Can’t really get excited about him until he gets to AA. 31% k rate is pretty damning. He is most likely another Conrad Gregor, Kody Hinze, Koby Clemens, Drew Ferguson type. But at least he’s put himself on the radar.
A.J. Blubaugh, Miguel Ullola, and Zach Cole for Lars Nootbar. Astros really need a grownup everyday LF to solidify that position and lengthen the lineup. Lars is perfect for that spot and has another year of control. The Cardinals are building. They want to sell expiring and short term players while still giving themselves a chance in 2026. They need bullpen help and high upside young controllable players. It would hurt to lose Blubaugh but as the long guy/#5-6 option in the bullpen, he can be replaced. Cole still has a ton of upside and maybe the Cardinals see some Jordan Walker in him? He also is expendable with Lars, Trammell, and Loperfido on the roster. Ullola has a ton of upside now that he has been moved to the bullpen. He has enough AAA experience that he can help the Cards right away or could continue to learn the bullpen in AAA and give them 6 seasons of leverage relief starting next season. I think this deal is fair for both sides while not hurting their current goals. The issue is the same as always- if it becomes a bidding war the Astros can't match the talent of most other teams.
I would do both of those deals. If Crane is insisting on competing in a couple of years -- then I would try really hard to get Abreu from the Red Sox. He is under team control and is very good.
Yep. The result from those 3 trades would be a 2026 roster that looks like: 2B Altuve DH Alvarez 1B Walker RF Abreu 3B Durbin LF Wade/Loperfido CF Matthews C Vazquez SS Allen Bench: Shewmake, Diaz, Cole, Dezenzo SP: Brown, Imai, Arrighetti, Javier, Teng, Burrows RP: Hader, Whitlock, King, De Los Santos, Okert, Santa, Blanco And the farm would be in the top 10 (probably even top 5) in the league with Hope, Morales, Davalan, Neyens, Alvarez, and maybe the #17 pick as Top 100 prospects with a very deep 2nd and 3rd tier.
