The Houston Astros landed catcher/outfielder Evan Gattis in a five-player trade with the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday, and based on the way their roster and payroll look, it appears they're not yet done making moves this offseason.
The acquisition of Gattis marked the Astros' fourth addition, as the slugger joins infielder Jed Lowrie and relievers Pat Neshek and Luke Gregerson. Houston has been addressing their most pressing needs, which were a veteran infielder, solid bullpen arms and power. Lowrie provides some experience in an infield that consists of first baseman Jon Singleton (23 years old), second baseman Jose Altuve (24) and third baseman Matt Dominguez (25); Gregerson and Neshek will improve a bullpen that led the MLB in blown saves (26) last season; and Gattis adds power to a lineup that includes fellow sluggers Chris Carter and George Springer.
They still have some room to improve, specifically with their starting rotation and potentially their outfield, depending on how they plan to utilize Gattis. According to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com, Gattis will mostly play left field and occasionally fill in at catcher and first base when needed. FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reported the team has already discussed trades for catchers Jason Castro and Carlos Corporan as well as outfielder Dexter Fowler. With a surplus of catchers and Fowler expected to earn around $9 million in arbitration, both moves seem fairly likely.
Both Castro and Corporan are left-handed hitting catchers while Fowler is an experienced and reliable switch-hitting center fielder. We won't get into the deeper details, but there are a number of teams that are in the market for a starting catcher (or depth at the position) and a veteran center fielder that can hit and play good defense. The Rangers are looking to add another catcher and the Chicago Cubs are hoping to sign an outfielder who can play center.
By getting Fowler and one of the two catchers off their hands, the Astros would relieve themselves of at least $10 million in payroll for 2015 and have the potential to save nearly $13 million (Corporan is projected to earn $1 million in arbitration and Castro is estimated at $3.9 million). Although Fowler would be a significant loss in center field, the $9 million he's owed can be spent elsewhere (starting rotation) and Rosenthal notes youngsters Jake Marisnick and George Springer can play center.
So the question is: are the Astros preparing themselves to make a run at Max Scherzer?
This outlandish idea has been thrown out there a couple of times this offseason, but it now looks like it could be a real possibility. Scherzer currently has no market because no team is actively pursuing him, so the Astros don't really have any competition if they were to toss a contract at the right-hander. In fact, they would be initial bid because the most recent offer Scherzer received was last offseason. The addition of the former AL Cy Young winner would give them a clear-cut ace, who would be able to lead a young rotation that consists of Dallas Keuchel, Collin McHugh and Brett Oberholtzer. Veteran Scott Feldman would be the team's No. 2 starter, where he fits better anyway.
If Houston can follow through and execute a couple of trades to relieve themselves of at least $10 million, their payroll would be under $60 million for 2015, which gives them plenty of financial flexibility to add Scherzer.
"Sure, it's a long shot, but Scott Boras clients usually take the most money, so if the Astros offer the most money, it's not a crazy scenario," writes ESPN's David Schoenfield. "If playing for a team with a good shot at winning the World Series in 2015 was a priority for Scherzer, wouldn't he have signed by now? The Tigers may be the favorite to re-sign Scherzer, and while they may be better than the Astros in 2015, which organization has the brighter future? You can't make a sound argument that the Astros will be stronger over the next seven years than the Tigers."
Don't be surprised if this happens before spring training.
UPDATE: According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, Corporan and the Astros have agreed to a one-year, $975,000 contract to avoid arbitration.
