The Astros simply can't reach their potential with a bottom of the batting order as unproductive as it is now. Diaz has to be the new catcher, regardless of what certain pitchers "prefer." Get used to Diaz. Somebody has to "fix" Pena's hitting. Send Tucker to a sports psychologist. Can Dubon play short stop? I think my man Brantley is done. We need a stud outfielder that can also be a DH. The pitching staff needs some serious work. Verlander is on fumes, Stanek needs a new home along with Monterro. Valdez needs the same sport's psychologist that Tucker gets sent to. Ug. and Javier need rest and conditioning. Could Abreu start? And Brown just needs time and refinement.
No more Dubon or Montero please, I don't want to see anyone that reminds me of Dusty next year.... Astros need to get rid of that stench all the way down to Dusty's fav players.... Trade those dudes if possible, for anything.......
Here's why I want to trade for a decent 1B/C: Abreu plays better with rest. He should get routine rest and DH reps. Here's the balance I'm thinking generally: Yordan: LF 75% / DH 25% Abreu: DH 40% / 1B 40% / Rest 20% Diaz: DH 15% / C 70% / Rest 15% Free Agent: C 30% / 1B 60% / Rest 10% Leaves 20% of DH spots for others for days of rest.
I think Montero is due for a bounce back year next year. Middle relievers are always like this. One good year, one bad, one good. Neris is a good example. One good, one bad from 2017 to 2021 until he got here and then had a good year then an elite year.
Victor Caratini Backup catcher in Milwaukee Just turned 30 Free Agent Expected Salary: 3 million Switch hitter. .745 ops against righties .611 ops against lefties Perfect fit. Against righties he can catch or be primary 1B. Against lefties he sits and Abreu/Diaz both play. He has spent 9% of his career at 1B and 90% at catcher. Range data at 1B looks ok but most of it was from years ago. If he had an offseason to get his body and conditioning right I think he could work.
I would rather spend that money elsewhere. I would just go with whoever I thought is the best catcher in the minors, since they will only be playing 45-50 games. You can live with Maldy production from a backup catcher. I kinda like the catcher that was the local guy that the Skeeters picked up in the middle of the year. He's supposedly a great defensive catcher who frames well. Have you thanked Dusty today for hanging with Maldy?
Except he plays some 1b to rest abreu and catcher meaning for 3 million you cover 2 spots. His splits pair well with both players. So you're not really saving any money.
Remember when the Astros didn't protect Yainer Diaz from the rule 5 draft? What a nightmare that could have been....
If we are adding a backup catcher I think you'd want one that can hit lefties since Yainer struggles against lefties.
Appears this is prior to Game 7... so Astros have more, but Arlington might be on the list. Altuve out-HRing half of MLB. .
I saw Framber Valdez at a grocery store in Third Ward yesterday. I told him how cool it was to meet him in person, but I didn’t want to be a douche and bother him and ask him for photos or anything. He said, “Oh, like you’re doing now?” I was taken aback, and all I could say was “Huh?” but he kept cutting me off and going “huh? huh? huh?” and closing his hand shut in front of my face. I walked away and continued with my shopping, and I heard him chuckle as I walked off. When I came to pay for my stuff up front I saw him trying to walk out the doors with like fifteen Milky Ways in his hands without paying. The girl at the counter was very nice about it and professional, and was like “Sir, you need to pay for those first.” At first he kept pretending to be tired and not hear her, but eventually turned back around and brought them to the counter. When she took one of the bars and started scanning it multiple times, he stopped her and told her to scan them each individually “to prevent any electrical infetterence,” and then turned around and winked at me. I don’t even think that’s a word. After she scanned each bar and put them in a bag and started to say the price, he kept interrupting her by yawning really loudly.
