I could see an extremely good lineup with the top 6 Dana Brown mentioned plus utilizing platoons at CF, RF, and C. Career wRC+ against RHP: SS Pena 100 (140 last season) DH Paredes 115 (133 last season) LF Alvarez 160 3B Correa 120 2B Altuve 122 1B Walker 110 RF Sanchez 111 C Diaz 113 CF Cole 141 (41 pa) career wRC+ vs LHP: SS Pena 128 DH Paredes 131 LF Alvarez 167 SS Correa 138 2B Altuve 147 RF Smith 130 (137 pa) 1B Walker 111 CF Dubon 111 (or Meyers 110) C James McCann 102 (122 last season) Urias makes a good bench bat because he carries even league average production against both sides. Fwiw Yaz is a platoon player, wRC+ 120 against RHP, 79 against LHP. He was unplayable against lefties last year. So he would be strictly a replacement for Sanchez.
Just to back up to what's already been discussed on this thread and the JV Appreciation thread pt2 lol
So our bench bats would be McCann, Dubi, smith and possibly Urias? I'm guessing we'd want to shed some salary from one of Sanchez, Urias or Dubi. To sign another SP. I know teams have inquired about Meyers but curious to see what he'd net us. SP3/4 or bullpen arm.
Based on a boatload of assumptions that will very likely be proven incorrect, this would be how I would construct the roster: Trade Meyers for a good (Org top 10-20) prospect, a good controllable 7th inning RP, and/or as part of a package for a SP3. Trade Sanchez for a lotto prospect mostly as a salary dump. Trade Diaz for a good (Org top 10-20) prospect, a good controllable 7th inning RP, and/or as part of a package for a SP3. Sign a free agent SP and backup C. Trade for a starting (or tandem) C. Open up a competition for 2 OF roles in spring, open to the idea of either being a platoon. Bring in an NRI Ben Gamel type or two if needed. Roster: SS Pena DH Paredes LF Alvarez 3B Correa 2B Altuve 1B Walker RF TBD (e.g., Dezenzo, Smith, Matthews) CF TBD (e.g., Cole/Dubon platoon) C TBD (e.g., Bart) Bench: Dubon, TBD (e.g., McCann), Urias, TBD (e.g., Trammell, Melton) SP: Brown, TBD (e.g., Rasmussen), TBD (e.g., Verlander), Javier, Arrighetti, Pearson RP: Hader, Abreu, TBD (e.g., Bryan Baker), King, Sousa, Okert, TBD (e.g., Ort, McCullers, De Los Santos)
Not much to it. Basically saying it’s possible Dana Brown was full of **** when he said they weren’t going to trade an infielder. That said, Donovan has at least some experience in RF so he could probably play there when Houston wants to get their 9 best hitters on the lineup. Depending on the cost, there’s not a better fit offensively for Houston’s lineup than Donovan. Contact oriented, very productive at bats, lefthanded hitter, enough speed to leadoff. But PSA, if you’re on an iPhone you can read NYT articles for free in reader mode in safari.
I know the Cards and Arenado are looking to part ways mutually now. Perhaps Paredes is being looked at by them for Donovan?
This lineup would have me jacked: RF Donovan DH Paredes LF Alvarez 3B Correa SS Pena 2B Altuve 1B Walker C Diaz CF Cole
Way too many guys giving up on Smith as a starter so soon. He showed great promise. I know there is the years of service thing 7 or 8 years out, but man it seems he could address his swing issues over the off-season. Start both him and Cole and if either isn’t performing adjust at that point. Our outfield defense would be pretty good with Cole, Myers or replacement, and Smith. Move Altuve back to 2b primarily, but he can play Lf and DH some. Paredes needs to play first so trade Walker. We can compete and build for our future at the same time. SP is the biggest need if Alvarez and Paredes are back and healthy. We are losing our sole ground ball pitcher, buy maybe they play Altuve in LF if they get a Lowe or Donavan and replace Framber with a ground ball pitcher. Sounds like Verlander another fly ball pitcher is real possibility.
From the Phillies’ Athletic reporter: One name to file away: Astros center fielder Jake Meyers, a righty hitter, who might be squeezed out of Houston’s outfield plan. Meyers, considered a strong defender, does not hit for power. But he could be a decent alternative to Harrison Bader — if he lands elsewhere. Houston is fielding calls on Meyers.
I think the question with Smith is this: is sending him down for 2 months to start 2026 worth having him for his age 28 season. If he ends up reaching his full ceiling and is a fringe-MVP level player, that is like a $50M+ value. All for giving maybe one win worth of value in 2026. If he has another ridiculous spring like he did last season there won’t be a way to justify sending him down. But otherwise Houston stands a lot to gain by planning to have him start the season in AAA.
Brown said he's looking for relief pitchers. Also from The Athletic, Phillies receiving calls on Matt Strahm, Jose Alvarado, and Tanner Banks. Would either teams have interest in swap regarding Meyers and those pitchers? Add whatever else to make it even??
I would rather hear time tested GM cliche speak than just..lies. He's lies when there's no need to, or benefit from. I've stopped paying attention to literally anything he says on any subject. "We're always looking to improve the team" "We're working the phones" "Player X is a great ballplayer and would make any team better" "We're exploring all our options, goal is to win another WS"
Problem is all of those guys are lefties and it’s unlikely Houston wants to add a 5th lefty to their pen. If Houston asks for a Phillie RP for Meyers I think Orion Kerkering would be a good target. Not sure the Phillies would go for that but I think it’d be a fair return and a great add to the pen.
