True or False: Tyler White will be/ is our DH of the future?

2019 playing time distribution by # of GS, assuming good health:
C: TBD
1B: Gurriel 90, White 72
2B: Altuve 145, Gurriel 17
SS: Correa 145, Bregman 17
3B: Bregman 130, Gurriel 32
RF: Tucker 135, Springer 17, Reddick 10
CF: Springer 120, Marisnick/Kemp 42
LF: Reddick 115, Marisnick/Kemp 47
DH: White 70, TBD catcher 20, Gurriel/Altuve/Correa/Bregman/Reddick/Springer/Tucker/Kemp 50, Sept callups 10.

 

Most likely scenario, but the team could go for a 1B/DH if that is what the market ends up dictating. I think ideally they will find someone capable of playing SS. Sure, we have 2 regardless, but if either gets hurt, we don't really have anyone to even fill in temporarily. At the very least it will be a need to sign a SS to a minor league contract that you could expect replacement level production from.

 

I really enjoyed the pretend you have something in your eye and can't see, call on the trainer for some visine and proceed to hit the next pitch for a 3-run bomb.

 

Nice chart!

Also, I doubt it happens for many reasons, but if I was the GM I'd look to try and trade Yuli, and resign Gonzalez at a fair price. I like Marwin much better, as he's a switch hitter, has much better versatility, and is a longer-tenured Astro and has meant far more to the team over the years. But yeah, that looks pretty good.

 

There are an infinite number of Reid Brignac types who can be signed to AAA in case something terrible happens. But I’m a believer in Jack Mayfield being able to fill that role.

 

Yuli doesn't have trade value. He'd be below average at 1B or 3B and will be an overpriced utiltity guy. They'd have to ship him off with a decent prospect considering he's got 2 years/~$19m left on his contract.

Lol "resign at a fair price". I guarantee that the Astros' idea and Marwin's idea of a "fair price" is significantly different. This is probably his one and only shot at a big FA deal and he should be hunting for Ben Zobrist- money and the Astros should be sprinting away from paying a back-up (much less non-star) that kind of money.

 

Reid Brignac has provided negative WAR for 6 straight seasons. Not the type of player we need in AAA, and something we don't have this year in AAA. And FWIW, Jack Mayfield should not play SS in the bigs. Not the type I'd want.

 

Prior to what happened this past offseason, Yuli's deal pretty reasonable. I think a team would take him without a prospect, you just aren't getting anything of value back.

Will the market be like last offseason, or open a bit as teams are not as focused on avoiding the tax since they are no longer repeating taxpayers? Marwin should ask for $50M+, but realistically may need to settle for more like $30M. Astros should be interested in up to a 3 year deal up to $10M/year. More than that, you pretty much need to spend your resources elsewhere as your roster gets pricier.

 

Marwin at that price would be a steal. At $7 million per WAR, Marwin's value is close to double of that.

I do think that Marwin will struggle to find the big deal this offseason, since I think being a utility IF likely hurts his value, right or wrong.

 

Whichever one wins the WS MVP gets the first base gig next year. I bet Yuli.

 

Dunno man. Basically league-average offensive production, below average defensively at corner IF positions, going into his age 35 season and making ~$10m per year for the next two years. PLUS the racial incident.

I can't imagine any team voluntarily takes that off the Astros' hands.

 

Doubt teams view Gurriel this way going forward. He's basically average this year playing through an injury that seems to have zapped his power. I think most teams expect he'll be better next year.

 

Says who? Marwin is probably priority #1 of the Astros offseason

 

I doubt that. Long-term catcher solution is a much more important priority.

 

Things Higher on the Priority List

Cole extension
Correa extension
Bregman extension
Schedule seventeen games to give away 2018 World Series Replica Rings
Springer extension
White extension
Parade
Acquire an ace

 

Can Marwin play catcher? We know he has a gun for an arm. All problems solved.

 

I'd definitely swap Correa and Bregman. Bregman seems to have far more enthusiasm and will probably be more important to the team going forward, and Correa has possible concerns with his back and oblique. As for the acquire an ace, we might be set for at least 2019 internally, but for the 2019/20 offseason, that should be a priority. And White, well, I love watching him play, but let's wait and see if he really is a keeper.
I'd strongly target Realmuto if he's available. If not, go after Grandal, or maybe see if Barnhart from the Reds is available (doubt it though) as an alternative to the first two.
We'll see what the market is for Marwin, maybe we can keep him. As for Gurriel, the signing made sense at the time, and he has been very important to us, but I think for 2019/20 his importance will really dwindle, and we have younger alternatives waiting in the wings. I would, however, disagree with the assertion that his 1B defense is below average. It was that way last year, but he has clearly improved tremendously.

 

For whom? I don't think the Astros would pay Marwin $10M annually for 3+ years.