There is nothing imminent for the Astros, reports Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle, but GM Jeff Luhnow says he got a “pretty good feel” for price tags and availability for possible targets.
Here’s more out of Houston:
- Luhnow left Drellich with the impression that the organization is ready to be a player on the open market. The GM says that, with two top-five protected picks, draft pick compensation is less of a deterrent. And the club would consider burning all of its open 2015 payroll space on one, premium player in the right circumstances.
- Houston is at least 50-50 on dealing away a catcher after acquiring Hank Conger, Luhnow tells Drellich. “Because we have three major league catchers, I’ve had clubs inquire about all our catchers quite frankly,” said Luhnow. “So we need to figure out some resolution prior to Opening Day. There’s no urgency.”
- An executive with another club said that the asking price is high on Jason Castro. Somewhat interestingly, the GM noted that a Castro-Conger duo presents some platoon issues. “A right-handed hitter complements Jason,” said Luhnow. “Conger’s better from the left side.”
- The Astros are not prioritizing outfield help at the moment, Drellich tweets. Players like Nori Aoki and Ichiro Suzuki do not hold appeal to Houston, according to Luhnow.
White Sox are known to be a suitor for Castro, but if the price is high, then they stay away. Especially if they add offense at other positions. Flowers defense isn’t awful.
Castro is gonna cost the WS. not sure they have a player that would fit the with the Astros.
Considering he wasn’t that good last season, could be cheaper than you think. The Sox have players that would get them Castro, it’s just if they can make a deal.
Catching is thin in MLB…1 down season is not gonna make the Stros give him away.
No but to say the Sox don’t have a player to get the deal done is just wrong, of course they could make a deal.
The Cubs, Red Sox, Rangers and Dodger all could use a catcher. Once Martin signs I can see trade talks heating up for the Astros catchers.
Trade talks with any team dangling a catcher is going to heat up after Martin signs. Astros, Braves etc. Its going to be an interesting couple of months in this department
The astros need left side of the infield help for the next 2-4 years. I think that’s who they need to go after. a bat at the hot corner would be perfect.
It would be great to trade for Todd Frazier or sign Chase Headley…
Would love to see either of those players with the Astros in 2015. That said, Frazier is most definitely not going to happen unless they trade one of their starting pitchers and get back a similarly placed 3b. Chase Headley on the other hand would just require a 3-4 year commitment at between 10-12 a year. That then begs the question of what do you do with Matt Dominguez, as at this moment you would be selling low, you could start him in the minors in 2015 as he does have options.
Aren’t Dominguez and Headley similar players though in that they are good defensively but inconsistent with the bat?
That is a bummer that the Astros aren’t in on Aoki. He’s a very nice fit for any club.
cant be that high having a down year for castro.