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Gerrit Cole to Houston

Frayed Knot Jan 14 2018 03:16 AM

Pitt ace and former # 1/1 draft pick Gerrit Cole has been dealt, not to the Yanx, but to the Astros. This is now the second time that Cole slipped through the yanx' fingers. They had drafted him with their 1st round pick (28th selection overall) in 2008 only to see him accept a scholarship to USC instead. Three years later Pittsburgh made him the top selection in the 2011 draft. Pitt gets RHPs Joe Musgrove (25 y/o, pitched pieces of 2016 & 2017 w/Houston) and Michael Feliz (24, pitched parts of 2015-17), 3B Colin Moran (originally a #3 overall pick by Miami) and OF Jason Martin (21, spent 2017 in A+ & AA) Musgrove, who could be ued as a starter or reliever, or Moran, who had a breakout season at AAA this past year, seem to be the main bait here.

Centerfield Jan 14 2018 03:39 AM Re: Gerrit Cole to Houston

Sounds like good, but not great, prospects going back the other way. Pirates seem to be embracing a rebuild. I wonder this means for McCutchen. Maybe we get him and trade Jay Bruce again when Conforto returns.

Ashie62 Jan 14 2018 05:47 AM Re: Gerrit Cole to Houston

About right for Cole, Moran blows and Musgrove is about a C+ gamble. My bigger concern is that Conforto's shoulder popping issue becomes chronic. Keep him healthy Mr. Met.

Frayed Knot Jan 14 2018 12:31 PM Re: Gerrit Cole to Houston

Don't know what you're basing "Blows" on concerning Moran. He's been up and down since being drafted 3rd overall four years ago, but is coming off a good year in AAA [.308/.373/543 -- 18 HRs in 300 AB] John Sickels: Colin Moran, 3B-1B-OF, Grade B: Age 25, first round pick by Miami Marlins in 2013 from North Carolina, then traded to Astros; stock has gone up and down but back up again; he missed two months after being hit in the face with a foul ball; at this point I don’t think he is the star the Marlins thought they were drafting but he’s getting to his power more often now and has added defensive versatility to his resume, giving him a chance to still have a long career as a decent regular or excellent role player. ETA 2018. And he comes with three other guys, at least two of which will help immediately. Cole's salary is set for this year; he then is under team control for 2019 before being eligible for FA. That gives the defending champs a nice 1-2-3 of Keuchel, Verlander & Cole for this season (plus Charlie Morton, Brad Peacock, Lance McCullers, Colin McHugh) Verlander is under the same control as Cole so Houston is hoping that age (35 y/o next month) or Kate haven't worn him down and he's got at least two good years left in him. Keuchel can be FA after this coming season.

Ashie62 Jan 14 2018 12:59 PM Re: Gerrit Cole to Houston

If I am an Astros fan I am ecstatic about the deal.

Frayed Knot Jan 14 2018 07:01 PM Re: Gerrit Cole to Houston

Sure. Your championship team is adding a good (though not great) pitcher during a window when you've got two other top hurlers and the bulk of your offense under contract -- even while hoping that his HR-rate* spike last year was a temporary fluke. That doesn't make the players going back crap. Pitt looks like it opted (or wasn't given other options) for ML-ready players, at least three of which should contribute this season, rather than higher ceiling but further away prospects. * Cole's ~0.5 HR/G pace for 2013-16 nearly tripled in 2017 to 1.4/per. A bit scary while heading to that stadium.