Houston Astros: If Cespedes Signs, Which Outfielder Leaves?

If Yoenis Cespedes is Houston Bound, Jake Marisnick would become a Moveable Astros Outfielder

There have been rumors surfacing around Jake Marisnick since last July’s trade deadline, and I believe that a Cespedes signing would only accelerate trade talks between the Astros and other clubs for the young outfielder. It’s definitely unfortunate, as Marisnick plays very hard and seems to give it all he has when he takes the field. But, this is a business, and the fact that he had a solid 2015 season makes him a valuable trade chip.

After making a trade, Astros General Manager Jeff Luhnow always says the same thing about how trade talks between clubs are always ongoing conversations that develop over a significant period of time. People seem to believe that the Astros have been shopping Marisnick for a little while now, so maybe if Cespedes signs, they’ll finally pull the trigger on an offer.

Marisnick definitely deserves the interest that he is supposedly receiving. The 24 year-old outfielder was a great defender and baserunner for the Astros in 2015, stealing 24 bases and compiling 8 outfield assists as a center fielder. He also hit 9 home runs, 15 doubles, and finished with a 2.2 WAR, the best of his career.

I think the Astros could definitely use a package with Marisnick and a mid-level prospect to acquire a bullpen pitcher. I would not expect the Astros to acquire any big-name talent with a Marisnick trade, but maybe a rebuilding team will be interested and willing to give the Astros some bullpen help.

While scrolling through Twitter and searching around the Internet, the team I found to be most closely associated with Marisnick is the Atlanta Braves, so that’s the team I’ll center a Mock Trade around.

Briefly, I like this trade for both teams because the Braves get Marisnick as an everyday center fielder and Nolan Fontana as a middle infielder that is soon to be MLB ready. For the Astros, Arodys Vizcaino is another flamethrower who can provide quality innings in the bullpen. The Braves have a ton of candidates to replace Vizcaino at closer, so I don’t believe they will be asking much higher than what is offered here.

Next: Shaking Up the Astros Outfield: Evan Gattis

Evan Gattis is a Versatile Player and Power Hitter, Which is why he will be a Valuable Trade Chip for the Astros

From perhaps a future Brave, to a former Brave, I believe Evan Gattis could be on the move if the Astros sign Cespedes to a long-term deal. After he reaches an agreement with the Astros on his salary, the 29 year-old slugger will be available to be dealt and I believe that the Astros will indeed shop him around to teams looking for a power bat.

Gattis hit .246 last season with 27 home runs, 88 RBIs, 2o doubles, and yes, 11 triples (3rd in AL, I’m not joking) last season. He posted a 0.5 WAR and also had the most walks he’s ever had in a single season (30). While his defense is usually shaky, Gattis can play a variety of different positions, including left field, designated hitter, catcher (sparingly), and right field.

If the Astros land Cespedes, Gattis will not have much use for the club anymore. Colby Rasmus would take his spot in the corner outfield, and Cespedes would probably have the DH spot occupied for a few years. Gattis could prove to be reliable for the Astros as a backup catcher after the Astros traded Hank Conger to Tampa Bay, but I’m not sure how Gattis would react to that position change.

When drawing up potential trades for Evan Gattis, I looked at the Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers, and New York Mets. Then, Justin Upton signed with the Tigers and the search was down to two teams. I eventually decided on the Mets, as Gattis would either start in left field or be a quality fourth outfielder. He also would be a quality DH in interleague games, now that the MLB has added many more to the 162-game schedule.

Hansel Robles would be a great bullpen pickup for the Astros. Not only is he a hard throwing right-hander out of the bullpen, he also won’t be a free agent until 2021. Robles and Ken Giles at the back of the bullpen would be a fearsome combination in the AL West.

Robles appeared in 57 games in 2015, striking out 61 hitters and finishing with a 1.09 WHIP. It’s also worth noting that he pitched in 3.0 innings in the postseason and didn’t allow a single baserunner.

Next: Shaking Up the Astros Outfield: Carlos Gomez

Carlos Gomez is Exciting in the Outfield and at the Plate, so he will Command a lot of Attention if the Astros Sign Yoenis Cespedes

Carlos Gomez played a pivotal role in the success of the 2015 Astros down the stretch, becoming an emotional leader on the team and providing some clutch at-bats, as well as some flashy plays in the outfield. Astros fans enjoyed his clutch home run in the Wild Card Game, as well as the emotional brand of baseball he brought to the ballpark everyday.

Unfortunately for Gomez, his production just was not really there in 2015. In his short stint with the Astros, Gomez struck out 31 times, posted a .242 batting average, and only mustered 13 RBIs in 149 at-bats. His WAR was 0.7 during his time in Houston, his lowest mark since the 2011 season and a far cry from his 8.5 WAR in 2013 with the Milwaukee Brewers.

No one expects Gomez to revert back to his 2013 production, but he definitely needs to make up quite a bit of ground in that category. Despite his lack of production, I believe that teams that need a bat will look out for Gomez, as he can still turn it around and have a very nice 2016. He has all the tools, but he needs to put them all together for a full season.

I think the Astros could get a lot back for Gomez even though he’s only under control for 1 full season. I could see the New York Mets going after the fiery center fielder again, as well as the Baltimore Orioles.

As I looked through what the Mets and Orioles had to offer for Gomez, I wasn’t really impressed. I don’t see New York giving up their young starting pitchers and unless the Orioles listen on Manny Machado, I’m basically uninterested. So, for this mock trade, I went with more of a dream scenario for Astros fans. Here it is:

If the Astros pair up with the Indians to make this deal for Carlos Carrasco while also acquiring Yoenis Cespedes, Houston will go crazy with Astros fever. Yes, I know this is a dream trade, but man it looks good to me. The Astros give the Indians 3 of their top 15 prospects while also providing an everyday center fielder who is one of the best in the game when he is playing well. Gomez had his slump in 2015, but when he figures it out, the dude is a heck of a baseball player.

Next: Houston Astros: Rumors and Offseason Updates

Ok, I’ll stop being a salesman to Indians fans, but if this trade goes through for Carrasco and the Astros also acquire Cespedes, I’ll be in Astros fandom paradise. The Astros would be immediate World Series favorites, setting them up in prime position to win the American League and bring a title to Houston.