Castro has been an elite offensive player for his position this year. He ranks 3rd among catchers in OPS behind only Mauer and Posey. Put that .835 OPS in the 1b mix and he comes in 10th among everyday guys, not bad but not elite. Only chance Castro has to be a top level player is to stay at catcher for at least 100-110 games a year, and DH the rest
I agree with you. I don't think long term he would be anything special at first base. However, he is a premium player if he keeps an OPS of 780-825. I think having him catch 90-110 games a year is the proper medium with him DHing another 50 games a season.
Way too premature. Other posters have pretty much covered the reasons why. Also, having a cyst after undergoing knee reconstruction is not at all uncommon, or very serious, much like getting it scoped to remove post-surgery scar tissue. I just didn't think the article was well-reasoned or well-written.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Astros&src=hash">#Astros</a> make roster moves: 1B Jon Singleton added to 40-man. LHP Raul Valdes claimed from PHI. Clark, Humber, Laird, Pagnozzi outrighted.</p>— Houston Astros (@astros) <a href="https://twitter.com/astros/statuses/385524840473456642">October 2, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Humber, Laird and Pagnozzi can all elect free agency due to prior outrights. Clark will become a minor league free agent after World Series</p>— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) <a href="https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/statuses/385525406155022337">October 2, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>With the additions of Singleton and Valdes and the removals of Humber, Clark, Laird and Pagnozzi, the Astros 40-man roster is now at 38.</p>— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) <a href="https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/statuses/385525497909637120">October 2, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Valdes' career stats: He defected from Cuba in 2003 and was signed by the Cubs in 2004. <script type="text/javascript" src="http://widgets.sports-reference.com/wg.fcgi?css=1&site=br&url=%2Fplayers%2Fv%2Fvaldera02.shtml&div=div_pitching_standard"></script>
35 year old former Cardinal (and journeyman) bullpen guy takes up a very valuable 40 man roster spot that was not allowed to be used on Springer... splash?
Luhnow loves to try to grab the former Cardinals players... Ronny Cedeno Rick Ankiel Tyler Greene those guys were all awesome, by the way. Keep that pipeline flowin'
lol how did I forget Brett Wallace. That dude pretty much single handed-ly delivered us Carlos Rodon. Amazing work
Who says he stays on the 40-man? Wouldn't be surprised if they claimed him and try to sneak him through waivers later in order to keep him. Can't do that with Springer, once he's put on the 40-man you lose flexibility.
Wow... high level GM'ing right here. Sneaking through 35 year old journeymen bullpen guys. Regardless of Springer, I feel they should be constructing a bullpen by utilizing their younger minor league talent. Lets them also figure out a little more about what they have.
They've been doing that. Doesn't hurt to try acquire more depth when it doesn't cost anything more than a waiver claim. I hope they do anything possible to try improve their club, even if it means sneaking through 35 year old journeymen bullpen guys. This move has nothing to do with Springer,
I know it doesn't. I just hope Luhnow has more in his repertoire to improve the MAJOR league team other than just picking up former high draft pick busts and former Cardinals farm players.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Astros&src=hash">#Astros</a> LHP Wade LeBlanc and RHPs Hector Ambriz & Edgar Gonzalez elect free agency.</p>— Matt Eddy (@MattEddyBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/MattEddyBA/statuses/386189544430661632">October 4, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
From the Astros... @astros: The #Astros have officially outrighted OF Trevor Crowe and RHP Jorge De Leon off the club's 40-man roster, which now stands at 36.
http://espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/stor...ee-record-deal-cuban-free-agent-1b-jose-abreu Didn't get him, but argues against the "Astros are cheap" theme: CHICAGO -- The Chicago White Sox have agreed to a six-year, $68 million deal to acquire Cuban free-agent first-baseman Jose Abreu, according to multiple reports. The largest initial free-agent contract ever given to an international player was first reported by MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez. FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal first reported that the White Sox were believed to be the team to land Abreu and ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney reported Thursday evening that the White Sox were a front-runner to land Abreu at around $70 million. Olney also reported that the Red Sox were out of the running and the Astros had fallen short with a bid of $55 million.
