Astros at the break: Would you rather?

Today we revisit an oldie but a goodie called Would You Rather?

Would You Rather…..

1. The Astros fall out of the race in July and be sellers or stay in it and be buyers?

2. The Astros trade Jeremy Pena at the 2026 trade deadline or during the off-season or at the 2027 trade deadline or not at all?

3. The Astros sign a humongo extension with Yordan Alvarez or trade him for the king’s ransom in prospects?

4. The Astros fire manager Joe Espada or GM Dana Brown or both or neither?

5. The Astros repeat 2025 and finish barely out of the playoffs or repeat 2024 and get knocked out in the Wild Card?

6. Jim Crane keep his nose out of the baseball personnel decisions or keep his nose in on those decisions?

7. The Astros keep Jose Altuve for the rest of his contract ($59 million thru 2029) or try to nudge him to retirement or trade him?

8. The Astros continue to make so-so moves to stay relevant or go into a full rebuild mode?

9. The Astros continue to try and get value from Lance McCullers Jr. or swallow the rest of his salary (About $7 or 8 million at this point) and release him?

10. The Astros ride out Christian Walker’s contract (About $28 million thru end of 2027) or trade him and absorb half of that money for minor prospect(s)?

What do you think? And do you have any Would You Rathers you’d like to add to the list?

←

25 responses to “Astros at the break: Would you rather?”

  1. Did anyone watch the HR derby yesterday? I did not – partially because it was on Netflix and partially because I don’t care. To be clear it would have taken too much effort for me to push a button my tv remote to load Netflix and find the event to put it on. Hopefully Manfred reads this comment.

    1. I’d rather be sellers AND stay in it. I think this team is pretty mediocre, but so is the rest of the league. They’re not moving Hunter or Yordan. I hated losing Shewmake as he was pretty solid in relief of the oft-injured Pena. My fear is that they move prospects and add a win or two to the total going into September, but then get cut down by a buzzsaw schedule.

    2. Offseason normally would be the right answer, but what if they are locked out until May? I’m fully listening to offers this month and hoping another team really knocks our socks off.

    3. Eventual trade. He is under contract for 2027 and 2028 at $27M each year. Make that trade after the 2027 season. I don’t want to get to a trade deadline and Crane decide we have to keep him because the team is only 2 games out of the wild card or something. In a rational world I’d extend him, but you have to think another team will outbid us and Yordan/his agent have to know that.

    4. I’m not a fan of either at this point. I’m leaning towards replacing Brown now and giving Espada a chance to prove to the new GM that he should be his guy. If you replace Espada first the new GM inherits a manager he may or may not want.

    5. Being non-competitive in the WC round again would be worse.

    6. I actually want the owner involved in every baseball decision, but deferring to his employees and not overruling them or going around their backs.

    7. Keep Altuve. The contract is bad now, but it’s not like Brice Matthews is going to outproduce him at 2B.

    8. Rebuilds are paintful. If you go that route you better stock the farm system with players I want to follow.

    9. I’d try to get value out of LMJ whenever he’s healthy. There are worse options they could promote from the minors. Heck, Arrighetti is often a worse option and he was pitcher of the month earlier this year for us.

    10. I don’t think we have a choice on Walker. It’s kind of a shame they changed the trade deadline rules as his contract may have gotten him through waivers and allowed for a panic trade by another team.

    Like

    Reply

  2. Oh, this is great Dan. One of my favorites.

    1. I accept that the Astros will remain in the West “race” with pretty much the same 26 man roster and a couple of tweaks. I just don’t see Crane shutting things down. But I sure don’t expect him to take on any big contracts though.
    2. Pena has to go this coming winter.
    3. I don’t think Yordan goes anywhere. I could see him signing a team friendly extension though.
    4. I think we get a new GM this winter. And a new GM should be able to choose who his manager is. By the way, anyone pleased with the Astros draft?
    5. The Astros finish out of post season play. They’ll hang around and annoy the crap out of us though.
    6. Jim Crane remains very quietly very much active in team personnel decisions. But he is letting Dana walk his own plank too. Is anyone going to mind if Dana goes home on September 28th?
    7. Altuve does not get traded. If he can’t play, Maybe he’ll just play less. But who’s our option, Nick? I don’t see him accepting his own decline as a detriment to the team though. Assuming the decline continues at pace, he should become the ambassador to the Astros in Latin America, more specifically overseeing a new Astro baseball academy in Venezuela.
    8. Maybe a new GM will be making subtle moves rather than so-so moves. And we’ve had too many stinky moves too. We have to avoid them. Except for Lambert, all that pitching depth turned out to be duds, unable to come in and help carry the club through all those injuries. That was the point, right?
    9. Lance will get at least one start unless he decides he can’t pitch. And he’s one guy that might be able to admit it.
    10. Walker is just one of several guys that should be offered this winter. I think in general, Dana has overvalued guys like Walker and Paredes and certainly Jake, to his own detriment. Come this winter I really want to see a new GM at the helm and significant roster movement. The Astros are 29th in stolen bases. That one little stat irks me.

    Like

    Reply

    • I love your number 7 idea. He has made it clear he won’t live anywhere but Houston after retirement but he could just constantly travel back and forth and keep a presence there. Maybe not oversee the actual operation, but keep a presence, talk to players, just do things. The Astros have said multiple times that he will get the Bagwell/Biggio treatment and be a permanent presence with the club and the community.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  3. Oh fun. Would I rather is different than Brown’s would he rather.

    1. I generally believe in taking shots when you can. But I also believe in having the backbone that a team is built around. I’m skeptical the backbone is there to win in the playoffs even if you get there. So I would be kinda sellers regardless if they have a 5-7 game win streak between now and then.
    2. Concerned there is no offseason, or rather a very shortened one. I would rather spend July trying to get the Yankees to give up Lombard and a pitching prospect. If they won’t, keep him through this season and see what you can do in the offseason when a few more teams might have need.
    3. Its nice to think he might always be what he is. But paying him 45M+, maybe 50M, a year for 6 years in his mid 30s, ugh. It’s hard to let him go.
    4. Brown should go. Espada is fine when the toys he has are fine.
    5. Well watching a playoff game is always better than not. But could missing another playoff make this front office blink finally?
    6. I don’t know enough that happens inside there to have an opinion. I just know the last few years of personnel decisions have been a lot more miss than hit.
    7. You can’t trade Altuve. I think he purposely structured that contract to be front heavy in case he personally decides he is going to hang it up and not play the last 2 years. It wouldn’t surprise me if he retired at 36.
    8. I hope they never rebuild, but they do need to be more aggressive in staying out of bad contracts and a willingness to move players a year or even two before free agency if the return is there.
    9. I would rather release McCullers. But I suspect he will get at least 1 or 2 starts before that happens.
    10. Trade Walker as soon as you get an offer worth it. Don’t need anything back if its a salary dump, yes, get a minor leaguer or two if you are paying some salary down.

    Like

    Reply

  4. Devin, Daveb, and Steven – I really appreciate your answers – a combination of thoughtful and at times emotional points.

    Writing these posts can be a very interesting endeavor. Sometimes I get stuck – sometimes it comes flying off my fingers. This one took me under 30 minutes but looking at it – I think it really gets to the heart of a lot of the issues the team, front office and owner are facing today.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  5. Ezekiel Zion, an 18 year old high school grad was drafted by the Padres in the 20th round on Sunday. His grandfather is one of my closest friends. We worked for years together in the hotel industry. And we played a whole lot of slow pitch together into our late thirties. I also remember playing second base next to Derek Zion, Ezekiel’s father who was a heck of a shortstop at the age of 16. But my good friend Wafik is the proudest grandpa I know this week.

    What a wonderful story of three generations. I’ve never met Ezekiel. He’s obviously a long shot. He was ranked 28th of Arizona high school outfielders. He’s a bit under sized. But I’m pretty sure he’ll never throw to the wrong bag or get picked off on a regular basis. I know he’s disciplined at the plate. And I know he’ll always run everything out. I’m really looking forward to seeing how this long shot plays out. Because knowing his family, I know he understands the game as well as any kid his age. The Padres must have seen something in him.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  8. Probably some dynamics we’ll never hear about. Lance might have wanted out, especially if the Astros would not guarantee him a spot back in the rotation. Gordon seems to be where the Brewers might find some value. But I don’t yet understand why the Brewers would have to hand over 8 million for these guys though. Lance is only owed 6.7 million on his five year deal.

    Like

    Reply

  9. Can’t imagine much coming back to Houston. This is a salary dump, and Gordon is likely included, so the Brewers would take Lance.

    I wouldn’t expect much, maybe a marginal prospect at best. And Milwaukee has to clear two 40-man spots.

    My hunch: This is more of a positioning move by the Astros, especially given that Wesneski and Blanco may be returning soon. Plus, other trades may be coming, which is why I say “positioning move”.

    AND…the deal has not been publicly announced by either team. Physicals, you know.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

      • Dave, that’s one reason I don’t think much is coming back to Houston. It’s just a move to clean up the roster. Milwaukee knows exactly what they’re getting, they’re just hoping they can get a stretch run out of him with their pitching magic.

        With Houston paying the salary down and not getting much in return, it’s probably worth the risk for the Brewers.

        Is it even possible this could be a ‘cash considerations’ deal where Milwaukee picks up most of the remaining salary?

        Like

  11. I suppose that LMJ was told that were no plans to pitch him for the rest of the season so he had no problem being traded to another team. Can’t blame him if that was the case.

    1. If the Astros fall out of the race then it’s sell to position themselves for future seasons. If they are within striking distance, then find somebody they can best utilize w/o sacrificing the future.
    2. If he can’t be signed for a reasonable amount trade him when his value is highest which will probably be at the trade deadline.
    3. Keep Yordan regardless but I don’t think he’ll go for mega bucks IMO,
    4. Bye Bye Brown. Hang onto Espada for at least a year.
    5. The playoffs are the goal so much better to have made it and lost than to never have made it at all.
    6. He’s the owner, he’ll always have his input on the big decisions.
    7. Trade? No way Jose! The balls in his court as to if/when he retires.
    8. Move towards a rebuild whenever possible but strike when the iron is hot should that occur.
    9. Answered
    10. Trade him if there are suitors for his services and the return is decent.
    11. Bonus question: Hot Dogs or Nachos at the game?

    Like

    Reply
    1. Fall out of the race and become sellers. Start building for the next prolonged run guys!
    2. Trade Pena now so we the Astros can gain some top tier prospects for the future.
    3. Keep Alvarez as he will be the next face of the Astros.
    4. Why are Espada and Brown still here??
    5. Repeat 2025.
    6. Crane should always be in tune with the player decisions. After all, it is his money.
    7. Keep Altuve. He is 545 hits away from the magic 3000 hit club. It will be extremely difficult for him to reach that pinnacle now. It becomes impossible if the players strike next season. So sad.
    8. No full rebuild, I cannot go through any more 100 loss seasons.
    9. The baseball God answered this one earlier today.
    10. Trade Mr. Walker.
    11. Should Crane bring back Reid Ryan to run the business side of the club?
    12. Bonus #2. Should the Astros contract a different medical staff for next season considering they have missed injuries on two pitchers recently?

    Like

    Reply

    • Sarge, you snuck in two bonus questions. Dan, is that a policy violation?

      11. I think the boss has been grooming son James, or maybe Jared on the business side of operations.

      12. Ongoing questions there Sarge. Could Burrows have been trying to hide his?

      Like

      Reply

  13. Z, I like the bonus question. I’ve never had nachos at a ballgame in my life. And I don’t think I’ve had a hot dog at the park in 30 years, unless in an emergency. The exceptions would have been a grilled sausage with onions and peppers in places like Chicago, Detroit and Fenway. I’m admittedly a hot dog snob. I like a skin on Sabrett dog or a Skin on all beef Boars Head dog. Hard to find sometimes. Impossible to find on a small island in the Caribbean. And if I’m ever back on Coney Island, I’ll certainly grab a Nathan’s dog for the nostalgia. My toppings are Guldens mustard, sweet pickle relish and steaming sauerkraut. And if the hot man on the corner in New York has some of the spicy tomato onion sauce, I’ll add that too. And briefly in my teen years, I would be known to have a quick half dozen chili onion and chess dogs from James Coney Island. You’re probably sorry you offered a bonus question.

    Like

    Reply

    • Not sorry at all. Now I think I’ll head to the store to grab some dogs for the grill. Being originally from Texas my mother used to make hot dogs with mustard, Chili, chopped onions and grated cheese. Yum. Here in NC the preferred method is chili, slaw, and onions. I sometimes just want a dog with mustard and relish. Lots of tasty ways to garnish that dog and lots of meat choices too. YUM!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  14. Dan, per Rome’s Athletic column this afternoon, Crane was the guy that called Lance about waiving the 10/5 clause. That was a minor transaction. I think it answers your number 6 question.

    Like

    Reply

    • Dave, perhaps Crane offered McCullers a possible position with the Astros when he retires if he agreed to the trade.

      Like

      Reply

    • This is a good opportunity for Lance. He goes to a division leader seriously needing starting pitching due to injuries. He could play himself onto their postseason roster. If his body holds up he’ll have the chance to approach every team, including HOU, about going to their spring training or signing a guaranteed deal this winter.

      Like

      Reply

  15. Good morning!

    Let the creaky train continue down the track. I’m ready to find out what happens over the last 64 regular season games.

    The best thing about yesterday’s transaction is that we’ve got a couple of openings on the 40 man to add that elusive left handed bat for the outfield and that big strong arm to own a spot in the rotation. Well, maybe sort of. I don’t think what’s coming will be all that sexy. But there always is a certain level of anticipation as we approach the deadline.

    Like

    Reply

  16. Rome suggested yesterday on his “emergency pod” that the move was made (and included Gordon) to free up 2 40 man slots for Blanco and Sousa this weekend. They still have to figure out how to free up one for Wesneski who is reportedly one rehab start away.

    Rome also said that he had been shopping the entire back half of the rotation for a few months, which tells me if they can move Javier, they will, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see Burrows and his low salary/years of control used as a bargaining chip in a bigger deal. If July goes bad for the team but things continue to go well for Lambert, I would expect him to be dealt at the deadline.

    I honestly love this deal. The Astros are still on the hook for somewhere north of 4M, maybe up to 4.5M of McCullers, but as Rome pointed out he was at the end of rehab, so they either had to DFA him or put him in the rotation, and neither one of those seemed options. Part of me looks at this deal though and thinks the Brewers really don’t care about McCullers, they were after 5 years of control and 2 options on a AAAA pitcher that they can use in a pinch for a team devoid of left handed pitching at most levels.

    We got a guy whose grandfather and father were both tremendous sluggers, but people forget they were hitters too. They both worked walks, they both were ahead of their respective generations in their ability to make a pitcher work. Jadyn shows a bit of that, though he clearly lacks grandpa and dads power. At 21 and 210 pounds, I’m a little surprised. He has played some 2B, and some OF, but I would guess, if he has a future in baseball, he is going to grow into a 1Bs/DHs body. It’s a better lottery ticket than I would have expected for doing something to just get 2.5M of salary relief off the roster.

    Like

    Reply

    • I agree with what you wrote. The narrative coming from the draft was teams going after hitters who project to be able to make contact. There were a number of people claiming Gordon has a big, left-handed arm and will explode with the Brewers pitching system, but his fastball velocities are all 2+mph below the league averages for lefties. He’s going to a ballpark where the ball carries exceptionally well. I don’t like losing him, but I really like having a new prospect to follow if for no other reason than he’ll at least get on base. The Astros can’t turn their system around with everyone hitting .230 with a .300OBP.

      Like

      Reply

Leave a comment