I am not counting on a big year from Brown, at least not as a starter. I think the year likely hinges on Javier and Verlander. If Javier pitches close to what he is capable - the Astros go into every series with a pitching advantage if Verlander is playing well.
“I think maybe this could possibly happen if maybe something happens and works out for us- maybe.” - every single Dana Brown statement
Maybe Loperfido will be better than Meyers, but Meyers should be a big improvement over Julks. Though if Meyers regresses, I suspect Alvarez plays more OF than Loperfido. Granted, I haven't followed the Astros minors too much this past year. Tucker, Chas, Meyers, and Alvarez were a strength last season in the OF. Even Dubon was great in a small sample out there and there just aren't that many OFs good enough to be an upgrade over how those 4 played even with Meyers bat struggling and the weak arm.
ftfy my man... don't get me wrong, he aint no Shipleys, believe it or not... & thanks for contributing and being a part of this run... but c'mon man not only is the writing on the wall-- but instead of elevating / coaching up / pushing / advocating for a legacy catcher for a legacy ball-club and willing to fall short of being able to make him a better player than you were in your career-- you worm-tongued your way into the coaching. Shouldve caught wind and recognized what was happening before you and your manager's eyes... now you get to leave as a pitcher's/manager's favorite catcher-- but everyone knows Diaz was and is supposed to be the next "thing" when it comes to younger/generational rookie talent that can redefine the game as Alvarez, Altuve, Bregman, Stroud, Watt, Johnson, Ming, all have done as predecessors.... If I were Yainer, I'd say calmly and collectively, "F-U" to the Astros the minute I become available to explore FA-- sometimes the bend has to snap & break... aint no risk, Jim-- why you so apprehensive when it comes to contracts/deals? You dont trust your employees or your employees dont trust you...? Yall bring MM back... I guarantee you MMP will see a revenue loss this 2024 year.
progress takes away what forever took to find? hold my be-er, ...every GM / Manager / media liaison, ever. hell, even in poker its cool & suggestively accepted when you can throw down the nut hand.
they ought to find out how easy/difficult the transition is & result to 1B during these off-months / ST program.... its inexcusable that JA has absolutely no viable back-up as a solid infielder / 1B-- both defensively/offensively.... hell I'd like to see a game in which Bregman, Dubon/P, Altuve, Pena/D were (5,6,4,3) all fielding... Brantley, Alvarez, Tucker & then throw in a Diaz/vet C, JA/CM/JS/JM/YD DH... no reason why that can't ever be lined up nor played that way....
I could be wrong - but I haven’t heard anything from the Astros leading me to believe Maldonado will be back. First - Maldonado would rather start and second there are teams that would likely pay him more than the Astros would. Dana Brown last year made the point that you cannot just punt on a spot in the line up every game. He was talking about catcher - and traditionally he has wanted catchers that are at least a genuine big league out and not a black hole. I’m not saying the Astros are going to get a good hitting back up catcher, because they are not going to spend a lot of money - but Brown will be settling if they cannot be at least passable with the bat.
Just my opinion - but I think Brown wanted to get this out of the way… getting a back up catcher that he knows will start 45-50 times next year. Brown last year after the deadline said he likes getting what he has to get done early if possible and then focus on possibly bigger things if it pans out.
We’ll wait and see what the contract details are but Caratini was first on my wishlist for the backup C spot. A good defensive catcher who switch hits and is a roughly league average bat. Clubhouse/culture analysis aside, I think Caratini is a better player than Brian McCann was when the Astros traded for him. In fact I think Caratini will be the best backup C Houston has had in a long time and aside from Diaz he’s the best catcher they’ve had since Jason Castro in 2016.
I would obviously have preferred Garver or Murphy because of their bats— but Garver will get a lot of money and Murphy is hurt often and poor with the glove. Caratini was my third choice and first among realistic options. He is solid defensively, he is bilingual, he isn’t a complete base clogger, he can work a walk, makes contact against high level pitching and has sneaky power. I need to see what they paid but I am really pleased with this pick up. Also from a cultural standpoint - he fits what the Astros want. He won’t undermine Diaz and is known as a strong teammate and solid at game planning. If Verlander wants someone to spend the entire week preparing for his start, Víctor will do it.
