Lowrie,Castro and Rasmus are coming off down seasons. Altuve and Valbuena are coming off up seasons. I know this is a myopic way to look at our potential roster, but when you look at our starting lineups average OPS over the last 3 years, it looks pretty freaking good. Altuve____.751 (.345 OBP) Lowrie____.745 (.333 OBP) Springer___.804 (.336 OBP) Carter____.799 (.320 OBP) Gattis____.791 (.304 OBP) Rasmus___.748 (.304 OBP) Castro____.740 (.321 OBP) Valbuena__.724 (.330 OBP) Singleton__.620 (.285 OBP) While that collective OBP doesn't look great it actually averages out to .320, which would have been 5th in the AL. Springer and Singleton both have small samples so they are wild cards, but I think this actually will be an above average lineup possibly even great. Although it will be very K heavy
If Carter, Springer and Gattis eclipse 30 HR, I can live with the k's. The rotation has to be as good as last year, but this could be a dark horse for wild card play, THIS YEAR.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Taking a look at Astros lineup after recent movements <a href="http://t.co/8LJIy8uK4v">http://t.co/8LJIy8uK4v</a> via <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSSports">@cbssports</a> <a href="http://t.co/pCPQKvgBti">pic.twitter.com/pCPQKvgBti</a></p>— CBS Sports MLB (@CBSSportsMLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSSportsMLB/status/557653359352901633">January 20, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Pretty crazy to think that it looks like we'll have at least four new starters in the lineup--all pretty much help upgrade the Astros for 2015: SS: Villar to Lowrie = major upgrade on the offensive side. .250-.280 w/15+ home run potential. Villar/Petit/Gonzo trio no more. 3B: Dominguez to Valbuena = slight upgrade. Valbuena has the potential to hit .250 with some power and a lot more walks. Dominguez has more home run potential 20-25 +. Could be a platoon. CF: Fowler to Rasmus= lateral move on talent alone but the Fowler trade netted a potential starting pitcher + starting 3B. Fowler with better OBP but Rasmus with a lot more power (20 hr +) and more 'upside.' Also, looks like Rasmus will come at about half the cost of Fowler. Thus its an overall + for the Astros. LF: Grossman/Hoes to Gattis = huge power upgrade for the Astros. Defensive is marginalized for sure but another big bat in the lineup. Puts Grossman as the 4th/5th outfielder. Gattis also has flexibility to play 1B and DH--and thus Marisnick could play in the OF, Gattis first and Singleton back to AAA if necessary.
Hello! <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Source tell me <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/colbyrasmus?src=hash">#colbyrasmus</a> deal is 1 year for 8 million ....<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/astros?src=hash">#astros</a></p>— Matt Yallof (@MattYallofMLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MattYallofMLB/status/557654963682562048">January 20, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Still worth it but obviously not as awesome as it was before. Looks like we have about $3MM before we hit 70.
8 million it is. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Colby Rasmus' deal with the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Astros?src=hash">#Astros</a> will be worth $8 million, source says.</p>— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) <a href="https://twitter.com/jonmorosi/status/557657404062855168">January 20, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Astros DFA Carlos Corporan to officially sign Colby Rasmus to a one-year deal.</p>— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/status/557657903143084033">January 20, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
So lo and behold we did reallocate that Fowler money, actually added salary altogether. So much for the Fowler trade being a cheap move. We turned one player into 3. High number, but given the flashes that Rasmus has shown it doesn't surprise me in this market. Not as if we have a salary cap, if they are willing to spend a little, that's certainly fine by me.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>The Astros designated Carlos Corporan for assignment.</p>— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkBermanFox26/status/557658156076367877">January 20, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
And pretty much seals the fact (IMO) that Rasmus will start in the outfield. I'm beginning to think this is more an insurance move for Singleton than anyone else...if Singleton can't get it together, he'll be the first to go back to AAA and that allows Gattis/Carter to push over to 1B and the outfield to consist of Rasmus/Marisnick/Springer... Also, given that its only for one year, this gives Marisnick possibly some more time to groom his game, since he still has options.
That's about what they wanted to pay Fowler in arbitration (Fowler requested $10 million). Trading Fowler did get them a 3B, but as far as the CF position goes, at similar money... not sure who is the better fit/producer. Hell, Rasmus may not be as good a CF as Springer is... but he is a solid left-handed stick that helps this team when they face power righties.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>The Astros, who just signed Colby Rasmus, will hit HRs. But they seem determined to lead their league in strikeouts for the 4th yr in a row.</p>— Tyler Kepner (@TylerKepner) <a href="https://twitter.com/TylerKepner/status/557659032803368961">January 20, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Luhnow says Rasmus will benefit will being in Minute Maid Park. "Good opportunity to bring him in and let him and to better offensive team."</p>— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) <a href="https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/status/557659919852503040">January 20, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Luhnow says "Colby will be in the lineup." Given the staff a lot of options at every position.</p>— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) <a href="https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/status/557660020478083072">January 20, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Luhnow says the trade of Fowler enabled them free up resources and a spot for Rasmus.</p>— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) <a href="https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/status/557660594418253824">January 20, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> _____________________________________ Too bad nothing better came available starting pitching wise. Added: Colby Rasmus, Ryan Vogelsong, Dan Straily, Luis Valbuena, Evan Gattis, James Hoyt, Luke Gregorsen, Pat Neshek, Jed Lowrie, Hank Conger Lost: Dexter Fowler, Mike Foltynewicz, Rio Ruiz, Andrew Thurman, Nick Tropeano, Carlos Perez, Carlos Corporan Scott Feldman Dallas Keuchel Collin McHugh Brett Oberholtzer Ryan Vogelsong Dan Straily Seems...meh? average? just ok? They [did] have a catching surplus: Jason Castro, Hank Conger, <strike>Carlos Corporan</strike>, Evan Gattis, Max Stassi Maybe an OF surplus: (Chris Carter, Evan Gattis) Robbie Grossman, Jake Marisnick, Alex Presley, Colby Rasmus, George Springer DH/1B surplus? Chris Carter, Jason Castro?, Evan Gattis, Jon Singleton
So you're saying this offense will score 100 more runs than last season? That's what it'll take to become top 5 in offense. And you will win a lot more games if you consistently score 5 runs a game...rather than getting shut out one game and scoring 12 the next. Crooked numbers are not what you want in your offense. Consistency with an above average offense trumps inconsistency with a "stacked" offense.
The offensive production would seem to be improved at 1B/SS/3B/LF, and a full season of Springer. An 80-100 run improvement is not at all unrealistic IMO.
Kind of a silly article... It really simplifies the obvious: big power and big strikeout with potentially lacking OBP. It also brings up Valbuena without mentioning that he is replacing Dominguez, but rather compare him to Fowler. Sure, Rasmus gives up some OBP for power to Fowler, but he is most likely an improvement in center as well. And the real story here could be how Dominguez is removed from a lineup and replaced with a major league quality thirdbaseman. Anyway... much like my post... this article is kind of stating the obvious and written just for the sake of being read. No real insight.
