By trading some of the team's best prospects, Jim Crane has made it clear the Astros are all in on '23 and '24, and will figure out '25 and beyond later.
I’m still open to being persuaded but my initial reaction to the trade is negative. I’m happy for Crane to spend as money of his money as he wants, but I HATE giving up two top prospects. If we had no recent title then I might feel differently, but compromising long term competitiveness for an increase in odds for a title this year or next is not a move I support. If Crane uses the extra cash to get key player extensions or bring in some top free agents, I’ll reassess.
These are always the deals which, literally, take years to assess! If JV leads the 'Stros back to a '23 or '24 ring, we'll still have to wait at least a decade for all the just-traded baby Astros to finish (or come close to finishing) their careers!
Plus, trading away two top prospects hasn't exactly decimated the system. And, win or lose, look for Crane to lean into your notion of dipping into the FA market this winter (not to mention the extension or two).
"If we had no recent title"......Teams don't think like that! If they've got the personnel to affect a trade to improve right now, they'll take it, because in the longer run, the gamble now might pay off for a ring in a few months, which will bring in more money (higher tix prices, increased merch sales, TV ad revenue, star players being attracted to a winner, etc), or at least in the near future.
I’m still open to being persuaded but my initial reaction to the trade is negative. I’m happy for Crane to spend as money of his money as he wants, but I HATE giving up two top prospects. If we had no recent title then I might feel differently, but compromising long term competitiveness for an increase in odds for a title this year or next is not a move I support. If Crane uses the extra cash to get key player extensions or bring in some top free agents, I’ll reassess.
These are always the deals which, literally, take years to assess! If JV leads the 'Stros back to a '23 or '24 ring, we'll still have to wait at least a decade for all the just-traded baby Astros to finish (or come close to finishing) their careers!
Plus, trading away two top prospects hasn't exactly decimated the system. And, win or lose, look for Crane to lean into your notion of dipping into the FA market this winter (not to mention the extension or two).
"If we had no recent title"......Teams don't think like that! If they've got the personnel to affect a trade to improve right now, they'll take it, because in the longer run, the gamble now might pay off for a ring in a few months, which will bring in more money (higher tix prices, increased merch sales, TV ad revenue, star players being attracted to a winner, etc), or at least in the near future.