This especially makes sense because Houston can still reasonably keep Dubon and Guillorme on the roster along with Rodgers, meaning if Rodgers doesn’t pan out (and a prospect doesn’t demand the spot) they can have a pretty high floor insurance policy on hand.
I'd rather just go with the high floor guy (Dubon) and force the upside guy or prospect to prove it as a backup.
Yeah, you said it yourself yesterday but I think Singleton is the odd man out assuming Walker doesn’t have any setbacks.
Hope this will put your mind at ease. 2025 LF Altuve CF Meyers RF McCormick → trade or release → Smith OF Bench Gamel → Free agent DH Y Alvarez Bench Bat Dezenzo 2026 LF Altuve CF Meyers, one year left → end of season trade RF Smith OF Bench Melton DH Y Alvarez Bench Bat Dezenzo 2027 LF Altuve → Huezo or Ochoa CF Sullivan RF Smith OF Bench Melton DH Y Alvarez Bench Bat Dezenzo → Altuve 2028 LF Huezo or Ochoa CF Sullivan RF Smith OF Bench Melton DH Y Alvarez → Free Agent Bench Bat Altuve 2029 LF Huezo or Ochoa CF Sullivan RF Smith OF Bench Melton DH K Alvarez Bench Bat Altuve → Retired
Meyers has looked like a Gold Glover (minus the arm) flashing the leather around and has also looked good at the plate this spring. Jeremy Peña has also looked really good. If these two take a leap forward and have a monster year, it would look something like... Meyers .240/.310 15 HR 20 SB Peña .280/.330 23 HR 30 SB There is always hope this time of year.
Dubon got 400 PAs because he plays all over the field. If I understood you right, you were saying you’d rather start Dubon over Rodgers at 2B? Rodgers wouldn’t be the “backup” if he got 400 PAs at 2B.
Rodgers wouldn't get 400 PAs at 2B. I listed the PAs to show a backup can get PAs to prove themselves as starters don't play nearly 100% of the time. Do you honestly think that if Rodgers is the backup he will never get any chances to prove himself?
I think giving him a month as the starter to prove himself would be a far superior idea. Dubons and Rodgers floors aren’t that far apart. It’s not like you’re going to lose much production.
I'm fully on board with giving Rodgers a chance to be the opening day starter at second base. He's already proven to be an elite defender at the position, and he's hit well in the spring. We know his numbers away from Colorado and against righties haven't been great, but it's hard to know what kind of impact playing in high altitude his whole career has had on his approach at the plate. This is a former elite prospect with some sneaky upside who's only 28 and is making pennies by MLB contract standards. There will still be plenty of opportunities for the young prospects to get their shots, especially in the outfield and with any injuries that pop up this season. But this is a classic low-risk, high-reward scenario, and I think they ought to give it a shot rather than just rolling with 30-year-old low-upside guys like Dubon and Guillorme.
I'm with you on Rodgers over Guillorme, who doesn't offer any real upside. I'd still rather give the early shot to Shay Whitcomb, who has played plenty of good SS and 2B (mostly short) with a .909 OPS and 26 steals in AAA. It feels like a waste to leave him in AAA for another year at age 26. He struggled in his first season at AA before mastering it in year two. Struggled in a half season at AAA before dominating in year two. I think he will adjust just fine to the majors as well. Rodgers feels a lot like "Astros sign 29-year-old former Rookie of the Year Pat Listach" to me.
Guillorme and/or Rodgers make the roster? I see a path for both to make it. If Rodgers makes it, then he likely gets the majority of starts at 2b but Guillorme's versatility along with Dubon and Pena's weakness vs RHP ( and the general lack of LH bats especially if Singleton is gone) makes him viable. If Rodgers doesn't make it then I can see a Guillorme/Dubon platoon and would be happy with that. I think if Singleton does not make it then Guillorme is more likely to. I think if Rodgers makes it then Dubon is slated for more OF play and it reduces Dezenzo's chances. Though Rodgers at 2b and Dezenzo in RF is my preference.
Maybe. Maybe not. If Rodger gets zero offers to start elsewhere, he has to decide what he is going to do in 2025 ... perhaps playing in sea level AAA/AA games and working on his swing? I could see Rodgers prioritizing his hitting and getting that fixed, before returning to The MLB. Working on your swing in The MLB can be a certified b*tch.
