Chas is making $5 million this year... which makes it even more frustrating that nobody can figure out how best to use him now because its not like that money couldn't have been used elsewhere had they non-tendered him. Its also not like somebody is going to back up a hefty load of promising talent/prospects for him either. He would probably be filling a role elsewhere just as he is here... a backup OFer... which is probably only a priority at the moment for teams for sure contending or desperate for an OF (and can't think of any winning teams out there with a more iffy OF situation than the Astros... and even they won't play him). He's good filler to have (especially if he re-discovers how to hit lefties again).... but he's also not expected to be more than filler at this point of his career arc.
Chas in his limited time is still on pace to provide more value than the average player that signs for $5M. I worry about Chas's swing a little*, but it is doubtful that there was a better bet for $5M at the time the Astros made the decision to tender him. * if he was making more or playing more, I might be more worried.
Without knowing his salary off the top of my head, probably. The arbitration system is meant to depress salaries. Actually having to spend that money on non-depressed salaries is likely going to be more expensive even if the guys aren't producing much.
This isn’t new. The Astros have never viewed Chas as anything more than “good filler”. That didn't just happen at this point of his career arc, as you say. It’s always been that way. I’m not even saying the Astros are wrong about that opinion, just that they never pretended he was anything else to them. They clearly look at his 2023 as a fluke and did then too.
I guess I got the contracts confused... Chas is making $3.4 million while Dubon is making $5 million. Now both seem overpaid regardless that the latter is seeing much more playing time due to his positional versatility. And while I don't expect them to just find another player worthy of such depressed arb salaries... was thinking that money would be better served as part of a possible future extension offer to H. Brown or Yordan or any soon to be FA they have hopes of retaining.
Well, I sure as hell hope Yordan has been battling this inflamtion thing since the beginning of the year and that explains why he's hitting like Dubon. That would be nice if rest and treatment fix that and we get the real Yordan back. Because this Yordan we have right now is not carrying his load. Now- there should be no reason why Cam Smith doesn't play EVERY SINGLE DAY and why Dezenzo doesn't play a bunch as well. And maybe mix in some more AB's for Chas as well. But no, we called up a 3rd catcher b/c skipper moron is probably just going to DH Caratini and Yainer every day and catch the other one b/c he's a moron. But, I choose to look at this as a positive in the long term (if they can fix it).
This hand thing is nothing new for Yordan, he was dealing with it last year too. Great hitter but god hes made of glass
The Astros have 5 guys with more than 6 years service time (typical free agent) making $22M/fWAR.* Chas and Dubon are making $6M/fWAR. For what the Astros have paid for in guys outside club control years, the Astros are getting a bargain for Chas and Dubon. Chas and Dubon's salaries just aren't that much versus what players are paid in free agency. Sure there are some good values in free agency, but there are some stinkers as well (Astros have found more than their fair share). *this isn't counting Abreu. With Abreu, $26M/fWAR. If Montero was still on the books, it would be worse.
More Caratini, Dezenzo, and Chas would be the hope. A few games is no big deal but if Yordan is out for an extended period the Astros are probably ****ed.
While Yordan is out: Vs RHP: SS Pena 2B Altuve 3B Paredes 1B Walker DH Diaz C Caratini RF Smith LF Dezenzo CF Meyers Vs LHP: SS Pena DH Altuve 3B Paredes 1B Walker C Diaz LF McCormick 2B Rodgers RF Smith CF Meyers Dubon is playing too ****ing much.
I agree Dubon is playing too much but I don't see Altuve playing 2b that much. I think Altuve's starts at 2b are dictated by the Astros SP more than the opposing SP. I can not see him starting at 2b if Framber, Brown, or McCullers (who are all extreme ground ball pitchers) start. Only start him at 2b if there is a RHSP against, and none of those 3 guys are starting for Houston. Have an everyday lineup of: Pena SS Altuve DH/2b Paredes 3b Diaz C/DH Walker 1b Dezenzo LF Smith RF Rodgers/Caratini 2b/C Meyers CF Caratini catches and Diaz DHs when Altuve plays 2b. General rest days only: Dubon 2b, 3b, SS McCormick LF, CF, RF, 1b* *Dezenzo 1b and McCormick LF. Then reassess when Yordan comes back.
Soon it will be time to move Altuve to 5th, 6th, or possibly even 7th in the order. I’d give it a few more weeks to see if he turns it around.
