgrade without exceeding the luxury tax threshold.

texasaggie2015 said:

---

You're not getting much back for Pressly unfortunately.

Wilyer was discussed with Boston as part of a potential deal for Framber that never came to fruition.

---

What is the argument against him from other teams? Is it purely money that they don't want his whole salary? Or something else making him not have much trade value. Because listening to the folks on here, he is the best reliever in the league, and we are rubes for not realizing that. Yet here we are trying to trade him and nobody wants him.

Correct. I'm just saying that to limit the meltdown if/when we move him for a couple lower level prospects

txags92 said:

---

texasaggie2015 said:

---

You're not getting much back for Pressly unfortunately.

Wilyer was discussed with Boston as part of a potential deal for Framber that never came to fruition.

---

What is the argument against him from other teams? Is it purely money that they don't want his whole salary? Or something else making him not have much trade value. Because listening to the folks on here, he is the best reliever in the league, and we are rubes for not realizing that. Yet here we are trying to trade him and nobody wants him.

---

He's not the best reliever. He was a plus high leverage reliever for a large part of the Astros dynasty. He's declined and now overpaid. He makes our team better on the roster than not. But if we're being limited by the CBT level we HAVE to make a move. There are very few options. He makes some sense and have expressed interest in other places if the landing is right.

I'd only want to go that route if it means the Astros could pull off a Santander or Profar signing with the cash. But it doesn't seem like it would free up enough cash for that.

I tend to think Ryan Pressly would be more valuable to the 2025 team than Alex Verdugo.

Maybe a creative trade involving Pressly and some others could bring in some unexpected OF who is better than Verdugo/Winker.

txags92 said:

---

texasaggie2015 said:

---

You're not getting much back for Pressly unfortunately.

Wilyer was discussed with Boston as part of a potential deal for Framber that never came to fruition.

---

What is the argument against him from other teams? Is it purely money that they don't want his whole salary? Or something else making him not have much trade value. Because listening to the folks on here, he is the best reliever in the league, and we are rubes for not realizing that. Yet here we are trying to trade him and nobody wants him.

---

I believe t's his no-trade clause. Ryan is being difficult about it.

But 2015 has also made comments that Pressly is being difficult with his no-trade clause. I think that's more of the issue at this point.