George Springer

While a lot of people would be very disappointed, if he turned out to be Adam Dunn with 30 sb's and above average OF defense, i'd take it

 

They'd be better off saying nothing... but saying its a "40 man roster issue" or saying its a "rule V" issue or saying its a "we'd like him to get playoff experience" issue, or saying we want him to get to "40-40 first", or its simply a "strikeout issue" IMO were all excuses.

You're never going to see a team say they're willingly stashing a player and prolonging their start date for $$$ issues... but c'mon, you've got to be pretty naive to believe they really kept him down for all the other issues, and not $$$.

(especially now with news that they were ready to make him a MLB contract offer in September, despite all the above issues that were still "present" at the time).

 

Ok, I just read where you said they had been "lying through their teeth" about it, and I hadn't seen any statements from the organization about it, so was wondering if I had missed some comments from them about Springer.

Personally, I think it is a combination of $$$ issues and strikeout rates. Yes, his numbers were off the charts last year, but if the development people have some worries about how his game is going to translate to the major league level, and in addition to that there is a benefit financially for keeping him down, you have a situation where it is a lot easier to keep him down.

As for making the mlb contract offer in September, it is apparently true that the offer was made. But, there is give and take on both sides there. The contract that they offered was hopefully what they felt like he would earn if he came up and produced at what his floor level likely is, so not a huge amount of risk there for the Astros. It's a game played by both sides, Springer could have guaranteed himself to be a rich man and likely would have already played at the mlb level if he took it, pretty sure by turning it down he knew he would likely be delaying his arrival

If the big league club was at the point of competing for a playoff spot, and they were keeping a guy like Springer down, it would be concerning. But with the fact being they will likely lose 100 games again this year, i'm fine with them doing what they feel is best long term both financially, and developmentally

 

How do you know he is being stashed for contract issues. If we are assuming we can read the minds on Astros management, it could also be that the team told him would bring him up when he develops a two strike approach and cut down his strikeouts. He hasn't. They haven't brought him up.

I suspect Springer is being held up part for contract matters and part for not cutting down the K's. If he had cut down K's last season to a respectable level, he would be an Astro.

I have not declared him as only a defense only/strikeout player. That is what he will likely be with a ton of power and speed. He could be better. He could be worse. You project him to be major league ready based on his HRs and OB%, but ignore anyone who brings up K's and say let's see him the majors first.

I say, let's see Springer cut down his K's first in minors before rewarding him with a trip to the majors for not addressing what the coaches have probably been telling him since he joined the Astros organization. That's the only thing standing between him and being a truly great player in my mind.

I do think he will be in MLB this season as he will cut down K rate in AAA earning his way to MLB or he won't, but will be done developing.

 

I'm not presenting some grand conspiracy here... its pretty clear what the Astros are doing. You can believe what you want... although not sure how you can explain why they offered him a multi-year guaranteed MLB contract (without ever taking an MLB AB) if he hadn't worked out all the issues you feel he still has.

Even ashby (who technically works for them) stated that they're keeping him down for contract reasons (it was on a recent ST telecast).

Also, I'm not going to magically assume if he cuts down on his K rate in the minors, he will be "fixed". He's going to strike out a lot in the majors. Hell, he may be WORSE than Carter. Sure, he may eventually "get it", but given his advanced age, I'm not expecting a miracle to happen in the next 1-3 months regarding his K's.

I actually expect him to have a less than stellar AAA run (worse numbers than last year), and still be called up whenever the deadlines pass... regardless of his K rate.

 

Why? That would presume they have a lineup that may not need him to make the playoffs.

I can just as easily say that there is nobody viable blocking him at the MLB level, and there is absolutely zero pressure for him to come up and produce right away on a last place team in a soft media market. Not promoting him on this team, in this situation, is just as concerning (as it's establishing a potential bottom-feeder approach to this franchise).

Its just comical that those defending the franchise's decision have gone from "Just wait till July (2013)... smart to avoid the super 2 deadline." to "Just wait till September, he'll be up here, stop whining... " to "Just wait till opening day (2014), there's no way he won't be the opening day center fielder..." to "He's sucked in spring training, needs more seasoning... he'll be up here when he "earns" it... the organization knows exactly what they're doing."

The fact that they kept the rejected contract offer "quiet" was likely more PR related than anything else.

 

I project Springer to be worth a lot more than 23 million for arb years and one year after factoring inflation and Carter-like K rate. I am surprised he hasn't been called up as I don't think he will change, but I am also surprised he hasn't addressed strike out issue.

 

To be fair, Preston Wilson was an all-star caliber player at one time.

The question with Springer is with all the K's, can he keep his average high enough? If he has a similar average to Wilson, he'll be a superior player.

 

I suspect Springer to be a good player. He may even get an All-Star appearance or two while still striking out a quarter of the time. Call me greedy, but I want him to be perennial star player. He has the tools to be the best center fielder in the game outside a solid hit tool.

 

Might as well bring him up and figure it out sooner rather than later.

If he isn't a future potential everyday player on a contending team, better to figure it out ASAP to put this team in the best position to start WINNING in 2016.

 

I would have countered with $25,000,000 and signed the deal. That is enough money to invest and live off the interest for the rest of his life. As it is, he very well could end up like Ty Gainey or Cameron Wynne and have a day job making $10.00 an hour like many other people.

I know the argument is that he could make $50,000,000 if he does well.... but I would feel a whole lot more sick turning down $25,000,000 and living paycheck to paycheck than making $25,000,000 and thinking I should have $50,000,000.

 

Cameron Drew

 

The only one I give any credibility to is the strikeout issue.

 

LMFAO sorry... I went to HS with Cameron Wynne....

Yes, Cameron Drew.

 

So have plenty of guys.

I'd be extremely happy with the next Andruw Jones.

I'd give my left one for the next Willie Mays.

 

We will just have to agree to disagree on the first point here I suppose, because personally I don't think that most teams that are in a playoff hunt for the first time in a long time, have everything that they need. To keep a guy down for financial reasons when he likely could help you down the stretch of a playoff run, would really suck . . .to me anyway

And i'm not someone that should be grouped in with the "defending the franchises decision" on this, you can find posts from me back well into early last year saying Springer should be up here. What i'm saying now is, for a guy in a situation that he is in, where they would prefer to save the $$ and they would prefer to see him improve his contact rate, he certainly did not do anything this spring to make them say "wow, he certainly looks ready we better look at this again"

As for keeping the contract offer "quiet", either side could have let that be known if they wanted, seems neither cared enough about it to present it to the media. As i've said, that offer is what it is, a guarantee of being rich for Springer, and a good chance at saving money long term for the Astros, if Springer does what he is probably capable of doing. Springer decided to gamble on it, we will see how that works out. As I said earlier, hope it works out well for him, because if he does earn more than that offer, he obviously turned into the player we want him to be

 

I think I still have his rated rookie card. Man he could have been a star. Imagine putting a .300 hitter with 25 bombs in there with Bagwell, Biggio, etc. Damn...

 

Off subject, but along those lines I just wish we had held onto Kenny Lofton to bat in front of Biggio and Bagwell, how good could that top of the order been!

Your post and March Madness starting reminded me of that (Lofton backed up Steve Kerr as point guard in the final four)

 

Yes, he's another. Eddie freaking Taubensee... Ugh.