I can't shake the feeling that Maldonado is just a warm blanket for pitchers. If it was taken away they would be just fine, instead they hold onto something safe. Verlander was fine throwing to McCann, Chirinos and Castro, same with LMJ They know him and are comfortable with him, even if the team would probably be better off with a different catcher, one that actually contributed something offensively.
Yeah accepting things as they are is not how I'd plan on doing it. **** doing that with Maldy. He should have been benched last year (regardless if we won the WS or not) and needs to platoon w/ Diaz and not get the majority of the starts this year too.
JV certainly wasn’t fine pitching to Stassi, and the Astros got rid of him. All of those other catchers had similar track records of handling pitching staffs… and the most importantly had experience. They could get another veteran in here I suppose. It’s also still pretty underestimated in here how much prep work the catchers do and I’m guessing the younger guys lack that acumen (not that they couldn’t learn it). They really should have hung on to Vasquez.
The Astros shouldn't need any more information to evaluate him. The front office tried to replace him as starter last deadline and the team looked hard this offseason. The Astros won't make any noticeable changes at starting C because it isn't the off-season, not near deadline, and unlikely a catcher in organization takes it from him. I will laugh if they do replace him at the deadline after what happened last year. The World Series win last year won't help them win this year. A lot went right with the Astros last season that may or may not happen this season.
We can all dream, and I was leading the charge for Contreras or brining back Vazquez in the offseason thread. However, the Astros ran Maldy out there for 11 of 13 playoff games even with a sports hernia and a broken thumb while having Vazquez on the bench. Unless his arm falls off he will be out there. His defense has been a concern so far this season and that's really the thing that could limit his playing time a little. They don't care if he hits .069. I want to see Hunter Brown earn the 3rd start in the playoffs.
Yes, and yes. I agree that not just anybody can be a full time receiver, there is a huge value to game calling, prepwork and personality management. Martin Maldonado is far from the only guy in baseball with those skills most of them can keep their average over .190 But they didn't keep Vasquez, or get anybody else because Maldonado is entrenched as the warm blanket for players. As long as we have an elite top 6 we can survive with an 8 man lineup, not a lot of room for struggles or injury from the good players though.
Maldy’s offense is fine in the 9 hole of an Astros lineup that includes 6 star level hitters (Alvarez, Tucker, Altuve, Abreu, Bregman, and Brantley) and 2 other good hitters (Pena and McCormick), especially considering he can be pinch hit for late in games as needed. But with Altuve and Brantley out, and Bregman struggling, it just makes Maldy’s weaknesss so much more glaring.
https://www.mlb.com/news/martin-maldonado-s-preparation-is-key-for-astros No accident when Maldy’s performing like **** he gets a puff piece to explain his value. It sounds like he puts in a ton of time, just mostly for the benefit of the pitchers. There’s no doubt they recognize and appreciate that. if he were putting in the time to study the opposing pitchers (for himself) rather than the opposing hitters, he’d probably be slightly better. But is that trade off worth it for him or the team overall? the biggest thing he could do this year is instill Yainer and Korey Lee with those prep skills.
Appearantly you haven't seen Maldys completely awful batting stats the last few years. Historically poor. Or his lower end framing rates. Or his middle of the road defensive rankings. Or the high number if passed balls. But he is the Chuck Brown of the Astros.
I have said this since the last time we traded for him. We are the only organization that places value on him.
If the Astros are struggling, there will be more and more pressure put on Maldonado's bat, especially with injuries. When the Astros are running away with the division, it is easy to trot out Maldonado, especially with elite pitching. If the Astros pitchers under-perform, it is easier to envision a scenario where the Astros attempt to stretch their line up by replacing their catcher. Salvador Perez is still out there, and he has thus far looked solid. The Astros have the prospects and money to add him if they are so inclined. His contract is for 2 seasons and then a 2 million dollar buyout. He is good enough to probably quash any issues with Maldonado in the clubhouse. The contract is short enough to let Diaz play all over and then next season compete for the back up job for a year. Perez can throw runners out, has a lot of power and works well in game preparation. His low OBP% isn't ideal, but having a #9 hitter than has a .500 slugging percentage would be big for the Astros. He also has a history of being better when situated right in a line up. I'm sure there is some fear over paying him $20,000,000 a year but his production is good, and he has been a solid offensive contributor for years. He is likely a 3-4 WAR player the next couple of seasons. Altuve Brantley Bregman Alvarez Abreu Tucker Perez McCormick Pena That is a really stout offensive line up, maybe the best in baseball.
In 56 career at bats Hensley has a .286 average and .375 on base%. His OPS is .786 56 at bats is WAY too small of a sample size to determine if he can hit or not, but the 27 at bats he has had this year is WAY WAY too small of a sample to say he looks like a AAAA player Dubon has over 700 at bats with an on base % of .289, his defensive versatility has value, and i'm glad he is off to a good start, but there is no way he should be playing regularly over Hensley.
Maybe I have missed it, but has anyone played 3B this year besides Bregman? Just curious as to who the backup is. I think Dubon and Hansley can play there and I know Julks played some in SL last year. Not saying Bregman needs to be benched just curious who plays there on days off.
This is the main reason I think it's so crazy that we have 3 catchers on the roster, yet won't use Diaz at DH or to pinch hit much at all. It's basically a wasted roster spot. If they don't think Diaz can DH/Pinch Hit, or if Dusty just won't use him that way even if the organization thinks he is ready...then that spot should go to someone with some defensive versatility
Yeah- and a God level pithing staff and a 7 deep lineup. They don't have either of the other right now so they don't have the option of lighting all his AB's on fire. The org allegedly loves Diaz bat. Lets see it. Maldy personally ****ed over an entire game with his abysmal defense. He never was all that good. Now, adding in the age it's a really bad player. Diaz might suck too but he's our #2 prospect. He needs to get a decent sample and if it's not him then it needs to be Korey Lee
3B is basically Hensley's natural position, if Bregman isn't there Hensley will be. Dubon can play 3rd, but with Altuve out he will usually be given middle infield priority.
