Astros general manager Dana Brown met with reporters shortly after the team completed its biggest trade in years. After sending Kyle Tucker to the cubs Isaac Paredes, Hayden Wesneski and prospects Cam SmithBrown said of what comes next.
Most notably, he downplayed the chances of moving the ace Framber Valdez. He said the front office remains open to offers from anyone, but said he thinks it’s unlikely they will move the left-handed star. “We won’t actively try to move him, but we will listen,” Brown told reporters (Link via Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle). “If you asked me if I thought we would trade Valdez, I don’t think we would trade Valdez. I think he’s a pillar and it’s really hard to keep the rotation intact and we really feel like he’s going to be a big part of our rotation.“
Valdez and Tucker were each mired in trade rumors on Monday, when Brown responded to questions about their availability by saying the team would “Listen to all players”. Today’s comments don’t disprove that, although the Astros appear less willing to engage in trade talks for Valdez now that they’ve moved Tucker. One of the main motivations for trading any player is to get rid of their expensive expected salary in their final arbitration season. Tucker’s trade should save the Astros about $9MM — the difference between Tucker and Paredes’ salary projections — and lower their projected luxury tax number to about $225MM (Courtesy of RosterResource) . That puts them about $16MM below the base threshold.
MLBTR writer Matt Swartz projects Valdez’s salary to be $17.8MM. The Astros shouldn’t be so tempted to sell this money. Maybe they’ll reconsider receiving roughly the same offer as the Tucker trade and allowing them to get MLB help and at least one noteworthy prospect. Brown admitted today that the club have not had any contract extension talks with Valdez since last year, so they may not be optimistic about their chances of keeping him beyond next season. However, their goal is still to win the AL West in 2025, so they won’t trade Valdez just for minor league talent.
The Browns were naturally asked how the Tucker trade would impact their pursuit of Alex Bregman. While Bregmando will likely be offered millions of dollars in the short term, landing Paredes gives the Astros a backup at third base they previously lacked. Brown said Tucker’s trade wouldn’t have much impact on Bregman’s offer. “Pretty much, Alex Bregman’s status [remains] That’s the thing,” he said (link via Brian McTaggart of MLB.com). “Nothing has changed since I last spoke to you. …Still pretty much the same as Tuesday.“
There’s still room for Bregman on the roster. Paredes played nearly 400 career innings at first base. He’s a good third base defender, but his profile is built around his bat. If he moves to the other side of the diamond, he doesn’t lose much value. Houston needs first base help. They might run a Jon Singleton and Zach DeCenzo If the season started today.
Brown admitted the team is looking for bats. Sure, they’re not going to find someone of Tucker’s caliber, but there’s still quite a bit of talent in the first base and corner outfield market. Chandler Rome of The Athletic writes that Houston is looking for a left-handed hitting outfielder, specifically as a direct replacement for Tucker’s role.
GM told Roman and other reporters Astros expect Chas McCormick Opening season in right field Jack Meyers Play center. He left the door open for a left field acquisition. switch batter Jurikson Profal and a left-handed swing. Max Kepler and Alex Verdugo is a speculative possibility that has yet to be signed.
