I'm not sure if Correa as the starter at SS is still a option. I like the idea of him starting at 3b and spotting the actual SS occasionally much better. I'm not opposed to trading Pena as long as another SS who can start is brought in. In fact, I think Pena gets the Tucker treatment sometime before Spring Training 2027 so another SS is a NEED. This roster is like one of those puzzles where all the pieces are the same shape.- They fit together but aren't right or pretty.
Correa was a starting SS last season and only said what he said about playing 3B because he wanted out of Minnesota and back to Houston and was being a good teammate. He is perfectly capable of playing SS everyday for the next couple of seasons. Also, Nick Allen was Atlantas starting SS for 130 games last season so if for some reason Correa wears down gets hurt or needs a break they have a viable (albeit not ideal) option. It only makes sense if they get a great offer for Pena, which I think my hypothetical qualifies.
I understand all this. IMO Correa should be more productive and have a better chance of remaining healthy if he didn't play SS everyday. But I do like the idea of him playing 35-40 games there to give Paredes time at 3B. Of course that would require a Pena injury or trade (along with a viable starter for the other games) unless Pena can play 2B.
Right. “Ideally” some team wants to trade for Walker and take on all of his contract so that all of Houston’s “good” infielders can play their best defensive position. But that doesn’t look possible so Houston should be open to other possibilities.
Crazy idea? 9 game schedule × 18 cycles = 162 games. 1, 4, and 7) Walker 1B, Altuve 2B, Correa 3B, Pena SS, Yordan LF, Paredes DH. 2) Paredes 1B, Altuve 2B, Correa 3B, Pena SS, Yordan DH 3) Walker 1B, Pena 2B, Paredes 3B, Correa SS, Yordan DH 5) Walker 1B, Altuve 2B, Correa 3B, Pena SS, Yordan DH 6) Walker 1B, Altuve 2B, Paredes 3B, Pena SS, Yordan DH 8) Walker 1B, Altuve 2B, Correa 3B, Pena SS, Paredes DH 9) Walker 1B, Altuve 2B, Paredes 3B, Correa SS, Yordan DH Each plays 144 games. Walker 144 @ 1B Altuve 144 @ 2B Correa 108 @ 3B, 36 @ SS Pena 126 @ SS, 18 @ 2B Paredes 72 @ DH, 54 @ 3B, 18 @ 1B Yordan 90 @ DH, 54 @ LF Thoughts?
very useful exercise. Maybe Pena can play more than 144. Maybe Altuve a little less. But that’s details. Your exercise shows that the max offense lineup will play together about 1/3 of the time. If you have the time and are inclined, it would be interesting to see how distribution would change if you assume Walker was off loaded, and we get a bat to replace Walker in the OF. Net effect is Yordan gets more DH and Altuve gets some. Paredes gets less DH. IF defense is probably worse because Walker is better than Paredes, but Altuve gets less time at 2B and his replacement is better defensively. ideally, the OF hitter is at least as good as Walker and hits from left side. So who is that OF?
It would be an insane haul. Take what the Orioles gave up for Baz and raise each prospect 1-2 tiers. Basically 4-5 of the org top 10 from a team with an above average farm system.
Nah - last years issues only have increased Valdez’ chances of returning. The Astros know how to handle Framber. If someone doesn’t step up, Valdez could end up back in Houston.
If Dana believes he can play center - then he can play center. It’s crazy - Dana can watch a workout and immediately know with accuracy.
Trading team, "Not sure why you wanted our AAA centerfielder. He has a cannon but can't run routes well." Dana, "We gonna make him a pitcher. Thanks for the trade."
Do they, though? It didn't seem like they handled that situation well at all, and Framber sucked the last 2 months of the season and no one seemed to figure out how to fix anything. The Astros didn't exactly play well after that incident either, closing out the season 11-12 after the incident with a fairly weak schedule for the most part. I know they have been able to generally manage him in the past, but that was with a different cast of characters - different GM, manager, catcher, veteran infield, etc. I'm not opposed to the Astros signing him, but I don't know that the Astros can expect to automatically get good-Framber again and who really knows how the clubhouse feels about him.
Yeah I think the Astros know how to handle Framber, they know what the good and the bad is. They have dealt with him not wanting to listen to any catchers - and then him only listening to Maldonado. He was having a very good year until August, his era was like 2.70 and he had a terrible last 10 starts to the season. He did have one gem start in there, but 9 of 10 were just bad. I’m not going to read too much into it. He could have been pressing with his free agency coming up. But he was with the Astros for almost 8 years and was a workhorse and very good. He also wants to win and will pitch through injuries. He doesn’t have a lot of respect for new/young catchers and never has. He has some weird superstitions and he has a sports and personal psychologist that he sees to deal with stress… but more of than not he comes to play, he stays is very good shape and delivers quality innings. He should also age well. I’m not Miller or an expert, but the Astros have recently spoken to him and his agent. So let’s see what happens. I personally think the ten game end of last year is being over blown. Pitchers have periods of failure.
He's been very good overall and is a work house. He's also such a head case that you never trust him fully. I would love to have him back if it didn't require a premium.
I can’t imagine it’s an argument. 3 is way more than 1. Skubal better but not that much better. Maybe the dodgers would be the only team more willing to give up more for Skubal than Brown? Or someone that thought they had a one year window for some reason.
