He does. Whether he’s traded probably largely depends on how much he wants to close vs be the 8th inning guy.
The only concern is if he tries to hijack his trade demands into an extension - which isn't likely to work. Last year at one point he wanted to be traded - did not like the manager or the situation he was in. I don't know how he felt when the season ended, but he was not happy for most of the season.
Someone like Walker would likely be a large improvement. He would improve the defense at 1st base and he is capable of hitting anywhere from 4-8 in the line up. He has been close to a 30/100 guy with an 800+ OPS the last three years, which would fit in well with the Astros needs.
Altuve Tucker Alvarez Walker* B Lowe* Diaz Urshela* Pena Meyers Bench: Dubon, Salazar, Singleton, Kessinger Rotation: Framber, Brown, Blanco, Garcia, Arrighetti, McCullers Bullpen: Hader, Abreu, Scott, King, Ort, Whitley, Dubin I like that roster a lot.
I would prefer to win games than focus on hitting. Losing Bregman will take it to 7 average or better players*. Losing Caratini because a person doesn't like how he helps win games would take it to 6. I just don't see $6M filling 1 spot much less three . If it is the money, LMJ should be sent out with some prospects. The only reason to trade Caratini is if another team values Caratini as a person that helps win games with his bat and glove despite not likely being a better than average hitter, and they are willing to give up a player that helps win games at a similar rate or better at another position that the Astros need help at. Trading Caratini to save $6M and only getting the value of his bat would be foolish (this is the impression I get when you underline hitter, seem focused on offense at the position that has the most defensive value available for good defenders to obtain, and talk about saving money). Trading Caratini should be about getting his value at another position, and not about getting his $6M off the books so the Astros can try to fill 1-3 spots with $6M. I'm skeptical that the Astros can get value back in a trade with Caratini as defense doesn't generally trade as well as hitting. Granted, the players I tend to like more than most fans are the guys that provide defense, and are hard to trade for value as defense ages poorly and teams trying to trade away defenders know them better than other teams (i.e., if a team is trying to trade a catcher to you, assume they are about to fall apart). *assuming the 2 average players from last season don't drop to below average.
Why not just platoon Diaz with singleton against left handers. That would make it a 75-25 split with caratini at catcher.
Caratini was really good against LHP in 2024 (136 wRC+ in 64pa) but has been below average against them over his career (88 wRC+). But it’s not a bad idea if they don’t see a better path to upgrade 1B.
In my opinion the reason to do it is the same today, yesterday, and tomorrow. Diaz is simply not what I look for in a catcher. If you believe he would also be incompetent at 1st base or at left field the right thing to do with him is probably to trade him.
This is the smartest take on this topic I have seen thus far. I think it does resolve at some point in 2026 but not before mid season.
I want him to be the smartest player on the field. I want him to know the right thing to do first in a given situation and to react physically just as quickly. I want him to be studious, to go in to every game prepared for what he is facing with a plan to defeat it. I want him to have the confidence of his team mates. I could go on and on before I finally come to his OPS. Do not get me wrong his bat is on the list, just not very high up on it.
I want to win games as well - especially in the post season. I don't think the Astros line up was deep enough to win tough playoff games .... which is why I personally would rather spent Caratini's money and Urquidy's arbitration money and Pressly's money to improve the depth in the lineup. As far as defense is concerned - it depends on the bat that they target, they very well may improve defensively - for example having Walker play 1st base. Caratini isn't an all world catcher behind the plate, he is good - he is respected and he is a professional. There are other guys like that out there that cost less. I don't have any real desire to see Caratini in the line up almost every game and I don't really want to see Diaz playing 1st that often. Diaz is a bad defensive first basemen and most of the issues Diaz has defensively can be addressed. Further - the Astros are not going to try and fill "1-3 positions with Caratini's $6,000,000." - he would be part of a major upgrade at one position. As for trade value - I have mostly heard the Astros want a lower-level prospect or a bullpen arm for him. I don't really think he has a lot of value, but he likely has some. As for getting value at another position for Caratini - that is exactly what they would be doing by dealing him for money to put towards a starter at another position. The Astros have multiple spots in the lineup that they need to address.
If the Astros reach the opinion that he isn't good enough behind the plate - they will definitely move him. This isn't a situation where James Click thinks he can drop Wilson Contreras behind the plate and there is no drop off. So far Diaz has worked hard, and the input from the starters is that his game calling and communication is solid.... as long as those remain true, he will be back there. If he starts doing what Contreras did - lose interest, stop preparing, not be familiar with what pitches his staff throws--- he will be gone, because the backbone of the organization is pitching and the GM will not ruin that over a guy that is all bat. Is it possible that the Astros first round pick is in AAA by the end of the year and is either hitting 300 or with pop and has an .850 OPS - and if that happens, then I am sure the Astros will consider moving Diaz in trade or off Catcher.... but that is too unforseeable at this point. Also - if the Astros had a deeper line up, then I could see the Astros moving Diaz and giving the starting job - but the reality is the Astros don't have that luxury, and if they play Diaz behind the plate now - it doesn't mean he cannot be moved off later. A lot of times fans think of the best defensive catchers as the best at all things not hitting - and that isn't the case. Often times the leaders or the guys that call the best games are not great defensively. Jeff Mathis is the best game manager catcher that I can think of - and no one talks about him.
Well we’ve never really had this kind of catcher before. Maybe close but not quite. Diaz could be the first if you give him a chance.
What about being part of the transformation of a dumpster fire of 9+ ERAs rotation to one of the best in the league?
You could also have Whitley and Ullola in the bullpen mix. If that didn't workout, you could trade for a bullpen arm at the deadline.
