The Astros aren't likely to sign Shin-Soo Choo, Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle argues. They don't want to sacrifice the draft pick they'd have to give up in order to sign him (even though their top overall pick is protected). They might do so if Choo's price were low enough, but at this point, there's no reason to think Choo won't be very highly paid, which means that the Astros, interested though they are in adding big-league talent to a team that lost 111 games last year, probably won't be serious players. Drellich also notes that the Astros probably only have about $10MM left to spend for 2014, and want to add a first baseman and reliever with that money. Also, even acquiring a player of Choo's caliber wouldn't make the 2014 Astros a contending team. Signing Masahiro Tanaka would make more sense, Drellich argues, since Tanaka is only 25 and wouldn't cost a draft pick.
- The Astros were interested in James Loney, who would have filled a need (first base) and is from the Houston area, MLB.com's Brian McTaggart reports (via Twitter). Ultimately, though, Loney wanted too much money from the Astros, McTaggart says. He re-signed with the Rays for three years and $21MM.
- The Astros have not discussed the possibility of trading for Mike Carp with the Red Sox, Drellich tweets. Drellich also indicates that the Red Sox would seek a big return for Carp.
So the team with the lowest payroll in the game is rumored to be after the biggest FA? Crazy
Yeah the pundits have been playing the same angle as the Nats when they signed Werth plus the fact that their GM Luhnow is an OBP fanatic. He would make sense there from a pure baseball POV, but $$$ wise its too early for them to pull the trigger on a deal of this magnitude
Still think Choo will sign with the Rangers.
Choo wanted too much money and the big spenders are gone.
Choo still seems likely to sign with the Rangers. If his price goes down I could see the Red Sox or even the Orioles going after him, but for now the best fit is with Texas.
Choo could be the core for astros… plz bet for Choo
Compare Choo’s numbers to Carlos Lee before he signed his contract with Houston to Choo. It doesn’t do him any favors
I would disagree with the representation that the BoSox would demand a “huge” return for Carp. Perhaps a prospect on the order of Vince Velasquez might get the deal done.
That would even be an overpay. Carp is merely a roleplayer.
But you need him, so yeah, you have pay a bit more than normal fsir vslue. Its not as bad as when the Stros held up the Phills for Ft. Knox in return for Pence. its a doable price.
Teams don’t have to pay more. Guys like these are a dime a dozen in free agency right now. Role players, the Mark Derosas, Jason Giambia (40ish year old version), etc.
You and Luhnow don’t shop in the same marketplaces, much less the same stores. You want to dig up bargain-basement retirees. Good luck with that.
You are really underrating Carp
2013 Carp: .296/.362/.523
2013 Giambi: .183/.282/.371
2013 Derosa: .235/.326/.407
Talk about messing up a deal for the one guy to fix the biggest black hole in the lineup(1B) with James Loney.
10 million per for 3 years is a steal when your looking at Bret Wallace and Chris Carter at 1B and DH
I doubt Luhnow would give up much for a player that he could have claimed last year.
Well yeah well he can’t she pass his own draft history with Bret Wallace, and Chris Carter as a DH is a black hole that will occasional throw something back. Give me Loney’s OBP% and batting average over Carter any day of the week.
And as I said previously Somewhere else is that Loney acts as insurance just incase Singleton doesn’t pan out.
LOL I think of all 30 teams the Astros are the least likely to sign Tanaka.