texasaggie2015 said:
Hoping for Ensberg. He's very highly regarded in the baseball world.
Pujols would be fun but I'm far from sold on him as a manager.
If we hire Ausmus I'll launch myself into the sun.
Not that I'm necessarily advocating for Taira but unlike Imai he has a decent floor as a leverage RP as he was the best closer in Japan in 2025. That said, I'd be shocked if we weren't gun shy on Japanese pitchers.Farmer1906 said:
MLB Trade Rumors 2026-27 Top 50 Free Agents With Predictions
14. Tyler Mahle, RHP: Three years, $54MM
Steve's pick: Braves | Anthony's pick: Astros | Darragh's pick: Braves
26. Michael Soroka, RHP: Two years, $26MM (opt-out)
Steve's pick: Astros | Anthony's pick: Rays | Darragh's pick: Diamondbacks
42. Steven Okert, LHP: Two years, $14MM
Steve's pick: Astros | Anthony's pick: Royals | Darragh's pick: Giants
50. Robbie Ray, LHP: One year, $12MM
Steve's pick: Pirates | Anthony's pick: Rockies | Darragh's pick: Astros
If this is what we do in free agency -- sign a back end starter and possibly bring back a solid relief arm -- then we're are either 1. doing a complete rebuild and not competing or 2. just running it back. Both would be terrible options IMO.
Some interesting names that I hope we are in the running for:
3. Freddy Peralta, RHP: Five years, $110MM4. Seiya Suzuki, OF: Four years, $105MM
- Someone to pair with Brown at the top of a playoff rotation. 22 M per is not bad at all.
10. Kaima Taira, RHP: Four years, $72MM (with at least one opt-out)
- The only truly plus bat this free agency. Sign him and you can afford to trade away Pena or Paredes from an offensive standpoint.
17. Ian Happ, OF: Three years, $45MM
- Hear me out, just because Imai failed in year 1 doesn't mean we shouldn't keep go after good Japanese talent. I think Taira's short stature / super low release point could be an effective weapon. 18 M and 4 years is a risk, but he could be a cheaper option to sure up the rotation.
22. Foster Griffin, LHP: Three years, $39MM
- Stick him 5 hole and in LF and forget about it. Super consistent. Doesn't break the bank. Helps address this poor OF production.
32. Bryan Abreu, RHP: Two years, $22MM (opt-out)
- If we end up trading Hader, we're going to need some back end bullpen help. Griffin is nasty and doesn't cost 80 M like Morejon or 68 M like Bednar.
- If we're trading Hader, 11 M per year for Abreu ain't a bad deal. He's comfortable in Houston and outside of a rough start last season, he's been very good for a long time.
texasaggie2015 said:
Hoping for Ensberg. He's very highly regarded in the baseball world.
Pujols would be fun but I'm far from sold on him as a manager.
If we hire Ausmus I'll launch myself into the sun.
MaxPower said:Farmer1906 said:
MLB Trade Rumors 2026-27 Top 50 Free Agents With Predictions
14. Tyler Mahle, RHP: Three years, $54MM
Steve's pick: Braves | Anthony's pick: Astros | Darragh's pick: Braves
26. Michael Soroka, RHP: Two years, $26MM (opt-out)
Steve's pick: Astros | Anthony's pick: Rays | Darragh's pick: Diamondbacks
42. Steven Okert, LHP: Two years, $14MM
Steve's pick: Astros | Anthony's pick: Royals | Darragh's pick: Giants
50. Robbie Ray, LHP: One year, $12MM
Steve's pick: Pirates | Anthony's pick: Rockies | Darragh's pick: Astros
If this is what we do in free agency -- sign a back end starter and possibly bring back a solid relief arm -- then we're are either 1. doing a complete rebuild and not competing or 2. just running it back. Both would be terrible options IMO.
Some interesting names that I hope we are in the running for:
3. Freddy Peralta, RHP: Five years, $110MM4. Seiya Suzuki, OF: Four years, $105MM
- Someone to pair with Brown at the top of a playoff rotation. 22 M per is not bad at all.
10. Kaima Taira, RHP: Four years, $72MM (with at least one opt-out)
- The only truly plus bat this free agency. Sign him and you can afford to trade away Pena or Paredes from an offensive standpoint.
17. Ian Happ, OF: Three years, $45MM
- Hear me out, just because Imai failed in year 1 doesn't mean we shouldn't keep go after good Japanese talent. I think Taira's short stature / super low release point could be an effective weapon. 18 M and 4 years is a risk, but he could be a cheaper option to sure up the rotation.
22. Foster Griffin, LHP: Three years, $39MM
- Stick him 5 hole and in LF and forget about it. Super consistent. Doesn't break the bank. Helps address this poor OF production.
32. Bryan Abreu, RHP: Two years, $22MM (opt-out)
- If we end up trading Hader, we're going to need some back end bullpen help. Griffin is nasty and doesn't cost 80 M like Morejon or 68 M like Bednar.
- If we're trading Hader, 11 M per year for Abreu ain't a bad deal. He's comfortable in Houston and outside of a rough start last season, he's been very good for a long time.
Not that I'm necessarily advocating for Taira but unlike Imai he has a decent floor as a leverage RP as he was the best closer in Japan in 2025. That said, I'd be shocked if we weren't gun shy on Japanese pitchers.
The broader question is will Crane spend? This team isn't good enough and it has a lot of wasted dollars putting us at the luxury tax threshold.
