Crawfish Boxes MLB Trade Rumors: Will be in Houston after Christmas for a physical. Having an outstanding winter, but with Marwin Gonzalez already in Houston, this might be a minor league deal with a Spring Training invite.
Baseball-Reference Lopez was a member of the Indians and the White Sox in 2012. In 81 games (66 with Cleveland and 15 with the White Sox), he hit .246/.270/.356 with 4 homers and 28 RBI. He was primarily a 3B this season, playing 50 games there.
Jed Lowrie , Jose Altuve, Matt Dominguez, Marwin Gonzalez, Tyler Greene, Jimmy Paredes, thats already 6 infielders. Lopez has to be depth than we can stash at AAA in case of emergency, like Angel Sanchez has been the last few years. Because there is simply no reason why we would give him a roster spot at this point
Very unsurprising response from the front office.... <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Update: <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Astros">#Astros</a> GM Jeff Luhnow says Houston has "no active discussions at this time with free agents." <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23MLB">#MLB</a></p>— Brian T. Smith (@ChronAstros) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChronAstros/status/282654161445732352" data-datetime="2012-12-23T01:09:38+00:00">December 23, 2012</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>There's nothing going on with jose lopez and astros. I only menton it because there was a story suggesting there was deal</p>— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonHeymanCBS/status/282708634926985216" data-datetime="2012-12-23T04:46:05+00:00">December 23, 2012</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Jose Lopez used to be one of my favorite mid-late round fantasy players as a 20 HR 2B. Then 2010 happened.
I kinda think any deal left will be either OF or Jose Valverde. 1B Wallace/Freiman/Pena 2B Altuve SS Lowrie/Gonzalez 3B Dominguez/Wallace Like the infield
Basically agree. Tyler Greene might have the inside edge over Marwin Gonzalez, since Gonzalez has options left and can start the season in AAA. The outfield is mostly set as well. Fernando Martinez JD Martinez Justin Maxwell and Brandon Barnes Maxwell is likely the starting CF and Barnes is his late inning defensive replacement. That leaves Barnes as the most likely to be replaced OF. As a group, the current set of OFs are all flawed and may not be in the team's long term plans. If Luhnow can sign a better long term option in the OF, any of the above OF can be replaced. I think and hope though that Luhnow spends more of his time and money on building a better bullpen. Luhnow added Jose Veras and should look to add more veteran bullpen arms, especially for the 7th and 8th inning slots. These arms if they have any success can be flipped at the trading deadline. BTW Jose Valverde would be a great get and would push Veras to the 8th inning slot. If Valverde is still available late January, he might be desperate enough to sign with the Astros.
The underwhelming 2012 OPS for for Houston Astros OF: .766 Fernando Martinez .685 JD Martinez .764 Justin Maxwell .515 Brandon Barnes and least we not forget .474 Jimmy Paredes Grossman did not play higher than AAA last year.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>the physical in Houston Lopez told reporters about was for yomiuri. hit 25 Hrs as sea 2b in '09.<a href="http://t.co/4rQn2tBL" title="http://cbsprt.co/ViGb5k">cbsprt.co/ViGb5k</a></p>— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonHeymanCBS/status/284024947356094464" data-datetime="2012-12-26T19:56:39+00:00">December 26, 2012</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Completely agree with your post, the only thing I would say is I want JD Martinez to get every day playing time regardless of what happens with any additions, he is the one guy who although his numbers at the big league level are not great/good, he has shown enough ability and baseball smarts to think he has a chance to figure it out and turn into something. He is pretty bad in the OF though, if he ends up being able to hit he is probably the DH
I really wish they'd just play nothing but young guys and stop trying to rent or buy sub-par players. We are rebuilding, no reason to try and patch the boat... just build a new one already.
He doesn't run great, but has a good and accurate arm from LF. In MMP, he's fine, in a more spacious area, we probably are better with him off the field.
