The Astros are going to have some payroll issues of their own next year.
They already have a 2020 projected payroll for tax purposes of $163 million, and that only covers 8 players, doesn't include any of the arb players.
Trading Iggy was pretty close to trading a top prospect, no? He was only 23 and in his rookie season, and under team control for 5 more years.
It was a trade of the future for the present.
But even having 'good, cheap players' from the farm has a pretty short window now. It does if it's a really top player, at least.
Mookie will end up getting paid about 60 million for his 3 arb years.
That's not exactly cheap.
I would say Dombrowski UTILIZED the farm, or EXPLOITED the farm, to get us 3 division titles and a championship. And no, I'm not complaining about it.
Which doesn't mean I'm unaware of the importance of the farm or that it needs improvement.