Gattis DHed in the 15 and 17 postseason because we had a 3rd catcher on the roster in 15 and 17. In 22, Vazquez DHed in WS G6 because... we had a 3rd C in G6, and G6 only.
There are only so many roster spots. The team has 4 position spots not already filled. Need a catcher, a 1B, and a CF (based on team feeling Chas is better corner OF and b/u CF) That leaves 1 spot for Yuli ( if he is not considered for starting), Brantley, Y Diaz, and any DH signing.
I see 3 spots that need too be filled. Don't think the Astros need a catcher or CF'er. 1B, IF Reserve and an OF. 1. Altuve 2. Pena 3. Alvarez 4. Bregman 5. Tucker 6. Abreu or Bell at 1B..Yuli if they cant land one. 7. Brantley splitting time with Yordan in LF and DH. 8. McCormick 9. Maldonado 10. Lee or Diaz as the primary backup C. Go out and get one at the deadline if need be. 11. Gurriel as the 5th IF'er 12. & 13. Best options amongst Dubon, Hensley, Meyers, Matijevic, Leon, etc.
Credit to larrythegm.com for this: https://www.larrythegm.com/post/what-is-the-astros-payroll-situation-now Look at the projected payroll with Verlander, Brantley and Yuli returning.
Blue Jays say they will be trading from their catching depth. I'd do Urquidy for Jansen and a lottery prospect if Verlander is coming back. Urquidy and Jansen are almost a wash in arbitration salary. Fangraphs have them 500k apart. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/11/blue-jays-expected-to-trade-from-catching-surplus.html Then bring Brantley back and sign one of the free agent 1st baseman. Altuve 2B Pena SS Alvarez LF/DH Bregman 4B Tucker RF Abreu/Bell/Gurriel 1B Brantley LF/DH McCormick/Meyers/Leon CF Maldonado/Jansen C Bench: Maldy/Jansen, Hensley, Meyers/Mccormick/Leon, Matijevic/Dubon/Diaz Rotation: Verlander, Framber, Javier, McCullers, Garcia, Brown Bullpen: Pressly, Abreu, Neris, Stanek, Maton, Martinez, Taylor/Dubin/Paredes/ free agent?
Love the fact that we’re meeting with Contreras right off the bat. I guess it’s GM Crane making moves until he hires one.
QUOTE="Rileydog, post: 14346572, member: 4361"]Can you provide a link? I haven’t seen this anywhere[/QUOTE] Heyman on Twitter said it. [
Is it really worth giving up the draft pick? He has a QO attahed to him. If we're going after a bat I'd prefer Bell (switch hitter, better contact/K/BB numbers). Anyway, maybe move this conversation into the offseason thread? No need to have two active threads covering the same subject at once.
I don't think any of us are expecting him to be an everyday player. For me, I expect him to alternate LF and DH vs RH starters and occassional pinch hitting.
Chaz was an outright better hitter at a position that requires less offense, how is that a bigger need? Not to mention there are far fewer options for offense at the position.
Gattis drew quite a few walks in that playoff run he was constantly getting on base he was a great pickup for the Astros.
I agree and Yuli stepped it up in the most important time of the year and became our most consistent hitter in the playoffs. Playoffs Yuli looked a lot more like the 2021 Yuli that won the batting title. So maybe he figured it out in the playoffs. Also we can't discount his gold glove level play at first base that is also another asset. I would like to see him back if he wants to return.
Can you name an available center fielder that is better than Chas that won't command a longterm contract over 20 million per.
We just need an impact bat than can play 1st and left field to spell Yuli and Alvarez. That may be Brantley and another player. I want us to get Abreu and bring back Brantley and Yuli at less than 10 million.
I've seen multiple people want Yuli back as the 5th infielder. While I'm sure he can still play 2B and 3B without embarrassing himself, his range numbers weren't even good for a 1B this season season. At this point he's likely an awful defensive player at the other 3 infield spots. If the Astros upgraded catcher and DH/LF, them maybe I could see taking a chance on Yuli to see if he has one more productive year left in him. He was literally the worst offensive 1B in baseball that got everyday PA's, and the supporting numbers don't suggest bad luck.
CF isn't even a need. Right now our starting 1B would be JJ Matijevic. And then we still need somebody to play LF or DH depending on which Alvarez is doing.
Because for as bad a season as Yuli had, he makes contact and doesn't strikeout. Which is worlds more valuable than Chazs in ability to hit a breaking pitch in or out of the zone.
