Astros basic supervisor Dana Brown met with reporters shortly after the staff finalized its largest commerce in years. Within the wake of sending Kyle Tucker to the Cubs for Isaac Paredes, Hayden Wesneski and prospect Cam Smith, Brown spoke about what’s subsequent.
Most notably, he downplayed the possibility of transferring ace Framber Valdez. He indicated the entrance workplace continues to be open to gives on anybody however prompt he didn’t discover it doubtless they’ll transfer the star lefty. “We’re not aggressively attempting to maneuver him, however we’ll pay attention,” Brown instructed reporters (hyperlink by way of Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle). “For those who ask me if (I) assume we’re going to commerce Valdez, I don’t assume we’re buying and selling Valdez. I believe he’s (a) pillar, and it’s actually robust to maintain a rotation intact, and we actually really feel like he’s going to be an essential one in our rotation.”
Valdez and Tucker have been every thrust into commerce rumors on Monday, when Brown replied to a query on their availability by saying the staff would “pay attention on all of the gamers.” Right now’s feedback don’t refute that, although the Astros appear much less motivated to pursue commerce talks on Valdez now that they’ve moved Tucker. One of many major motivations for buying and selling both participant was offloading their costly projected salaries for his or her closing season of arbitration. The Tucker commerce ought to save the Astros round $9MM — the distinction between the projections for Tucker’s and Paredes’ salaries — and drops their projected luxurious tax quantity to roughly $225MM (courtesy of RosterResource). That places them round $16MM shy of the bottom threshold.
MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz tasks Valdez for a $17.8MM wage. The Astros shouldn’t have as a lot of a want to dump that cash. Maybe they are going to rethink in the event that they obtain a suggestion that takes the final form of the Tucker commerce and permits them to accumulate MLB assist and not less than one prospect of word. Brown acknowledged at this time that the membership hasn’t had any extension talks with Valdez since final yr, so that they’re most likely not optimistic concerning the probability of conserving him past subsequent season. They’re nonetheless aiming to win the AL West in 2025, although, so that they’re not going to maneuver Valdez strictly for minor league expertise.
Brown was additionally naturally requested how the Tucker commerce impacts their pursuit of Alex Bregman. Whereas there may very well be a couple of million {dollars} extra to supply Bregman within the quick time period, touchdown Paredes offers the Astros a fallback at third base which they’d beforehand lacked. Brown indicated the Tucker commerce doesn’t have a lot impression on the Bregman bidding. “Just about, Alex Bregman’s standing [remains] the best way it’s,” he said (hyperlink by way of Brian McTaggart of MLB.com). “Nothing has modified because the final time I’ve talked to you guys. … It’s nonetheless just about the identical the place we have been Tuesday.”
There’s nonetheless room for Bregman on the roster. Paredes has performed practically 400 profession innings at first base. He’s a serviceable defender at third base, however his profile is constructed round his bat. He wouldn’t lose a ton of worth if he strikes to the opposite aspect of the diamond. Houston wants first base assist. They’d most likely run a Jon Singleton and Zach Dezenzo platoon if the season opened at this time.
Brown acknowledged that the staff was on the lookout for a bat. They’re not going to search out anybody of Tucker’s caliber, in fact, however there’s nonetheless a good quantity of expertise obtainable in each the primary base and nook outfield markets. Chandler Rome of the Athletic writes that Houston is on the lookout for a left-handed hitting outfielder, particularly, as a direct alternative for the position Tucker crammed.
The GM instructed Rome and different reporters that the Astros count on for Chas McCormick to open the season in proper area whereas Jake Meyers performs middle. He left the door open for a left area acquisition. Change-hitter Jurickson Profar and lefty-swinging Max Kepler and Alex Verdugo are speculative prospects who stay unsigned.
