He batted 0.186 when they won the World Series. He batted 0.172 when they made it to 6 games in the World Series. The Astros clearly think you can run a guy like that out there.
Not sure how 2022 was a waste given that he contributed to winning a World Series. Lance is a $30MM/yr pitcher making $15MM/yr. On this team, his primary value wasn't intended to be pitching 200 innings in the regular season. As long as you have him for the postseason, he pays for himself. And he's been available the vast majority of postseasons while he's been here, fortunately. 2019 and probably this year are the two exceptions.
Lance pitched a handful of games at the end of 2022 for tune up, then made three playoff starts...one great one in the ALDS, one okay start in the ALCS (didn't qualify as a quality start) and one record-settingly awful one in the World Series. He didn't contribute THAT much to us winning a WS last year, it's just hard to make that argument when he got his s*** kicked in in Philadelphia and got bailed out by the offense in the ALCS. I will give him credit for his start against Seattle, but that was really it.
Position players have different requirements based on how important and/or easy a position is to play. Generally corner positions are less important due to less defensive involvement. They also are easier to find/fill because they require less athleticism to play. 1B/LF- must be above average hitter simply because of supply and reduced defensive requirements. 3B/RF- Needs to be both average defender due to importance and average hitter due to supply. Strong accurate arm required for both. Generally, up the middle positions require more athleticism and defensive ability, and are harder to find/fill. C- requires strong intellect, work ethic, and communication skills in addition to physical ability. Defensive requirements are vast and supply is the smallest of any position therefore hitting ability can and frequently is considered a bonus 2B- requires quickness and speed but other defensive attributes are less important. Easiness of position means more supply and at least average hitting is required. SS- most difficult defensive position requires extreme athleticism. Hitting is much less important and a below average hitter can still be valuable. CF- Most important defensive outfielder. Requires speed and at least average arm strength, communication and decision making. Hitting is more important than SS but a slightly below average hitter can still be valuable and good. The biggest issues are Abreu and Julks being BAD hitters in positions where hitting is NEEDED and there should be no excuse to not have an above average hitter playing
It's time for the Astros to take a serious look in the mirror. Even if the Rangers come back to Earth a bit, it is far enough into the season and they are far enough ahead that it will be a concern the entire rest of the season. The Astros need to fix what can be fixed ASAP then maximize all potential wins by making good decisions. This includes roster management, playing time, and lineups. The time to rest starters and let players work out if slumps while playing every day Needs to be over.
I’d compare his 2022 very similarly to his 2018…. Both years, he was pitching hurt and compromising his arsenal to accommodate the injury. He even mentioned as much after the 2022 Seattle ALDS start (that they seemingly made the “right” call this go around, although there were times where he thought he’d throw in the towel and have the surgery). Now 2018 LMJ still was on a rookie deal and knew that he’d have to have a bounce back season (which he did in 2020) in order to secure a longer term deal. Current Lance doesn’t really have that carrot any longer so I can understand him trying to become a total part-time pitcher, with vastly diminished stuff, but even that doesn’t seem to be possible for his arm. I agree he gets a lower rate because of his arm history, but I was still expecting him to be the guy he was throughout 2021 (and he did sign the extension before that season, so the Astros were paying him accordingly). 150-170 innings, dominant stuff, full repertoire (similar to how JV came back after TJS). The flexor injury in the ALDS changed everything. I’m sure he’ll get better after surgery/rehab…. But he (they?) did drag this out longer than it needed to, and in part there was less incentive for him to try and come back faster.
He has a worse win %, worse ERA, worse defensive metrics, worse framing metrics, worse hitting....what does he do even average? It seems like he's averaging at least one passed ball a game and their back-breaking type of passed balls because they almost always leads to run. That passed ball yesterday flustered Framber and it was obvious. He was already getting winded and that messed with his nerves big time. And then the framing was god awful that entire inning too. You can blame the ump but I blame Maldy robbing Framber of strikes with pitches on the edge of the strike zone and Framber was getting visibly pissed. He is supposed to be a calming influence but all those mound visits did jackshit. This is starting to get ridiculous. The time for sentimentality is over.
We're going to play the Rangers in a few weeks without Yordan. Great. That Al West Lead is going to get wider and wider.
This is an opportunity for the team to show some character. I am interested to see who gets brought up. I hope its Lee or Salazar allowing Diaz to DH and play nearly every day. I fear that Julks gets even more playing time. My preference: Diaz starts playing every day at DH/C/1B with Altuve at DH( and Dubon at 2B) when Diaz is not. This team suddenly got very RH heavy unless Madris or Dirden is brought up. Salazar bats from the left side, but doesn't hit.
I think Korey Lee is the best move. He can take Diaz's C starts so it doesn't have to be Maldy or Salazar every day.
Unfortunately, I think Yordan's starts are going to go to some combination of Dubon, Julks, and Chas.
