You are the G.M.

[juliogotay]

By the trade deadline Astros should have those draftees signed that are going to sign. If things fall into place like Luhnow expects, the first 11 choices signing, the talent level in the organization should increase substantially....maybe to that of a Top 10 MiL system. So, would you keep Wandy, Myers, et.al off of the trade market thinking that the rebuilding program is well under way and you need to stay as competitive as possible at the ML level for the sake of fan interest, attendence and general morale. Or would you continue to try to stock your farm with more prospects?

[Ron Brand]

I wouldn't be looking for fodder, but maybe someone who is blocked by the big club, wherever they are. Maybe something like the situation that Lowrie was in with the Red Sox - someone who can contribute soon for the Astros in at least a middling way.

[EasTexAstro]

I wouldn't be looking for fodder, but maybe someone who is blocked by the big club, wherever they are. Maybe something like the situation that Lowrie Bagwell was in with the Red Sox - someone who can contribute soon for the Astros in at least a middling way.

Just saying

[juliogotay]

I wouldn't be looking for fodder, but maybe someone who is blocked by the big club, wherever they are. Maybe something like the situation that Lowrie was in with the Red Sox - someone who can contribute soon for the Astros in at least a middling way.

OK but if you traded Wandy for Lowrie are you improving your club? It's not like there is a ton of top-of-the-rotation pitching prospects in OKC or CC.

[subnuclear]

If you can get a good player or two out of it, then sure. But I doubt people are going to give much up for them, since their names have been out there before, so they likely won't be traded.

[Fredia]

maybe replace mills?

[Ron Brand]

OK but if you traded Wandy for Lowrie are you improving your club? It's not like there is a ton of top-of-the-rotation pitching prospects in OKC or CC.

I doubt Wandy is going anywhere, but it's not like he's a top of the rotation guy anyway. Eventually he'll be replaced by guys on the farm. Myers can be replaced by Lyon or Lopez, so I'm guessing he gets moved.

[geezerdonk]

Doesn't JaunD have two more years left on his contract? If so, I keep him unless the deal is too good to turn down.

[Reuben]

Yeah, I think at this point it's all about the quality of the return being offered, but I think they absolutely should and will be listening. I don't get the impression that Luhnow will be pressured to trade guys just to lower payroll, so hopefully if nobody ponies up a nice offer for Wandy they'll keep him.

I love the fact that the farm is improving, but I think they definitely need to keep adding.

[BudGirl]

I doubt Wandy is going anywhere, but it's not like he's a top of the rotation guy anyway. Eventually he'll be replaced by guys on the farm. Myers can be replaced by Lyon or Lopez, so I'm guessing he gets moved.

or Lopez or Lyon.

[roadrunner]

I still think if there is anything to be had for Lee the Astros should take it.  He will probably sign here in the offseason to be DH for 2013 regardless.

[Ron Brand]

If I'm the GM, I'm starting work on what it takes to keep Lowrie around for a while.

[juliogotay]

If I'm the GM, I'm starting work on what it takes to keep Lowrie around for a while.

At least another 4 years or so.

[astrosfan76]

I doubt Wandy is going anywhere, but it's not like he's a top of the rotation guy anyway. Eventually he'll be replaced by guys on the farm. Myers can be replaced by Lyon or Lopez, so I'm guessing he gets moved.

I hear the Phillies need bullpen help...

[Fredia]

wash your mouth out with soap

[pots]

Myers can be replaced by Lyon or Lopez, so I'm guessing he gets moved.

if by replace you mean try to be a closer then yes.  Myers has made the bullpen better than they are.  You can't replace that.

[Ron Brand]

Yes, that's what I mean.

[Randy Watson]

I'd trade Wandy and Myers if the return is decent.  No question.

[pots]

I'd trade Wandy, Lee, and Lyon.  Wouldn't touch Myers unless blown away.  Include as much salary as Crane would let me. The trades would be for top level prospects only.    I'd include my own prospects in order to get the level of prospects I want.  For example, I'd thrown in Paredes or Villar into a Wandy deal that lands me a Singleton or above level prospect. 

No more, 4-5 midlevel prospect deals.  40 man is going to become difficult soon.  Rule V draft will soon be the enemy. 

[juliogotay]

I'd trade Wandy, Lee, and Lyon.  Wouldn't touch Myers unless blown away.  Include as much salary as Crane would let me. The trades would be for top level prospects only.    I'd include my own prospects in order to get the level of prospects I want.  For example, I'd thrown in Paredes or Villar into a Wandy deal that lands me a Singleton or above level prospect. 

No more, 4-5 midlevel prospect deals.  40 man is going to become difficult soon.  Rule V draft will soon be the enemy. 

I like the way you're thinking. Whether it's doable or not I don't know but I like the strategy.

[MusicMan]

No more, 4-5 midlevel prospect deals.  40 man is going to become difficult soon.  Rule V draft will soon be the enemy. 

Fuck you for making me remember the Bourn deal.

[Mr. Happy]

I'd trade Wandy, Lee, and Lyon.  Wouldn't touch Myers unless blown away.  Include as much salary as Crane would let me. The trades would be for top level prospects only.    I'd include my own prospects in order to get the level of prospects I want.  For example, I'd thrown in Paredes or Villar into a Wandy deal that lands me a Singleton or above level prospect. 

No more, 4-5 midlevel prospect deals.  40 man is going to become difficult soon.  Rule V draft will soon be the enemy. 

+1. I like this plan. I don't think that it is going to happen that way, but it'd be great if it did.

[JackAstro]

Fuck you for making me remember the Bourn deal.

[looks up 2012 stats for Clemens, Oberholtzer and Abreu]
[watches random collection of Schafer at bats]
[kicks dog]

[geezerdonk]

Trade Carlos? No way. Who would play first?

[BudGirl]

Snyder

[jbm]

Just curious, why would you trade Wandy, but feel compelled to keep Myers?  I understand and agree with keeping them both, understand trading them both, but really don't understand why one should be traded and the other should not.  

[juliogotay]

There is no one else that looks like they are ready to close except maybe Lyon who could be gone himself.  Blowing a save is very demoralizing to any team. That is my rationale anyway. I know Wandy would be as hard to replace because the system isn't ripe with ML ready starters. But closing out those games you have a chance to win is crucial. Not if Carpenter or someone would step up...

[Reuben]

Just curious, why would you trade Wandy, but feel compelled to keep Myers?  I understand and agree with keeping them both, understand trading them both, but really don't understand why one should be traded and the other should not.  

I agree with jbm. I think the price for both should be steep, because it would be a major blow for the team's present/2013 to lose either- there's no obvious "ready" SP or closer to replace them.

That said, if forced to choose one or the other (for some reason), I'd definitely keep Wandy, who's been with the club far longer and presumably is better liked by the paying fans.

[MusicMan]

Trade Carlos? No way. Who would play first?

How exactly are we benching Wallace, the way he's started off?

[hostros7]

How exactly are we benching Wallace, the way he's started off?

His hair is a benchable offense.

[MusicMan]

His hair is a benchable offense.

If only the Nats thought this about Harper, I'd be happy to take him off their hands.

[moriartp]

His hair is a benchable offense.

I'm no fan of the look, but I think we may be dealing with a Samson situation here. Keep it long.

[hostros7]

I'm no fan of the look, but I think we may be dealing with a Samson situation here. Keep it long.

A player on a streak has to respect the streak. They don't happen very often.

[MusicMan]

A player on a streak has to respect the streak. They don't happen very often.

Rose goes in the front, big guy.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

I'm no fan of the look, but I think we may be dealing with a Samson situation here. Keep it long.

I think all the weight he lost migrated upward.

[Duman]

trade Wandy to the Braves - their starters are struggling and they have still have plenty of prospects  - Since the astros didn't really take any last year.

[MusicMan]

trade Wandy to the Braves - their starters are struggling and they have still have plenty of prospects  - Since the astros didn't really take any last year.

The definition of insanity...

[Fredia]

and throw myers in as incentive..would work nicely

[MusicMan]

[looks up 2012 stats for Clemens, Oberholtzer and Abreu]
[watches random collection of Schafer at bats]
[kicks dog]

Then you really don't want to look at this.

[jbm]

Then you really don't want to look at this.

Regardless of the Astros' return, or lack of return, national pundits should be pointing out that he was available to everyone, but apparently, only the Braves showed much interest.  Seems like at the time, the national press dismissed him as a "complimentary" type player.  He may still be viewed that way.  In short, a lot of GMs missed out on that bargain.

[hostros7]

Regardless of the Astros' return, or lack of return, national pundits should be pointing out that he was available to everyone, but apparently, only the Braves showed much interest.  Seems like at the time, the national press dismissed him as a "complimentary" type player.  He may still be viewed that way.  In short, a lot of GMs missed out on that bargain.

My guess is that he won't be considered a bargain after this offseason, Boras will see to that.  It certainly must have played into the logic to trade him, even if many of us did not want to see him go.

[MusicMan]

My guess is that he won't be considered a bargain after this offseason, Boras will see to that.  It certainly must have played into the logic to trade him, even if many of us did not want to see him go.

I didn't mind trading him, because he was at peak value.  I minded getting the poo poo platter in return.

[subnuclear]

My understanding the Astros asked for Ross Detwiler plus a couple of others from the Nats, but the Nats turned them down.

[jbm]

I didn't mind trading him, because he was at peak value.  I minded getting the poo poo platter in return.

I suspect it reflects the fact that not too many GMs thought much of Bourn.  In other words, he wasn't really at peak value because not enough teams valued him.  Bringing it back to the topic at hand, that is similar to Wandy.  It seems as if he is thought of as a middling, easy to obtain (or replace) pitcher, and like Bourn, there will be no bidding war. 

If everyone thinks your buck is worth two quarters, keep the buck.  You always lose on that deal.

[pots]

Just curious, why would you trade Wandy, but feel compelled to keep Myers?  I understand and agree with keeping them both, understand trading them both, but really don't understand why one should be traded and the other should not.  

My reasoning behind trading Wandy before Myers is that Myers has been helpful to other pitchers.  He has been a leader of the bullpen and has made it better than the individual parts.  That's something that a team rebuidling has a huge need for.  Other than being a good starter every 5th day, I don't see Wandy bringing anything else to the table that a rebuilding club can use. 

Remove Myers from the bullpen and we are back to last years bunch of misfits.  Remove Wandy from the starting rotation and every 5th day you have a weaker starter than what you had. 

[pots]

My understanding the Astros asked for Ross Detwiler plus a couple of others from the Nats, but the Nats turned them down.

This year I'd ask them for Rendon.  Blocked by Zimmerman.  Maybe even through in a Paredes.

[pots]

[looks up 2012 stats for Clemens, Oberholtzer and Abreu]
[watches random collection of Schafer at bats]
[kicks dog]

here, for the dog's sake:
http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120611&content_id=33139278&notebook_id=33139288&vkey=notebook_hou&c_id=hou

[subnuclear]

This year I'd ask them for Rendon.  Blocked by Zimmerman.  Maybe even through in a Paredes.

At the beginning of the season, before he got injured, they were trying to move Rendon to short. Don't know if that's still the plan.

[pots]

At the beginning of the season, before he got injured, they were trying to move Rendon to short. Don't know if that's still the plan.

In that case, take back Paredes and thrown in Villar

[MusicMan]

At the beginning of the season, before he got injured, they were trying to move Rendon to short. Don't know if that's still the plan.

I thought it was 2b.

[subnuclear]

I thought it was 2b.

They were moving him around, but I think the plan was to see if he could stick at short. I think with the injuries they might be thinking about 1B at this point.