Maybe something has changed? Maybe Crane had a nightmare and woke up in cold sweats mumbling “Chas, Jake, .630 OPS, nooooo”……next morning he got Dana on the phone and said screw the tax!
The Astros specifically have been notorious for saying one thing then doing another. I think before the JV and YK trades Brown was publicly saying we were no longer looking to add a SP. Then they made the trades within the next day or two. So you never know.
I would try to see if they could do Profar and Scott instead of Santander. Why? Could probably get him on a shorter contract (and cheaper) and since he wasn’t given a qualifying offer it wouldn’t cost us picks and international bonus money.
You absolutely do it. The taxes will be offset in spades by the PR. If staying in the limelight every year nets you one solid free agent in the off season then its worth it.
Everybody wants to play for the ring. Correction: every stud free agent wants to be the guy that takes you up a notch.
If I thought it would just get us in the playoffs then no. IMO the ALCS vs. Division Champs is like Paris vs. Gary, Indiana.
Astros have reached agreements w C. McCormick-- 3.4 mil, J. Myers – 2.3 mil & I. Paredes - 6.625 avoiding Arbitration on all these players.
L. Garcia ( 1.875mil) had already previously agreed… same as last year.
Edit: M. Dubon at 5 mil also has agreed, as well as B. Abreu-- 3.45 mil