That’s like asking if you want $250M or $60M. Assuming Houston has the $250M to spend, the better question or real choice might be: would you rather have Gerrit Cole, or Jake Odorizzi, Zack Wheeler, Will Harris, Joe Smith, Martin Maldonado, and Robinson Chirinos?
These are the options for FA starters next year. Gerrit Cole (29 years old, 7.4 WAR) Stephen Strasburg (31, 5.7) -- can opt out of 4 years, $100 million remaining on contract Hyun-Jin Ryu (33, 4.8) Zack Wheeler (30, 4.7) Jake Odorizzi (30, 4.3) Jose Quintana (31, 3.3) -- $11.5 million club option for 2020 ($1 million buyout) Madison Bumgarner (30, 3.2) Homer Bailey (34, 2.9) Michael Pineda (30, 2.7) Yu Darvish (33, 2.6) -- can opt out of 4 years, $81 million remaining on contract Kyle Gibson (32, 2.5) Cole Hamels (36, 2.5) Adam Wainwright (38, 2.2) Tanner Roark (33, 2.0) Wade Miley (33, 2.0) Brett Anderson (32, 2.0) Ivan Nova (33, 2.0) Martin Perez (29, 1.9) -- $7.5 million club option for 2020 ($500,000 buyout) Andrew Cashner (33, 1.8) -- $10 million club option for 2020 Jason Vargas (37, 1.8) -- $8 million club option for 2020 ($2 million buyout) Rick Porcello (31, 1.8) Julio Teheran (29, 1.6) -- $12 million club option for 2020 ($1 million buyout) Gio Gonzalez (34, 1.4) Jake Arrieta (34, 1.1) -- can opt out of 1 year, $20 million remaining on contract unless Phillies exercise 2-year, $40 million option Rich Hill (40, 0.9) Dallas Keuchel (32, 0.8) Chris Archer (31, 0.7) -- $9 million club option for 2020 ($1.75 million buyout) Corey Kluber (34, 0.6) -- $17.5 million club option for 2020 ($1 million buyout) Matt Moore (31, 0.5) Clay Buchholz (35, 0.1) Tyson Ross (33, 0.0) Felix Hernandez (34, -0.1) Jhoulys Chacin (32, -0.1) Jeremy Hellickson (33, -0.1) Odrisamer Despaigne (33, -0.1) Michael Wacha (28, -0.2) Alex Wood (29, -0.2) Edinson Volquez (36, -0.2) Marco Estrada (36, -0.2) Shelby Miller (29, -0.2) Clayton Richard (36, -0.2) Drew Smyly (29, -0.3) Wade LeBlanc (35, -0.3) -- $5 million club option for 2020 ($450,000 buyout) Matt Harvey (31, -0.3) Héctor Noesi (33, -0.3) Ervin Santana (37, -0.4) Trevor Cahill (32, -0.8) Derek Holland (33, -1.0) Edwin Jackson (36, -1.1)
Cole, with the biggest reason being age. Maldonado is the spring chicken of that group and is 33 years old. I don't really care about bringing Maldonado back. Chrinos could go either way for me.
If Cole has already told his teammates he wants to go live and work in LaLa Land who cares? He can pull off a Kawhi Leonard..........He should've kept his plans to himself since it's a morale killer to just tell his teammates I'm gone guys so enjoy.
Pretty sure Chirinos, One or both of Smith & Harris return. Maldy is a package deal with Cole. If no Cole I think Astros nab Wheeler or Odorizzi since they’ve been linked to them in the past. Maybe another bat.
If that’s what the guy want, he has the right to. That’s what free agency is for. He (and all major leaguers) earned it and now get to make their own decision where he/his family want to settle for the rest of his career. He has done all he can to help us win this WS. That’s all we can ask for from a player. Plus, Reddick could have just kept that comment to himself but he didn’t. Let’s close this out tonite and worry about next year after the parade.
If they can sigh Cole, I believe that they will. However I could see the Angels or possibly Dodgers get the bidding to a number where it isn't even possible. If ownership says that even without Cole he is increasing the payroll, I could see the Astros targeting Wheeler. He has the best "stuff" of anyone available and likely the best upside. He is capable of being a #1 type pitcher with refinement. If Kluber became available I am sure the Astros would have some interest. If we punt on really adding a top 3 pitcher this summer, I could see a Gio Gonzalez or Rick Porcello type reclamation project with them keeping a strong eye on Homer Bailey.
Youve said previous that the FO has a contract on the table right now for Cole, do you know the range?
No I don't know. They offered Cole a contract around the same time Verlander signed an extension. They also have had a contract offer on the table for Carlos Correa. It is going to take in excess of $200,000,000 to sign him most likely because of his age, production, style of pitching and the level of bidding with the Angels, Dodgers and Yankees all having some degree of interest. Cole had a strong interest in resigning with the Astros before this season began and made it clear it was his top choice. I do not know if that is the case anymore. He has a wife that has a lot of sway on what he does and he has an agent that wants to maximize income that is likely pushing other organizations. I'm sure the relationship between Hinch and Cole matters, but how much? How strongly does Crane really feel about bringing back Cole? A lot of things are going to go into it. I know that the Astros will make moves either way and be prepared to compete.
Cole, JV and McCullers are all close. JV and Cole spend hours everyday together going over film and analytics. Cole's wife has also become besties with Kate Upton. His wife and him also absolutely love Houston. He's built relationships here he's never been able to do elsewhere and has stated he was blessed to be traded here, plus he seriously loves playing for Hinch. I still think he'll go back home but the Astros do have some major positives in his life. Money isn't everything...until it is. We'll see.
Until the know for sure what they have in McCullers, Whitley, and Urquidy, it probably makes sense for them to add 2 SP this offseason. Hopefully the money works so they can add 2 proven guys with the upside to be able to start a Game 2 or 3 in a playoff series. Wheeler seems to make a lot of sense. But I will trust this front office when they sign a guy from that deep 3rd tier (Gibson, Porcello, etc.).
There is a very high likelihood that Urquidy is handed a rotation spot. I do agree with you that they likely target someone like Wheeler and then a cheaper secondary starter to eat innings. We also are going to need something in the pen.
I think a lot of it is going to depend on how much influence the agent is going to have on Cole. What is forgotten often is these players often are in their late 20's to early 30's and defer to their agents more than someone older would.
Nook, do you know what the FO plans are for James and Abreu? Starter or back end of bullpen? I have to assume that if JJ shoulder is fully recovered, he could be a stud closer with 100+ MPH. Or maybe he’s our next Cole.
