In what is considered the first big and most surprising move, the Houston Astros have decided to part ways with Jake Marisnick. What will be the impact?
Up until now, the HoustonAstroshave been remaining fairly quiet over the offseason. Aside from signing veteran catcher,Dustin Garneau, recently, the only other headlining move they have made was to non-tenderAaron Sanchez, which came as no surprise to anyone. But now, the HoustonAstroswill now be withoutJake Marisnick.
Word came out on Thursday morning that the HoustonAstroshave traded the long-time outfielder to the New York Mets. In exchange, Houston got back two prospects: left-handed pitcherBlake Taylorand outfielderKenedy Corona. Ken Rosenthal of MLB.com was the first to break the news:
#Metsclose to acquiring outfielder Jake Marisnick from#Astros, sources tell The Athletic.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal)December 5, 2019
The thing that is the most surprising about this move is that most experts were certain thatJosh Reddickand the $13 million that he’s owed in 2020 — the final season of his contract — would have been the first of any player to be traded. However, with Marisnick having a friendlier contract and defensive speed, his value certainly seemed to be higher than Reddick.
Now, this isn’t to say that Reddick can’t still be dealt. Especially, if the HoustonAstroswant to free up salary for next season. But for now, Marisnick is the first big departure for Houston so far in the 2019-20 offseason.
Raking for the farm
This move also signals a need for the team to restock the farm system. Yes, they still have a top
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10 one working in the entire league. But in the sport today, you can never have too many young studs to groom into major league ready status.
Trading Marisnick certainly helped this cause. At the same time, the team did lose someone pretty stellar in the clubhouse. Over his 5+ year tenure with the team, Jake from Rake Farm, as he’s often called, has made some eye-popping plays on both sides of the ball.
If pressed to pick one that stands out among the others, there isTHIS most memorable catchup against the Green Monster at Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox back in July of 2015. Many were worried that he would have sustained serious injury after that collision. Thankfully, that turned out not to be the case.
More recently, there was thecontroversial collision at home platewithJonathan Lucroy, who was playing for the Los Angeles Angels at the time. Though clearly an accident, the league suspended Marisnick for two games because of it. Even bad press can be good sometimes.
If there is anything about Jake the Snake, another nickname for him, that leaves even a little to be desired, it would be his bat. He’s not a big contact hitter or hitter for average for that matter. However, he does possess power, and unlike many other players of his stature, Marisnick is a big threat on the bases to steal and tap into some serious running speed.
We here at HOH wish nothing but the best for Jake up with the New York Mets. That is, of course, until he plays against the HoustonAstros.
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