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So if Yordan gets stem cell therapy, Russian PEDs, and a pep talk from Jon Gruden… what’s the ideal lineup looking like?? 1. Peña 2. Yordan 3. Altuve 4. Paredes 5. Walker 6. Diaz 7. Meyers 8. Carousel of Whatever 9. Smith I put Cam 9th because of his speed and ability to flip the lineup over. I guess 2-6 will be whatever Espada pulls out of his hat, but I think that’s probably what we’ll look at.
Depends on what you mean by “ideal”. I would say “best realistic” lineup would be: SS Pena 3B Paredes DH Yordan LF Altuve 1B Walker C Diaz CF Meyers RF Smith 2B Dubon That’s a really deep lineup with only one hitter (Dubon) who doesn’t have a chance to be really really good. But for me, the “ideal” lineup built from the current roster would be: SS Pena 3B Paredes DH Alvarez 2B Altuve RF Smith 1B Walker C Diaz LF Dezenzo CF Meyers At this point I am more than willing to accept Altuve’s defense at 2B to get both Dezenzo and Smith into the everyday lineup. And I think Smith warrants a spot higher in the lineup and would benefit from hitting with more men on base and a stronger hitter behind him. And I like Meyers 9th because of his speed and ability to turn the lineup over. There are no weak hitters in that lineup; every guy has a legit chance to post a wRC+ of 120 or more. With this lineup I would get Caratini into a lot of games at C and 1B depending on how well Walker and Diaz are hitting; Caratini’s LHB balances the lineup and might help keep opposing teams from hiding their lefties against the Astros.
I don’t see any chance they move him back to get Dezenzo in the lineup everyday. He’s definitely not going back there permanently so don’t see where Dezenzo is going to get his ABs moving forward. IMO they should try be trying to trade Dezenzo in a package for Brandon Lowe.
This is where I’m at too. I think our pitching will be fine throughout the season. 2nd base is just a glaring hole. If we could swing a trade for Lowe or another quality 2B, our lineup could go up against anyone. (assuming Yordan and Walker play like they’re paid to)
I agree with you that it is very unlikely Altuve gets moved back to 2B. But that’s what I would do if I were GM. I also agree that at this point Dezenzo’s best use is probably as a trade chip.
I still don't see Altuve playing 2b more than 50% of the time, but have waffled just a bit on how much I think he will play. He's started at 2b in 3 of his last 7 games, including one that Framber started ( though that was to give Paredes a much needed day off) It feels like the Astros won't refuse to play him there when Framber or Hunter start, but it still feels like how well Dezenzo, ( Chas?), Dubon, and Rodgers are playing will determine how much 2b he plays. If Yordan, Walker, Diaz, Paredes, and Altuve are hitting as expected and Pena and Meyers continue to overachieve, tthen Dubon starting at 2b is perfectly acceptable. If a few of those guys aren't hitting the having Dubon at 2b is a big disadvantage to potential run production that the offense likely won't overcome. And regardless, this team simply must have another LF bat. Ideally that's a starter at 2b ( or LF if that's the only way to fill the role) but even a bat first ( only) threat would be huge for this team. That means that Dezenzo, Chas, or Rodgers (possibly Cam but I think that ship has sailed) would lose his roster spot. I still Like Lowe and Lux. Donovan looks less likely with the Cards in the mix. But getting one of these guys could stop all the questions and speculation, reducing the stress on Jose. Also don't sleep on Melton being called up if he can stay healthy for a couple more weeks. Also, I could see them giving up on Rodgers and bringing up Guillorme ( but being LH does nothing because he swings at toothpick) or Short simply because he is doing nothing and is a waste if a roster spot.
If a guy(s) at a bat-first position isn't hitting, I would think fixing the bat-first position would be more pressing. I think Dubon, while he won't provide great value, likely provides more value than a guy at a bat-first position that isn't hitting.
Except the team is likely committed to those guys. Sure, if Walker isn't hitting, replacing him is probably smart, but they still won't at least not this year. Replacing a guy who has weak hitting projection and no playing time commitment is what WILL happen if the team decides it needs to improve the run production, not replacing a guy still owed $50+ million. No matter how bad he is playing.
SS, CF, and 2Bs have to play defense. Very hard to get by with just a bat unless it is a hell of a bat. RF and LF have become more defensive oriented. I'd still consider DH, 1B, and LF mostly bat-first.
Catcher is 90% brain/glove 1b and LF are 75% bat 2b and RF are 50/50 3b is 65/35 bat SS and CF are 80% glove
So, ignoring a problem and chasing after sunk costs is the solution. Dubon may be weak-hitting, but it isn't going to be easy to replace him as his defense provides a mediocre amount of value (i.e., significantly more than any of the bat-first positions currently). Team fWAR 2B 0.6 (Dubon 0.6) 1B 0.0 DH -0.7 LF -0.1 Right now, Dubon is providing more value than all three bat-first positions combined. I assume Alvarez will fix the DH position. I hope I'm wrong, but my guess is that if Dubon is the 2B the rest of the year, he will easily outperform at least one of the bat-first positions despite Dubon not being a high bar regarding value. I don't think the Astros are good enough to keep getting nothing from 1B, DH, and LF even if they fix 2B. I expect some regression, especially at DH, but doubt all three positions rebound without changing who's playing there the most.
I'm not saying thats what I would do. But there is 100% chance that every team in this league handles it that way. It's just too soon to give up on that investment. And his future production could still be good. Regardless of my opinion that's being realistic
Without the shift, 2B has become more than 50/50 on the glove side. You don’t want a weak fielding 2B anymore.
Upon second thought, I would agree with this, thank you. I would still think its less important than SS or CF, maybe 65/35 glove. Which, of course, is the entire point if moving Altuve off if the position.
