Astros: 4 trades to avoid after the MLB lockout ends
The Astros are contending in 2022, but there are young assets not worth trading just yet.
The window of opportunity for major-league clubs to vie for a championship doesn’t last forever.
Free agency and financial limitations means players almost always move at some point in their careers, while payrolls fluctuate and managers, general managers and even owners can change. It’s a never ending balancing act.
The trick is to get the right group of guys at the right time in their careers and build them into a team that can win, roll the dice and hope things work out in October.
But there’s also the consideration of balancing short term success versus what’s good for the organization longer term, and the fact that these two goals are often at odds with each other as we’re seeing with the Carlos Correa free agency.
With that in mind, here are four moves the Houston Astros shouldn’t make once the lockout ends.
Chas McCormick
I’m president of the ‘Chas McCormick Fan Club,’ but even I recognize that Jake Meyers, when healthy, has earned the starting job in center.
That means it’s tempting to ship McCormick somewhere he can play full-time, much like the Astros did with Myles Straw, and get a reliever to bolster the bullpen losses of the offseason.
There are a couple of problems with this, the first being Meyers is not healthy and we don’t have an idea of when he is expected to return. Also, while Meyers is off to a good start at the major-league level, no one knows how he’ll handle the grind of a full season or if he’s ready for prime time.
McCormick is also a versatile fielder that can play all three outfield positions well, can run and hit with power. Don’t underestimate the importance of a reserve outfielder being able to play every position well.
Jose Siri
In my world, Siri is third in line for center field and why would the Astros need three center fielders? For one, see the McCormick details for the need to have a backup plan if Meyers doesn’t become all that.
Siri has a lower floor and higher ceiling than either Meyers or McCormick. I could see him either flaming out or becoming an All-Star as he matures. Maturity is the key.
While I love the reckless abandon Siri plays with, I prefer it be limited to bat flips and not outfield collisions, of which there seemed to be several in Siri’s minimal MLB action. Give him time to mature and you may have a more valuable asset down the road.
At some point, it seems obvious McCormick or Siri or both will be on the block, but with the Meyers injury I don’t see that time as now.
Aledmys Diaz
I’m not sure if there’s a market for a player at Diaz’s age, 31, and skillset, but a team may be interested in his pinch-hitting ability or versatility down the stretch and make an offer. If so, it may be tempting to get something for Diaz before he hits free agency.
Diaz is an average offensive player, but his value lies in his versatility as he can play six positions, leaving room on the bench for another player.
Assuming Jeremy Pena takes the majority of time at shortstop in 2022, the Astros will need someone to spell him on occasion when he hits the proverbial wall during day after day in the Major League grind.
That’s a perfect role for Diaz and he can literally give anyone in the infield a day off as the dog days hit. Plus he will be there in case an injury sidelines someone for a longer period as has happened with Alex Bregman and Carlos Correa in the past couple of years.
Cristian Javier
Javier is better as a starter than a reliever, but the Astros can’t seem to find a spot for him in the rotation.
That makes it tempting to trade Javier and get a bullpen piece in return. I’m of the opinion that the rotation is not as stacked as some believe and the 2023 rotation could look markedly different.
Justin Verlander’s contract is not actually two years, but rather one year with a player option for 2023. To trigger the option Verlander has to hit 130 innings in 2022, but even if he does Verlander could elect to finish his career somewhere else, say back in Detroit.
Couple that with Lance McCullers Jr.’s injury history and it makes you start to wonder. In addition, Jake Odorizzi’s 2023 player option can be bought out for $3.2 million. Quality starting pitching doesn’t grow on trees and isn’t cheap to acquire if you go that route.
Yet, the Astros have an experienced starter at a minimal cost already on the roster. If we know one thing about pitchers it’s this: It’s not if injuries are going to occur, it’s when and how bad is it?
I believe Javier should be in the rotation, but if not, he should be insurance as the season progresses and when an injury to a starter inevitably happens.