You folks who still wish JV to comeback remind me of a divorced wife waiting by the telephone for her ex to call her back. Literally move on guys. He's NOT worth the money.
Not sure he is a bench bat. Even with his struggles last year, he still had an OPS+ of 125 which is really good. For comparison, Tucker had an OPS+ of under 130. He basically split time between left field and DH last year. While ideally you use your DH to give your 8 position players a rest, it is feasible next year that Brantley and Alvarez split up DH duties and LF duties. That is a little dicey if one of them can’t play the field though. Still…. Altuve Pena Bregman Alvarez Abreu Tucker Brantley McCormick Maldonado Is certainly a top 3 offense in baseball.
Feels like Brantley is going to get 10+ of he gets healthy. Feels like it’s a waste not to go get Conforto or something like that for 50% more. Nimmo should be the add though if his number really is 5/125. Basically solves every problem but catcher and the Astros don’t view catcher as a problem.
Benitendi isn’t a good defensive center over the course of a season. In some stadiums or with certain pitchers on the mound he is likely fine. He can be involved in switches and pinch hit and play a lot starting at a corner spot. As for Bellinger I think they like his versatility, some of his splits and the upside. If he had even an 850 OPS bouncing back, the Astros would have the best offense in baseball.
Really hard to know what Brantley will get. It only takes one team to offer 10-12 million dollar deal. However he is limited in the field, injury prone and 37 years old with very little power. The hit tool is still nice though. Conforto is younger, has more power and can likely stick in left field long term. However, he hasn’t been good since 2020; also wants a two year deal with the second year a player option. So there is a lot more risk involved. He could end up with a 2/36 type year with a PO on year two. My guess is Brantley gets a one year deal. Also we know Brantley can still hit if he is healthy but we don’t know as well with Conforto. If you asked me which I preferred at the same cost, I would take Conforto but I suspect the cost and risk will be really higher.
Brantley has to be under 10 and I would venture to guess in the $6-8 million range. Like you said he's no spring chicken, a so-so LF, and little power to speak of. That's a lot of unchecked boxes.
The risk of Brantley is letting other FA sign elsewhere with the hope Brantley’s shoulder is good to go in March. Im all for signing Brantley in the Spring, but I’d like one more big bat first. Brantley can push Chas for playing time.
As much as I want a catcher who can hit, this is sooo true. Pitching is our strength and Maldy makes that strength stronger. I think that comfort level our pitchers have with him is vital is us remaining dominant esp if we lose Verlander bc that means we are relying more on younger pitchers.
Add Nimmo now. Sign Brantley for 6-10 in the Spring. Yuli for 3-4 just to maximize opportunity cost. Altuve Pena Alvarez Bregman Tucker Abreu Nimmo Brantley Maldanado Chas Yuli Lee Hensley
Y'all need to move on from Yuli. It's over. I totally understand sentimental value, but he's pretty much toast as a hitter. I'm just thankful he had that little bit at the end that he saved for the postseason. We will always be grateful to you Yuli.
I personally wouldn’t sign Nimmo at the numbers I have read. He is going to be 30 years old and I have seen 120-130 million for him because there is a scarcity of good centerfield bats out there available. Will Nimmo even be in center in a few years? He has only had 2-3 full seasons in his career, so there is injury risk as well. Hell I would rather go after Carlos Rodon if I’m going to pay that much. My guess is Chas is in center next year with other guys on the farm and coming off injury ready to step in if he falters.
Best fit or most realistic? I have to figure in salary and contract length. I think Nimmo is a very good fit but not at the contract length and money he will get. We have a lot of centerfielders in the system. On a 3-4 year deal? Probably Contreras… he can play some first, split time behind the plate and DH and possibly a little in left field. I don’t think the Astros will sign him though. Bellinger or Conforto fit the Astros well and both have high ceilings. Mostly they need a hitter that can make contact and work counts in the playoffs. A healthy Brantley does that but I know they really like the gloves of Bellinger and Benintendi in left field and with the defensive down grade from Gurriel to Abreu, that may. Push them away from Brantley and towards Bellinger or Benintendi.
I think Nimmo is destined to move to a corner by 2025. Bellinger allows two different configurations: Alvarez LF, Abreu DH, Bellinger 1B, as well as Bellinger OF, Alvarez DH, Abreu 1B. This helps us give Alvarez more time in LF. Personally, I like Bellinger being a lefty, not too old, and, IMO, I think he is fixable and can be an 800 OPS player with adjustments + change of scenery. I don't hold grudges like some of y'all do, and as I said, if this would be a problem you betcha Dusty would've told Crane. The guys are pros and care about winning more than anything. The front of the jersey is what matters, not the back.
Honestly, Nimmo makes alot of since. The amount I'd scary and length. But if he handles well over all it wouldn't be to bad of a signing. Your just hoping on it not looking like a A.J. Pollock deal
But, here is a thought! Sign W. Contreras and Verlander. Trade Urquidy, Maton and Meyers for Happ and Armstrong of the Cubs.
I agree theoretically Bellinger makes a ton of sense but I have no clue how the locker room would view him after everything he bluntly said. Seems like a Pippen and Barkley situation but maybe his collapse from stardom has taken some of the vinegar out of him.
