I was not expecting both White and Reed to make the opening day roster.. but I would be surprised if neither of them did as well. White already being 25... not exactly the spring chicken that you need to ensure he gets that extra year of control. Chances are, the Astros already have his prime years under club control as is... and its probable they give most of the AAA 1B reps to Reed to start the season (as he is young enough to make the extra year decidedly worth it). I heard they're probably doing away with super-2 stuff by the next CBA, which would effect all current possible eligible players, so perhaps they don't worry as much about that deadline.
White not being the opening day 1B would be a disappointment. He has earned that job so far. I wonder if Duffy or Marwin would start if they wanted to get that extra year of control? There has to be no way Jon Singleton is the opening day 1B, right?
Luhnow's comments intimated that Singleton just doesn't make enough contact right now... but he also re-stated that he's still very young, and could get there eventually. Unfortunate that his contract forces him to take up a spot on the 40-man, but perhaps he Brett Wallace's his way into some sort of trade value? (and I know full-well that Wallace didn't do that). If White isn't on the opening day roster (which means Gattis is), they would probably do a 1B/3B rotation between Marwin, Duffy and Valbuena (depending on handedness of starting pitcher).
I don't think he was going to be the opening day 1B if he sucked. In that case it would've been Singleton--> Reed. Now it's either White --> White or Marwin-->White (with Reed as a possibility as needed later of course)
White has earned a spot but I think Marwin has earned the right to start on Opening Day...for whatever that's worth.
probably not... its actually smart for the FO to trade the 2 weeks for an extra year of service, pretty much in every scenario. If the Astros need a rookie to carry them in the beginning of a year, especially in a year they are supposed to contend, then in all likelihood the team isn't a contender to begin with. As long as the CBA has the rules that it has, the Astros FO is smart to exploit this rule.
They can also start Marwin at 1st and dh white if Gattis is not available to start the season. Hopefully white gets the 1st base spot. I'm sure they are going to be able to find enough playing time for Marwin as he could play any infield position, left field, and will probably be a defensive sub late in games for white at first base.
Sorry, I was completely being facetious on White. For CBA stuff, I'm not sure changes with the way service time/super-2 is applied will affect current players.
I'll be very disappointed if White isn't on the opening day lineup. I don't know what more he can do this ST to earn a spot.
White should be a lock at 1b. Duffy and Tucker will fight for the last spot once Gattis is healthy. Singleton, for a second year in a row was not able to make the club even tough the position was his to lose.
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Duffy has had an awesome Spring as well. I would prefer he start at 1B ahead of Marwin. I want Marwin platooning with Valbuena as the first priority. Although he could have some starts against RHP at 1B ahead of Duffy. Those 2 could give us adequate coverage for a few weeks. If White were to spend 2 weeks in AAA, I wouldn't be that agitated. However if Singleton makes the opening day club over him, that would agitate me.
From rotoworld: "Matt Duffy went 0-for-4 on Monday and is 3-for-23 since his two-homer game on March 6. The door is open for Duffy to secure a piece of the first-base job, but he hasn't kept it up after a hot start; all three of his homers came in his first two starts of the spring. It's not over for him yet, but he seems to have fallen behind Tyler White on the depth chart." Based on that, I wouldn't be upset at whoever makes it for 3 weeks until White comes up. Assuming they go that route
He had a hit today. I'm not concerned. Players slump. Important thing is he looks competent out there.
White should and likely will be the 1B He isn't a 22 year old that we need to worry about long term control on He is clearly the best candidate for the job, and gives us the type of quality at bat that several of our everyday guys don't. Perfect fit in a great lineup The Astros were very smart to worry about years of control during the rebuild, and still should for some But Tyler White should clearly open the season as the 1B And I think he will
Or!... and hear me out.... They should start Marwin, wait two weeks, then bring up White and gain a year of control. Sounds like a win to me. Marwin can more than hold his own to start the season at 1B. I'd honestly rather Duffy start the season on the bench ( as a 3B/DH/1B) and wait the two weeks to bring up White. It's totally worth the wait . Totes.
White deserves to start all he does is hit and he's done it again in ST. Singleton needs to be gone he's been given every chance. Really impressed with Moran who had a great spring; he and Reed can spend some time in AAA, hopefully tear it up and join the big club this year. Altuve Springer Correa White Reed Gomez Rasmus Moran Castro That's the lineup I want to see if everyone reaches their potential.
