Not to resurrect a somewhat settled argument, but has Fowler done or said anything that would lead people to believe that he would never accept playing in LF in a contract year? People are making such definitive statements on it I feel like I missed something that he said recently.
Fowler did replace Marisnick in CF, when he came off the DL last year. People are guessing that Fowler forced the issue.
This makes no sense to me. He's in a contract year, so he's under pressure to play wherever the Astros ask him to play. If he demands a trade because he's not getting what he wants, that's not going to play well for teams looking at him after this season.
I think it is assumption. It would be safe to say he would not be happy about the decision and would prefer to play CF. He has never played LF (and only has one inning in RF and that was as a September call up).
I do think we missed out. Team could have then traded Fowler, or went with a Fowler/Springer/Kemp OF, and got rid of Pressley.
Very much looking at it with Astros-colored glasses on. He is in a contract year... and he stands to make more as a leadoff everyday CF vs. a leadoff everyday LF. He's probably looking for Jacoby Ellsbury like money, and his production would warrant it. He's under pressure to play, yes... but he's not going to want to play at a position that devalues his worth. There's also the fact that he's never played any other position besides CF... and even though LF is less challenging, why would he be wanting to expose himself to a learning curve during his contract year? Lastly, the Astros are already shopping him around... so it wouldn't burn too many bridges if it ended up being a "mutual" decision (except that if he goes public with it, it kills all leverage the Astros have with other teams).
Just educated presumptions... based largely on when he came back off the DL and Marisnick was expected to stay entrenched as the CF. Then we all thought that was Porter being Porter (and we thought it was a possible reason why Porter was fired... not doing what the front office wanted), but it continued on for the rest of the season... well after Porter was gone, and well after talks broke off with Aiken/Nix (they have the same agent). Lastly, Drellich had a buddy-buddy feature about Fowler/Springer a few weeks ago, and it doesn't sound like he's been mandated to switch positions as a condition for staying on the team as he's planning on enjoying this upcoming season in CF with his buddy (George) in RF.
Fowler Altuve Springer Kemp Carter Castro That has the potential to be a really good lineup... and we haven't even gotten to the potential improvement of Singleton yet. Ugh.
Grossman will likely see one or two games a week in LF, so Fowler might get to play some CF next year. This might not be such a black and white issue.
They need to upgrade the corner OF spot regardless of who the CF is (Fowler or Marisnick). The presumption that Marisnick will be the everyday CF is pretty surprising.... the Astros need quality hitters in the lineup.
Porter stated Fowler played centerfield because Fowler choose to play centerfield. According to Porter, Fowler was the better player overall and better players get to pick their position even if they aren't as good defensively. Glad Carlos Lee never wanted to play SS under a manager like Porter. Both Porter and the interim coach are no longer with the Astros.
Porter didn't say that...he said its because he's never played anywhere else. I can buy that as a legit reason for him not wanting to switch positions. Also, why did he stay in CF after Porter was fired, along with after negotiations with Aiken and Nix were long past dead?
The Astros weren't gonna risk Fowler pouting. His position is gonna have to be sorted out before the year stars, LF (unlikely) or gone. I've maintained all offseason the most likley scenario is the Astros trading Fowler and bringing in a bat in LF. Marisnick moves to CF and easily replaces Fowler's overall value.
Unless you get a leadoff quality bat from your LF acquisition, he won't easily replace everything Fowler does. The Astros lineup already has a ton of question marks. I'm expecting Luhnow and company to want more sure things and less OTJ training and experimentation (if they are truly serious about winning this year). This offense was at its best (and the team won the most) with Fowler batting near the top.
Not if he doesn't want to because he feels it would hurt his earning potential. Somebody will have to show me a comment by Hinch or Luhnow that suggests he will be moved to LF for me to believe it. If he's still on the team, it's highly likely he will be the CF batting leadoff.
Nobody's really doubting that. If he stays here he will be in CF, and will certainly be hitting leadoff. Some of us would just rather see him moved than back in CF. His career WAR is only 11.3, and his negative defensive impact is a large part of that. I would love to keep him, but by playing him in CF you are putting a negative defensive player at one position, while also under utilizing a guy with an elite skill.
Singleton probably will be a bust. He is the last one to show up before games and the first one to leave after. I wonder about his work ethic.
I doubt Fowler stays here. If he does, I doubt Fowler starts in CF. There is no way anyone from Astros will say Fowler is moving to LF before spring training. My mistake on misreading Fowler's comments. He did say he left Fowler in center where Fowler was "comfortable". I took that to mean Fowler wanted to play in CF. My bad. Not the biggest leap of faith to think Fowler wants to play CF, though as he really isn't very good at it.
