Agreed - but in fairness to Maldonado, I will say when it comes to Valdez and Javier there are other obvious factors as I pointed out. Still, at the end of the day, Maldonado has to take the bad with the good if he gets credit when they perform well. Completely agree. Agree.
I don't think that any of the starters hate Diaz, it was more they preferred Maldonado. I suspect they will be fine with Diaz catching them - especially if he goes and works out with them some in the off season.
I agree. Pitcher problems are generally out of control of the catcher such that catchers should be valued on their framing, blocking, throwing, and hitting.
I'm intrigued by trading Abreu or McCullers for Wilson Contreras. You basically get Contreras and Diaz in the line up every game and then you can add another outfielder and have Alvarez DH a lot - really, Contreras can play left field too...... but regardless, the idea of 150 games a year having Diaz or Contreras behind the plate is very appealing....... also the idea of having both in the line up in the playoffs is a plus.
It is a very interesting hypothetical. I don’t think Contreras’s contract is technically underwater, but I also don’t think they could trade him without eating money. I would think McCullers and Montero for Contreras would make some sense as a salary swap since the money matches up, but I don’t think the Cardinals would do that deal unless they really were desperate to get rid of him. But maybe if Houston tossed Urquidy on top of McCullers/Montero it would be more feasible given the Cardinals need for pitching, assuming McCullers medicals checked out to project him to be back fully healthy by Sept of next year. I wouldn’t really want Houston to take on Contreras’ contract unless they felt he could play 50+ games at catcher plus be viable for another 50-80 games in LF.
I am big on adding Contreras if the Astros can find a way to manage the money with both Abreu and LMJ being possible ways. If it is LMJ outgoing, basically have the starting lineup loaded with a bench of Meyers, Kessinger, Dubon, and one other. Edit: May still have to add someone(s) from minors of value to get St. Louis to bite.
I think the Astros can trade away 1 of: McCullers, France, or Urquidy but not 2. At least not until/unless a prospect such as Arrighetti, Kouba, or Gordon proves to be in their class and/or Garcia returns healthy.
The Cardinals definitely need starting pitching, so I do believe it is possible, especially if Urquidy is involved. Contreras should definitely be able to play games in LF and C - and while he hasn't done it in awhile, he can play 1st as well.... he isn't a star but you end up getting an OPS+ in that 110-125 range, which is really valuable. If he plays a lot of OF, then I guess there could be some concerns at 1st base unless Abreu stays on the Astros. Yeah - if they move McCullers and Urquidy, that fills two potential rotation spots for the Cardinals long term.
Hypothetical playtime distribution after Astros trade McCullers, Urquidy, and Montero for Contreras: C Diaz 100, Contreras 62 1B Abreu 120, Contreras 40, Kessinger 2 2B Altuve 100, Dubon 40, Kessinger 22 SS Pena 130, Dubon 30, Kessinger 2 3B Bregman 130, Dubon 30, Kessinger 2 RF Tucker 132, Meyers 30 CF Meyers 100, McCormick 32, Dubon 30 LF McCormick 100, Alvarez 32, Contreras 30 DH Alvarez 100, Altuve 32, Diaz 30
I am wondering of Brandon Belt would be affordable on a 1 yr deal? Replacing Singleton on the roster and DHing or moving Abreu to DH when Framber, McCullers, and/or Brown start (ground ball pitchers) and Yordan is LF and vs a RHSP. He can't start every day but would probably be very good in specific spots 50 games per year if he is willing to sign a 1 yr / $7M deal. He got 1 yr $9.3 in 2023 but is a year older and may want another ring.
C Diaz 81, Contreras 81 1B Abreu 120, Diaz 42 2B Altuve 120, Dubon/Kessinger 42 SS Pena 140, Dubon/Kessinger 32 3B Bregman 130, Dubon/Kessinger 22 RF Tucker 150, McCormick 12 CF McCormick 76, Meyers 86 LF Alvarez 100, McCormick 62 DH Alvarez 50, Contreras 42, Abreu 30, Bregman 20, Altuve 20 Roughly 36 games with Meyers vs. a RHP. If he hit his splits like last season at this ratio, he'd have a wRC+ of 97 (tiny smidge below average offense for a great defender).
Top Priorities A Full Time Center Fielder Speed, High Contact Hitter, Steals Bases. Oakland A's CF Esteury Ruiz is a Trade Wish Manager Joe Espada C Yainer Diaz, Add a Veteran that is in his Prime Can Hit and Throw
Ruiz is a terrible choice. 1st of all, Oakland would want prospect talent the Astros can't afford to give up. 2nd, he was bad offensively vs RHP (78 wR+) so he does not improve the biggest weakness this team has. He wasn't any better than Meyers (78) and much worse than Dubon (84), McCormick (114), or even Julks (85) 3rd, he was LITERALLY the worse defensive CF in MLB last year according to Bill James' Fielding Bible w/ negative 18 defensive runs saved. According to Baseball Savant, out 63 CF who had at least 50 chances, he was 39th in OAA. (Meyers 9th, Dubon 21st, Chas 34th) Meyers would be a much better choice if Chas moves to LF (but I would still get a part time guy to hit RHP)
There were reports that the Cardinals pitching staff had serious problems with Contreras. That along with the contract gives me pause.
