Had a chance to rewatch some of the World Series games and one thing that stood out to me was Marwin. I like the guy a lot but there were times in that World Series where his defense was lacking in left field. I know he also made some great plays but I do think for the long term the Astros need a better option. Cant wait for February though. Can't get here sooner.
I was watching Brian McTaggart's video of Correa today talking about if he is happy with the current roster and would he like to see more added. I thought Correa's response was interesting with him saying he would like for the Astros to add more. He did said he trusts the Astros but normally you don't see players speak out like this after winning the World Series. I know Dallas did during the trading deadline when nothing happened. Maybe it's nothing but just thought it was interesting.
It's not the thing anymore in any major American sport for players to give the trusty "company line." What reason is there to? Carlos, like all of us, want the Stros to add more talent, and I'm thankful players speak their minds more these days than in days of Biggio cliches past.
Correa wants to see the Astros add more, especially with the Yankees adding Stanton, the Mariners adding Healy (sp?) and the Angels adding Ohtani, Cozart and Kinsler. I personally hope they sign Darvish (not holding my breath) and I wouldn't mind seeing them getting a free agent on a one-year deal in a really slow market this year. Carlos has gotten a taste of winning and like most of the other players on the team, wants more of it.
The next 6 weeks should be exciting for Astros fans because even though Houston doesn’t need to do a thing to be a contender, there are tons of available players who could improve their roster: C: Lucroy, Realmuto, Ramos OF/DH: Yelich, CarGo, Martinez, Hosmer, Duda, Morrison, Walker, Machado, Frazier, Granderson, Cain, Dyson, Bruce, Cabrera, Abreu, Dickerson, Davis, McCutchen, Kiermaier, Hamilton, Garcia, Castellanos SP: Darvish, Arrieta, Archer, Cole RP: Reed, Holland, Watson, Hand, Colome, Iglesias, Rivero, Ziegler, Herrera, Maurer, Soria
Speaking of adding, I'm curious if Marisnick takes another step forward with the bat and if what little we saw from Colin Moran is legit. Sometimes the best adds are just improvements from within.
Great reminders! Also I hear we have a couple of phenoms (Whitley and Tucker), maybe one of them could be ready by the second half of next year.
See and I felt like I was the few that really wants the Astros to sign Darvish. I feel like signing him sets this team up for 2018 and with Dallas most likely leaving. I rather see the Astros save their prospects for a mid season trade for either bullpen help or another bat in left. I agree the Yankees are a lot better now and they have prospects to trade to land them another ace. I know I should trust luhnow but I also know how much he values prospects. Many in the business have pointed this out that he is very reluctant to deal prospects. This team is great but I think it's so important to try and capitalize as much as they can in the next three years while they have this young core locked up.
25 Man wishlist C McCann, Lucroy, Gattis IF Yuli, Altuve, Correa, Bregman OF Reddick, Springer, Marwin, Marisnick Open competition between CarGo, Fisher, Moran, Tucker for the last spot SP Keuchel, Verlander, Darvish, McCullers, Morton RP Giles, Devo, Harris, Smith, Rondon, Musgrove. Watson, Peacock Lots of trade options
Moran hasn't been discussed much but he did look visibly better in his very small cup of coffee last year. He has a Gurriel type makeup offensively, and could provide a really nice and cheap 1B/3B/DH swingman.
I’m totally fine giving Reed, Moran, Fisher, Martes, and Paulino any open spots. When an org has a Top 100 type of prospect, it’s worthwhile to see if they can develop a quality player from within. That’s why it’s so awesome to me, the worst case scenario for Houston is that their 21-25 roster spots are taken by young high upside players who have earned an extended look. Best case is they add established stars to what is already a stacked roster.
With Bregman being able to play SS, I've been wondering if Moran is being groomed to replace Marwin. Seems like Astros have been working on his position flexibility and getting loft on the ball. With the baseballs having flubbed cores, getting ball in air is all you need.
That's pretty much been my thinking all along. I think Marwin going elsewhere is all but guaranteed. With salary rising, cutting corners will be necessary. Because of Bregman we don't really "need" another infielder that can cover 2B/SS, we just need a guy that can cover the corners. It wouldn't shock me at all if Moran ends up being close to Marwin offensively next year, maybe better. We would effectively have the same infield coverage offensively. Maybe he even ends up good enough to be a Gurriel replacement at 1B. Tyler White would seem to offer a similar possibility, but from what I've heard his defense at 3rd leaves much to be desired. We need to develop some cheap labor, and this would seem to be a nice role for a guy to have because the offensive demands of a utility guy are much lower than an outright 1B/DH.
Agree. Not only does Houston have internal replacements and no need to pay a utility guy $40M+, but Marwin is getting older. He will be 30 next season. His defensive tools have already started to erode to my eyes. Not only that, but his offensive production in 2017 was very likely at least partially a mirage. I think he will be a corner bat (1B/3B/LF) that will be a good everyday player for some team for 3-4 years.
It's sort of unbelievable that Jake had a .815 OPS last season, even given smallish sample size. Pair that number with his defense and you have a really good player.
