I feel like the Altuve experiment in LF failed - in addition to the defensive issues, it seemed like it threw off his routines offensively. I was assuming he’s DH, 2nd base and getting more rest. The rest of the infield defense should be good enough he can play there. So an outfield of Meyers, Smith, Cole, and however much you can get out of Yordan is not terribly inspiring. Pitching is the biggest issue though. I feel like it will be hard to address if Lance truly is cooked.
So sell low on Yordan Alvarez so you can overpay another aging 1B. I refuse to believe that’s actually your “dream”. You’re smarter than that.
What's this fan base's obsession in trying to find washed first basemen and complain about them all season long?
I’d be asking for 4 top 100 prospects. At least one of them a tent pole. I don’t think that’s selling low. I wouldn’t “move him at any cost”. same with Jake for 2 back end top 100 prospects (or their functional equivalent”. If I didn’t get that I wouldn’t trade.
Alvarez is like top 25 all time in OPS+ for his career. I’m not moving him - but he better get used to DHing and never seeing the field again.
Ok well you’re not getting 4 Top 100 prospects for a DH only guy coming off a season where he missed over 100 games and didn’t hit that well when he did play.
He’s worth that to a team who wants to win a World Series if they get 130 games out of him and have a big payroll thus prospects meaning less. I’d explore his value he’ll- I’d explore everyone’s value including Hunter Browns.
There are like 3-4 contending teams that even have that kind of prospect capital (Brewers, Cubs, Dodgers are the only ones I see) and none of them would be anywhere near interested in parting with it for Yordan (at this moment; if he comes back healthy and productive he could have near that kind of value at next season’s deadline).
I think Yordan is the perfect kind of player that teams would risk going after. He's under a team friendly contract, shown flashes of being Judge-like with his offense and can go to a team needing an everyday DH.
Go get him. I'm not sure how much of a difference it would make, but at the very least, it would eliminate the "is our manager competent?" question marks. At least in theory until they lose a game.
Bochy was offered a front office job with the Rangers. Not sure if he is going to take it, but I have read be is considering it. He wasn't technically fired they mutually agreed that he was not going to manage going forward. The rangers are also said to be cutting payroll due to financial issues.
The thing is, it seems all of his injuries occur while swinging the bat or running the bases. DH'ing won't shield him from those. I'm good with him still playing LF once or twice a week so he stays engaged and so Altuve can DH more. Also, Altuve should get more off days as well to keep him fresh.
And he does have a good arm. Most of his deficiencies at left are due to the lack of reps if anything...
I don’t want him playing the field at this point- he is too valuable a hitter. They can even work on how he runs to limit risks. Sure he can still get hurt hitting or running the bases- but I want to limit that risk as much as possible. He can DH 125 games in 2026 - get his 500+ at bats and be ready for the post season. Altuve can get his 35 games at DH and 90-95 at LF/2nd and not wear down in the second half. Cam Smith, Issac Paredes, Christian Walker, Jeremy Pena can be the Ironman if they are still on the club. There is plenty of depth if the team is healthy. Urias, Dubon, Matthews all are high end gloves and can play some.
I would accept Baldelli gladly at Astros helm. Nothing against Melvin too but this comes from what we have now. Pretty much anything with managing experience is upgrade.