Houston Astros: A potential trade for Wilson Ramos needs the green light

The Houston Astros are edging closer to the non-waiver deadline and the rumor mill is starting to heat up with our team included in a bunch of happenings. Is the team interested in catcher Wilson Ramos? Let’s take a look as to why a trade makes sense.

The Houston Astros are always looking to improve and there’s no reason to settle for what they have. This is hence the name of the franchise’s marketing campaign for the 2018 season and it aligns perfectly with the mantra of the front office with Jeff Luhnow pulling the strings to this incredible show that we’ve seen over the past four seasons to date.

It took some time but we have a championship team with a rich, healthy farm and plenty of crop to harvest when their particular time comes to uproot these terrific players out of the ground. But it’s all about staying in contention and having some sort of continuity to what has been started by this organization — a institution of winning.

Around this time last season, we were looking for some extra arms for the bullpen and that still is the case. Last non-waiver trade deadline offered us Francisco Liriano and Tyler Clippard who provided some but very little boost to the already burgeoning pen.

The big heist was at the waiver deadline one month later when they were able to land future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander to the mix. He has been nothing but a boon for the Houston Astros since and I hope he continues to flourish in his role as No.1 pitcher in the rotation.

But what’s going on now? Jon Morosi of the MLB Network had an interesting nugget to share in regard to the Houston Astros latest pursuit of star catcher Wilson Ramos:

Sources: #Astros, #Rays have been in contact on a possible Wilson Ramos trade. @MLBNetwork @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 12, 2018

Although this offense has plenty of bats to suffice, there isn’t any problem bringing in another powerful one. They’ll be bringing in another player that is just as powerful behind the plate as well. Brian McCann has struggled with injury and is currently serving time on the disabled list while Max Stassi, prospect Tim Federowicz and even Evan Gattis split time at the catching position.

Ramos would shore up that said position as he’s been quite healthy throughout the season. His superior arm strength and spatial awareness around the plate would only make him asset for this team. He throws out for a high percentage, he keeps his passed balls low and has some no-hit games on his resume.

How much will Ramos cost?

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And most of all, he’s cost-friendly, Ramos’ two-year, $12.5 million deal he signed back last season will pay him a total of $8.5 million for 2018. Since we’re at the half way point of the season, he’d be paid at the pro-rated amount of $4.25 million for 2018.

Who should the Astros trade for him?

What would I do? I’d packaged left-hand reliever Cionel Perez along with outfielder Drew Ferguson and sweeten the pot with catcher Chuckie Robinson — if needed — to help push the deal over the top. The Tampa Bay Rays don’t want current players but they definitely want some of the goods that we have on the farm.

Hell, if they want him — but highly unlikely as a scenario — they can package McCann up in the deal too because he’d be the odd man out in any scenario. I just don’t see Max Stassi being part of this package but he has been playing well so who knows?

Stassi still has four years left of team control while McCann’s pro-rated salary for 2018 is $8.5 million and is owed $15 million in 2019 before becoming a free agent in 2020 at age 36. I’m pretty sure he’ll likely be hanging up the catcher’s mitt at that point.

All in all, the Astros need to be bullish on Ramos, he’d give this offense a tremendous boost coupled with his excellent discipline at the plate.

Next: The interesting thing about Alex Bregman's journey to the HRD

Ramos, 30, is currently slashing .295/.345/.484 with a .829 OPS along with 51 ribbies, 14 homers and 12 doubles through 307 plate appearances. He was recently voted in as an All-Star will be participating in the MLB’s 89th Midsummer Classic scheduled for next Tuesday, July 17.

Let’s do this!

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