The last two seasons (plus the Cris Carter years) showed us how spoiled we were with incredible defense at first base in this franchise... Bagwell earned his gold gloves, Berkman would have won a few if his play at CF didn't ruin his defensive reputation, Yuli being a natural 3Ber was really good once he adjusted to a new position in his 30s, and even Marwin and Spiers were great even as a utility players. Too young for Glenn Davis but his metrics in Houston were good as well. Solid first base play can cover up for the lack of accuracy by the rest of the infield.
This is interesting to me. ( I posted earlier too) If Bregman's market simply never picks up, I don't see Crane saying no and backing off of an offer he previously gave Boras. I think the chances are way less than 10% but not zero. 1b: Walker 138g Paredes 24g 2b: Altuve 125g Paredes 37g 3b: Bregman 138g Paredes 24g LF: player X 121, Yordan 41 DH: Yordan 99, Paredes 53g, Altuve 10g Yordan 140 starts Walker 138 starts Paredes 138 starts Bregman 138 starts Altuve 135 starts Each guy gets another few games coming in later as PH, defense, or injury replacement. Plus if any of these guys get injured there is a built in All star level replacement. Postseason: Altuve 2b Bregman 3b Yordan LF Walker 1b Paredes DH Diaz C player X CF/RF player Y RF/CF Pena SS In a 162 game season, there will always be ways to add 1 bat. But I still think its unlikely
Yeah unlikely but maybe he asks for those contracts with opt out clause. Basically he trys again next year. And if he plans on playing for a season. Why not just stay in Houston, rather than moving for a year and then having to move again. Obviously for him and the team, worst case scenario is he gets hurt or struggles and he opts in. Also if this happened and he opts out. No more qualifying offer attached to him right so perhaps more teams willing to sign him.
Christian Walker personality and the way he teaches hitting and fielding is a huge upgrade in the clubhouse and batting cage. His stats on defense, he is elite in fielding, catches one bounce throws from 3B, SS, 2B, C. He will erase so many errors throws. Christian Walker has a very calm power swing, can hit pitchers pitch low in the zone or away.
Christian Walker teaching hitting and fielding to Yainer Diaz at 1B, Cam Smith, Brice Matthews, Jeremy Pena. A Veteran in the Clubhouse that can talk to anyone, huge upgrade.
Alex Bregman is declining by having bone chips removal surgery. He will get Tommy John Surgery at some point. The amount of torque he throws to 1B. He will miss a Season and a Half with Tommy John surgery.
good data. I’m particularly encouraged by the 89th % bat speed. As a player ages that is what goes … he still has a long way to go before reaching even average.
Settle down, StatsMcdougle. He'll hit if he hits, it he doesn't he doesn't. So many of yall are totally freaked out about the Abreau contract, so now there's a new contract, yet you know nothing about either yet it must suck. Annual AstroSpaz is always fun.
I'm not as familiar with Walker as most of y'all are, so I'll trust Brown and all your takes. I just worry that signing Walker instead of Bregman is purely a finanicial cop out versus a baseball decision. Bregs has known affect on the clubhouse chemistry/leadership, a lower strike out rate, and track record of post season success/clutchness. Instead they Astros now have cheaper salary by $6 million/year and more financial flex for 29-31 for an older player who didn't play up to his own standards during Arizona's 2023 playoff run. Plus the Astros gave up a 2nd round pick. It does make me wonder if the medicals for Bregman are worse than have been publicly released. As in, the 3 year age gap is not as much a thing especially since Bregs has played 2+ more seasons of MLB baseball games than Walker despite being younger.
Dude, you know 89th % is good, right? I am saying that his hard-hit ball rate is elite, so there is no sign of age-related dropoff. And my point was that when that drop-off inevitably comes, it will take some fall before he is below average. I'm not sure how being excited that he is still performing well is the same as saying 'I am totally freaked out, I don't know anything, and it must suck.' I do like Stats McDougle though. It's a better nickname than the random letters/numbers I chose 20 years ago for my screen name.
I'll flip around my abacus and get back to you. No...sorry about all that bs earlier. I'm glad you liked "StatsMcDougle" though (made that **** up off the top of my head), we should all use this as needed in all Forums.
Good signing for Astros. Walker's defensive prowess at first is heads and shoulders above every other first baseman in baseball. It's rare for a good defender at first to matter honestly, they have to be truly truly elite to move the needle with D at first. Walker does. Offensively he was one of the 30 best hitters in baseball or so by OPS. Just all around good player, good guy.
Got a new pod up on the Walker signing. 25 minutes so it’s a mini 1. Episode 88- Breathing Orange Fire. Listen, share, rate etc.
Worse, but not a ton. Bregman was good, Paredes is average. We will literally be going from the worst 1st base defense in the league to probably the best. The Astros first baseman were abysmal at everything last season.
Yep, Bregman was about the best (I don't expect Paredes to come close), and 1B was about the worst (Walker will handle that)...I'm just thinking about the defensive tradeoff....I'm a a sucker for great 3B play
That play Bregman made in the playoffs that year to gun down that dude at home on that infield grounder was easily one of my top 5 defensive plays ever.
