Only if he comes really cheap. As is we have 4 guys that are locks, and Josh Fields had some glittering peripherals last year so I find it hard to believe he doesn't make the team. Add in a lefty and that probably only leaves one spot for long man/garbage innings and you don't spend money on that guy.
I think the biggest question mark going into 2015 will be Singleton. I know we clamor here for another OF bat, but I'd be excited about an opening day OF of Marisnick/Fowler/Springer. If that OF can stay healthy 75-80% of the season, I anticipate the best OF in our division. BTW, I think It's kinda funny that the least athletic guy would be in CF.
There is absolutely no way Fowler starts this season for us in CF, 0% chance. Marisnick is the CF this year, the gulf between them defensively is titanic. Most likely we acquire a LF, and trade Fowler. Only way he stays is if he agrees to move to LF, but he won't play center.
On the contrary, I can just as easily say that there is no way Fowler will agree to a move to LF... 0% chance. He stands to make more money either now with an extension, or later as a free agent, as being an everyday CF. I actually think out of the three, Springer would be the best option as an everyday CF... and then they can attempt to upgrade the corner OF spot (but like I said, Fowler aint moving). Marisnick gets the job if Fowler is traded... but either way they need to upgrade the corner OF spot going into next season.
Definitely agree on the 3B and 1B points. I would have LF after 3B, SS, and 1B. Even if Fowler is traded or the Astros cave and play him in center again, I prefer (less dislike may be better way of putting it) Grossman in LF over SS options.
Grossman? ew. He's a 5th OF (along with Pressley)... and Marisnick is a 4th OF (or a starting CF if you have two bonafide corner OFers). Upgrading the OF (especially LF) is easier than upgrading 3B and SS... and there are backup options in case that OF doesn't cut it.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>drew draws more interest off rough season (thanks to no draft attachment: nyy nym hou oak atl sd las tor wash mia</p>— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonHeymanCBS/status/542748815858470913">December 10, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Of course, Springer is the best option in CF. He's also the best option in RF and LF. My guess is that his value at CF or RF is close enough that it doesn't matter. Marisnick is most likely a better CF (huge degree of error in defensive numbers and it is probably close) than Fowler and is definitely the better value at CF when contracts are looked at. Fowler will either play left or get traded. I tend to think the Astros will try to trade him...for a guy willing to play LF. I do think Fowler would be a very good LF, but teams don't pay fair value to guys that produce value outside the norm.
Would you be willing to accept 10 cents on the dollar now just to get rid of Fowler so you can plug Marisnick in? I don't think they will make that sort of move. I think they hang on to Fowler for now and actually try to work out an extension... if he doesn't agree to an extension, they'll trade him at the deadline when his value could be higher than it is now (and more will be known at that time about which direction this team is going... are they close or still a ways away). I also don't expect nagging injuries to keep Fowler out in a contract year... he's going to play all-out and his numbers/value will go up because of that.
He can't play center. If that means we have to trade him and get what we can so be it. I don't even see us wasting our time with an extension if he insists on staying in center.
So you're ok with dumping a productive MLB hitter for less than market value in order to get Marisnick's defense in the "lineup"? I just don't see it happening. Marisnick is a tremendous CF... he plays the best defense of any Astro I've ever seen since Adam Everett played SS. That being said, he cannot be penciled in as the everyday CF without them also acquiring a productive LF in addition to trading their current combo leadoff/CF for a price they feel meets his production (again, like I said above, less likely to get that price now vs. at the trade deadline after he kills it in his contract year). Also, while Marisnick is tremendous, I don't see Fowler as being a bad CF... meaning he's not going to lose them games out there with his defense (and will provide more run creating opportunities at the plate than Marisnick will). But even with Fowler in CF, they need an upgrade at the corner OF... Grossman/Pressley and occasional Chris Carter is not the LF answer.
If they hadn't signed him to the guaranteed deal, he would have been sent down. He's got A LOT of room to grow... and will need to show signs of improvement as soon as ST before just being handed the job again. Also, I don't know if you realize how bad he was scuffling to end last season... just wasn't making any sort of contact with any sort of pitch.
No. Playing Marisnick in LF is accepting 20 cents on the dollar as he doesn't have the bat for LF and his defense doesn't generate enough value on fewer opportunities. Astros will either trade Fowler for near value, play him in left, or have Fowler sit. Fowler would probably generate more value in LF than he does in CF even assuming his RC+ drops to about 109.
He was bad, but he is still on 23. I dont see any way the Astros replace him. Plus who in the minors or on the team would he be replaced by? It's his job to lose IMO.
Fowler is not playing left nor is he sitting during a contract year... at that point, he will demand a trade, and the Astros will get virtually nothing for him. Also, I'm not playing Marisnick anywhere but CF.... but they don't have the additional corner OF right now to play him everyday. Again, their best option is to keep Fowler in CF where he will continue to play everyday, hope he kills it during his contract year, and trade him at the deadline for much more than they'd get now (or extend him). And both scenarios still need them to upgrade the corner OF... so again, we go back to LF being a priority (and something they should be able to fill either via trade or free agency).
They'd have to look elsewhere. Yes, its still his job to lose... but if he starts spring training or the season where he ended up last year, he will lose it. The question is, will the guaranteed money be a motivational tool to prove he's worth it, or will it be anti-motivational as his earning capacity is maxed out right now no matter how good he does in his pre-arb years.
The Astros aren't gonna replace him until mid-season at the soonest IMO. I think he is fully penciled in to start the year. It wasn't just struggling, that we can accept, it was the way he struggled that was terrifying. He usually struck out, if he did make contact he popped up at an inordinate rate, and almost never made good hard contact. It's certainly not out the question he make an adjustment, but if you wanted a worst case scenario for how a rookie can look that was pretty much it.
and some times mediocre players peak early and begin the downside I still think he's a good valuable player. I don't see Correa as more than two seasons out and I want more pop from my 3b than he has. I know his time is probably gone, but with the defense, arm, pop and walking ability he seems to have - I wouldn't give up on Dominguez. So 2 years is all I'd go for him. You can keep Gonzales or someone of the like.
