The Houston Astros are just one day away from the MLB non-waiver trade deadline at 3 p.m. CDT tomorrow and there’s still some nice finds that are available. The team needs to bolster their bats, especially in the outfield and Adam Jones is the answer. Here’s why.
Houston Astros fans — we’ve been in frenzy of trade happenings before. It’s to be expected as the team barrels through the Jeff Luhnow-era where we have a general manager who’s never satisfied with the product that’s out on the field. He always has the feeling that there’s always room for improvement which is something I’ve always liked out of him.
It’s certainly the slogan for the HoustonAstros‘ advertising campaign dubbed with immense familiarity with the old adage “Never Settle.” It’s certainly the truth and the HoustonAstrosshouldn’t settle as the trade deadline comes at all of us with breakneck speed.
The HoustonAstroswere able to land catcherMartin Maldonadoto provide badly-needed depth at the position as it will be at least another month or so beforeBrian McCannis ready to take the field again.
And this past Friday, the HoustonAstroswere able to acquireRyan Presslyfrom the Minnesota Twins to complement a bullpen that certainly needs some help in winding down games.
The problem with the bullpen last season was that they were taxed, yet productive but this season is that many guys are just not getting the job done. With the exception ofJoe Smithbriefly about a month back, this unit has been relatively healthy.
Pressly will hopefully help with that and if theAstroscan find a way to grab another reliever before the deadline, I certainly wouldn’t be opposed to that. But it’s not likely.
With all of the rumors swirling around the potential whereabouts of talented outfielderAdam Jones, the HoustonAstrosneed to throw their name into the hat. His still a solid defender in the outfield and there’s no reason that there would be decline if he were to join the team.
I haven’t seen any substantiated rumors about the guy but if the team knows what’s best for them, I’d try to pull the trigger that would not only add a hot bat to the lineup but a positional player that still can field immensely and would be ever closer to getting his first World Series title.
TheAstrosdid it forJustin Verlander, why can’t they make Jones’ dream come true? Yes, I knowKyle Tucker,Jake MarisnickandDerek Fisherare your primary guys to complementGeorge SpringerandJosh Reddickbut Jones would put that unit over the top and make them unstoppable.
Jones’ contract expires this season as he’s on the back-end of asix-year, $85.5 million dealhe
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signed back in 2013. Jones earns$17 millionthis season but the prorated portion theAstroscould potentially owe — if they’re able to get him — would be just slightly south of$8 million.
This is what makes bringing him into the fold so attractive — but as usual, theAstroswill have to get in line with a long list of potential suitors with the Philadelphia Phillies, Cleveland Indians and San Francisco Giants topping the list.
Jones does have a no-trade clause in his contract and at the moment of this writing, he hasn’t expressed any desire to waive it. But things could change over the course of a day and if he’s convinced that he could join a team that’s built to win now — like theAstros— he might change his mind.
The once baby-faced Jones is now in his early 30s and I’m sure he’s ready to notch the next echelon on his belt, a World Series championship. It’d be an interesting sales pitch that theAstroswould have, not only to convince him to waive his clause but to convince the Baltimore Orioles that they have to goods to push the deal across the finish line.
I’d offer themCionel Perezand a lower-level prospect to get pact complete because it would help replace the lefty they lost inZach Brittonto the New York Yankees. Perez is just about ready to pop out of the harvest and he’d be a great addition to the Orioles.
I absolutely love my proposal but would the Orioles? We’ll have to see as the deadline clock continues to tick. I’ll be anxiously awaiting to see if theAstroshave another move in them — aside from this proposed one — before tomorrow afternoon. We’ll see.
Jones, 32, has been slashing at.285/.312/.434 along with 44 ribbies, 11 homers and 28 doubles through 429 plate appearances in 2018.
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