Michael Brantley isn’t going anywhere. Second, he is a better hitter than Trey Mancini and doesn’t cost prospects. The Astros aren’t trading him, nor should they. They need him and Alvarez in the lineup to balance all the right handed bats, plus he has the best contact skills and approach at the plate of anyone in the lineup. The Astros will have the room in the budget to sign a replacement for Cole if he opts to go elsewhere. Also, make no mistake, Jim Crane is going to make a very competitive offer for Cole. It doesn’t mean Cole will stay, but people are reading too much into Cole’s interview after last night’s game.
I think Sanchez and Biagini will both contribute to the Astros’ pitching staff next season. In fact, I think Aaron Sanchez could be a major bullpen weapon if he’s willing to accept such a role. It might help him stay healthy, too. Personally, I’d like to see Josh James get another shot at starting if he can not have his 2020 spring training derailed by injury. He’s too erratic with his command to trust out of the bullpen, but was electric as a starter in 2017. He can be a decent fifth starter. McHugh is a free agent and not likely to draw much interest after his injury-plagued season. He could be cheap enough to return, but that depends if the front office wants him back.
Moving Verlander's contract would be my priority. Yes I said it. Id much rather give that money to Rendon and trade Correa for Thor + more
I dont think on paper, next years team can be as good as the 2019 one. But, it probably doesn't have to be. The 2019 team ran into several things together that out did them that isn't likely to happen again. 1) Slump (entire offense) at the wrong time 2) Meet a NL team (Washington) that was peaking at just the right time. 3) Our #4 (Miley) becoming useless at the wrong time. And on, and on... So, on to next year. I say go after pitching. Unload Reddick. See what Cole wants. Try to sign him. Have to see what other clubs do and dont.
How I posted in the wrong thread....anyway How do we get Rendon and shift our IF to accomdate him? AB to SS, move CC? Rendon has no heartbeat and is another Brantley type hitter with more power
He means that you don’t know what you’ll get out of either guy. Brent Strom might work his magic with Sanchez this offseason and he becomes a viable middle-of-the-rotation starter next season, or a valuable bullpen weapon. Or Sanchez doesn’t ever get healthy and he washes out of the organization.
Trade Correa for an elite SP with team control to replace Cole, sign Rendon. Trade Reddick and sign somebody closer to his skill level in YR1 of his contract, Marcell maybe? Need to upgrade his spot in the lineup if we really want to compete.
