8:04pm: If the Astros tender a contract to Carter this week, they’ll only do so if they believe they can move him to another team, reports Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle. Carter’s time with the Astros “is probably done” one way or the other, per Drellich.
1:16pm: The Astros are shopping slugger Chris Carter as the non-tender deadline approaches, ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick reports (links to Twitter). Meanwhile, the club is willing at least to “listen” to offers on center fielder Jake Marisnick, who could be used as part of a package for pitching.
We heard earlier today that the Mariners were looking to move Mark Trumbo, and it seems that many of the same clubs could have interest in both players. Both offer thirty home run pop from the right side of the plate — along with lots of swings and misses and iffy on-base abilities.
Houston is focusing its trade efforts on fellow American League teams, per the report. That’s not terribly surprising, given that Carter is known as a terrible outfielder and may not have shown enough consistent production to warrant a regular first base job on a contending club. The lumbering slugger also hasn’t rated well with the glove at first.
If anything, Marisnick offers the opposite profile of Carter. The 24-year-old, who will likely qualify for arbitration next year as a Super Two, hit just .236/.281/.383 in 372 plate appearances last year. But he made up for that by contributing 24 stolen bases and quality defense up the middle, making him about a 2-win player even in part-time duty. Crasnick suggests that the Indians, Mariners, and Giants could potentially fit in a deal.
It’ll be interesting to see how things play out for Houston. The willingness to consider deals for Carter and possibly Marisnick could be related to the team’s somewhat unexpected retention of Colby Rasmus, who occupied an outfield job and $15.8MM of salary by accepting a qualifying offer.
I wonder if they could get anything in return. Even a low level reliever wouldn’t be too bad.
Probably off to Baltimore for a couple of relievers, that will give them a little more power over their current DH Clevenger….
Lol.
Look at the article directly below this one. You should find it interesting.
If you notice, he posted that 7 hours ago, wayyy before the news that Trumbo would be going to the O’s.
2 blimpie party subs and a case of coca cola. That’d be my asking price for him.
Generic coca cola?
Classic, not that “New” Coke business.
If I had a choice, I’d take Carter. He’s projected to do better
Wonder what kind of look Marisnick would have with the Rangers, I like Delino but you never know how solid he’ll be again plus don’t know if Hamilton will stay healthy and as lefty heavy as they are. Could see him or somebody like Steve Pearce ending up with the Rangers
Giants should trade for Marisnick. Pagan was just awful in CF. Add like 3 wins at a low cost, save the FA money for pitching.
Giants would be a good choice, and teams like Reds, and Cubs would make sense, too. He’s going to be a good, solid player. Reminds me of a poor man’s Aaron Rowand before the injuries.
Cincinnati might play Marisnick in left. He, Billy Hamilton and Jay Bruce would make for a tremendous defensive outfield.
Jay Bruce should be traded.
Watched Jake when he played in New Orleans, one of the few “pitcher’s park” in the PCL, and love his game. I think he has the ability to steal 30-40 bases a year and hit 10-15 homers in select ballparks. Given that he plays stellar defense, he’d be a good pickup. I think it’d be a mistake for the Astros to let him go. They played some of their best ball last year with him leading off and Altuve hitting behind him and vice-versa.
Well trumbo has the higher ceiling but injury risk as well and a worse eye. Carter breaking out seems doubtful, the closest comparison would be Chris Davis as far as potential for a big power low average guy to break out but Carter was never projected as highly if I recall correctly.
Clubs waiting till the last minute to trade players they don’t want to tender contracts seems pretty dumb. Why would anyone trade now when they may be able to sign the player as a free agent for much less in another day and not have to give up anything? What would be the reason to trade for them now?
So you don’t have to bid against another team for them.
At least as currently constructed, Marisnick would look good on the Cubs if the price is right. We have some really, really questionable outfield defense right now with Schwarber in left and Soler in right and no obvious answer currently in center, so we could really use somebody there who can go get the ball.
I get that but nobody will pay the player the projected arbitration amount if they become free agents plus you don’t have to give up any prospects! If the player chooses a different team then he did you a favor cause he obviously didn’t want to play for your organization…
If they tender the player a contract you can still trade with them then…
Don’t forget that Carter is just a year removed from hitting 40 bombs. I don’t think it would take much for him to replicate that production. Also, 24 bags? Really? That’s unbelievably good for that type of player!
That’s Marisnick that stole 24 bases. Carter had 1 steal in 3 attempts
Use Marisnick to get Shelby Miller! Add carter and a minor leaguer. Everyone happy! Hahaha
who else thinks the orioles should go ahead and pick up all four of trumbo, pedro alvarez, carter and brandon moss to play 1B, DH, RF and LF
just embrace it
The breeze at camden would be tremendous.
Then sign sipp and Oday. Shutdown bullpen and at least 3 homers a night
I’d like to see someone commit to Marisnick and see what he does over a full course of the year. Yeah he has some platoon issues, but he’s never had a full season because of roster shuffling and injuries.
Marisnick for Matusz and change?
I’ll be shocked if Valbuena, Carter, Singleton, Marisnick and Rasmus are with the Astros after 16. Their farm system is ridiculously deep, and a lot of those guys should be up for good no later than ’17 (if they don’t break camp in ’16). I’m glad I stuck out the rebuild and get to watch good baseball in Houston again, but I sure do miss those $5 tickets.