2016 Astros Minor League Thread

there isn't a better time to trade a player like Valbuena than when he's hot.

The Astros have a "platoon" issue right now. They have a bunch of guys that can get hot at different times but tend to have holes in their games that keep them from being everyday players. And it's easier to identify the problems than to provide real solutions.

 

I agree, I think Valbuena's value is peaking, as not only is he hot but there are several contenders who could use him at 3B/1B and it's a thin market. Also, Houston has Moran, Marwin, Worth, and Bregman they can use to replace him.

 

I really don't think they have properly utilized the positive platoon situation they have. Valbuena hits right handed pitching very well, he has done so for 3 straight years. (He's hitting lefties this year, but I don't expect that to continue)

And once again, Marwin is killing left handed pitching. It's a perfect platoon situation. If we just run one of those 2 out there every night we have a solid 3rd baseman.

The problem is because of the first base issue, we have been playing one of them over there a lot, so one of them is facing a platoon disadvantage almost every night.

 

I disagree, Valbuena's OPS vs lefties is .666 and vs righties .713, he is going to be able to hit lefties that are not tough on lefties.

 

I can't agree more here. Marwin is playing a lot more than he should against RHPs. Worth may also give the Astros another platoon bat against LHPs giving Astros another reason to rest Valbuena against LHPs.

 

Valbuena is hitting lefties at a 0.793 OPS this year so I that constitutes hitting lefties this year as seal said (0.666 is his career OPS). Seal also said he expects Valbuena to cool off. So by disagreeing with Seal, I assume you expect Valbuena to stay hitting lefties well...though that doesn't agree with the rest of your post.

 

What i say is that has "similar" numbers career. There is not a major difference from .666 to .713. Those numbers says the guy can hit lefties and righties more or less the same way, and is not a real platoon guy.

RAsmus has a .668 OPS vs lefties, and he is another that is able to hit lefties, again, not those lefties that are loogys. Now, the OPS on righties is .783, but he is better hitter than Valbuena.

Now, you want to see a guy that you really need to platoon with? Castro.

Career Castro has a .530 OPS vs a .762 vs righties. There is a guy that you should only see him playing vs right handed pitchers and almost never vs lefties.

 

Luis strikes out too much, but I like his ability to hit for pop and draw *a few* more walks this season toward the bottom of the lineup. He's just another guy in those regards, however, particularly at 3B. It is Valbuena's defense I see as a key reason we should hold onto him for this season if we remain in contention. He seems to be pretty sure-handed down there, and I think Hinch feels that way because Luis is normally at 3B this season when in the lineup (seemed like he split more time at 1B last season). I honestly believe Luis' defense does enough to cover up some of his offensive deficiencies.

I don't think Luis is in the long-term plan for the Astros, but I honestly prefer him to a guy like Moran at this point in time (of course, most probably do). I also think he brings a little attitude to the team as well with his swagger/confidence. That said, I wouldn't mind the Marwin/Luis platoon at 3B if Reed gets called up. And as another poster mentioned, Reed can get some DH AB's to keep all the guys fresh.

 

Back to minor league discussions ...

Sierra should get credited with a Quality Start.

 

Got what you are saying now, but disagree that it is basically the same...just not as extreme as some.

 

You're right in theory, but that isn't the Astros' MO, and any team would have a hard time pulling the trigger on trading a productive player while the team is playing well and scratching and clawing to get back into contention, with the purpose of clearing playing room for an unknown commodity.

 

If your playing badly as a team, making moves is the expected solution. But if you were to make moves while playing well, and the team goes south, whether the moves you made or not are the reason, heads will roll.

Unfortunately, its more political precedent/survival than sound judgement.

 

Luhnow recently told Tags he likes the team they have now and doesn't see any holes on the team. In other words, he'll be trading people as soon as others asking prices come down. Not that it would be Valbuena getting moved but I think even Luhnow realizes that a lineup with Bregman and Reed has a higher ceiling than what's in place now (it would also potentially have a lower floor).

 

So your take is that he is posturing?

 

I don't see them trading Valbuena, unless they get a known commodity back.

This team could use one a bat and a starter, but I'm not sold we will chase the kind of player that would be a real improvement.

 

He doesn't see any holes on the team? Yikes.

 

That would be fantastic.

 

Every GM postures, they must have a class on it at the Winter Meetings.