Ken Rosenthal ‏@Ken_Rosenthal 21 minutes ago
Source: #Astros closing in on #Phillies’ Giles. As reported, return expected to be three pitchers, highlighted by Velasquez.

Ken Giles averages a 96-98 MPH fastball. Hit 100 a few times. He would instantly become our hardest-throwing reliever.
Only 25 years old. Under relatively cheap club control because he'll only be entering his third year in the big leagues.



He would be a good pick up depending on what type of package is given up.
I'm assuming it would be Vincent Velasquez and either Mark Appel or Chris Devenski? I hope not both.

Appel and Devenski shined for the Fresno Grizzlies on that Triple-A championship team. I would call those our two best pitching prospects right now since Lance McCullers already reached the big leagues last year.

Ken Giles, I'm worried he's not as good as his numbers in the Majors have been his first two seasons. He seems too good to be true.

I don't think Mark Appel will be traded. I heard Astros GM Jeff Luhnow on the local sports show yesterday afternoon (790 AM in Houston) saying that Mark Appel will likely make the team this spring along with A.J. Reed. The team has big plans for both of them in 2016.

Jeff Luhnow would be pulling a rabbit out of the hat to be acquiring Ken Giles if the biggest piece is only Vincent Velasquez. Ken Rosenthal says it is headlined by him. Surely the Phillies are asking for more in return?

I'm just going to wait until the trade is official. I'm tired of all of these reports saying something is close.

This post was edited by Madmartigan on Dec 9 2015 07:20pm

You do realize it would take Lance McCullers and George Springer, just as a starting point, in Jose Fernandez trade talks?
2015 draft picks can now be traded, as shown by the #1 overall pick being dealt in the Shelby Miller trade, Dansby Swanson.

And I heard the great package that Arizona gave to Atlanta wouldn't have been anywhere near the atmosphere of what Miami is asking for Jose Fernandez. So you can only imagine the type of haul that the Miami Marlins are asking for in a Jose Fernandez trade.

The Astros could throw in some of their top 2015 draft picks (#2 overall pick Alex Bregman (2B), #5 overall pick Kyle Tucker (OF) and even highly touted #37 overall pick Daz Cameron (OF). I'm thinking Lance McCullers, George Springer and our top three draft picks from 2015 would be a good start in trade conversations for Jose Fernandez.

That would be a strong package to put together for Jose Fernandez. One that could rival, if not top, what the Dodgers can offer.

The Miami Marlins want a boat load of young Major League talent and good prospects for Jose Fernandez.
And without giving up Carlos Correa, that's probably the best the Astros can offer. Something along those lines.

Velasquez is pretty good and under control longer than Giles...
Seems fair to me.

What do you think it will take to land Jose Fernandez? I'm probably dreaming that it can happen but I know it's going to take a lot.
Hopefully the Ken Giles trade happens soon. I just want something official I can feel good about. Our bullpen needs some hard-throwers.

It is done pending physicals

For Jose they would start by asking for Correa i'd imagine.

The Astros and Phillies are in agreement on a trade that will send right-hander Vincent Velasquez, lefty Brett Oberholtzer and another prospect to Philadelphia in exchange for young closer Ken Giles, reports Mark Berman of FOX 26 Houston (Twitter link). Outfielder Derek Fisher will also head to Philadelphia in the deal, Berman clarifies (on Twitter). The trade is pending medical reviews.

You could be right. I understand he's not guaranteed to become a good player in the Major Leagues.

Jon Singleton and Brett Wallace before him were both busts. Although Singleton is still here (can still become good).
Those were two highly touted first base prospects that didn't pan out for the Astros after Lance Berkman had left.

But hopefully this third time is a charm with A.J. Reed. Sooner or later one of those highly rated first base prospects will become legitimate.

How could anybody be worse than Chris Carter though? The guy hit .199 in 391 at-bats in 2015. He hit .227 and .223 the previous two years. He did offer some very good power. 37 home runs in 2014 and 24 home runs in 2015 but he just didn't get on base enough. A first baseman with a .307 and .308 on-base percentage the past two seasons is horrible. Especially with the type of power he displayed when he did connect with one.

Chris Carter went from a #3 and #4 hitter, to #5, #6 and even as low as a #7 hitter during his time here.
We had too many "high strikeout guys who didn't get on base often enough in our lineup".

The Astros sort of have the same problem at third base with Luis Valbuena. Which is why I didn't like that we got rid of Jed Lowrie.

The Dodgers are having a tough time putting together a strong enough trade package, and they are trying to get help from a third team to satisfy the number of talented young players (both MLB ready and prospects) that the Miami Marlins want in return for Jose Fernandez.

I think it's possible for the Astros to acquire Jose Fernandez without giving up Carlos Correa but it will take a crazy package of five total players headlined by Lance McCullers and George Springer. Two Major League ready talents.

If somebody says it's not worth giving up all of that for Jose Fernandez I'm not going to disagree.
I realize it's a lot to give up. But it will take a crazy trade offer to pry Jose Fernandez away from Miami.

Springer is more established than McCullers but McCullers had a fine rookie season and a strong playoff outing against the Royals. He should have pitched us to the ALCS but our bullpen coughed up that 6-2 lead in the top of the 8th in Game 4.

I wish we had Ken Giles back in October to get those final six outs up four runs.

Right now, I think the Astros have the 5th or 6th best team in baseball. We're still not where we need to be.
Adding another reliable reliever and starting pitcher could keep us on par with the best teams.

And truth be told, the AL West is going to be much improved in 2016.
The Astros need big improvements like Ken Giles just to keep pace in our division.

This post was edited by Madmartigan on Dec 9 2015 08:10pm

There could be another player involved from Houston. Four-for-one trade to the Phillies for Ken Giles.

Brian McTaggart ⚾️ ‏@brianmctaggart 12 minutes ago
Going to be a four-for-one deal with Astros

Brian McTaggart ⚾️ ‏@brianmctaggart 14 minutes ago
Giles has some nasty numbers. http://m.mlb.com/player/571704/ken-giles …

Brian McTaggart ⚾️ ‏@brianmctaggart 8 minutes ago
Astros have turned their attention to starting pitching now.