I think Villar will have a decent career as a utility guy / backup.

Cy Sneed is in the conversation immediately for best facial hair in the organization.

why would the Brewers make that deal? Is Sneed coming off an injury?

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Villar for a 6 pack of Keystone would have been trade rape.

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This.

Lunhow is the fuggin man!!

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why would the Brewers make that deal? Is Sneed coming off an injury?

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Uh, probably because Villar is a major league ready SS and Sneed is a AA ready reliever?

Villar's numbers arent bad at all and his tools are good. Someone would have to watch him enough to see the bonehead plays to get scared off.

Villar is a utility player at best, Sneed is a 3rd round draft pick with pretty good WHIP and ERA for his two years in the minors, plus his stent in the Cape Cod league.

Article on 5 destinations for Jose Fernandez.

http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/66550/five-potential-trade-destinations-for-jose-fernandez

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5. Houston Astros

The Astros are likely focusing on first base/DH and the bullpen more than adding another starter behind Dallas Keuchel, Collin McHugh, Lance McCullers Jr., Mike Fiers and Scott Feldman, but they're a team with the young talent to acquire Fernandez. The Marlins would certainly ask for McCullers, but the Astros have other intriguing arms like Vincent Velasquez, Mark Appel and Michael Feliz, plus third baseman Colin Moran and some high-upside/high-risk outfielders in the lower minors like Daz Cameron and Kyle Tucker.

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Not against trading for him.. But the fact they mention Colin Moran is laughable.

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Someone would have to watch him enough to see the bonehead plays to get scared off.

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Someone like David Stearns, the new Milwaukee GM who was previously the assistant GM in Houston?

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Villar is a utility player at best, Sneed is a 3rd round draft pick with pretty good WHIP and ERA for his two years in the minors, plus his stent in the Cape Cod league.

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The Brewers dont have a 2B/SS/3B with an OBP over 300 or an OPS over 700. My guess is they view Villar as a potential starter.

Sneed is a 22 year old reliever who hasnt played above high A. He's not exactly a lock. Starting shortstop for future set up man is a trade you make every time. I dont see this as being that uneven of a trade. Sneed may never even make the big leagues. Villar is a utility man at minimum.

From mlbtraderumors.com

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Prior to the emphatic comments by Braves general manager John Coppolella in which he denied that his team will trade Freddie Freeman, Freeman's name came up in trade talks with the Astros, three sources told Yahoo's Jeff Passan. The scenario being discussed is described by Passan as a blockbuster that would've included five other players, but he also adds that the discussions "went nowhere" when Freeman's name was brought up.

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From mlbtraderumors.com

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Prior to the emphatic comments by Braves general manager John Coppolella in which he denied that his team will trade Freddie Freeman, Freeman's name came up in trade talks with the Astros, three sources told Yahoo's Jeff Passan. The scenario being discussed is described by Passan as a blockbuster that would've included five other players, but he also adds that the discussions "went nowhere" when Freeman's name was brought up.

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That many players seems like they would have us take another contract of their hands in return for 3 elite level prospects...

I'd be ok with Freeman for Velasquez, Moran, and Gattis

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I'd be ok with Freeman for Velasquez, Moran, and Gattis

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Who wouldn't be okay with that? Is that your attempt at humor?

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I'd be ok with Freeman for Velasquez, Moran, and Gattis

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And who else? That's only a total of 4 players. You need 2 more.

No, that's the most I'd possibly give up. Any more than that and any other high profile prospects and it's not worth it, especially when AJ Reed could turn out to be a stud.

Well, here are a few of the more recent free agent/trade updates:

• Apparently Keuchel has pitched the idea of coming to Houston to David Price, althought he's likely out of our price range
• Could be an eventual landing spot for Jose Fernandez if the Marlins can't work out their off the field issues
• We've made calls about Aroldis Chapman, Andrew Miller, Brad Boxberger, and Ken Giles

We also designated Hoes for assignment and added Andrew Alpin and Nolan Fontana to the 40-man.. Although I'm not sure what that means since it's November.

Adding them to the 40-man protects them from the Rule 5 draft next month.

I was worried about Fontana.

Outside of his elite walk ratio in the minors, Aplin adds nothing Brandon Barnes didn't.

And Fontana has showed that an elite walk rate in mid to lower level minors doesn't always translate.. not even to AAA.

MLBtraderumors update:

"Brian McTaggart of MLB.com spoke to Astros GM Jeff Luhnow about his team's upcoming arbitration decisions and was told that there are no budgetary constraints dictating whether or not the team will tender or non-tender any of its eight arb-eligible players. Nonetheless, McTaggart writes that one of Chris Carter, Luis Valbuena, Evan Gattis or Jason Castro is likely to be non-tendered, with Carter representing the likeliest option. With prospect A.J. Reed representing an affordable alternative, the team can probably afford to cut bait with Carter. Valbuena and Jed Lowrie are capable of handling first base in his stead if needed, McTaggart adds.

The Houston Chronicle's Evan Drellich breaks down the Astros' search for a reliever. While ESPN's Jayson Stark reported recently that Houston is "hell-bent" on adding a closer, Luhnow said that's not necessarily the case and he's more "hell-bent" on improving the team by any avenue necessary. Of course, Luhnow isn't likely to openly tip his hand about how strongly he wants a given asset, and Drellich points out that it makes sense to downplay this report in particular due to Luke Gregerson's status as a well-respected leader in the bullpen. Luhnow again noted that it'd be nice to add an arm that can throw 95 to 100 mph, stating that he likes the notion of being able to give plenty of "different looks" to opposing lineups, though he didn't characterize the need to add to the 'pen as any kind of top priority. Drellich writes that Houston would probably take Tony Sipp back on a two-year deal right now, but setup men like him Sipp is arguably the market's top lefty tend to seek three years. The general expectation, though, seems to be that the Astros will add at least one relief arm (McTaggart noted that it's likely in the above-linked piece as well). Luhnow told Drellich that for the time being, trade talks are more active than free-agent talks."

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Nonetheless, McTaggart writes that one of Chris Carter, Luis Valbuena, Evan Gattis or Jason Castro is likely to be non-tendered, with Carter representing the likeliest option. With prospect A.J. Reed representing an affordable alternative, the team can probably afford to cut bait with Carter.

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Not really current Astros related but pretty cool.

Servais adds Casey Candaele and Mike Hampton to his Seattle staff.

[link]http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/14206230/seattle-mariners-add-casey-candaele-mike-hampton-coaching-staff[/link]

We just traded Jed.

Just sent Jed back to Oakland.

And we just sent Hoes back to Baltimore.

what did we get for Jed?

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We just traded Jed.

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That's interesting. Not saying I'm disappointed but what does this say about our 3B situation? Let Luis have it, Moran ready, or get some outside help?

Thought Jed would be in our plans for next year.

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We just traded Jed.

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That's interesting. Not saying I'm disappointed but what does this say about our 3B situation? Let Luis have it, Moran ready, or get some outside help?

Thought Jed would be in our plans for next year.

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Marwin at 3B

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The Orioles have re-acquired outfielder L.J. Hoes in a trade with the Astros, reports Jon Heyman of CBS Sports (Twitter link). Hoes had been designated for assignment last week. Roch Kubtako of MASNsports.com tweets that the Astros will receive cash considerations.

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We just traded Jed.

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That's interesting. Not saying I'm disappointed but what does this say about our 3B situation? Let Luis have it, Moran ready, or get some outside help?

Thought Jed would be in our plans for next year.

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I would think 1st and DH would be a priority over 3rd.

Duffy and JD Davis are options as well.

I expect Duffy will have the spring to solidify a roster spot. Either that or we are expecting an infielder in free agency or a trade.