And in order for him to get better he NEEDS at bats. Maybe he needs another year in a Space Cowboys uni but for a first place team with a no hit catcher already why not at least head to Spring training and give the kid a chance. Sign a vet in a good deal for insurance. Dusty will play Murphy if we trade for him mid season, he's not that stubborn.
How can you look at all this crazy spending and not be impressed by the discipline of the Stros? I’m sure Crane has been tempted by it at various junctures but he’s stuck with it while other franchises gave in. And with us, it was often saying no to our own players and free agents. If Abreu/Contreras was plan A, then I think you can call this offseason a success, even if we mostly sit pat. Im starting to lean more toward Vazquez, but you might need to have a frank conversation with Dusty and Maldonado. Vazquez gets 90, Maldy gets 50, and Lee/Diaz 20. Vazquez, Benintendi, maybe 1 utility player. Altuve Peña Yordan Bregman Tucker Abreu Benintendi McCormick Vazquez Maldy Leon or Meyers Hensley 1 utility player Lee and Diaz start out in AAA. Tell them they are competing to take over for Maldy.
Break it down by where in the lineup he was hitting. I’m pretty sure his numbers were dramatically different hitting in the 2 hole than anywhere else in the lineup and that is where he should be projected going forward.
I think Pena is a notch below. I think he's still really good but the contact hitter element is far behind Correa. The same power is probably there. Maybe a Correa with less BA/OB... Still greater value at his salary....
I'm not following... so bottom part of the top third is slightly above average... it's 5 players off from average. I also wasn't referring exclusively about homeruns. I was also going off the cuff in general and not specific to any particular year.
Nice, but no, I’m not Ben DuBose. isn’t he the poster named The Cat? Long timers here would remember. I used to know but alas I’m older now
Chaz is just a guy and Diaz has potential with the bat but may be limited to DH which hurts his value to a degree. Not saying I'd do it but if the Angels thought he could help their pitching I could see them offer Addell and Detmers. They have a kid who has hit AA well but they may value Murphy's defense more. Detmers is probably comp to a Luis Garcia. The Twins have nothing at catcher. Not even a prospect in their top 30. If Correa returns they could offer Royce Lewis or Brooks Lee. They also have Austin Martin who was once a top 10 prospect in mlb on many lists. Rockies, Padres, Red Sox, Marlins, Rays, and White Sox could all use him...
Average AL rookie of the year was 22.4 years old. 22-23 is when most debut. Talk about covid all you want but he hadn't played above A ball.
Spring training they need lots of catchers. Just about all that is left is catchers that don't hit unless they make a trade. Lee might hit for power, they won't know unless he gets a chance. Korey's full college, minor and major league career he has .794 OPS. By comparison Pena's full career is .761 The narrative on here is Lee doesn't hit, that's wrong. He DOES strikeout too much. Maybe the lefty from SD Narvaez. He has a career OPS+ 100. He was mentioned by Nook as a player of interest. I'd be fine with him but he probably wants to start the majority of the time and won't sign as an Astro unless we overpay.
Proposal. Trade Maldonado for Nido. JV get his catcher. They can bring up their celebrated catcher prospect. We get a Defense first replacement. The tell Vasquez he would be numero uno at catcher and sign him. Sign Nimmo and tell him he will split time at DH.
There are still a number of players that would help the Astros on the market. Missing on Contreras isn’t the end of the world. There are a number of teams looking at the same players as the Astros, but it is still very possible the Astros bring in a player that solidified their line up or staff. A trade for Murphy or another bat is also possible. The Astros essentially need an above average hitter with a solid glove to play the outfield until Gilbert or someone else is ready to play.
