What I hear is that not thinking you are out of the race and thinking there is always a chance another team can stumble so don't give up is "loser talk" Apparently I don't know what you are saying. All I know is my understanding of what I "hear" from you.
His ceiling is not high at all. But his position does not require one. His floor is high which is what the backup catcher needs to have. Caratini had a great year, but it was an outlier and expecting it again is exactly what would cause the Astros problems. He has never had his much value and likely won't ever again. He is a car when your entire world is one city block. Sell the car for a nice home entertainment system, a side of beef, and walking shoes. For what the Astros, need Salazar should be able to be just as good- and much cheaper allowing them to capitalize on Victor's value. And it forces Espada to play Diaz at catcher where he needs to be ( for now)
I never thought about this, but I could get on board with this. Another cheaper guy I kind like is Jeff McNeill can he play 3B? I know he can play LF. His numbers were down last year due to injury, but he's been fairly healthy throughout his career and he's a quality hitter.
I'm for trading Caratini and hope they can get a solid prospect back for him. I disagree that Caratini cant repeat last year. He got more regular playing time than he's ever gotten last year and that's the reason for his uptick in production. Salazar will be fine as a backup C. I'm hoping they bring back Navarez at AAA. Those 2 should be fine as backup catchers.
I could see the Astros getting a 3rd baseman, Maybe. If they try to make Dubon the everyday or even platoon 3rd baseman, they really aren’t trying to win. I bet they stand pat with Big Jon against RHP at 1B and continue to foolishly run Diaz out there, instead of Caratini against LHP. Catcher should be 115-130 starts for Diaz but Espada will likely play Caratini there more than he should. Perhaps being forced to play Yordan at DH will stop Espada from being stupid about the catcher position this season. Diaz should not play 1B. The only position Yainer should play other than catcher is DH. Because we need Yordan at DH, we will have crappy defense at 2B most games. If we run singleton and diaz out at 1B, our defense on the entire right side will be pretty bad. Pena will start 160 games at SS regardless of his performance. I hope he does well. Tucker in RF until he just walks away at the end of the season. CF and LF will be problem areas again unless they acquire someone new who can hit. Chas getting back to ‘23 form would really help. the SP’s will be good. the bullpen will be bad. McCullers won’t pitch. 84-78
I'm not saying he can't repeat it. I'm saying he likely won't and betting on it is not wise. And to be accurate, since 2019 Caratini had his 2nd fewest games played and PAs. He only had less playing time in 2023. Obviously 2020 was a short season, but prorated over 162 games he played much more than 2024. I don't know where you get "He got more regular playing time than he's ever gotten last year and that's the reason for his uptick in production."
One has to hope that Crane can afford to pay Bregman that contract. 7. Alex Bregman, 3B Age: 30 Contract prediction: 7 years, $185.5 million $26.5 million per year 13. Christian Walker, 1B Age: 33 Contract prediction: 3 years, $72 million $24 million per year 30. Yusei Kikuchi, LHP Age: 33 Contract prediction: 3 years, $42 million $14 million per year
NY Times as in JR’s post and my reply. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/58...e-agents-2024-contract-team-predictions-soto/
I dont think they've got the money to do this. If they keep Bregs/sign Walker, then Kikuchi is gone. Personally I wouldn't have a problem with signing guys like Torres/Comforto for the same money as Kikuchi and letting Kikuchi walk if they're going to keep Bregs. I would Keep Kikuci, sign Walker/Torres/Comforto if these numbers are accurate. Let Dezenzo play 3B.
Walker will get paid almost as much as Bregman, albeit for a shorter contract. I strongly prefer Bregman over Walker. WRT Kikuchi, those are reasonable terms for any team, including the Astros. I could see a team offering him a one year prove-it contract, given his recent non-Astros track record.
I'm pretty sure it's either Bregman OR a guy like Walker. I would like to see them sign Bregman and a couple of bat first guys like Santana and Winker. Couple them with Singleton and Chas/Whitcomb for 1b and LF.
I agree, which is why I think if an opportunity to find a young catcher under club control comes up, it should be explored. I still want Yainar to catch some but would prefer the grind put more on another young player. I do believe it could be holding Yainar back to a degree. My ideal would be a 22-24 year old with above average arm who can hit .260 and get a .330 ob%. That would still be an above average hitting catcher. I do get some Carlos Santana vibes from Yainar....
I think we just disagree on timing. Yainar catching 2 times a week instead of 5 or 6 should help his bat. Catchers can get hurt, having a 3rd competent catcher on the roster without sacrificing a roster spot seems like good value. If Yainar is primary 1B and dh platoon with Yordan then it keeps him fresher... I'd still want him catching regularly to take advantage of the bat there.
Only 5 catchers in the league hit .260 with .330 obp this season (min 300 pa). C who can hit like Yainer are very rare. Unless you want Houston to trade for Willson Contreras then there’s not really a realistic path for Houston acquiring a catcher who can hit that well.
I would keep Kikuchi, sign the best hitters you can without gutting the MLB roster. Burn the farm to the ground if you have to get trades in which the other team pays for MLB talent to play for the Astros or to move LMJ. If there is only a 2.5 million difference in Bregman's AAV and Walker's, I'm going Bregman.
