Couple fleeting thoughts: 1) Where to slot Beltran? I like him hitting second, but I also like the idea of throwing him behind Correa, maybe forth, or fifth. 2) Should we still slot Springer leadoff? 3) Gattis playing time vs. RHP? Does he DH when McCann starts, even though he's our back-up catcher? 4) Do we move Altuve back to leadoff? This team's outrageous roster flexibility makes it very tough to predict a daily lineup...I suppose that's a good thing. I believe we're done on the offensive side. Let's get Tyson Ross!!
I've never understood the argument against this. Why would you sit him (unless you had a better player at DH)? Unless I misunderstand the rules, the tradeoff is that you get 70-100 games of Gattis at DH in exchange for, if McCann gets hurt in a game, a pitcher having to bat 2 or 3 times in 1 game. Seems like an easy call?
But the pitcher probably wouldn't bat (presuming it's the later innings). They'd be using PH's. I presume they just don't like the idea of lost flexibility. But even then, Hinch had Castro and Gattis in the lineup together enough to see that they're not "scared" of an injury scenario.
This lineup! Springer CF Bregman 3B Altuve 2B Correa SS Beltran LF Gurriel 1B Reddick RF McCann C Gattis C/DH Marwin IF Marisnick OF Aoki/Teo OF
I'm really just playing devils advocate. First, is there a better DH candidate? I don't know, but Gattis didn't exactly thrive (.230/.307/.811) vs. RHP in 2016. We could DH him and just hope that 2016 was aberration. But if 2016 wasn't an off-year, then I think there is a valid argument to DH Beltran (or Yuli, or whomever needs a day off in the field), and start another player. I'd even consider starting Marisnick for defensive purposes. Now, Marisnick was god awful vs. RHP, but we won't lose games because Marisnick isn't hitting. Having a non-productive DH, on the contrary, can be killer. Marnick's calling card is defense and speed, and he can be a positive player given the rest of our lineup. Second, McCann mentioned that he liked Sanchez getting playing time, becase it really helped McCann stay fresh through the late months. Maybe that was just PR. Who knows. That makes me think that we'll start Gattis as C more than your typical backup catcher. Regardless, it makes sense for both of our catchers to stay fresh, and slotting Gattis in DH whenever he's not catching may wear him down more than that which is ideal.
Teo will be in AAA or traded, I think. I imagine we will carry 13 pitchers with all the pitching depth we are going to need. Otherwise, I concur with your roster decisions.
As of now Fangraphs projects Houston to have the most total and position player WAR in the AL, and 2nd in pitching behind the Indians. They're projected to be the 3rd best team in baseball behind the Dodgers and Cubs.
My lineup against RHP would be. 1. Springer 2. Reddick 3. Altuve 4.Beltran 5.Correa 6. Bregman 7. McCann 8. Gurriell 9. Aoki
You can't bail out an organization for their one superstar player. Sales is a CY Young candidate, but Astros can't give them all they want like it's a Buffett spread. Kudos for Astros standing their ground; the rumored deal of Bregman, Tucker, Martes, Paulino, Cameron, and Ferrell was too too much. I'm glad Astros are saying White So. asking price is too high.
See the current roster as C McCann 1B Gurriel 2B Altuve SS Correa 3B Bregman RF Reddick CF Springer LF Beltran C Gattis IF Marwin OF Aoki OF Marisnick I don't see anyone above being on the table in trade offers, Chris Sale or not. If they carry the traditional 13th positional player it's the most impressive of AJ Reed, Tyler White, Colin Moran, Teoscar Hernandez, Tony Kemp, Preston Tucker, maybe Kyle Tucker or Derek Fisher SP Dallas Keuchel SP Lance McCullers SP Colin McHugh SP Joe Musgrove SP Charlie Morton RP Ken Giles RP Luke Gregerson RP Will Harris RP Tony Sipp RP LHRP FA or Trade for lower level prospect(s) RP Chris Devenski RP Michael Feliz If they carry 8 bullpen arms: Mike Fiers Trading for Sale/Archer/Verlander/Gray, etc has too include one of the 5 starters above probably McCullers or Musgrove + Martes or Paulino + a combination of quality prospects like Cameron, Fisher, Teo, Moran, Kemp, Hoyt, Reed, Whitley, etc Don't see Odorizzo being someone Luhnow would target, can't justify clearing a spot with the current rotation in place and thinking it's an upgrade to the team.
Apparently his advanced fielding numbers were amazing in 2012 and 2013 but his numbers have declined to just below average. Surprised me, I'd thought he was a great fielder also.
I didn't realize, but for the first time in a long time the Astros have a ton of flexibility with lineups. They could go Righty, Lefty, hitter through the lineup. Springer Aoki Altuve Beltran Correa McCann Bregman Reddick Gurriel They could max power lineup: Springer Bregman Altuve Correa Beltran Gattis McCann Reddick Gurriel But I think their most practical lineup is going to be: Springer Bregman Altuve Correa Beltran Gattis/McCann (slip Catcher duties) Aoki Reddick Gurriel It's going to be an exciting time for offense for the Astros fans. Oh and I think Beltran will get over 40% of the PA for DH, I think combined Gattis and McCann only get around 35-38% of PA at DH. With catching being so grueling on the Knees, I'm thinking Gattis and McCann are limited to 450 PA each. The catching position should get about 680 PA for the year. I think Aoki gets more than 50% of PA as the left fielder. Though Beltran should still get about 40% of the time there too.
Hoping they come away with one of the following pitchers next week: Sale Quintana Archer Verlander Zimmerman Pineda Ross Gray Hill Greinke (only if zona eats a ton of money) Would also like to see them in the mix for another reliever. My list: Chapman Jansen Robertson Melancon Doolittle Uehara McGee
Players slotted for AAA: Reed White Moran Kemp Teo Tucker Aplin Feliz Rodgers Paulino Guduan Gustave Hoyt Stassi is out of options so will likely be DFA and/or traded. Chapman and Peacock are out of options but as it stands would probably make the opening day bullpen; the more likely outcome is that Houston adds players and they are DFA. Houston has 1 open spot on its 40 man roster. They will have to option 2 more players, which would mean Musgrove and Devenski unless they use that last spot on a depth player with options remaining. Barring injury there's not going to be a whole lot of open spots for competition in the spring.
Random thoughts: 1. Is Gurriel the 1B or LF? Seems LF may be for him, but that makes Beltran the DH...and someone else the 1B. Will see how positioning works out in ST. 2. Will both Aoki and Marisnick make the team? My guess is only if they are platooning...but that keeps Gurriel at 1B. 3. Astros AAA team is going to ravage other teams if Astros don't make a couple of trades. Heck, I'm guessing their rotation will be better than the Padres (Cosart is their "ace"). 4. Trade deadline should be fun.
