Not enough on the bench that can spell them through the season. Guys that can be a mentor to young guys yet still play in spurts. Those that are hungry to win a ring or even another ring.
I don't understand all the fretting going on here with the infield. There are 648 starts across the season. That's roughly 128-130 starts for all 5 of Altuve, Correa, Paredes, Pena, and Walker. None of these are ironman Cal Ripken-type players who would start all 162 games, and this doesn't include DH starts for Altuve, Correa, or Paredes. And, as others have previously mentioned, it's highly likely that at least one of them will go down with an injury at some point.
Huh? You really only get 4 bench spots per game. And half the time, you have half the the old man starters sitting in the dugout.
So you don't believe Vazquez can be more valuable on this team than calling up a minor leaguer? You don't think JV could help this young pitching staff more so than a back of the rotation SP6? This team needs some more vets that don't have to play everyday but still want to win.
The fretting is coming from you need all 5 in the lineup every game to maximize the offense, it's impossible to do in the playoffs if you make it that far.
Pretty sure the backup catcher is not going to make much of an impact on the team. That said, he's still available and likely dirt cheap if the Astros really decide they need that. Spending $10MM on an SP6 mentor seems like a giant waste of money. Just hire a retired veteran SP as an extra pitching coach for peanuts if you need a mentor.
The issue is not the number of total games spread out over a 162 game season or even potential injury. The issue is as soon as Walker, Altuve, Correa, Paredes, Pena, or Alvarez ( if healthy) are given a 2nd day off in a week or 3rd day off in 3 weeks there will be frustration and friction in the clubhouse.
This team has a catcher problem. Diaz is a mediocre catcher who had plus hitting ability but offensive production has regressed each season. He is just as likely to be a liability to this team as an asset. A plus back up would be a big plus.
Adding a veteran backup catcher that's averaged 0 WAR over the last 3 years doesn't really move the needle on that. Vazquez's offense is worse than Maldy and people endlessly b****ed about that situation.
Says who? You don't think Altuve or Correa would enjoy days off? Correa specifically wanted to move to 3B to put less wear and tear on his body. They aren't playing for new contracts at this point and they have nothing to prove. Yordan probably doesn't mind days off either given how he always has a nagging injury of some sort. You're creating problems that are entirely fictional and then treating them as fact. A few weeks ago, Josh Reddick convinced you someone needed to be moved. Two days later, you felt the Astros absolutely needed to stand pat. Now someone needs to be moved again?
This sounds like speculation. What are you basing this claim on? Of those players, who has the personality makeup of a Rafael Devers, Albert Belle, or Ty Cobb? The only valid point I've seen is that days off could disrupt a batter's rhythm or timing. These guys all strike me as team players willing to move around or sit if it's best for the team. Also, over the last 3 seasons these guys averaged Altuve - 133 games Correa - 122 games Paredes - 133 games Pena - 144 games Walker - 147 games It's obvious that Altuve played too much and should rest more and Alvarez (avg 103 games/season) is always a question mark. Playing time doesn't seem like an issue to me.
