Valbuena is an interesting throw in. He is a decent utility guy. Marwin and Valbuena seem to have the ability to play the same positions, but Valbuena may have some more pop.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Astros?src=hash">#Astros</a> officially acquire IF Luis Valbuena and RHP Dan Straily from the Cubs in exchange for OF Dexter Fowler.</p>— Houston Astros (@astros) <a href="https://twitter.com/astros/status/557209620922384384">January 19, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Valbuena earning $4.2M next season. Will likely be <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Astros?src=hash">#Astros</a>’ third baseman. Dominguez still part of equation.</p>— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/557210728088604672">January 19, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Luhnow says Straily will complete for a spot in the rotation, not guaranteed one.</p>— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/status/557211033899515904">January 19, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>“If a player isn’t helping us win ballgames … we have other options. Valbuna will get a long hard look at third base.” - Luhnow</p>— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/status/557211363622137856">January 19, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Chris Carter? As far as pitchers go, Gio is the only guy I can think of offhand that they traded with a few left before free agency, but he was proven at that point, so I assume they got a decent haul for him, though I'm not sure.
Cubs are making way for Kris Bryant. I think we got 2 C+ players for 1 B player. Not a bad deal and only adds to our depth and flexibility. Team is shaping up.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Luhnow says Straily will complete for a spot in the rotation, not guaranteed one.</p>— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/status/557211033899515904">January 19, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>“If a player isn’t helping us win ballgames … we have other options. Valbuna will get a long hard look at third base.” - Luhnow</p>— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/status/557211363622137856">January 19, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Got to think that Matt D is either traded or sent to AAA to start the season. Valbuena may be the center piece of this trade. The list of pitchers vying for the last spot in the starting rotation: Jake Buchanan, Luis Cruz, Samuel Deduno, Alex White, Asher Wojciechowski and now Dan Straily.
I guess he's a candidate... although they traded him right before he was going to make decent money via arbtiration, so I still think it was more for $$$ reasons. Mainly talking about the guys the A's give up to get established MLB players... the non-salary dump trades.
Spoiler <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Luhnow says it's a deal that improves team in 2015 and exciting players beyond 2015.</p>— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) <a href="https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/status/557213082288947200">January 19, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Dexter Fowler says that a long term deal was never broached with the Astros.</p>— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/status/557213162928234496">January 19, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Luhnow said getting LH-hitting IF with pop is exciting.</p>— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) <a href="https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/status/557213193790291968">January 19, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Luhnow says Valbuena could compete for starting spot at third. Staily will compete for rotation, could win up in bullpen.</p>— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) <a href="https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/status/557213510246334464">January 19, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Luhnow said Marisnick is natural CF and could be opening day CF. Will be sorted out.</p>— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) <a href="https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/status/557213746775732224">January 19, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>AJ Hinch: “Valbuena, the steadiness that he brings at third base is certainly an attribute we’re going to look at."</p>— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/status/557214311509028866">January 19, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>AJ Hinch: “Valbuena played every day at third base last year in Chicago … we’ve got to sort it out.” Luhnow said platoon possible</p>— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/status/557214230399565824">January 19, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Hinch on center field: “We have three bona fide center fielders with Springer, Marisnick and Presley..Nothing that we need to commit to now"</p>— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/status/557214576601608192">January 19, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Dan Straily: "I came up playing against all the young guys in Houston...right there on verge of being contenders."</p>— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) <a href="https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/status/557214733078917120">January 19, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Jeff Luhnow on trade of Dexter Fowler to Cubs for RHP Dan Straily and IF Luis Valbuena: "Dexter was a big part of our club last year (more)</p>— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkBermanFox26/status/557214652367515648">January 19, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>More Jeff Luhnow: "and would have been this year had we kept him. This an opportunity to address 2 needs on our club & we had to take (more)</p>— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkBermanFox26/status/557214688916692992">January 19, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Jeff Luhnow:"advantage of the opportunity.Dexter will be missed but we will fill like we have some outfield options that will close the gap"</p>— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkBermanFox26/status/557214756038135809">January 19, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>RHP Dan Straily on trade to Astros: "I'm looking to fight my way into the rotation. That's the goal."</p>— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkBermanFox26/status/557217113165684736">January 19, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Astros added several former A's this offseason: Gregerson, Neshek, Lowrie and Straily. Already had former A's Peacock, Carter, Stassi.</p>— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) <a href="https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/status/557218489791168512">January 19, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Considering Valbuena had his best year ever and saw his BAbip hover 50 points over his career average, I am not willing to say that Valbuena (who had 200 more ABs) is a guaranteed improvement in the power department.
I'm actually more excited about Straily than Valbuena. Obviously a Fowler trade was coming so I'm not surprised. Worried about a few things though: Springer (close with Fowler... hope it doesn't piss him off too much) Losing that OBP Collective team BA going down
Basically, Valbuena and Fowler appear to be near estimated value and is basically Astros and Cubs trading for need. Straily should give the Astros some added value in either pen or as fifth starter, especially if the drop in velocity was just a temporary blip and not the start of velocity decline with age.
Valbuena is coming off a really good season offensively. His LD% was up from his typically low number, and he walks a lot so his BA doesn't have to be great to get on base. Defensively he has proven to be a solid 3rd baseman over his career. If he can hit .250 like he did last year he could be a great add, big if though. Not as if we have high standards at 3rd. As I expected there was no way the Astros were letting Fowler stay in CF, the defensive gulf between him and Marisnick was far too wide.
Valbuena hits lefty and is very good against Righties. I am guessing it will be a platoon with him and Matt D. He may even play some 2B? He hasn't played SS in a while so probably not reasonable for him to play SS. should play 3B/2B/DH. Luhnow is getting depth and guys that can play multiple positions if needed. If Luhnow thinks Matt D is not the answer maybe he looks to trade him for anything of value? Can he go down to AAA and work on his game? If you guys think he has potential then maybe some GM will take a flyer too. Not sure how Dominguez fits in as a rarely used 3B against lefties only. Wasted roster spot IMO unless he improves drastically. He was abysmal last year even against lefties (although Valbuena is worse against lefties).
Sidenote: Obie is coming off of a year where his FIP 3.56 was third best on the team and seems to be putting it together. I am hoping that Straily is to put the heat on Peacock (to be noted, I am not a Peacock fan) and help bolster this rotation.
Altuve Lowrie Springer Carter Gattis Castro Valbuena Singleton Marisnick Need to mix up the LH/RH a little bit but overall very solid. Will be better than league average.
Offense certainly worse now than a week ago. Fowler me of very few who got on base. Gonna need a record number of solo HR
Straily could be this year's McHugh. He finished 4th in ROY AL voting in 2013. We shall see. I wasn't expecting much in return for 1 year of Fowler. He'll be a good veteran presence in the young talented Cubs locker room.
I do not see Matty D making the team as a reserve corner IFer. He needs to be a everyday starter so he can work on his game.
