Author Topic: Free Agents 2014 (Read 3198 times)

Navin R Johnson · « **on:** July 11, 2013, 11:38:16 am »

Crane has said publicly that the payroll will increase significantly next year. Assuming that is true, and you have $20-30 to spend next year to get the Astros to a reasonable team salary of ~50 million, where would you spend money?

What position(s), within that $ range would have the biggest impact? I think bullpen would be my #1 target.

And if your interested a list of potential 2014 FAs

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/compensation/cots/league-info/potential-free-agents-for-2014/

GreatBagwellsBeard · « **Reply #1 on:** July 11, 2013, 12:20:08 pm »

Some interesting SS names, too. Jhonny Peralta will probably get overpaid somewhere else, though.

There's probably a value priced SP to be had, too. Phil Hughes? Barry Zito?

Reuben · « **Reply #2 on:** July 11, 2013, 12:43:37 pm »

Quote from: GreatBagwellsBeard on July 11, 2013, 12:20:08 pm

Some interesting SS names, too. Jhonny Peralta will probably get overpaid somewhere else, though.

There's probably a value priced SP to be had, too. Phil Hughes? Barry Zito?

I'd be shocked if Villar wasn't the starting SS next year. I'd imagine they want a chance to see what they have with him before Fontana and/or Correa are ready.

hostros7 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 11, 2013, 01:07:01 pm »

I'd like to see them add a starting pitcher or two at reasonable, short-term contract. My thought is more of a guy that you can offer a rich 1 year deal or a reasonable two-year deal that can improve the competitiveness of the club and be a potential trade asset. Without really studying the FA list in any detail, De la Rosa could be an interesting name if you thought he was healthy. Dan Haren might be worth a one-year flyer unless he's just toast. A Jason Hammel might be signed to a reasonable cost. Lincecum may want to try a one-year deal to reestablish value. The number and quality of pitchers needed probably will be dependent on whether or not Bud is traded this season.

If Villar doesn't look ready later this season, a vet SS who can play some defense would be a nice addition.

Now that it appears some of the actual supposed pieces will start to trickle into the bigs this year and next (Cosart, Singleton, Springer), the club needs to take steps to ensure that the team around them is not dog shit, the clubhouse has a good culture with some veteran leadership, and there isn't a pitch black cloud created by losing day in and day out hanging over the team.

I think the FO will have to make a call on Dominguez and add bullpen arms. Personally, I want Dominguez to get every shot he can, but he can't have people think he's lying if he claims he can hit over his weight.

My opinion is that they are still a season or two away from wanting to add any longer term, higher price free agents. I'd want a little more time to see what some of the higher-level guys might offer at the MLB level to determine ultimate greatest needs.

Reuben · « **Reply #4 on:** July 11, 2013, 01:25:32 pm »

Sometimes it makes sense (in the long run) for a team to add an impact FA on a long-term deal even if they know they're still a year or two away from really making a playoff run. The Tigers signing Ivan Rodriguez (2004?) comes to mind, or the Nats with Jayson Werth, although they had to completely overpay him and he's tailed off.

The Astros could stand to sign an OF who can hit. They just don't have much on the farm that could be ready in the next couple years beyond Springer and maybe Santana, or DeShields if they move him to the OF.

jbm · « **Reply #5 on:** July 11, 2013, 01:29:41 pm »

The outfield does seem like a need, and IIRC, was mentioned by Luhnow when he was discussing free agency last month or so. However, since then, Krauss has looked pretty damn good in his limited time and Tucker has added his name to the mix. Of course, both of them might be better suited as DH/1st base types, depending on how Luhnow views speed and defense.

hostros7 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 11, 2013, 01:50:21 pm »

Ultimately, will Springer wind up in CF or corner OF?

jbm · « **Reply #7 on:** July 11, 2013, 02:05:39 pm »

They had a little write up on all the Futures Game players in BP this morning. On Springer, they addressed your question:

Quote

One promising sign, though, is that Springer has made strides defensively, answering questions about whether he would have to eventually move to a corner.

I've seen him a lot, and get the feeling that his floor is at least a servicable center fielder.

Reuben · « **Reply #8 on:** July 11, 2013, 03:19:44 pm »

Quote from: jbm on July 11, 2013, 02:05:39 pm

They had a little write up on all the Futures Game players in BP this morning. On Springer, they addressed your question:

I've seen him a lot, and get the feeling that his floor is at least a servicable center fielder.

Yeah, and whether he stays there could also depend on how DeShields develops, and if they wind up moving him to CF, where he played in high school.

drew corleone · « **Reply #9 on:** July 11, 2013, 06:32:25 pm »

Springer made a nice read and run on a deep fly to the LCF gap Tuesday night in Round Rock. Of course the ball popped out of his glove, but I chalk that up to him short-arming, due to a charging Justin Maxwell. As Austro noted, "he wouldn't have to worry about Carter getting in his way."

Jacksonian · « **Reply #10 on:** July 11, 2013, 07:36:25 pm »

Quote from: hostros7 on July 11, 2013, 01:07:01 pm

I think the FO will have to make a call on Dominguez and add bullpen arms. Personally, I want Dominguez to get every shot he can, but he can't have people think he's lying if he claims he can hit over his weight.

His home/road splits offer hope, but he has continually declined offensively this season.

morningwood75 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 11, 2013, 08:08:27 pm »

Would anyone be opposed to Beltran on a one or two year deal?

NeilT · « **Reply #12 on:** July 11, 2013, 08:10:25 pm »

Quote from: morningwood75 on July 11, 2013, 08:08:27 pm

Would anyone be opposed to Beltran on a one or two year deal?

No. He'd deserve that.

Mr. Happy · « **Reply #13 on:** July 11, 2013, 08:20:03 pm »

Quote from: morningwood75 on July 11, 2013, 08:08:27 pm

Would anyone be opposed to Beltran on a one or two year deal?

Not me. Beltran is having a great year. However, he'll probably be in demand and will want to play for a winner.

Reuben · « **Reply #14 on:** July 11, 2013, 08:37:52 pm »

Yeah, looking closer at that list, the list of OF is pretty bleak. Beltran, Granderson, and a bunch of crap for the most part.

moriartp · « **Reply #15 on:** July 11, 2013, 08:49:56 pm »

Shin-Soo Choo would be a great addition if he's in the price range.

morningwood75 · « **Reply #16 on:** July 11, 2013, 09:22:09 pm »

Quote from: moriartp on July 11, 2013, 08:49:56 pm

Shin-Soo Choo would be a great addition if he's in the price range.

I agree. Choo is a very good player. Not sure what he's aiming for, though. He'll probably want five years and he's almost 31 years old. If you could get him for 3 years and 30 million then I'd be all over that.

juliogotay · « **Reply #17 on:** July 11, 2013, 09:40:23 pm »

Rick Ankiel is available.

Reuben · « **Reply #18 on:** July 11, 2013, 11:20:56 pm »

Quote from: moriartp on July 11, 2013, 08:49:56 pm

Shin-Soo Choo would be a great addition if he's in the price range.

He's a Bora$$ client, and ranks 3rd on MLBTR's newest list of upcoming FA's, behind Cano and Ellsbury.

Lefty · « **Reply #19 on:** July 12, 2013, 12:22:36 am »

Quote from: Reuben on July 11, 2013, 11:20:56 pm

He's a Bora$$ client

When, if ever, does this not matter anymore?