Singleton at DH with these two things happening and that’s your best lineup against RHP. I sort of don’t think Altuve will play 2B at all if he proves he can handle LF, but maybe they want to trot this lineup out 40 times a year with an eye toward that being playoff lineup. if things broke right this year the above could be your playoff lineup v RHP: Altuve-2B Alvarez-LF Walker-1B Smith- RF Diaz-C Paredes- 3B Singleton- DH Melton- CF Peña-SS. This envisions Cam being a 125 ops+ guy and Melton being at least league average against RHP. If that happens that’s a pretty damn strong lineup. Against LHP would be fun to see: Altuve- LF Alvarez- DH Walker- 1B Cam Smith- 3B Paredes-2B Diaz-C McCormick- RF Peña-SS Meyers- CF. that would make the roster something like: Diaz, Caratini, Walker, singleton, Dubon, Pena, Paredes, Smith, Yordan, Altuve, Melton, Meyers, McCormick. that would have Altuve, Smith and Paredes playing every day but multiple positions. Paredes is no big deal he’s used to that in his career. Not sure they’d want that for either Smith or Altuve, but it would be fun imo.
Salazar with the walk off. Wesneski missed bats again today, 5 K's in 10 batters. Not gonna put much stock in ST numbers, but still nice to see.
Astros beat writer mentioned in his article about signing Beeks that Hader, Abreu, Scott, King, and Whitley are locks for the roster. My current guess for the opening day bullpen is: Hader Abreu King (I think he I’ll start out as the 7th inning arm) Scott (he will get more leverage innings than last year) Whitley (He will be used quite a bit) Beeks (He will often throw 2 innings) Contreras (placeholder for Ort) VanWey (he will be eased in as low leverage) Ort and Dubin will start the season on the IL. Hernandez and Sousa will be optioned. Castro and Okert will be released. All the other guys (including Montero) will be reassigned. RP pecking order in AAA will be Sousa, Hernandez, Montero, Tamarez, Weiman, Walter, and Otto. Current expectation for AAA rotation is Gusto, Gordon, Blubaugh, Ullola, Fleury, and A. Brown.
Okert & Beeks are the same age/service time. Both lefties were really good in '22. Both sucked last year. I think Okert is the better pitcher and has looked ok so far in spring. Career #'s era/whip/so9 Okert 3.92/1.22/9.9 Beeks 4.40/1.42/8.5 I prefer Hernandez & Castro over Beeks since we're probably not going 3 lhp in the pen. I think Luis Contreras has to be on the roster. He was completely dominant at Sugar Land last year and looks to be carrying it over to the spring. You might have lightning in a bottle there a la Montero in '22. Just don't make the mistake of rewarding a one year wonder outlier season with a ridiculous contract.
Montero is an interesting case. On the one hand, his issues are mostly mental, and he's playing for a contract just like in 2022. And of course outside of the top 2, this bullpen lacks experience at the MLB level. On the other, he was beyond terrible in 2023 and 2024 and it's really hard to trust THAT guy. I like Hader( if used right), Abreu, Whitley, and Scott at the back end and IF 2022 Montero returns I wouldn't mind him as the "pitch the final inning of a game when up or down 4+" guy. As for Hader, do not use him unless it's a save situation or, if at home, a tied game. Exception is an inning to keep him fresh if he hadn't pitched in 3+ games. Find a "late inning, get out of trouble" guy besides Abreu. Keep Abreu to starting full innings. Depending on results, maybe start him a 2nd inning if it was low pressure/pitch count and the situation calls for needing 4+ outs from him. If the current 5 starters stay healthy and McCullers and/or Garcia have no setbacks and return, then I think the 1st-6th innings of any competitive games should he covered. Starters can go 6 or there is a quality multi-inning guy to take over after 4 or 5. To me, finding a dependable 3rd and 4th leverage/late inning guy will be the key to success in 2025( speaking pitching only and understanding that health concerns are universal and a given)
