Everyone taking about trading Hoes for something of value Would throw a fit if he was called up and got playing time again for us, lol
Thinking a low level prospect that projects as a backup or a reliever that won't need to be on 40-man roster for a couple of years at least. His value is depreciated, but think he's still got a shot at being a backup for a less deep team.
I bet he wished he had let the Orioles take advantage of him and given him a multi-year deal. Jon Singleton's terrible deal, could end up paying him more than Norris will make in his career. I actually still like Norris, but the Singleton contract comments pissed me off more than anything. Jon was looking out for himself and his family.
Yeah, Norris's mouth has gotten the best of him a few times. That was the most egregious. Saying he might get released was a stretch, but if he doesn't turn it around (he was great in the 2nd half last year) he'll be in the pen soon. With his FB/SL combo, he could be very effective there if his arm can adjust to it.
Whether it be Hoes or prospects we trade, I think I can make a case that Catcher is a position we should look at upgrading. Conger .238/.340/.440 Castro .212/.273/.370 While I can handle Congers numbers as a backup, Castro I cant. Since 2013, its been constant regression for him. Folks holding out for a return to 2013 form I think should be done waiting. There are no signs this is going to happen. While another starting pitcher is a bigger need at the moment, admittedly. After that, I think we should target a catcher.
I am fine with Conger as the starting catcher.... would rather add another elite arm to the pen for when all they mediocrity rises to the top or add a starter.
Conger's numbers would be good for a starter (.780 OPS). If he had a better throwing arm it wouldn't even be a debate about who the better player is..
It's a trade-off defensively. Conger's the better receiver, but is at best a wash on blocking pitches and much, much, much worse at controlling the running game. Offensively, I don't think you can expect Conger's production to stay at it's current level the more ABs he gets.
Has Conger always been bad at holding runners, or is it a fabrication of the sample size issues this year (where he just happens to be having a bad year)? Castro has clearly regressed at the plate... and his defense hasn't been enough to outweigh that. Conger is also starting pretty much exclusively against lefties... whereas his carer splits suggest he's actually better against righties (as he's a switch hitter)... so its not a given that his offense gets worse if he gets the AB's against right-handers that Castro is currently getting. EDIT: Actually, seeing Conger's splits this year, I'd be starting him against right-handers more... and if we weren't worried about losing the backup catcher, I'd consider DH'ing him some games there as well.
Castro flat out sucks!!! Wondering what it would take to get Chris Sale? The White Sox are going nowhere, and the good thing about him is he's signed for the next few yrs at a great contract.
Conger is just bad at throwing runners out and he has never been good as far as I know. Concerning framing pitches, blocking pitches, etc.... historically he has been good at it, this year he grades out as average. Concerning his bat, I think he can hit and will hit better with more at bats. I do not have much to back it up other than having watched him a great deal. He is very strong and has shortened up his stroke some. He still strikes out a lot, he has a hole in his swing and is vulnerable to good pitching in the zone... but I don't think he can be an above average bat behind the plate. The Astros have some lower level catching prospects that are solid. I am just more worried about other issues.
Castro has a 26.7% LD rate, and a 9.2% soft contact rate. There are 265 players that have 150 PA this season. His LD% is 16th best, and his soft contact rate is 5th best. He is consistently hitting the ball hard this year, yet his BABIP is a paltry .266. Even with all of his strikeouts, I have to think he's likely due for some kind of hot streak.
He is a solid defensive catcher. His offensive numbers should move upward, closer to a .700 OPS, which isn't a problem for a catcher. There aren't a lot of catchers that would be a clear upgrade over Castro/Conger. I'm still for trading one of them, because I don't think we need both.
I can see Astros going for one in the 1st rd if a good is there and then go pitcher heavy with a hitter here or there in between.
