Depending on who Dana adds to the OF this could be false. Replacing Bregs with Parades/Walker and say Santander would make the overall team better IMHO. 3 big bats added to the lineup.
None of this changes anything about Bregman. If he and Boras drop his price enough, he will he an Astro even if they go over the CBT. But we all agree it's not likely.
The Astros are not going to pay anything for a player they do not need. Are you implying Bregman would be willing to pay the Astros to play him?
Paredes & Pena combined make less than $11M. Highly paid means something very different to us (at least when it comes MLB players).
There is some truth to this. I think Bregman really is trying to leverage either Boston to go 7/185, or for the Astros to bump up their offer another $20 mil or so. I don't see how Bregs sticks with wanting a long term deal at this point unless he really feels the Astros offer is still on the table. Another reason why I think the Astros haven't pulled the trigger on another OF yet (and $4 mil for Polanco isn't really pulling the trigger as much as trying to speed up Bregs decision). I really wouldn't be surprised to see Bregs resign with the Astros on either of the below. 6/$165- with the final a vesting year of $19 mil, which may or may not be exercised, or the 6/156 fully guaranteed. Why he'd want to go anywhere else if a 7th year is not offered is beyond me. 2b Altuve 3b Bregs dh Alvarez 1b Walker c Diaz lf Paredes ss Pena rf Meyers lf Dubon/Chas If there is any issues with Paredes playing the OF during the season then they could explore a trade of Pena for a true outfielder.
This would probably be the best lineup in the AL: 2B Altuve 3B Bregman DH Alvarez 1B Walker LF Paredes C Diaz RF McCormick SS Pena CF Melton/Meyers It would for sure be a dominant lineup against LHP and depending on Melton (or Dezenzo) could be excellent against RHP as well.
I have no idea if Paredes could play LF or not, but that would be the only option to still sign Bregman. Altuve certainly doesn't have the arm to play out there and they aren't going to move the best defensive 1B in baseball to the OF at this stage of his career If Paredes could play out there, or if they think he can and he is willingly ready to give it a go, then I could see Bregman still being an option if Crane wants him One huge thing to remember about Crane, he might not like long term contracts, but he does have people he likes, and he will go outside his usual norms for those guys. It doesn't seem like Alex is one of those, but maybe Jose can convince him to be
Reports say he can. It's pretty widely accepted that guys who have the athleticism to play all 4 infield positions at the MLB level can play LF, even if they may never win a gold glove there. He is only 26 and has played all 4 infield positions within the last 2 seasons. No reason he can't play there, especially in Daiken Park (still sounds weird to me)
Sorry. I tried to stop myself but I was distracted by the news of the day. Truth is I can be pretty shitty to deal with but you always seem to know the difference between screwing around and seriously going after you. Thanks for that.
