A year ago today, or maybe not even that long ago, I would have laughed if you wanted Yoenis Cespedes on the Houston Astros. "There are prospects on the way!" I may have exclaimed to discuss Preston Tucker, Kyle Tucker, Derek Fisher, and Daz Cameron as part of the Houston Astros future.
But a lot has changed in the past few months. The 2016 Houston Astros season has been a massive disappointment. Dallas Keuchel regressed heavily; Tony Sipp had the worst season of his career; the closing job has been a rotating door thanks to an inconsistent manager. We learned that Carlos Correa has difficult hitting left-handed pitching. Lance McCullers season has been cut short by shoulder soreness/fatigue.
2016 has been a difficult year for the Houston Astros.
Some things have gone right. Jose Altuve is making an attempt to lead the American League in hits for the third consecutive season, though, Wednesday night's early exit has him in doubt for the opener in Seattle this weekend. Alex Bregman ascended quickly from Double-A Corpus Christi, making a pit stop in AAA Fresno, before coming to the Major Leagues and defining himself as a quality top-of-the-order hitter.
The signing of Cuban infielder Yullieski Gurriel has shown early signs of being a great deal. Through his first 21 games, the 32-year-old Cuban superstar is slashing .338/.360/.521 with three home runs.
Lourdes Gurriel, Jr. (23), Yuli's younger brother, recently held a showcase for MLB teams and is likely to contend for the 2017 Rookie of the Year award.
Yoenis Cespedes signed a three-year deal last offseason with the New York Mets worth $75 million. That deal, however, includes an opt-out after this season. With $47 million left on the table, many writers and executives in MLB think he will walk and test free agency again. As well he should. In 117 games this season, Cespedes has hit .288/.358/.557 and driven in 79 runs. Among Astros' with at least 200 plate appearances, Cespedes would have an OPS superior to all but Jose Altuve (.952, .915).
Jon Heyman believes that Yoenis will earn a 4-year deal worth $100 million this winter. If I were the General Manager of the Houston Astros, I would definitely make a competitive offer for Cespedes' services for the 2017 and beyond seasons.
The Astros window to win is now. With a quality lineup that adds Yoenis Cespedes as a left fielder and retains Luis Valbuena as a first baseman, the offense would compete with any team on any day.
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