Yea, if anything they split time behind the plate and Lucroy picks up some extra at bats at 1B/DH Either way, i'd be happy to see Lucroy here IF the price isn't crazy, as i've read in some places
The Astros wouldn't keep Castro if they Lucroy. The Astros ownership and front office are not going to pay a back up catcher that much, and they would get something for Castro.
Crane isn't going to pay Castro that much to be a back up.... His butt would be dealt to clear salary.
No one is arguing Lucroy is a better player, particularly in a vacuum, but Castro having years of familiarly with Keuchel counts. Being the catcher to Mchugh during his ascent counts. Being the catcher for LMJ's highly successful rookie season counts. Castro's intangibles with the pitching staff imho are worth having a hole in the 9-hole. I don't buy the idea that they have to have above average hitters at every position to be a WS contender.
I Agree w/ this completely. Keuchel wants Castro behind the plate. Castro is one of the locker room faves and leaders. You don't mess with chemistry.
I think you are over valuing his impact on the development/performance of the Astros starters. Dallas K was going to do well regardless of his back stop, McHugh and McCullers performed well because they improved command/control. The defense behind them has more to do with it than Castro. Lucroy is also very good at handling a pitching staff. The Astros have two many holes in their line up, if they can get an improvement offensively and a near draw defensively... They should do it.... I have no doubt the Astros would jump at the opportunity, but I suspect Stearns wants a good return which the Astros may not be willing to pay. Anyway, it is just a difference of opinion.
Agree to disagree. None of those guys would be where they are if Humberto Quintero or Max Stassi were their full time catchers. Having continuity with a veteran catcher definitely aids pitching development. Castro is basically their Brad Ausmus. The Astros probably have too many "uncertainties" in their lineup right now. But if they were that concerned with it, they should have gone after Chris Davis or Todd Frazier. Upgrading the 9-hole at the cost of the pitching staff's comfort seems incredibly short-sighted. That all being said, if Lucroy became the catcher and stayed for a couple seasons he could build the same thing Castro has and bring a better bat.
Didn't Hank Conger have a lower catchers ERA last year than Castro did? If not, he certainly was right there with him for most of the season... throwing issues and all. I agree that upgrading Castro is not the biggest issue... but I disagree that it would have some disastrous effects on pitchers who largely call their own game as is. Pretty sure Brett Strom is a bigger part of the pitching turnarounds/reclamation/success stories... I'd be more worried about the pitching if he were leaving, vs. Castro.
Where are posters getting this Castro and Keuchel stuff from? For instance: 04/18 Keuchel wins 4-0 with Conger catching 04/24 Keuchel gives up 0 runs in 9 innings with Conger catching 04/29 Keuchel gives up 1 run in 8 innings with Conger catching 05/04 Keuchel gives up 1 run in 8 innings with Conger catching There are other examples throughout the year. Face it, it is not Conger or Castro, it's Keuchel.
Yep... plus not to mention that its not very analytical-like of them to have such inflexibility to tie all of a pitching rotation's success to just one catcher. Luhnow set an ultimatum at mid-season last year that Castro was going to have to hit better, or he'd be getting less starts.... doesn't sound like somebody who puts a ton of value into one catcher making or breaking a pitching rotation. By Castro standards, he didn't even have that good of a season last year in terms of blocking pitches (although his frame rate improved).
I get your point But it isn't like Castro is making crazy money. They wouldn't give him away for less than what they thought he was worth I could easily see Castro and Lucroy split time catching with Lucroy also playing some 1B/DH In the end I don't see us paying the price it would take on prospects to get Lucroy anyway
Why do you think Crane is so cheap? Because he hasn't given out a stupid contract? Castro only got a little over 300 ABs last year, if Crane was so cheap wouldn't he have moved him for a prospect already? I don't get the Crane is cheap talk.
Who said he was cheap? They have a budget and wasting money on what would be a back up catcher isn't something they are likely to do. They could allocate that money on another need. Further the Astros don't need Castro's bat anywhere in the line up if he isn't catching.... Giving him at bats at 1st or DH is a waste.
Oh I agree they wouldn't give him at bats at 1B or DH They could give Lucroy at bats there though And I don't think they have a specific budget, in fact they have said as much As I said Castro only had a little over 300 ABs last year, it isn't like he played every day
Sure... and the pitchers didn't all of a sudden crap the bed when Castro wasn't catching them, which was the original point. I know you value virtually all other skills in a catcher besides hitting... but even this regime realizes you still have to provide at least a marginal threat with the bat. And even then... Castro had shown signs of those other skills eroding last year.... the odds that he's with this club long-term are pretty minuscule, so the team attempting to go in another direction wouldn't be surprising.
I wouldn't mind a trade for Lucroy, but I wouldn't throw the kitchen sink in for him. No pitching prospects, and none of the top 5. Something like: Preston Tucker Stassi Fisher Duffy Essentially a bunch of quality B list prospects, but nobody with elite upside. Lucroy has a lot of risk to him, and he's only under control for 2 more years. I don't see anything wrong with carrying Castro and Lucroy. If there's any position you can stand to have multiple "land locked" players at, it's catcher.
Castro has had such a disappointing career arc offensively. When he came up his profile was that of a decent OBP guy who will hit the occasional HR. Then in 2012 he posted a .257/.334/.401 line, which is almost exactly the type of player I though he would be coming up. Far from Johnny Bench, but enough to keep pitchers honest and occasionally keep the line moving. Then he had that monster 2013 season,which we all knew was an aberration, and he's never been the same. Now he strikes out a ridiculous amount, and goes through stretches where he's completely non competitive. Part of me still thinks (hopes) that he can get that K-rate back under control and return to his 2012 level. Put the ball in play, and stop swinging for the fences.
