re: DAT: 2017 World Champions Houston Astros offseason discussion: ASTROS ACQUIRE GERRIT COLE

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Just the idea of Stanton with the Astros ended my saints melt

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It would be unfair, but there have been much better offensive teams than the Astros last season.

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The Tigers are close to signing right-hander Mike Fiers to a one-year deal, I'm told

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Makes sense for them, they’re going to be terrible this year and need innings eaters. And if (and it’s a big if) he’s good in the first half, they can get another prospect out of it

Solid move for the Tigers. Fiers probably belongs on a rebuilding team as an innings eater and Comerica ain't a tiny park. Some of his flyballs could die in that outfield.


As for Stanton, it's nice to dream about the dingers he'd crush at MMP but it's not happening. Nor should it. The Marlins don't want prospects. New ownership just wants out from under that contract. The rumored Giants trade had a mediocre prospect package with the Giants taking on $250 million of the $295 million remaining on the deal. That's Altuve and Correa money.

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Since Stanton holds all the cards here, he can certainly narrow the playing field to those four teams.

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Its certainly flattering to be mentioned in that group, but its obvious he wants to win a world series.

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But the other three listed with HOU are big spenders who will take on the lion's share of that massive contract. The Astros will not, even if the asset cost is super low.

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Yeah, which is why a move like this would put Crane in the big spenders category, maybe he takes pride in getting the Astros reputation up there with the Yankees, Cubs, and Dodgers.

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That said, just imagine for Odors and giggles if Miami would take something like Fisher, Gattis, Martes and Paulino if Crane/Luhnow would take the full contract back. Maybe demand Justin Bour as well.

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WITH Bour? Geez, we better win 120 games next season and score 1000 runs for the year.

I added Bour because I think no one else would be willing to take on the entire contract. It would help Miami's bottom line immensely if anyone agreed to do it.

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maybe he takes pride in getting the Astros reputation up there with the Yankees, Cubs, and Dodgers.

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We just don't have the same kind of resources those teams do. Our TV deal is pretty shitty even compared to a similar market/nearby team in the Rangers. The Astros really took a wash on the failed CSN debacle and lost out on tv revenue because of it.

I'd be hard pressed to find the source at this point but Crane has specifically said we're not the Yankees or Dodgers and can't spend like those teams.

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Our plan is pretty similar to the Cardinals,” Crane said. “Staying consistent with the farm team, adding the players you need when you need them. You can’t go full-free agent, because we’re middle market. And execute on the plan.”

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Not the exact quote I had in mind but it gives you a look into his thinking.

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Worst deal in Astros/Rockets history

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In theory it was a good plan. The Astros had 47% ownership of a RSN to carry not only their games but the local NBA team as well. That's a money maker. But Drayton McLane didn't give a rats arse about getting it set up properly. He only wanted it as a value raising asset for the sale of the team.

Do not want Stanton. It seems to me that if you take on the bulk of that contract, you likely sacrifice any possibility of resigning some combination of Altuve, Correa, and Springer.

I say get Stanton and flip him to the Dodgers or Cubs in 2 years when they are desperate for another WS.

Even without a Stanton contract, the likelihood of signing the fantastic 4 to long-term contracts is going to be damn near impossible.