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Astros: Alex Bregman or World Series, Which Would You Choose?
If the Houston Astros were to trade top prospect, Bregman, the haul in return could be enough to push the Astros to a 2016 World Series.
Alex Bregman has seemingly gotten better with every level he has advanced to in the minors. In his first 15 games in AAA Fresno, he is hitting an astounding .388/.414/.746 with six homers and 15 RBI. He was expected to be called up for today’s game, but he is off to Fresno instead. There is no question that he is the Astros’ best prospect and has a very bright future. But will that future be in Houston?
His greatness has been common knowledge throughout Houston for a while now, but after his showing in the MLB Futures Game, he has become a national commodity. Now that he has shown that he can perform on such a big stage, there is not a team in the league that would not love to get their hands on him, making his trade value incredibly high.
Most Houstonians will probably read this and think that I have lost my mind. But if the return were someone like a Mike Trout or a Chris Sale; that could be a complete season-changer. If the Astros were to acquire a player of that caliber, only 3.5 games back in the American League West, they would be in great shape to take the western crown from the injury-ridden Texas Rangers. This would be great payback for the Rangers for doing just that to the Astros just last season.
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Trout and Sale, along with Wil Myers and Nolan Arenado come to mind when thinking of buying a World Series. These options would not be cheap by any means, but the reward for getting one of these players could be great. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have said on a few occasions that they are not looking to trade Trout. However, could you imagine the front office trying to turn down this return for parting with him: Bregman, Lance McCullers, Francis Martes, Kyle Tucker and Jonathan Arauz.
The Angels are (43-52), 11.5 games back in the AL West and their farm system is depleted and ranked among the worst in the league. If they were to accept a trade such as the one above, Bregman, Martes and Tucker would likely be their top three prospects instantly, and McCullers would be their number two starter behind Garrett Richards.
However, it is extremely unlikely that the Angels would part with such a generational player in Trout. Sale is the most practical choice between the two. It would not take as much to acquire Sale from the Chicago White Sox. The Astros may be able to keep McCullers out of that deal, but Bregman would most definitely have to go. Sale would instantly become the Astros ace, and if Dallas Keuchel could return to his 2015 form, the team would have the rotation to win a series.
Arenado and Myers would also be huge acquisitions for the club and potential season-changers. There are two cheaper options too. Arenado is currently signed to a one-year $5 million contract, is arbitration eligible in 2017 and is under team control until 2020. Myers is making $523 thousand and is also arbitration eligible in 2017 and under team control until 2020. And the team may be able to work around adding Bregman to the list of players needed to make these two deals happen.
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Arenado led the National League in both HR (42) and RBI (130) last season and has 23 HR so far this season with a league-leading 71 RBI. The Colorado Rockies are (44-51) and 13 games back in the NL West. There is also the small matter of a $47 million deal struck with Yulieski Gurriel a few days ago for the Astros, so they are no longer in need of a third baseman per se. But it has been reported that Gurriel can play both first base and outfield and having too many talented players on your team is a pretty good problem to have.
Myers and the San Diego Padres are (41-55) and 16.5 games back in the NL West. The 2013 AL Rookie of the Year is in the midst of a career year this season. He is hitting .281/.351/.513 with 20 HR and 61 RBI. Myers is originally an outfielder but can also play first base which are both holes the Astros need to fill.
Next: Astros Roster Moves: A.J. Reed Optioned to Triple-A
Astros’ fans may not want to hear it, but there is potential for the team to improve to World Series form this season. It would be a sad day to watch Bregman go, but Carlos Correa has the shortstop position locked down, and these players could provide the type of lift that Carlos Beltran added in the 2005 NL Championship season, and this city is ready for a World Series Title.
**Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com**