My Dream Houston Astros Trade Deadline Moves
By Yoni Pollak
The Trade
Astros acquire: CF Charlie Blackmon, LHP Boone Logan
Rockies acquire: SP Joe Musgrove, LF Preston Tucker, 1B Jon Singleton, OF Daz Cameron, SP Brady Rodgers
Why The Astros Make The Trade
The Astros need a center fielder today and they need one for the next few season. Blackmon, 30, is slashing .299/.360/.462 with 12 HR and 12 SB in 88 games this season. The Astros current CF isn’t producing, hitting .216 with an .610 OPS. Carlos Gomez will be a free agent this winter, and it’s safe to assume the Astros won’t bring him back.
Blackmon will be arbitration eligible in ’17 and ’18 before becoming a free agent in the winter of 2019. He plays a good center field and would slot perfectly in the #2 spot of the lineup between George Springer and Jose Altuve.
The Astros also need a LHP and Boone Logan fits the bill perfectly. He’s an impending free agent, but the 31-year old southpaw has been dominant this season. Logan has a 2.48 ERA and 0.86 WHIP along with a 1.83 FIP in 29 innings this season. Tony Sipp has struggled this season so adding Logan to an already dominant bullpen is a plus.
Why The Rockies Make The Trade
In simple English…they aren’t contenders. The Rockies have no use for a 30-year old OF who won’t be good by the time they are ready to contend. Trading away a valuable veteran for young pieces is exactly what good GM’s do. The same logic applies to Logan, who the Rockies would be wise to recoup some value from before he leaves for free agency this winter.
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The Rockies get a nice amount of talent for some veterans. Joe Musgrove is one of the better Minor League pitches in the game, having started the Futures Game in July. It’s tough for Colorado to convince starting pitchers to join their team via free agency since Coors Field is considered an extreme hitter’s park. With that said, the Rockies need to acquire young pitchers via trade and that’s what they accomplish here receiving Musgrove and Brady Rodgers.
Preston Tucker is a nice piece they could put in left field. Tucker may have a tough time defensively, but should mash up in the mountains. Jon Singleton is a former top prospect and while he’s struggled in the Majors with the Astros, the Rockies are exactly the type of team that should be willing to give him a change of scenery and they have the opportunity available. He may never pan out, but bringing his power to Colorado may turn on a switch for him.
Cameron is exactly the lottery ticket type of prospect a team like the Rockies should also look to acquire. He started the season on many top 100 prospects lists, but has since fallen off due to a slow start and a season-ending thumb injury.
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