I wouldn't be surprised if we packaged Singleton + Tucker or Santana + pitcher or 2 for a big piece this trade deadline
The post above yours talks about Gattis and Carter. Your use of pronouns does not really explain who you are talking about as Gattis and Carter are both guys who perform well in half seasons.
I didn't say he was going to be great for 40 games and then go back to crap. But previous years do seem to indicate eventually he'll go on a Carter Tear. Last year it was longer than 40 games. I was just throwing some numbers out there like you did. The overall, season numbers last year from Carter were great. If he gets there this year by breaking out sometime in the next week, then you put up with what we've seen from him so far (especially considering we've been winning without that). I just wish there was some guarantee that it would happen and not just the probability.
It's painfully frustrating to watch Carter struggle, but history is on his side. If you go back to 2012 you can find 7 different non overlapping 30 game stretches in which he posted an OPS over .900. It's not a guarantee, but it seems highly likely that one of these hot months is coming. It isn't as if he has just has one hot stretch every year and sucks for the rest of the year. On the Singleton side, we've seen him have success in the minors, and fail in the show. There's no guarantee this time will be different. Some people are acting as if this is an easy call to make, but it really isn't. the Astros have good reason for sticking with Carter given past results. Simply going to Singleton because he has more upside is something bad teams do, not contenders. Contenders have to do what is best to win this year, and that answer isn't clear.
This year, Singleton's k% is trending down and his contact rate is trending up. Obviously, the Astros are having Singleton work on his swing and are seeing results. I would not be surprised to see Singleton stay on the farm this season, barring a trade or injury. If Singleton continues to show improvement, this will force Luhnow's hand in the off season.
Who's roster spot does he take? Carter or Gattis? Singleton is guaranteed to be called up to The Bigs, in September after the AAA season is finished.
It doesn't need to be either. If they cut down on pitchers, they can carry an extra player. Give it several weeks and the 3 of them will sort out who plays. Adding a lefty in there gives you some more creative lineup flexibility, and having all 3 also gives you a pinch-hitter on the bench with power every night.
So you play Singleton full time at first and alternate Gattis and Carter at DH? I strongly suspect that Luhnow want all three to be full time starters.
I think the most pragmatic move would be to rotate all 3 until something gives. We can't dump Carter or Gattis until we have some evidence that Singleton is ready this time. Singleton coming through is clearly the best case scenario, because he is younger and projects as a much more well rounded hitter. Hopefully all 3 succeed and Gattis/Carter rebuild their trade value, because it is a sellers market for bats, and I think we could get solid value for either one.
