How the Aledmys Diaz trade creates a roster crunch https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2018/11/29/18116394/how-the-aledyms-diaz-trade-creates-a-roster-crunch "I would not be shocked if the Astros move White and/or Jake + Kemp this winter, especially if they’re thinking of adding a bat." Interesting read.
Houston was already going to have to make decisions on White and Kemp since they’re both out of options. Between Diaz and Marisnick, Kemp has almost no defensive value and his bat is just not good enough to warrant a roster spot on its own. If Houston adds another bat as expected, I think it’s virtually certain that Kemp will be elsewhere in 2019. It’ll be interesting to see if he has any trade value. White is harder to predict. I think he will be on the roster, as his bat has a chance to be elite and he projects to be a league average DH or 1B.
I agree with you there. Kemp is 'good enough' for a lot of MLB squads, but he can easily be upgraded. Jake is too important as a defensive specialist and backup OF that can play all OF positions at an elite level. Even though Jake has 1 year of options remaining, I don't see him starting the year in AAA. White was a huge boost to our club last year, and I think it's unwise to trade him for a short-term replacement. Kemp will likely be dealt in order to make room for an elite LF.
I think the Stassi/Herrmann choice will likely be decided in Spring Training. If Herrmann beats out Stassi for a backup catcher role, Stassi will have to be traded or released (and pass through waivers). My gut says Stassi gets the nod no matter the ST outcome, and Herrmann is used as an injury call-up.
I think Houston liked the platoon advantages they got with McCann being a left handed hitter and Gattis/Stassi/Machete being right handed. If they acquire a right handed catcher (Realmuto or Ramos), I think Stassi becomes trade bait. If they add a lefty or switchitter (Grandal) then Herrmann will be DFA.
Kemp was a bright spot last year. If adding another bat means subtracting Kemp, that bat better be pretty amazing and play good defense.
Kemp’s a league average bat with minimal defensive value. He’s a terrible defender in LF. He makes highlight catches because he jumps and dives a lot since he’s 5’4” and takes bad routes. He also has no arm and his power is very limited. But he does have value since he rarely strikes out, can draw a walk, and offers value on the base paths. But his ideal situation would be as a 9 hole hitter as the everyday 2B on a good but not great team. Brantley, McCutchen, Cruz, or Murphy are all well worth pushing Kemp off the roster, especially if there’s a team willing to give up a lotto prospect for him.
Yankees are going to be absolutely stacked next season after they add Corbin, Machado, and 2 good relievers. They may have the first team in history to project to 60+ fWAR.
There are definitely guys out there worthy of giving up Kemp for. But in a perfect world, I'd like our new acquisitions to replace guys who didn't help us, not ones who did.
It appears to me Alvarez has a quicker swing path to the ball. You guys know much more than I do though.
Hermann = Federowicz, veteran insurance in AAA They'll either keep Stassi as the backup or they trade him (can't see him clearing waivers at all), but that could go on into ST.
You're probably right. But I would re-sign Verlander. I view him like Ryan. He's the guy that teaches all of the young guys what it takes to be great and I'm willing to bet 3-4 yrs and 60-75 mil on that.
Alvarez could very well end up being a better hitter than Tucker. However, Tucker has shown he can rake at AAA. Alvarez struggled a little bit (compared to his performances in lower levels) when he was in Fresno. Also, Tucker stole 20 bags. Tucker likely has the bigger upside potential and is more of an all around player. I mean look at CJ Cron and how teams value a 1B. The guy hits 30 bombs and has an OPS of .816. The Rays cut him when he was going to make 5 million in arbitration. Cron had a better year offensively than Springer and they designated him for assignment. It will be interesting to see if the Astros trade Tucker or Alvarez.
The Kemp hate is strong on here from the numbers crunchers. Kemp is the least of the Astros issues. Give me Kemp as a twice a week starting OF and I'm happy. Gotta add a C and a DH/1B though.
So you want Marisnick in AAA or traded? If we add a player like Brantley to play LF, you think Kemp offers more value to our team than Jake? The only way I agree with that is as an injury replacement. Or you want White traded? One of our best hitters last year?
