Is he though? I’m not 100% sure he’s worth a roster spot at all. Good for him to make it to arbitration and collect at least 1 payday.
He's worth a roster spot until we find someone better to backup shortstop. There is no one on the roster than can play the position besides Pena, Hensley and Dubon.
Depends if we take manager into account. If he's playing SS, he should be fine as SS allows him lots of opportunity for him to help the team defensively. I don't think his defense at other positions is good enough to make up for his lack of hitting (maybe break even at 2nd). Limiting his time in the batter's box (especially against RHPs) is key.
Was reading the electronic strike zone in AAA piece on espn.com when I came upon "At the winter meetings, MLB general managers were also briefed on the ongoing efforts to shape the strike zone in a way that is more conducive for action. In the season ahead, there will be more focus on lowering the top of the strike zone -- an area in which many pitchers have contributed to the record rate of strikeouts -- and calling strikes within the 17-inch horizontal plane above home plate." This lowering of the strike zone. How much will that affect Javier? He doesn't throw vapor trails and relies on that high strike. Can batters adapt and use this to their advantage? Or will Javier continue to baffle with his invisiball?
It would require an adjustment for all high fastball throwers. But the basic optical illusion of "rising" would still be in place so it wouldn't hurt him any more than the guys that throw 99. The issue if they started calling it would be a smaller strike zone in general, and less incentive to swing. Javier didn't just get K's, he gets very poor contact for a fastball pitcher. So as long as he can lower the target he should get similar results.
Agree. As long as the ball from last year returns to keep the ball in the park most of the time....Javier can basically throw his fastball anywhere without giving up too many hits.
Is it just me or does it seem like everything MLB does with rule changes involve "How can we screw the Astros?"
I assume arbitrations are private. It would be really entertaining to get to hear all the arguments a team makes for why a player's value should be lower.
I really hate MLB and the media's " Never forget they cheated" " We must keep everyone's minds on that so they don't investigate other teams" But the bottom line is that when 1 team is very successful it's in MLB's best interest to level the playing field.
? So the no shift rule is designed to hurt teams that don't put the ball in play, don't strike out a lot of batters, and have crappy SSs. Advantage Astros. The automated strike zone will help teams that get screwed over by the umps. Advantage Astros. The checking pitchers for sticky stuff is designed to hurt teams that have a lot of pitchers that need spin on the high velo fastballs. Advantage Astros. Limiting mound visits helped teams that were illegally stealing signs. Advantage Astros. The ball is a funny thing. If it is juiced, Bregman and Altuve become gods. If they dejuice it, Javier becomes a god. Even Steven because Bregman and Altuve are at least demigods with a dejuiced ball. Pitch clock...this could be an issue with the Astros, but not sure who it will hurt. TBD.
Astro use the extreme shift the most. Automatic strike zone. Neutral. Helps both sides. Stickie stuff just delays the game. Limiting Mound visits. Changing as our pitchers mature. Pitch Clock will probably affect Garcia the most.
I believe the paperwork is submitted today, so they'll know what each is asking for. The arbiter cannot meet in between, but the parties still can. It's just Tucker and Javier now.
I believe Alvarez signed a 1 year deal initially and then the 6 year extension before the start of the season. I believe that kept his 2022 tax at the level of the initial deal and the 6 year deal kicks in this season. But I could be wrong. But if right, agreeing to just the arb year does not prevent a longer extension.
