Nah, CFM is so pristine and pure in the TZ money and winning never entered his head. Going home to the Braves before he retires.
Side question:
Did the Astros show any interest in CFM this go round?
And what is TB’s long game?
[quote]
Did the Astros show any interest in CFM this go round? [/quote]
I don’t know if the Astros were interested, but why would Morton have been?
Financial solvency.
2 Likes
Ha! Nominated if there were such a thing.
The Pirates might trade Joe Musgrove this winter…
Twins just released Eddie Rosario. If there has been some internal decision not to resign Brantley that we are unaware of, Rosario wouldn’t be a bad option in left field. Then shift Tucker to right and sign Bradley to play center.
If you have a subscription, Eno Sarris in The Athletic with a look at some under the radar guys coming out of (or back from) the KBO and NPB and most at are positions of possible need for the Astros.
Dan Straily and Mel Rojas Jr. both apparently made some improvements while playing in Korea. Straily could be a relatively cheap add as bottom of the rotation depth and supposedly made improvements on his offspeed pitches to go along with that high spin rate FB. [ETA: It was just announced that Straily is returning to the KBO after re-signing with the Lotte Giants.] Rojas is a bit more of a flyer. Never made the bigs after being a 3rd round pick of the Pirates back in 2010 and playing in the minors for them and the Braves from 2010-2016. Hit .270/.349/.491 in 64 games at AAA Gwinnett in his last year stateside before moving on to 4 years in Korea. Developed pop over there he didn’t show in the US and posted .349/.417/.680 numbers in 2020 with 47 longballs. Now 30 Sarris says he best projects as a perhaps average corner OF after having played CF earlier in his career. He’s also a switch-hitter.
Japanese pitchers Tomoyuki Sugano and Kohei Arihara and Korean outfielder Sung-Bum Na will all be available via the posting process.
Notable non-tenders involving positions of need for the Astros (including some who may have been mentioned elsewhere in the thread):
Corner OFs
- Eddie Rosario hit .277/.310/.478 over 6 seasons with Minnesota and his .257/.316/.476 numbers in 2020 was actually fairly in line with those career numbers. But the Twins balked at paying him the roughty $10MM or so he might have earned in arbitration. LF only.
- Another corner outfielder hits the market as the Braves non-tender Adam Duvall. Hit .237/.301/.532 in 57 games in 2020. MLBTR projected him to earn $4MM in arbitration.
- Set to earn $2.5MM in arbitration, the Rockies weren’t about to give that to David Dahl given his extensive injury history. He missed the entire 2017 season with a stress reaction in a rib that also created a back issue. In 2018 he fractured his right foot and missed over two months. His extremely poor 2020 apparently was the result of a right shoulder injury which required surgery in September. Missed extensive time in the minors as well.
- Cubbies didn’t want to spend $8MM (or thereabouts) on Kyle Schwarber who shit the sheets in 2020 with a .188/.308/.393 line. Can he rebound to the .250/.339/.531 player he was in 2019?
Relievers
- Projected for a roughly $5MM payday in arbitration, the Reds said no to Archie Bradley. Has a 1.197 WHIP with 259 Ks in 232 IP since being moved to the pen in 2017.
- Matt Wisler would have made slightly more than $1MM had he not been non-tendered by the Twins. K’d 35 in 25 innings in 2020 with a 1.145 WHIP. Will be looking for his 6th organization after having been traded 3 times, sold for cash once and waived once in the last 6 years.
Catchers
- If Click is looking for a backup catcher, Curt Casali could fit the bill. Played that role in Cincy the last 3 seasons where he hit .260/.345/.440 over that span and (best I can tell) seemed to have played adequate defense. Apparently was set to make around $2MM in arbitration.
Anyone interested in David Dahl? Non tendered by the Rockies today. All Star in 2019, sucked in 2020.
Casali seems like he’s worth a good long look as a backup to Maldonado. If you put stock in pitch framing metrics, he’s been neutral or slightly better each of the last two seasons. Offensively, he looks like an upgrade over Stubbs or another Garneau-type. I think I’d probably prefer having Chirinos back, but Click would be familiar with Casali from his time with the Rays.
Bradley would be a very solid addition to the bullpen–the Reds must really be hurting for cash if they couldn’t stomach paying him $5M. I certainly wouldn’t mind the Astros signing him, it’s just a matter of cost and how much it would eat into the budget for positions of greater need.
Legit howled with laughter at this.
I agree regarding Bradley making a nice addition to the pen.
Updated this to include all free agents (not just non-tenders) plus one or two trade possibilities involving positions of need for the Astros. Not meant to be comprehensive–just some names that have been thrown out in this or the other thread, by media types or just seemed somewhat plausible.
CFs
-
Contract predictions for Jackie Bradley, Jr. have ranged from 2 yrs/$16MM to 3 yrs/$30MM.
-
If the reports of the Rays shopping Kevin Kiermaier in basically a salary dump are true, he might be had for a relatively low prospect cost. Owed a guaranteed $26MM over the next 2 years.
-
Cubs didn’t want to pay Albert Almora an estimated $1.5MM in arbitration and cut him loose. Hard to see him as an everyday player in center but more likely a 4th or 5th outfielder. 27 years old.
-
Others: Marisnick
Corner OFs
-
Eddie Rosario hit .277/.310/.478 over 6 seasons with Minnesota and his .257/.316/.476 numbers in 2020 was actually fairly in line with those career numbers. But the Twins balked at paying him the roughty $10MM or so he might have earned in arbitration. LF only. Lefty hitter. 29 years old.
-
Another corner outfielder hits the market as the Braves non-tender Adam Duvall. The 32 year old hit .237/.301/.532 in 57 games in 2020. MLBTR projected him to earn $4MM in arbitration. LF only.
-
Set to earn $2.5MM in arbitration, the Rockies weren’t about to give that to David Dahl given his extensive injury history. He missed the entire 2017 season with a stress reaction in a rib that also created a back issue. In 2018 he fractured his right foot and missed over two months. His extremely poor 2020 apparently was the result of a right shoulder injury which required surgery in September. Missed extensive time in the minors as well. Can play some CF. Age 27. Lefty hitter.
-
Cubbies didn’t want to spend $8MM (or thereabouts) on Kyle Schwarber who shit the sheets in 2020 with a .188/.308/.393 line. Can he rebound to the .250/.339/.531 player he was in 2019? Lefty hitter. Age 28. LF only.
-
Nats declined the $10.5MM option on Adam Eaton for 2021 after he hit just .226/.285/.384 in 41 games this past season. The 32 year old did hit .279/.365/.428 in 151 games in 2019. An option in RF. Lefty hitter.
-
Hunter Renfroe was DFA’d by the Rays after a poor 2020 (.156/.252/.393 in 42 games). The 29 year old hit .231/.291/.486 from 2017-2019 with the Padres and averaged nearly 30 home runs a year. The MLBTR estimate for his 2021 arbitration salary was close to $4MM. Another option in RF.
-
The Indians pulled the plug on Tyler Naquin rather than pay him an estimated $2MM. The 29 year old former Klein Collins HSer and Aggie has played all 3 OF positions. .218/.248/.383 in 40 games in 2020 after hitting .288/.325/.467 in 89 games in 2019. Lefty hitter.
-
The White Sox balked at paying Nomar Mazara nearly $6MM in arbitration salary after a subpar .228/.295/.294 2020 season over 42 games. He went .268/.318/.469 in 116 games with the Rangers in 2019. Another lefty hitter and possible option in RF. Just 26 years old.
-
The Reds acquired Brian Goodwin for their stretch run in 2020 but he didn’t really produce in the 20 games he played for them so they kicked him to the curb rather than pay an estimated $3MM in arb salary. Came from the Angels where in the best stretch of his career hit .258/.327/.469 in 2019-2020. I don’t think he’s a particularly good defender but has played all 3 outfield positions. 30 years old and like most of the available corner guys is a lefty hitter.
-
Mel Rojas Jr. is a KBO refugee perhaps viewed as a starter but more likely winding up as a 4th or 5th outfielder. Hit .349/.417/.680 in 2020 in the offense-happy league. If MLB bloodlines are your thing, dad pitched in MLB for a decade and is related to the Alou clan. 30 years old and may be a fit for RF. Switch-hitter.
-
A healthier version of Aledmys Diaz? Former Astro Kiké Hernández fits the bill. 29 years old.
-
Speaking of utility guys, Brad Miller is primarily an infielder but does have some experience in the outfield as well. Last offseason the now 31 year old Miller signed a 1 yr $2MM FA deal with the Cards for whom he hit .232/.357/.451 in 48 games. He hit .260/.329/.565 in 79 games for the Indians and Phillies in 2019. Another lefty hitter.
-
Others: Brantley, Marcell Ozuna, Joc Pederson
Relievers
-
Projected for a roughly $5MM payday in arbitration, the Reds said no to Archie Bradley. Has a 1.197 WHIP with 259 Ks in 232 IP since being moved to the pen in 2017. Age 28.
-
After a career year in 2019 (1.018 WHIP, 23 saves), Hansel Robles was miserable in 2020 with a 1.74 WHIP although in a paltry 17 innings. Not worth the estimated $4MM arbitration salary said the Angels and punted on him. 30 years old.
-
Matt Andriese posted a mediocre 1.33 WHIP over his first 5 big league seasons but lowered that to 1.00 in 32 innings with the Angels in 2020. Evidently LAAA didn’t think that was sustainable or didn’t believe it was worth an estimated $2MM in arbitration so they bid him goodbye. 31 years old.
-
Matt Wisler would have made slightly more than $1MM had he not been non-tendered by the Twins. K’d 35 in 25 innings in 2020 with a 1.145 WHIP. Will be looking for his 6th organization after having been traded 3 times, sold for cash once and waived once in the last 6 years. 28 years old.
-
33 year old Ryan Tepera is a former Brazoswood HSer and SHSU-ex who was let go by the Blue Jays in 2019 after 5 seasons with them rather than pay him a projected $1.6MM in arb salary for 2020. He was then picked up by the Cubs in a $900K deal. His 1.403 WHIP this season in just 21 IP wasn’t anywhere close to the 1.156 WHIP he put up with Toronto during his 5 years there. However he did whiff 31. Chicago made the decision not to pay him the $1.2MM he would have been owed in arb and non-tendered him. I think he gets offered only a minor league deal this offseason. Maybe a return to his hometown?
-
Others: Liam Hendriks, Brad Hand, Alex Colomé, Trevor Rosenthal, Greg Holland, Jeremy Jeffress
Catchers
- If Click is looking for a backup catcher, Curt Casali could fit the bill. Played that role in Cincy the last 3 seasons where he hit .260/.345/.440 over that span and (best I can tell) seemed to have played adequate defense. Apparently was set to make around $2MM in arbitration.
3 Likes
I was sorry to see Kiké go, and would love to see him return. That said, I am not sure that the would make much of an offensive impact.
I actually would prefer Brad Miller over Kiké but Hernandez has hit lefties awfully well over his career–.263/.345/.474.
With Diaz having gone on the IL 3 times in the last 2 seasons (including being out twice for two months apiece) I like the idea of a proven veteran bat who can step in and play the infield as well as getting some starts in the outfield.
Couple of names on this list were signed this morning…
CFs
-
Contract predictions for Jackie Bradley, Jr. have ranged from 2 yrs/$16MM to 3 yrs/$30MM.
-
If the reports of the Rays shopping Kevin Kiermaier in basically a salary dump are true, he might be had for a relatively low prospect cost. Owed a guaranteed $26MM over the next 2 years.
-
Cubs didn’t want to pay Albert Almora an estimated $1.5MM in arbitration and cut him loose. Hard to see him as an everyday player in center but more likely a 4th or 5th outfielder. 27 years old.
-
Others: Marisnick
Corner OFs
-
Eddie Rosario hit .277/.310/.478 over 6 seasons with Minnesota and his .257/.316/.476 numbers in 2020 was actually fairly in line with those career numbers. But the Twins balked at paying him the roughty $10MM or so he might have earned in arbitration. LF only. Lefty hitter. 29 years old.
-
Another corner outfielder hits the market as the Braves non-tender Adam Duvall. The 32 year old hit .237/.301/.532 in 57 games in 2020. MLBTR projected him to earn $4MM in arbitration. LF only.
-
Set to earn $2.5MM in arbitration, the Rockies weren’t about to give that to David Dahl given his extensive injury history. He missed the entire 2017 season with a stress reaction in a rib that also created a back issue. In 2018 he fractured his right foot and missed over two months. His extremely poor 2020 apparently was the result of a right shoulder injury which required surgery in September. Missed extensive time in the minors as well. Can play some CF. Age 27. Lefty hitter.
-
Cubbies didn’t want to spend $8MM (or thereabouts) on Kyle Schwarber who shit the sheets in 2020 with a .188/.308/.393 line. Can he rebound to the .250/.339/.531 player he was in 2019? Lefty hitter. Age 28. LF only.
-
Nats declined the $10.5MM option on Adam Eaton for 2021 after he hit just .226/.285/.384 in 41 games this past season. The 32 year old did hit .279/.365/.428 in 151 games in 2019. An option in RF. Lefty hitter. Signed by CWS–1 yr/$8MM
-
Hunter Renfroe was DFA’d by the Rays after a poor 2020 (.156/.252/.393 in 42 games). The 29 year old hit .231/.291/.486 from 2017-2019 with the Padres and averaged nearly 30 home runs a year. The MLBTR estimate for his 2021 arbitration salary was close to $4MM. Another option in RF.
-
The Indians pulled the plug on Tyler Naquin rather than pay him an estimated $2MM. The 29 year old former Klein Collins HSer and Aggie has played all 3 OF positions. .218/.248/.383 in 40 games in 2020 after hitting .288/.325/.467 in 89 games in 2019. Lefty hitter.
-
The White Sox balked at paying Nomar Mazara nearly $6MM in arbitration salary after a subpar .228/.295/.294 2020 season over 42 games. He went .268/.318/.469 in 116 games with the Rangers in 2019. Another lefty hitter and possible option in RF. Just 26 years old.
-
The Reds acquired Brian Goodwin for their stretch run in 2020 but he didn’t really produce in the 20 games he played for them so they kicked him to the curb rather than pay an estimated $3MM in arb salary. Came from the Angels where in the best stretch of his career hit .258/.327/.469 in 2019-2020. I don’t think he’s a particularly good defender but has played all 3 outfield positions. 30 years old and like most of the available corner guys is a lefty hitter.
-
Mel Rojas Jr. is a KBO refugee perhaps viewed as a starter but more likely winding up as a 4th or 5th outfielder. Hit .349/.417/.680 in 2020 in the offense-happy league. If MLB bloodlines are your thing, dad pitched in MLB for a decade and is related to the Alou clan. 30 years old and may be a fit for RF. Switch-hitter.
-
A healthier version of Aledmys Diaz? Former Astro Kiké Hernández fits the bill. 29 years old.
-
Speaking of utility guys, Brad Miller is primarily an infielder but does have some experience in the outfield as well. Last offseason the now 31 year old Miller signed a 1 yr $2MM FA deal with the Cards for whom he hit .232/.357/.451 in 48 games. He hit .260/.329/.565 in 79 games for the Indians and Phillies in 2019. Another lefty hitter.
-
Others: Brantley, Marcell Ozuna, Joc Pederson
Relievers
-
Projected for a roughly $5MM payday in arbitration, the Reds said no to Archie Bradley. Has a 1.197 WHIP with 259 Ks in 232 IP since being moved to the pen in 2017. Age 28.
-
After a career year in 2019 (1.018 WHIP, 23 saves), Hansel Robles was miserable in 2020 with a 1.74 WHIP although in a paltry 17 innings. Not worth the estimated $4MM arbitration salary said the Angels and punted on him. 30 years old.
-
Matt Andriese posted a mediocre 1.33 WHIP over his first 5 big league seasons but lowered that to 1.00 in 32 innings with the Angels in 2020. Evidently LAAA didn’t think that was sustainable or didn’t believe it was worth an estimated $2MM in arbitration so they bid him goodbye. 31 years old.
-
Matt Wisler would have made slightly more than $1MM had he not been non-tendered by the Twins. K’d 35 in 25 innings in 2020 with a 1.145 WHIP. Will be looking for his 6th organization after having been traded 3 times, sold for cash once and waived once in the last 6 years. 28 years old. Signed by SF–1 yr/$1.15M
-
33 year old Ryan Tepera is a former Brazoswood HSer and SHSU-ex who was let go by the Blue Jays in 2019 after 5 seasons with them rather than pay him a projected $1.6MM in arb salary for 2020. He was then picked up by the Cubs in a $900K deal. His 1.403 WHIP this season in just 21 IP wasn’t anywhere close to the 1.156 WHIP he put up with Toronto during his 5 years there. However he did whiff 31. Chicago made the decision not to pay him the $1.2MM he would have been owed in arb and non-tendered him. I think he gets offered only a minor league deal this offseason. Maybe a return to his hometown?
-
Others: Liam Hendriks, Brad Hand, Alex Colomé, Trevor Rosenthal, Greg Holland, Jeremy Jeffress
Catchers
- If Click is looking for a backup catcher, Curt Casali could fit the bill. Played that role in Cincy the last 3 seasons where he hit .260/.345/.440 over that span and (best I can tell) seemed to have played adequate defense. Apparently was set to make around $2MM in arbitration.
Jon Morosi says the Astros are among the teams looking at Jason Castro:
It might be more helpful if you would highlight the “couple” … hard to sort through the whole list quickly.
David Dahl signs with the Rangers…
CFs
-
Contract predictions for Jackie Bradley, Jr. have ranged from 2 yrs/$16MM to 3 yrs/$30MM.
-
If the reports of the Rays shopping Kevin Kiermaier in basically a salary dump are true, he might be had for a relatively low prospect cost. Owed a guaranteed $26MM over the next 2 years.
-
Cubs didn’t want to pay Albert Almora an estimated $1.5MM in arbitration and cut him loose. Hard to see him as an everyday player in center but more likely a 4th or 5th outfielder. 27 years old.
-
Others: Marisnick
Corner OFs
-
Eddie Rosario hit .277/.310/.478 over 6 seasons with Minnesota and his .257/.316/.476 numbers in 2020 was actually fairly in line with those career numbers. But the Twins balked at paying him the roughty $10MM or so he might have earned in arbitration. LF only. Lefty hitter. 29 years old.
-
Another corner outfielder hits the market as the Braves non-tender Adam Duvall. The 32 year old hit .237/.301/.532 in 57 games in 2020. MLBTR projected him to earn $4MM in arbitration. LF only.
-
Set to earn $2.5MM in arbitration, the Rockies weren’t about to give that to David Dahl given his extensive injury history. He missed the entire 2017 season with a stress reaction in a rib that also created a back issue. In 2018 he fractured his right foot and missed over two months. His extremely poor 2020 apparently was the result of a right shoulder injury which required surgery in September. Missed extensive time in the minors as well. Can play some CF. Age 27. Lefty hitter. Signed by TEX–1 yr/$3MM
-
Cubbies didn’t want to spend $8MM (or thereabouts) on Kyle Schwarber who shit the sheets in 2020 with a .188/.308/.393 line. Can he rebound to the .250/.339/.531 player he was in 2019? Lefty hitter. Age 28. LF only.
-
Nats declined the $10.5MM option on Adam Eaton for 2021 after he hit just .226/.285/.384 in 41 games this past season. The 32 year old did hit .279/.365/.428 in 151 games in 2019. An option in RF. Lefty hitter. Signed by CWS–1 yr/$8MM
-
Hunter Renfroe was DFA’d by the Rays after a poor 2020 (.156/.252/.393 in 42 games). The 29 year old hit .231/.291/.486 from 2017-2019 with the Padres and averaged nearly 30 home runs a year. The MLBTR estimate for his 2021 arbitration salary was close to $4MM. Another option in RF.
-
The Indians pulled the plug on Tyler Naquin rather than pay him an estimated $2MM. The 29 year old former Klein Collins HSer and Aggie has played all 3 OF positions. .218/.248/.383 in 40 games in 2020 after hitting .288/.325/.467 in 89 games in 2019. Lefty hitter.
-
The White Sox balked at paying Nomar Mazara nearly $6MM in arbitration salary after a subpar .228/.295/.294 2020 season over 42 games. He went .268/.318/.469 in 116 games with the Rangers in 2019. Another lefty hitter and possible option in RF. Just 26 years old.
-
The Reds acquired Brian Goodwin for their stretch run in 2020 but he didn’t really produce in the 20 games he played for them so they kicked him to the curb rather than pay an estimated $3MM in arb salary. Came from the Angels where in the best stretch of his career hit .258/.327/.469 in 2019-2020. I don’t think he’s a particularly good defender but has played all 3 outfield positions. 30 years old and like most of the available corner guys is a lefty hitter.
-
Mel Rojas Jr. is a KBO refugee perhaps viewed as a starter but more likely winding up as a 4th or 5th outfielder. Hit .349/.417/.680 in 2020 in the offense-happy league. If MLB bloodlines are your thing, dad pitched in MLB for a decade and is related to the Alou clan. 30 years old and may be a fit for RF. Switch-hitter. Signed by Hanshin (NPB)–2 yrs/$5MM
-
A healthier version of Aledmys Diaz? Former Astro Kiké Hernández fits the bill. 29 years old.
-
Speaking of utility guys, Brad Miller is primarily an infielder but does have some experience in the outfield as well. Last offseason the now 31 year old Miller signed a 1 yr $2MM FA deal with the Cards for whom he hit .232/.357/.451 in 48 games. He hit .260/.329/.565 in 79 games for the Indians and Phillies in 2019. Another lefty hitter.
-
Others: Brantley, Marcell Ozuna, Joc Pederson
Relievers
-
Projected for a roughly $5MM payday in arbitration, the Reds said no to Archie Bradley. Has a 1.197 WHIP with 259 Ks in 232 IP since being moved to the pen in 2017. Age 28.
-
After a career year in 2019 (1.018 WHIP, 23 saves), Hansel Robles was miserable in 2020 with a 1.74 WHIP although in a paltry 17 innings. Not worth the estimated $4MM arbitration salary said the Angels and punted on him. 30 years old.
-
Matt Andriese posted a mediocre 1.33 WHIP over his first 5 big league seasons but lowered that to 1.00 in 32 innings with the Angels in 2020. Evidently LAAA didn’t think that was sustainable or didn’t believe it was worth an estimated $2MM in arbitration so they bid him goodbye. 31 years old.
-
Matt Wisler would have made slightly more than $1MM had he not been non-tendered by the Twins. K’d 35 in 25 innings in 2020 with a 1.145 WHIP. Will be looking for his 6th organization after having been traded 3 times, sold for cash once and waived once in the last 6 years. 28 years old. Signed by SF–1 yr/$1.15M
-
33 year old Ryan Tepera is a former Brazoswood HSer and SHSU-ex who was let go by the Blue Jays in 2019 after 5 seasons with them rather than pay him a projected $1.6MM in arb salary for 2020. He was then picked up by the Cubs in a $900K deal. His 1.403 WHIP this season in just 21 IP wasn’t anywhere close to the 1.156 WHIP he put up with Toronto during his 5 years there. However he did whiff 31. Chicago made the decision not to pay him the $1.2MM he would have been owed in arb and non-tendered him. I think he gets offered only a minor league deal this offseason. Maybe a return to his hometown?
-
Others: Liam Hendriks, Brad Hand, Alex Colomé, Trevor Rosenthal, Greg Holland, Jeremy Jeffress
Catchers
-
If Click is looking for a backup catcher, Curt Casali could fit the bill. Played that role in Cincy the last 3 seasons where he hit .260/.345/.440 over that span and (best I can tell) seemed to have played adequate defense. Apparently was set to make around $2MM in arbitration.
-
Others: Castro
ESPN $ report from Passan: Astros among teams pursuing Liam Hendriks, who wants a four year deal