Yep, wanting better players to play is all about complaining about Dusty. Chas is a flat out better player than Julks. Even in the situation that most favors Julks in which a fan may say they don't care about in a moment of weakness, Chas is superior. What does Chas have to do to prove that he should play over guys that he's outperformed? I'm glad that Chas played almost full-time late last year and in the postseason. Caveat: I think Chas is probably slightly below hitter vs RHPs going forward, and think Chas rating so well against RHPs right now vs his teammates is more funny than anything as I don't want to focus on the bad.
Also, I think Julks's main problem has been plate discipline. If he fixes that, his BB% will go up and he'll be making contact on fewer pitches he can't do damage. I think at some point, he'll be better at plate discipline. Right now, Julks has been incredibly lucky his surface stats aren't much worse.
4 weeks? I'll take it. Someone, probably Maldonado, should rub some cream and the clear on that oblique. Finish the month of June with 15-17 wins and stay alive through July at .500. The only sad part is that Alvarez will finish with 30 home runs instead of 44.
I won’t believe it until I see him on the field with the big club. Think Dana is putting this out to balance out the bad news we’re going to get regarding Lance later today.
If Dusty manages to actually win games instead of goofing off like the regular season doesn't matter this team should be able to stay afloat just fine for a month and a half. With Abreu back from the dead we have enough people to play 8 league average or better hitters. 9 in reality, but Maldonado is set in stone whether I like it or not. This should still be an above average offense and pitching staff.
Just have to pray the guys who are actually healthy get and stay hot and the team can make due until Yordan returns. Hopefully the Rangers lack of pitching catches up with them as well.
What can Dana Brown realistically do until they get clarity on Brantley? Trade for some 5.00 FIP journeyman starter? He’s not gonna do anything until they know if Brantley can go this season.
1. Trade for a catcher. Send out a catcher. 2. Add a reliever. 3. Add another bat so that even if Brantley comes back, Julks, Salazar, and Kessinger would be the ones to make room for Alvarez, Brantley, and new bat.
I would say (1) is fantasy (at least both elements of (1) any way), (2) is possible but isn't going to move the needle very much, and (3) seems to be impacted by Brantley's status. Without Brantley, the Astros need to be ready to bite the bullet and trade for a solidly above average, every day bat. With Brantley, you probably just need a bench bat which should cost much less. With Brantley doing stuff and Abreu showing signs of life I bet Brown holds off on making any major moves until we get closer to the deadline.
I am sure he trying, but the deadline is still 6 weeks away and many teams don't even know if they want to be sellers yet.
