But the second half last year wasn't his only show of productivity. Over the previous 3 years he had a very productive .799 OPS and averaged 37 HR and 96 RBI per 650 PA. It just feels like he's terrible all the time. It's the reason the Astros have been so patient with him, despite how terrible he has been, he has a track record. I do get the felling we are gonna see him a lot in the next week. We've probably reached the now or never point with Carter. You can only be patient for so long, and this is coming from one of the biggest Carter defenders on this board.
We've gone over this ad-nauseum, but do you really think his 60 game season with the A's in 2012 warrants being included in your 3 "year" totals? Month to month, he has now been far more bad than good over the last 2 years... that's the trend that's overly disturbing. However, agreed that they now have to play him and just hope he closes his eyes and jacks one every now and then... because the other healthy options just aren't all that appealing (unless they call up Santana and move Tucker to 1st... something that shouldn't be completely dismissed despite Hinch's words. My guess is he's not the biggest fan of the GM talking about possible 1B replacements when the other guys are still up here now.... even though I think Luhnow is just trying to motivate them via the media).
It happenend against MLB competition right? Yes it counts. But for arguments sake, over the previous 2 seasons, solely with the Astros. He posted the excact same 37 HR 95 RBI pace, except with a lower, but still good .785 OPS. Carter has been an overall productive hitter in previous years, however inconsistent.
I just said to modify your overall assessment of the "past 3 years"... that season was less than a half season's worth of games. It took a highly improbable 2 months to get to that pace last year... I would gladly take the mediocre yet consistent 2013 he put up. Either way with each miserable week, that 67 game stretch with the A's 3 years ago represents more of an outlier to his career performance than his new norm.
I've been a strong supporter also and would like to see him get off to a strong second half tonight But no doubt the time is now or never
Don't expect him to do worse than Tucker.... or Carlos Lee. Gattis, while big, is still a decent enough athlete to hold his own... could probably still play catcher as well (as he did for most of last year) if they weren't concerned about his future health.
I'm really surprised the Astros completely abandoned using him as a catcher. I certainly understand not playing him there with regularity for health reasons, but playing him there occasionally would give us much greater flexibility. He's an awful fielder.
FIFY Unless you're predicting their streak will soon end. If so, hope you're right Stros sweeping this series would be well welcomed.
I just cant see sacrificing Rasmus's defense for what little advantage you have with Gattis at the plate.
Maybe they have decided to send runners all year cause we didn't have anyone coming up who hit with consistency? And with Correa on deck the choice is hold him
