Astros are going to be in such a great position at the major league and minor league levels for a very long time. Singleton, Marisnick & Dominguez or guys that are going to battle for AB's. Gattis can take over either that LF or 1B spot at any time. And I think Valbuena is a definite upgrade at 3B. Three players that could bolster the farm with prospects if they don't pan out long term. Further as these top drafts develop along names like Lowrie, Rasmus, Keuchel, McHugh, Feldman, Gregerson, Neshek, Qualls, Castro could really fetch some high quality prospects.
Single game tickets go on sale March 2nd. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>"More Than Just a Game" is the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Astros?src=hash">#Astros</a>' 2015 campaign slogan.</p>— Jose de Jesus Ortiz (@OrtizKicks) <a href="https://twitter.com/OrtizKicks/status/567749048438755328">February 17, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>The Astros will wear this patch on their uniforms this season, 50th anniversary of the team getting "Astros" name <a href="http://t.co/vPM1lZo3fa">pic.twitter.com/vPM1lZo3fa</a></p>— Daniel Gotera (@DTGoteraKHOU) <a href="https://twitter.com/DTGoteraKHOU/status/567749588258267139">February 17, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Astros to celebrate Craig Biggio's HOF, Astros 50th anniversary & the 2005 World Series team. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/astros?src=hash">#astros</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/abc13houston">@abc13houston</a> <a href="http://t.co/grBQ6KMKvL">pic.twitter.com/grBQ6KMKvL</a></p>— Bob Slovak (@BobSlovak13) <a href="https://twitter.com/BobSlovak13/status/567749757804638208">February 17, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>"We're going to have to start trading some of these guys," Luhnow says of deep farm. Says Foltyniewicz won't be last top prospect traded.</p>— Jose de Jesus Ortiz (@OrtizKicks) <a href="https://twitter.com/OrtizKicks/status/567755921418240000">February 17, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> May have been previously posted Spoiler
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>"We're going to have to start trading some of these guys," Luhnow says of deep farm. Says Foltyniewicz won't be last top prospect traded.</p>— Jose de Jesus Ortiz (@OrtizKicks) hello Cole Hamels?
Reports are out that Andre Ethier wants to start and is open to a trade: http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/02/andre-ethier-wants-to-start-open-to-trade.html I doubt we make this move, our outfield is already too crowded. Either was an all-star in 2010 and 2011 as well as a 2011 Gold glove winner. His numbers have dipped without consistent playing time. I wonder what team makes a move for him.
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2...e-might-be-a-few-more-smiles-with-colby-gone/ Do y'all think this is something to potentially worry about?
I don't think so. It's a one-year deal. If he's a clubhouse problem, it won't be anything long-term. Regardless, he has incentives (FA next year), to not be a bad clubhouse guy. In fact, being in a clubhouse as young as the Astros may actually be good for him. We'll see.
Looks like I may have major egg on my face. Gattis will primarily be working in left field to start the spring. If Gattis plays significant time in left field, it would mean Marisnick would have to beat Rasmus for a starting job in center field instead of both starting. Granted, it could just be that Gattis is going to play a lot of DH with the Astros just giving themselves more options.
I think its just to give them as much flexibility as possible. Again, when facing a tough lefty, it would benefit this team greatly to have the BEST possible right-handed lineup in there (Gattis-Carter-Springer), but they'll also need to possibly include some left-handed sticks (Rasmus-Singleton) for later innings/relief pitchers/balance, and there's the fact that you can't really sub out the DH (presuming Hinch knows more than Porter). Also, not sure Marisnick would be able to beat anybody out in spring even if he's Mickey Mantle, or Luke Scott, at the plate (presuming this front office knows not to over-value spring numbers). I still think he's going to get more starts than Grossman or Gattis in the OF when its all said and done. Lastly, if your an Astro fan, you want 1-year rental Rasmus playing his ass off... along with Marisnick making the most of his starts and defensive-replacement stints... as Rasmus could possibly be the one player amongst him-Carter-Gattis that would not only be moved at the deadline, but possibly get the highest return (in addition to the fact that Gattis-Carter have more club controlled years to exploit).
You can't play Gattis, Carter, & Singleton at the same time without putting Carter or Gattis in LF, or Gattis at Catcher (which won't happen with Castro & Conger). Barring injury, trade, or a flat out awful spring from Singleton, you have to expect Gattis to be our starting LF.
If Gattis is not in LF, Marisnick would be in the top 3 in MLB performance in the OF so Mickey Mantle wouldn't be needed. Luhnow has previously said Gattis will not play regularly in left field. I expected Gattis to be getting a lot of work at 1B because Marisnick was a lot better than Singleton last year.
Marisnick top 3 performance in the MLB??? whaaaaa??? I get hes a nice player defensively, just not sold on him having enough stick to be a regular.
If the GM didn't think Gattis would be the starting LF in January, I don't see how I should expect Gattis to be one. Luhnow had no reason to lie. I do not place a premium on offense. Marisnick adds a lot of defensive value even if people can't see that him catching nearly a ball (about 0.75) extra each game in center versus Fowler (probably about 0.5 versus Rasmus) saves a ton of runs.
The organization has more of a current investment (dollar-wise) in both Singleton and Gattis, and Jon has a big up-side that they need to see if he can reach (and get him there ASAP) that will warrant him to get increased opportunities over Marisnick (who despite the impressive defense, is still young and raw at the plate... and has many years of cheap club control ahead of him). The best case scenario for this lineup (and the future going forward) is to have Singleton hit well and take over 1B. The rest of the lineup can then be filled while taking the good with the bad (and Gattis will be an everyday hitter in this lineup).
Gattis is taking serious reps in LF, to see if he play there. This might be the first ST where Gattis actually got to work on his LF skills. There is a chance that Luhnow Hinch et al will find Gattis in LF unacceptable or maybe only acceptable at home.
Luhnow lies (or doesn't commit to the whole truth) quite a bit... you haven't been paying attention if you don't see that. He'll never say anything definitively, or put himself in a corner. I still don't expect Gattis to play a lot of LF other than occasionally at MMP. And clearly, the front office still places a premium on offense... its now become an underrated commodity, and the everyday lineup was far more effective last season with Fowler in the lineup than not (and runs scored still translates more directly to wins than runs prevented secondary to position player defense)
From what I have read, Singleton has a long swing with an uppercut. Singleton may need to fix his swing before he can be an everday MLB player. If Singleton earns the first base job, Gattis and Carter will split time at LF and DH. That leaves three OF spots, of which Springer and Rasmus are locks. Marisnick, Grossman and Presley will battle for the last spot. Grossman would be the dark horse since he cannot play CF. If Singleton does not earn the first base job, Gattis and Carter will split time at first and DM. That leaves four OF spots. Marisnick, Grossman and Presley will battle for the last two spots.
I'd think the front office would have seen that/known that, and known more about his long-term prospects before giving him guaranteed money when they didn't have to. But yeah, he's a big key to everything falling into place. If not, they have a decent backup plan.
Maybe he expected a trade. Maybe he wanted everyone to think there would be an open competition. Right now, Gattis in LF is the logical conclusion.
