Four Trades That Push The Astros To A World Series
By Yoni Pollak
Feb 15, 2014; Goodyear, AZ, USA; Cincinnati Reds pitcher Aroldis Chapman (left) and Johnny Cueto stretch during team workouts on the practice fields of Goodyear Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Houston Astros receive: Aroldis Chapman, Johnny Cueto
Cincinnati Reds receive: Preston Tucker, Michael Feliz, Josh Hader, Jandel Gustave, James Hoyt
Why The Astros Would Do It
Will Harris, Pat Neshek, and Luke Gregerson seem like a nice 7-8-9. Now imagine it being Neshek, Gregerson, and Chapman. Ahhh…better!
Chapman is a beast of a closer. The 27-year old has had another studly year closing games for the Reds. He’s making $8.05 million this year and has another year of arbitration before becoming a free agent in 2017. The Astros could keep sign him to an extension or lose him for a draft pick after the 2016 season.
Cueto is the ace the Astros have been looking for. The one issue is that he will be a free agent at the end of the season. Are these Astros willing to pull off such a trade? I say so. Cueto would slot right into the top of the rotation for the Astros and give them a nice playoff rotation of Cueto, Keuchel, McCullers Jr., and McHugh.
The Astros bullpen has been a bit shaky as of late and Chapman would certainly stabilize it.
Why The Reds Would Do It?
The Reds have Billy Hamilton in center but what else? Jay Bruce isn’t the same Jay Bruce and Marlon Byrd won’t live forever. In Preston Tucker they get a young outfielder with tons of power potential and they could find everyday at-bats for him.
Cueto is a free agent after this season and this deal gives them a much better return than simply nothing. Michael Feliz could be put into the rotation or bullpen for the rest of the season. Josh Hader would give the Reds a solid starting pitcher they could insert right into their starting rotation. They’ll have plenty of room for both once they deal both Johnny Cueto and Mike Leake.
Jandel Gustave gives the Reds a nice lottery ticket. He’s already on the Astros 40-man roster (was a potential Rule 5 draftee) and a top 30 Astros prospect. Gustave will shoot up many prospect lists over the next year or two. Hoyt gives the Reds a solid bullpen piece.
Astros Pitching Staff Post Trade
Johnny Cueto
Dallas Keuchel
Lance McCullers Jr.
Collin McHugh
Scott Feldman
Roberto Hernandez
Vincent Velasquez
Tony Sipp
Will Harris
Josh Fields
Pat Neshek
Luke Gregerson
Aroldis Chapman
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