The Astros could lose outfielders George Springer, Michael Brantley and Josh Reddick to free agency this winter, but The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reports in his latest notes column that the club is “trying to work out a deal” with the 33-year-old Brantley. Interest in a reunion is mutual, Rosenthal adds.
Houston opted not to issue an $18.9MM qualifying offer to Brantley, who just wrapped up a two-year, $32MM contract with the ’Stros. The longtime Indians left fielder was excellent in his new setting, delivering a combined .309/.370/.497 line through 824 plate appearances as an Astro. That excellence continued into the playoffs, where Brantley tallied 138 trips to the plate and slashed .311/.391/.426 over the past two postseasons.
It’s not yet known what type of payroll capacity the Astros have this winter, although owner Jim Crane already showed a willingness to spend when he re-signed first baseman Yuli Gurriel to a one-year, $7MM contract (plus a club option) just prior to the beginning of the Wild Card round of postseason play. That deal was in spite of a generally poor year at the plate for Gurriel, which made it rather surprising, but it certainly had to be viewed as a good omen for Astros players like Brantley who hoped to broker a new arrangement with the team.
Then again, adding Gurriel back at that rate further elevated a reasonably crowded Houston payroll. Between him, Justin Verlander, Zack Greinke, Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman, Ryan Pressly, Joe Smith and Martin Maldonado, the Astros have more than $103MM on the books (after factoring for Greinke’s partial salary deferrals and the money coming over from the D-backs as part of that deal). Houston also still owes arbitration raises to Carlos Correa, Lance McCullers Jr. and Aledmys Diaz. Raises for that trio could bring the Astros north of $122MM before adding pre-arbitration players to round out the roster.
That’s not a daunting number relative to the $200MM+ at which the club opened the 2020 season (prior to prorating), but Crane surely would prefer not to replicate that level of spending in the wake of this year’s lost revenue. That may have been true even under normal circumstances, given that last year’s payroll shattered the previous franchise record of about $160MM. The only times the Astros have ever gone beyond the $125MM mark in payroll were in 2018-20. With needs in the bullpen and perhaps in the rotation, there are other areas that need to be addressed as well.
As Rosenthal points out and as we alluded to in our annual free agent rankings, Brantley’s market is further clouded, to an extent, by uncertainty regarding the universal designated hitter. Brantley will turn 34 years old next May and would benefit from a club that is able to mix in some regular DH reps. He may not be keen on jumping on a new deal until there’s a definitive yay or nay on an NL DH next year. Even if he ultimately lands with an American League team, the presence of the DH in the National League would still improve his negotiating power as he seeks the best deal possible.
Keep him …
He’s a very good player he fits on a lot of teams like the nationals, Astros, Mets, Bluejays, and possibly the white Sox. The real question is how much is Houston willing to pay
The real question is how little is he willing to accept?
Mets have no room in the OF or dh spot for him
Brantley would be great for Toronto except they have plenty of corner OFs at the moment.
I would really enjoy the idea of Brantley with the Jays if the DH spot is open for Teo and Brantley to split time at along with the corner outfield. With Tellez and Vlad at 1B and DH that makes it less likely. I like the idea of a LHH with a high contact low strikeout rate.
Crazy idea that isn’t supposed to be taken too seriously. What if the Astros traded Bergman? I would expect him to bring back a haul. To me their window will be shutting soon due to payroll escalation, this might be a way to restock with younger/cheaper talent.
I would love it if they traded Bergman. I’m not sure where they would find him though.
Its Bregman
Who Berkman? I thought he retired
Greinke, JV, and McCullers are all coming off the books next off-season. That’s $60 million at least. They should be alright payroll-wise.
Then question then becomes: How do you successfully replace or retain the top three guys in your rotation while staying competitive. Also consider the possible departure of George Springer this offseason plus the chance Correa can soon walk too.
I don’t think Bregman is the piece they move, but I wouldn’t be surprised if we hear Correa privately being shopped
I feel like Correa is more likely. They should be looking to trade him for a guy like Sonny Gray or someone in a similar contract situation. It looks like they will desperately need pitching additions if they’re going to compete. Verlander could be cooked at his age and Whitley may be a bust.
Lots of depth actually, even without acquisition of a few expected this yr. Equally telling the Astros passed on signing Robbie Ray at $8m, like they passed on Bundy, and Pineda before.
2021 Frontline: Greinke, Valdez, Urquidy, LMJ
Vie for mid-to backend rotation (in order of Dec. R5 considerations): Javier, Garcia, Bielak, Armenteros, Sneed, Rodriguez, Castellanos, Ivey, Whitley, Solis, Solomon, Bailey, Torres *Conine* (15)
Folds into long relief: Paredes, Abreu, Dubin with Taylor Scrubb Raley Pressly (Smith)
In ’22:
SP#3Hunter Brown, Ty Brown, Austin Hansen, Blair Henley, Jairo Lopez, JA Rivera
What was the logic on not issuing QO? Certainly seems like a player of his caliber is worth that price. Given his age and injury history I don’t think going more than one year at a time with him makes sense, adding to the QO value.
It would almost lock him in too as he’d be tied to pick compensation so he’d prob take it. He’s also better than gausman and stroman.
Maybe stros hope they can bring him back on a team friendly….good luck w that
The Astros wanted to keep Gurriel and Gurriel wanted to stay. His deal seemed good. The Astros want to keep Brantley and Brantley wants to stay. I believe they will figure it out.
All of the owners are lowballing everything right now
They don’t have any revenue to count on so it makes sense.
Could they just keep giving him two year 32 mil deals till he retires?
Could we just please flush this shithole team down the toilet where it belongs?
No, we find out the whole truth
Afraid that they will keep your team down?
Reddick needs to be cut loose, Kyle Tucker is ready to go. Astros better not put too many aging players on their team or Dusty will mouthball Tucker again. He was going to do it this year until the Astros had their injuries. I think bringing back Brantley is a good call despite the injuries and age.
did you factor the cost of trash cans?
Why when you agreed to pick up that cost?
I feel like he’s gonna end up signing with a very bad team for a good share of cash
I think based on the market, the Astros bet on Brantley not getting 18+ mil so didn’t give QO that he would likely accept.
They feel they can sign him for less on a 1 or 2 year deal.
Its a gamble. They are losing 3 outfielders, very little if any minor league depth and weak free agent class.
Atlanta if he can’t get a 2 year contract
Seems like a 2 year/$28M contract would be fair. It’s a slight decrease in pay, sure, but it’s the equivalent of a 4 year/$60M deal for him and the Astros, which would’ve been and would still be very fair compensation.
Two for $28M is EXACTLY what I was thinking as well.
I don’t see the last 2 years factoring in
“Well since we already paid you 32 mil for 2 years, this is like a 4 years, 60 mil contract”
No way that works or happens.
All that does is help establish his value which actually hurts the case for 2 yrs and 28 mil.
However due to the financial state of MLB, I think he would sign that deal.
Although I would not be opposed to PA escalators adding to his salary. Maybe additional million for every 100 PA above 400?
Astros offer $25MM for 2 years, his agent counters $32MN and they settle for $28MM.
That would be in contrast to 3yrs/$40MM in a non-covid situation.
This guy is can flat-out hit, and will probably age well since he has good bat-to-ball skills. He’ll want to return to the Astros. They’ll want him back after losing Springer.
Brantley is such a pro
Brantley looks good in an Astros uniform. Fan favorite.