Any word on Brantley’s medicals? If the prognosis was good that would be a no brainer. Tough AB, on base machine, and should benefit from the new shift rules.
It does make sense for Houston to view Contreras as the only player capable of adding elite offense across multiple positions (including catcher). 60 games at catcher and 20 each at DH, 1B, and LF makes him pretty much a full time player. And on days he’s catching, the lineup gets incredibly deep. Contreras and Dubin would essentially cover backup for all 9 spots. That would let them sign Brantley as a cheap DH/LF. Abreu, Brantley, and Contreras would be a pretty good offseason. 2B Altuve SS Pena LF Alvarez 3B Bregman RF Tucker 1B Abreu DH Brantley CF McCormick C Maldonado Bench: Contreras, Dubon, whoever, whoever Hell in that scenario bringing back Yuli even makes sense because there would really be no need/requirement for the 12th and 13th position players.
Abreu, Brantley and Contreras would be a great off season even with losing Verlander albeit theirs no telling how Brantley will come back at his age and injuries. He’s worth the risk at the money he’s likely to command. Ton’s of veteran hitters but I like that for a win now club.
Among qualified left fielders only Schwarber had a higher OPS than Contreras which was .815 https://www.mlb.com/stats/regular-season?playerPool=QUALIFIED&position=LF
Wilson Contreras as a catcher? Sure. Wilson Contreras as on outfielder? I'm out. We have a young prospect in Pedro Leon who can hit 20+ homeruns, steal 40 bases, and provide high end defense. Put him out there and keep the player development momentum going. Or sign a capable outfielder. Don't put a catcher in LF.
THIS. The Astros IMO can't really wait around until March to figure out if he'll be able to contribute for most of the season or not. I think, barring some positive prognosis, you proceed without Brantley and if he's still around in March sign him to a team friendly deal - if it still even makes sense. Maybe I'm impatient but if the goal is to improve via free agency, you do it in 2022. If you think you can make the improvement via trade, then waiting around for Brantley may be an option as an alternative to trading for someone.
https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/willson-contreras-575929?stats=statcast-r-hitting-mlb Take a look at Contreras before you rule him out. He is an elite bat.
I don't get all the love for Correa. Certainly not approaching 40 AAV. The dude won't hit 25 HRs, won't get to 90 RBIs, probably won't play 140+ games. He'll play great defense and be a decent bat.
I just do not see the infatuation with signing Contreras to split reps in the OF and 1B along with C. Maybe I’m wrong…seems like his advantage is him hitting from the Catcher spot…and that’s iffy if he’s a defensive liability. We’re great in part because of our catchers ability to call games. Even if I’m overstating or overestimating that portion, I just don’t see how Contreras will be worth a fat contract if we’re needing him to get reps in the outfield and first base where we just signed a guy for 60mil
I'm gonna go out on a limb and say theres quite a few capable "leftfielders" not included in that group.
Right. I was saying unless they are highly confident he'll make a full recovery, they should sign someone else in the meantime to be the LF/DH option and if Brantley is still around they certainly could add him for depth. I was implying as a starter.
People seemed to not like the idea of Josh Bell for 50 million or so at a clear position of need. Contreras is the same hitter over the last 5 years and will likely command even more while providing even less defensive value and people are stoked at the prospect.