The Astros and Padres have had “at least a preliminary conversation” regarding starters Tyson Ross and Andrew Cashner, Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle reports. Houston is continuing to evaluate an array of options, though — including talks with the Phillies on Cole Hamels that appear to have some traction — so nothing appears close.
Houston GM Jeff Luhnow said earlier today that the club is prepared to deal from among its best prospects “if that’s what is required and that was our best option to improve this team.” Of course, the club’s best-regarded young players are now a part of the 25-man roster.
Adding a young, controllable arm such as Ross or Cashner would obviously require the Astros to give up some serious value in return. The former is probably the more valuable piece at this point, given his added year of control and superior overall performance over the last two years. But both are highly desirable assets, and Houston would undoubtedly face competition if they are marketed.
The issue with Hamels, of course, is his no-trade clause, which reports have suggested he’d be disinclined to waive for the Astros. But discussions between the teams have not reached the point where that question has been addressed between Houston and Hamels, per the report, so it’s not certain whether he could be an achievable target.
Luhnow continues to emphasize that starting pitching is his highest priority, though he’s also cited an increasing need for a bat. As MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart reported earlier today, Luhnow says that his club has “opened up a lot more conversations regarding position players” and was also talking with teams about pen arms.
Ross would cost similar to Cole Hamels-type return. Cashner would probably be similar to Cueto.
I would imagine that very few prospects would have to be off-limits for a deal involving both to go down.
at least until the team negotiating for Cashner realizes he’s already thrown 100 innings this year so his arm’s liable to fall of (again) any second now.
Based on age, salary commitments, performance, I’d pick Ross over Hamels.
I’m not comparing the two, but rather the returns they would bring in a trade.
Ross pitches in petco and throws his slider a ton which worries teams. Cashner already has the injury concerns. So not really good comps.
Hamels is better than Ross and has more years of team control. The return for him would be way better.
If some money is eaten, Hamels is the far an away better choice. Hes thrown 200 innings for 6 consecutive seasons and has pitched in the biggest games. He was the world series MVP. Hes not going to fade late in the season.
They don’t have to eat any money to trade Hamels. He would make a LOT more on the open market if he were a free agent this offseason!
Sure he would. And in two years the team that signed him would be offering to eat half his contract in order to trade him.
The fact that there’s always a GM willing to sign a guy to an incredibly dumb contract doesn’t mean that existing normally dumb contracts aren’t still dumb.
The Cardinals already knew this.
Yikes, too many people are sensitive to the highly illegal business that the Cardinals were involved in!
Or they’ve heard the joke 1,000 times
Where is my rim shot button when I need it?
They both have a contract beyond this year.
Well, both have control beyond this year, not a contract. But regardless, all I said was that Ross has one more year of control than does Cashner. Am I missing something?
My guess is it’ll take a combination of the two of either: Phillips, Moran or kemp considering the control you have beyond this year plus those positions are of need for the Padres and rather close to getting to the majors
Kemp really doesnt have a ton of value. Look if its Tyson Ross its going to cost Appel, Phillips and AJ Reed. Which honestly, with the way our system is, I would do it. I would do it for Hamels as well.
I meant tony kemp from the astros
The Padres/Phillies may ask for Appel, Phillips, and Reed but they aren’t going to get all three. For the Astros, trading both Phillips and Reed would be a big mistake.
As a Padres fan, I wouldn’t mind Ross leaving for that kind of return! That’s a good way for Preller to reboot the farm system.
So what could the Padres realistically get for Ross from the Astros?
I’ve always thought an Upton/Ross deal revolving around Hader, Moran, Fisher, Wojciechowski would be a fair deal for both sides.
But what could the Padres get for just Ross or Cashner? I’m assuming a near or at MLB ready pitching piece will be involved. May not be Hader, maybe Wojciechowski, but definitely some pitcher will be involved I presume.
Considering that Ross has 3 years of control left and the Padres ace itts gonna take a pretty hefty package
Isn’t it 2 1/.2 years? Rest of this year, 2016, 2017, and he’s a FA before the 2018 seasons? Or is it he’s a FA after the 2018 season?
FA after 2017
All those years get more expensive. Ross is not an ace, hes just the top piece in San Diego. Aces have thrown multiple years of 200 innings or more for multiple years, and dont walk 4 batters per 9.
You get Ross during his prime years while being very affordable over some like hamels who’s coming into his age 32-34 season with 72 million still owed to him.
Hamels would make a lot more if he were a free agent right now you idiot
Hey dummy are the Astros willing to take on 72 million? They aren’t exactly the Dodgers or Red Sox. So someone like Ross or cashier who has a more tram friendly contract is more valuable. Think before you talk.
From the Padres standpoint, I see no logic in trading players under control that are at or near the top of our rotation. Ross is the best pitcher on the team. Cashner when he is on is unhittable. Combined, their salary in 2016 wont be as high as Shields.
I’m sure that the Astros have contacted Preller to ask about their availability, but neither are on the market. Oh, he may have said what will you give me for them, but its doubtful either is traded.
Now Shields and Kennedy are another story. I think Kennedy will go to the Blue Jays along with another player and Shields and maybe Venable will end up with the Cubs.
The Pads are in a weird situation, because I think ownership put Preller in a bad situation. The system is baron and the Astros are so prospect dense they can almost stock a teams farm.
I think Preller put Preller in a bad situation. He traded…basically the entire farm system, plus Grandal, Maybin (both looking very good, especially Grandal), and Seth Smith, all to get a worse catcher and a much worse CF (with a god-awful contract) than the ones he had, Justin Upton for a year, the disaster that is Matt Kemp and his contract, Craig Kimbrel (when the Padres have routinely been pulling high level relief pitching out of their asses for years) in what’s looking to be the worst season of his career, even if that’s still very good, and Wil Myers, a frequently injured corner outfield and occasional first baseman who has been stuck trying and failing to play center field competently. Oh, and Will Middlebrooks, a AAAA third baseman. Now he’s stuck having no farm system, two completely unmovable contracts in BJ Upton and Matt Kemp, Shields, who looks to be in decline and is apparently available, Kimbrel, who might also be available, and Upton, who is highly unlikely to net a return more valuable than what the Padres gave up for him. All these moves, for the most part defensible in a vacuum, made no sense when you put it all together when he made them, and they make even less sense now. If he had done literally nothing, they’d be better or roughly as good at almost every position. It was an utter disaster of an offseason.
Cashner only has one more year of control and is a total headcase. At this point, I’d rather just cash out on him. I know we traded Rizzo for him, but Preller didn’t do that and it is irrelevant to trading Cashner now, 4 years in the future.
I want to hear actual evidence that Hamels said he wouldnt want to come to Houston. I think it is more along the lines, he would want his option picked up. In turn, if the Phillies pay that 25 million and the Astros send Appel, Phillips, Reed and say maybe a Robbie Grossman or Moran. Thats got to be the move the Astros make. Paying Appel for a rental really is a waste, unless it’s David Price. The Astros are going to sign a pitcher in the offseason and that pitcher will end up costing around what Hamels would end up being due if the Phillies eat cash. That pitcher wont be as good as Hamels AND the Stros will end up surrendering their first round pick and the slot money along with it. Ive never bought for a second the Astros didnt like Hamels, its maneuvering to lower the price.
You think a 31 year old pitcher showing signs of decline signed to a market value contract is worth the 29, 55 and 56 prospects in the game, plus a solid 3B prospect? Might as well ask for Correa and McCullers too.
I love Ross but I think he’s the key player to give the system a jump. I would love the Padres trading with the Astros! They have a good farm system.
The Astros and Padres trade would be an interesting one. I say trade Cashner and keep Ross. Cashner will do well with the support he would get from the Astros offense. The Padres would get some good young pieces who could contribute in the near future. Green light!