I'm still laughing.. I have been thinking this to myself all morning as I catch up on CF at work lol.
This may just be me, but I don't understand everyone's need to include Gattis in these lineups. If it is true they are shopping him then I agree. He hits some homers, but thats about it and 2 of the 4 ppl we just signed can do that just as much. One is a better C, and the other is a better DH.
Not sure how relevant DWAR is for catchers, but Gattis was -0.0 last year. McCann was last in the AL at -0.3. (that being said, I much prefer McCann to Gattis defensively). As a catcher, Gattis had a .992 OPS, McCann .750.
Because offensively Gattis is better than Aoki or Marisnick? Because there is substantial doubt that Reed or White can be the 1B? Because Gurriel hasn't shown anything to really guarantee his spot?
Some numbers Gattis put up in 2016: .828 OPS. 119 wRC+ means he is 19% better than league average. .257 ISO with .508 SLG. Plus he showed some growth in BB% posting 8.6% walk rate vs. 5.0% in 2015. Gattis is a valuable hitter. That's why he's being included in these lineups.
Yes, Gattis was better at catcher than at DH, by a lot. So I would only use Gattis as a catcher. But his numbers are also a much smaller sample size to McCann I think. I don't know, I just think he is a backup catcher at most. If he can get us something of value in a trade with some prospects, I'd say do it. Then again, as soon as we trade him, McCann will get injured and we are screwed.. such is Houston sports.
Gattis was a valuable hitter ONLY when he is playing catcher. As a DH, his numbers were far lower. I guess platooning him at C with McCann is something I agree with, but we should have a different DH when McCann is catching IMO.
There no real reason to expect that to be anything more than a fluke. Carlos Correa hit righties far better than lefties, sometimes weird splits just happen for no reason. Gattis has been a consistently productive, if at times unspectacular hitter. Unless Beltran is gonna DH 162, Gattis is clearly the next best option, particularly against lefties when Reddick may have to sit in the OF.
I don't trust defensive stats for catchers, but that's just me. Gattis is a quality receiver and he's shockingly quick out of his crouch with his arm, but he's painfully slow to get down on his knees (insert joke) to block anything. I haven't watched McCann since he was in Atlanta but I'm assuming he's tolerable to good? Gattis is on record as liking hitting while playing the field. Some guys are like that, they can't handle DH duty and just sitting on the bench without being involved in the game.
Pencil in Bregman, if there was any doubt: http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/12/tradefa-rumors-bregman-solarte-dodgers-jays-tribe-holland.html
Stats would indicate that McCann will be much better at avoiding passed balls and preventing wild pitches. McCann gave up 6 passed balls and 22 Wild pitches in 757 innings compared to 5 passed balls and 42 wild pitches by Gattis in 445.1 innings. Certainly the pitchers have a huge role in those numbers, but no doubt McCann would be better than Gattis in that regard.
Sounds like Bregs, Swanson, Trea Turner are all staying put and labeled untouchable. Not surprising. Any others who came up last year and are in that camp? Gary Sanchez I'm sure, possibly Trevor Story (though they have some depth coming up there I think). Not sure if any pitchers would be completely untouchable in the right deal--I'd imagine guys like Jose Berrios, even Michael Fulmer could move in a huge deal (a la Sale).
I've been thinking about him. Tyson Ross too. What do yall know about him/them other than basic stats?
Comparing the 2016 stats of the new players that are basically replacing departing players. Josh Reddick vs. Colby Rasmus BA: .281>.206 OBP: .345>.286 HR: 10<15 RBI: 37<54 WAR: 2.6>2.2 K's: 56>121 Thoughts: Reddick is a far better contact and on-base guy, which is more of what this team needs. Brian McCann vs. Jason Castro BA: .242>.210 OBP: .335>.307 HR: 20>11 RBI: 58>32 WAR: 0.9=0.9 K's: 99>123 Thoughts: Brian McCann may be our biggest upgrade yet. I know Gattis will share some catching time, but We are basically doing a straight swap for Castro, and McCann is better offensively in contact, on-base, and power Carlos Beltran vs. Jake Marisnick BA: .295>.209 OBP: .337>.257 HR: 29>5 RBI: 93>21 WAR: 2.0>1.7 K's: 101<83 Thoughts: First, I know Marisnick is still on the team, and Beltran will primarily play DH, but you are basically swapping them in the lineup (possibly putting Gurriel in LF) Also, last year Beltran played 69 games in the OF and 73 as a DH, so look for him to probably do much of the same in Houston, unless the Astros acquire another OF...So Beltran is light years ahead of Marisnick. Even at 39 years old, Beltran is still putting up numbers. Even if he bats .240/15 HRs/50 RBIs, that will still be fantastic. Final thought: All 3 of these moves have greatly improved our lineup. I think Beltran coming back to Houston for what might be his last year can mentor his fellow PR (and Carlos) Correa, and give the Astros one more playoff run. Reddick is far more consistent than Rasmus and is someone you can count one. McCann is still one of the top 5 or so offensive catchers in the majors. Great job Lunhow, now please get EE and a pitcher. Thanks.
