Quick question Why would a playoff team like SD trade away their catcher, who is having a nice season, in the middle of the season?
Instead of looking at random samples I would just look at cERA which looks at the residual in performance between catchers on the same time. The biggest limitation of cERA is that the benchmark isn't an average or replacement player, but the other catchers on the same team. However, by that metric, Castro has outperformed Maldy since joining the team.
But that's part of the problem. WE see these things. Every piece of statistical evidence we can find says Maldonado is not good and that other catchers are better. Even defensive and catching metrics are not good to him. But Astros management and players say the exact opposite. Based on track record I'm going with the people who are smarter than me, see him everyday, and have been forward thinking and successful. I fully expect some new philosophy or idea in the next few years that shows Maldy was the best catcher in baseball this year but we weren't considering it from that viewpoint. And, of course, he will have that gaudy and shiny 2022 World Series ring.
I don't know if management is that high on him. If they are, then why did they sign the relatively pricey Castro in an off-season when there were few available resources? Why not just get another AAAA guy to backup Maldy? I think the FO realizes Maldy is not very good but what are the alternatives? Good catchers are few and far between and the Astros have a couple of guys in the high minors who could fill at least one catcher position. I'm sure as a veteran Maldy has the respect of the rookie pitchers, and he's probably very knowledgeable and could be a good coach after he retires. That doesn't necessarily make him a good catcher though.
Because your backup catcher is gonna start a quarter of the time, not to mention be an injury away from being an everyday player. Why did the Astros continue to start Maldy when Castro was far superior offensively last season? Hes been a dog s**t hitter for a few years now, and his everyday role remains unquestioned, what more evidence do you need?
In 2020 rather than shelling out for a multi-million dollar AAV backup catcher, they simply relied on Garneau and Stubbs for practically free. They could have done something similar in 2021 with money still being tight but they didn't. The Maldy/Castro 2021 playing time issues I think was more driven by Dusty and disconnect between Dusty and Click. No way did Click sign Castro to that contract thinking he was only going to get <200 PA.
Catcher is a very insecure position. They can't play every day and are at more injury risk than any position except pitcher. Castro was signed the year after Stubbs/Garneau provided ZERO ( except tackling Laureano) production. And the minor leagues were bare. Castro's salary was ( is) VERY reasonable as an insurance policy. They just hoped he could be adequate for 2 seasons. 1 out of 2 anyway.
Question Back if you could Unload a big Contract and you need the cap space would you trade a Catcher?
I seen one that made an Interesting Idea just depends on what you think of Nick Fortes of the Marlins? Wonder the cost Of Zach Pop and Nick Fortes?
If I were in the top Wild Card spot in the National League, no I would not And as i've asked many times before, WHY would we want to take on a big contract when we have already lost guys like Springer, Correa, Cole.....and we have guys like Tucker, Garcia, Javier, Framber, Urquidy whos salaries will be going up even if we don't extend them...And if we want to keep Verlander he will be more expensive also....I don't want to take on a stupid contract just to make a small upgrade somewhere Man, some of these trade ideas are so far fetched, too many fantasy baseball ideas in here
I get what your saying. Im just gonna say if we could trade lets say Korey Lee and Jose Urquidy to the Padres for Blake Snell Jorge Aflao and reieve a good prospect like Herrill I would be down with it. As I said we dont know what Justin Verlanders plans are after the Season there is no Guarantee he will be back. And we are already connected to Snell as some would believe. Its not far fetched its can it happen
Urquidy right now isn't a massive improvement over a broken Snell. I'd trade Jose for Blake straight up in a heartbeat, one had the talent to win a Cy Young, the other is a pitcher who relies on not walking anyone, with a career high in walk rate.
One makes big money and isn’t better than the one that doesn’t I don’t understand why you guys want to run up the payroll and lose even more quality players down the road because of it while not getting significantly better, but carry on
My personal wish list, even where some are extremely unlikely for various reasons 1. Sean Murphy 2. Josh Bell 3. Ian Happ 4. Luis Castillo 5. Michael Fulmer Fulmer is the most likely of the group.
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/07/top-50-trade-mlb-trade-candidates.html Fits for Houston are Contreras, Bell, and all the relievers.
A bench guy I would seriously look at is Amed Rosario. Could be had for a minor Leaguer or 2 and would serve well on our bench. Could replace Diaz
The Astros have six above average relievers currently with a potential 7th in either LMJ or Mushinski should he pan out. Not really seeing a post-season need for a reliever. I still think catcher and especially 1B are the two biggest areas that need to be addressed. I don't see Contreras happening though.
