Astros Willing To Deal Keuchel, Mchugh, Cosart, For "mlb Ready Bats"

[Willihammer]

Per MLBTR:

 

 

Astros Open To Trading Keuchel, McHugh, Cosart

By Steve Adams [July 29, 2014 at 7:11pm CDT]

WEDNESDAY: Houston is reluctant to deal Keuchel, a GM tells Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle, who discusses the club’s decisions on whether to deal arms that come with future control. The Orioles could be a fit for the emergent southpaw if the Astros are willing to part with him, sources tell Drellich.

TUESDAY: The Astros are getting increased calls about their pitchers after yesterday’s comments from Luhnow, reports MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart (on Twitter). The goal remains the same, says McTaggart: MLB-ready offense.

MONDAY, 6:21pm: When asked about prospective deals Houston GM Jeff Luhnow said there’s “nothing that feels close” at this time, tweets Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle. The GM went on to say (link), “There’s conversations happening and there have been for the past week multiple conversations happening every day.”

5:32pm: The Astros have previously said that they weren’t inclined to move left-hander Dallas Keuchel or right-hander Collin McHugh, both of whom are in the midst of breakout seasons, but Luhnow softened his stance when speaking to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (12:23 timestamp in the update window). The Houston GM tells Rosenthal that the lack of available starting pitching has prompted him to consider dealing Keuchel, McHugh, or right-hander Jarred Cosart:

“We do seem to have an excess of pretty good young starters so we wouldn’t rule anything out. We’d have to get back a big-league piece, preferably a bat, in a package that makes sense for the future and present.”

The 26-year-old Keuchel can be controlled through the 2018 season, while McHugh, 27, and Cosart, 24, are controllable through the 2019 campaign. Keuchel and McHugh, in particular, have had surprisingly strong seasons, with Keuchel posting a 3.11 ERA in 127 1/3 innings, and McHugh notching a 3.45 ERA with 102 strikeouts in 88 2/3 innings (10.4 K/9).

Keuchel was Houston’s seventh-round selection in the 2009 draft, while McHugh was claimed off waivers (Houston had tried to trade for him in 2013), and Cosart was acquired in the Hunter Pence deal back in 2011. None of three are eligible for arbitration after the season. Keuchel will be arb-eligible following the 2015 season, while Cosart and McHugh are eligible following the 2016 season.

 

 

Looks like the Strohs could use a corner OFer (Arcia), possibly a 3B (Plouffe, Sano?), or catcher (PInto)

Should the Twins be calling?

[The Wise One]

Per MLBTR:

 

 

 

Looks like the Strohs could use a corner OFer (Arcia), possibly a 3B (Plouffe, Sano?), or catcher (PInto)

Should the Twins be calling?

In the case of Keutchel and McHugh, are they having breakout years or career years? Plouffe or Pinto for one of them. Probably all three for Sano

[beckmt]

It would not hurt to call.  If we could sent Plouffe and a minor prospect or Arcia and a piece for McHugh or Keutchel, I would look at it,  you can never have enough pitching.  Twins still have plenty of outfield prospects and could possibly buy one if needed later.  Decent pitching is hard to come by and if the Twins do not want to put all their eggs in the farm system two to three years down the road, this would be a good way to go.

[Thrylos]

Unless the Astros (or anyone else with young Pitching) are willing to take someone like Nolasco or Pelfrey, it will not work.  The Twins have 4 starters penciled in their rotation for next season and there is not even room for both Meyer and May as is.  

 

Is that optimal?  No.  But it is reality.  As long as they are healthy and with the team, Nolasco and Pelfrey will be in the rotation.  Hughes and Gibson belong there, so that is that. 

 

Baring a trade of the above four (and I'd rather see Hughes and Gibson with the Twins next season.)

[DaveW]

It wouldn't make any sense to try to trade Pinto and Arcia right now as their values are at a rather low point.

 

I don't know why the Astros would give up anything of value for Plouffe, and Sano is pretty much as close to as an untouchable as it gets.

[DaveW]

Unless the Astros (or anyone else with young Pitching) are willing to take someone like Nolasco or Pelfrey, it will not work.  The Twins have 4 starters penciled in their rotation for next season and there is not even room for both Meyer and May as is.  

 

Is that optimal?  No.  But it is reality.  As long as they are healthy and with the team, Nolasco and Pelfrey will be in the rotation.  Hughes and Gibson belong there, so that is that. 

 

Baring a trade of the above four (and I'd rather see Hughes and Gibson with the Twins next season.)

While I think Nolasco gets a rotation spot if he is on the club regardless, I don't think Pelfrey is as set in stone as you seem to infer. Yes, he is under contract with the club, but it's hardly some huge number, if Pelfrey comes back and struggles I could definitely see them having him in the pen to start the season.

 

Of course that all assumes that May/Meyer both will be good enough/ready enough to start the season on the major leaguer roster.

 

One thing is for sure, the Twins have plenty of options for mid to late rotation types in 2015 (Gibson, Nolasco, Meyer, May, Pino, Pelfrey) If they are going to add ANY pitchers now or in the off-season IMO it has to be a #2 or and Ace, a guy like Keuchel, while solid is honestly just more of the same IMHO

[Mike Sixel]

Right, they are flush with good options for SP next year, either get ELITE players, or add some bats. Giving up bats for more number 4-5 types? Makes no sense on this 40 man roster at all.

[Badsmerf]

Have to remember blackie got paid pretty well to pitch in Rochester. I could see the same happen to pelfrey next season.... especially with a new gm.

 

No way a trade with the Astros makes sense. The twins don't have the pieces for this. Unless they cash in on Santana or escobar, which I wouldn't be completely against.