Christian Walker is among the top 10 qualified 1B in the league in HR and defensive war, but he’s 20th in offensive war and 18th in total fWAR. If he has a positive September and plays well in the playoffs, I will gladly take the season he’s given and have a lot of hope for him next season now that he’s settled in.
Astros rank by position for projected war for remainder of the season: C 16th (tied for 12th rounding to nearest 0.1) 1B 12th (tied for 7th rounding) 2B 9th (8th) SS 10th (7th) 3B 6th (3rd) LF 7th (4th) CF 17th (11th) RF 21st (20th) DH 2nd SP 9th (6th) RP 12th (10th)
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/08/poll-al-cy-young-race-check-in-2.html Good summary of where this stands. Brown has a good lead for 3rd place. If he gets hurt or pitches poorly, then Fried or deGrom could make a run. I also think Trevor Rogers will get some votes but if Brown doesn’t melt down he has 3rd in the bag. Astros are lucky Eovaldi got hurt.
There is nothing wrong with Walker at the moment. He's playing very well. If Paredes comes back, he will be used as the primary pinch hitter since he probably can't field. If he can field, then they have to decide which one can play 2nd base better. I assume they move the move Correa to second just because 2B requires you to cover more ground. If Meyers didn't forget to his new found batting ability, we should be pretty good for the playoffs. I think the biggest question mark is who becomes our 3rd pitcher after Brown and Valdez. Based on potential, Javier would do it. Based on what we've seen so far, Alexander would be that pitcher with a short leash.
Meyers could bat until his shoulder injury... and shoulder injuries to get over -- like Morgan Ensberg never recovered to what he was.
What are you talking about? Did he get hurt during his rehab assignment? Before this season, he could never hit other than the first month during his rookie season.
I'm not going to make that determination for the Astros. I know Correa can so I guess Correa plays second base until next season if Paredes can play the field.
I don’t know if Correa would be ok with that. Seems like he’s ready to settle in at 3B. If Correa won’t move to 2b, I guess the Astros will trade Paredes. I hope not though.
I'm talking about the end of this season. Correa will move to second base if it helps them win a playoff series. They will at least try Paredes at 2nd base before they trade him next season.
It looks like Javier is back. I will go to war with Brown, Framber, and this version of Javier in the playoffs.
"Chicks dig the longball"? He's marginally faster/quicker than Martin Maldonado...curious how you think that will work out at 2B
