Valbuena is the one in the tank. Dead last in OPS among 3B and bottom 3 in AVG, SLG, and OBP. Moran needs to replace him ASAP.
Y'all are making this too complicated. When Gattis becomes our backup catcher, Kratz will be cut. When McCullers come back, Feldman will be moved to the bullpen with Fields being optioned. All of that leaves us with one slot....ie Moran. Also, my guess is that Bregman gets bumped up to triple A when Moran is called up. To get Reed up, a regular needs to be traded/cut.
Unless White can play 3B, Reed should be getting the call above Moran. Allows White to move to the everyday DH, Reed to be the everyday 1B. For Moran to be up and get regular playing time, they're going to have to release Valbuena.
I wonder if they're not already looking for possible trade partners for either or both of Valbuena and Gattis. See if they can get something for them and open up spots for Reed and Moran.
I would be a little surprised. This team has expectations; turning two key positions over to rookies... I would be surprised if that was their plan B. More likely: they're looking for better MLB players with the idea of further gutting their system - IF they think they need to make a move. Remember, no team is ever as impatient and desperate as its fans.
Even if Gattis can only catch 1/week... his bat can still provide above replacement value production. Valbuena isn't a good enough defender to have his bat go totally in the tank... there are also questions to Moran's defensive ability, so they'd have to be sold that his bat will translate to warrant the potential drop-off in 3B defense.
12 games... but if the team needs him to hit well at AAA for every game he plays there, then he won't get the call. I presume the team knows what he can and cannot do at this point, based on his development and ST time. Its just easier to accommodate him right now vs. Moran (unless they're ready to give up on Valbuena completely).
I don't see why, what am I missing? It all hinges on Gattis being able to catch a couple or so games a week, Moran takes Kratz's spot on the roster.
The log-jam of Moran-Gonzalez-Valbuena is what I was referring to. It makes no sense to have all three of them on the roster, when only one should be getting the majority of AB's at that position. I don't see them promoting either Moran or Reed unless they're ready to get regular AB's. I suppose you can slide Moran to DH if you're worried about his defense...and still get him regular AB's. If Reed takes Kratz's spot (presuming he's ready), White slides over to DH and Reed is the 1B.... which would actually improve the 1B defense, provide another lefty stick in the lineup, and gives the Marwin-Valbuena platoon one last chance to stick.
I don't see Astros taking ABs from Gattis/Tucker so they don't lose them from Valbuena/Gonzalez. Moran is easier to accommodate from a position flexibility standpoint as he can play 3B and the other guys that play 3B can play other positions besides just DH (if the Astros still have confidence in Valbuena). However, position flexibility be damned if the Astros think Reed can hit well...granted, I wouldn't really consider that accommodating.
12 games, but the same can kind of be said about anyone on the Astros. If Reed is called up, Gattis is the most likely to lose ABs, but Tucker would become near obsolete. Why wouldn't you just send Tucker down to make room for Moran?
I'd be good with this if their was a catcher in the minors already on the 40 man roster ready to step up if Gattis implodes.
I'm sorry, but right now there is Erik Kratz. Are you afraid that Erik Kratz can't be replaced? He can probably be replaced by Erik Kratz, as it is doubtful anybody will claim him.
Because if Tucker isn't in the everyday lineup, he's still a formidable PH option off the bench. And a platoon of White/Tucker at DH has a chance to be extremely productive (presuming White continues to cool off, as Tucker has, and no longer warrants the vast volume of everyday AB's). I've already relegated Gattis to 1/week catcher duty. If Moran is coming up, overall team is better off by just getting rid of Valbuena (and keeping Tucker and/or Reed all at the big league level).
I think JDM lingers in the mind of management. If they were not willing to cut ties with Singleton, I find it unlikely they would flush Valbuena for nothing. And getting something is unlikely for the same reason we want to move him.
Kratz is taking up both a 40-man and an active roster spot. If Moran is added to the 40-man for Kratz...not so simple to just add him back or someone else.
