Diaz, Altuve, Alvarez, and Tucker are the only slam dunk everyday starting position players on this team. Pena will start everyday by default but his defense is no longer special, merely very good, and he is weak enough vs RHP (90 wRC+) that a replacement at SS is not beyond consideration. Singleton is fine vs RHP meaning only 3b, LF, and CF MUST have an upgrade. Meyers is strong and Chas has been strong in the past vs LHP so 1b and 3b are really the only 2 spots that NEED an upgrade vs lefties. Dubon simply doesn't have the bat to be a starting 3b, even vs LHP. Caratini, if he remains on the team should be a backup catcher and emergency 1b only. So that is 4 bats needed
You can also look at the actual rosters and come to the conclusion that a team with Alvarez, Tucker, Diaz, and Altuve will be a competitive lineup. Those 4 guys can hit well enough that they can carry Maldy, Chas, Dubon, Mancini, Aledmys to a World Series ring with Bregman. I'm much more concerned with replacing Bregman's bat than I am on with who bats 9th.
Here we go with the Fkng politics again How about keeping this to Astros there are plenty of places to argue about politics
Well they had those 4 guys this year. And the Astros scored 3 runs in 2 playoff games. Those guys did not score a single run and had more strikeouts than hits among them. I'm also worried about Bregman's replacement and ALSO don't really care about who hits 9th This is about who hits 5th-7th.
Move on from Caratini and Pressly and Urquidy? Very possible that happens. Pressly's money can be used better elsewhere. Caratini is a very good back up catcher, the Astros can get one at a lower cost. Urquidy is hurt .... as for Chas and Meyers, I could see them trading one for a more proven bat but otherwise they are likely to be back. The Astros have holes at 1st, third and a corner outfield spot. They can get another back up catcher - but they need to replace Bregman's bat and add another. If they need to move Chas for someone like Lowe - they will likely do it. However, they are not getting rid of ALL those players, just likely some of them. Pressly clears up a lot of money in 2025 and Caratini as well - combined that is likely to be what Kikuchi makes in 2025. Starting pitching IS a concern - that is why they have had talks with Kikuchi and are linked to other starters. They likely add one solid starter and target two bats and see what they can do to make it happen. I don't know how Pressly feels now - but at one point last year he welcomed a trade. The Astros also have some young arms that they like - so they may decide to but up Abreu and try to internally fill the pen hole and fill the hitting hole outside the organization.
This - they hope they get 140 games from Tucker....... but Yordan is always a risk and Altuve wore down as the season went on. Which is part of why they would like to add a couple of good bats.
What do you think about signing Gleyber Torres and moving him to 3B at 3 yrs 21 mil? Then bringing in Robert at 2 yrs 35 mil (15 mil next yr) and Lowe 25 mil. Plus Comforto 2 yrs 20 mil, 10 mil next yr. Or you could leave Comforto off and sign Gamel for the vet min and platoon him with Whitcomb or Dezenzo in LF. Altuve 2b Alvarez DH Tucker RF Diaz C Lowe 1B Torres 3B Robert CF Gamel/Whitcomb/Dezenzo LF Pena SS Very doable
MLBTR said the Stros might be interested in signing Torres and moving him to 3B. How would you feel about adding Robert/Lowe/Torres this offseason to the lineup. I'm pretty sure this can happen for around 47-50 mil.
They're going to need an MVP-level type season from one of their stars to be a true contender. A lot of luck (health) involved in that. They have the pitching to win 80 games. Obviously you want both... but having the pitching, and figuring out the hitting (or praying for health) is not the worst place to be.
I don't have any issues with Torres' bat except it's more good than great. He takes lots of pitches, which this team needs. And Spotrac has his market value at 3yrs/$20.9M which is a great value. My issue is on the defensive side. He has never played 3b in MLB ( A few games in minors, last in 2018) and baseball Savant has his arm in the 7th percentile (75.2 mph avg). That's WAY worse than Jake Meyers' (48th percentile- 84.7 mph avg)
My preferences for 3b 1) Bregman 2) Suarez 3) Moncada (if he's cheap) 4) trade for Baty I want 2 everyday starters who have middle of the lineup bats - Bregman and Diaz, Lowe, or Robert? and an OF who hits RHP to AT LEAST platoon w/ Jake in CF or Chas or Whitcomb in LF. If they bring in Bregman and Lowe or Robert then I don't mind Dezenzo platooning w/ Singleton at 1b as they won't need to hit above 7th.
Since you brought it up, I looked up Torres stats. His offense is about average, but his defense is really bad. Now I understand why the Yankees are not interested in bringing him back. No way do I think he is worth 21MM. If you are talking about Brandon Lowe from the Rays, he has 2 club options at 10.5 and 11.5, so very reasonable, but would require trade assets. Robert would also obviously.
Would Torres be willing to play 3B? When the Yankees acquired Chisholm they suggested it to him and he was like no, I'm a 2B. Only if their was an emergency he said he would play 3B which is why he took some reps there. Now did he say no because the season was half done and he just didn't want to move mid season? Maybe if he struggled his value would go down. Is he willing to play 3B before the season starts giving him Spring training to practice? Or maybe if his biggest offer was from Houston to play 3B compared to another team offering less to play 2B he would sign with Houston.
