As hard as it is to see Springer in another uni, CF has not been a weakness. So we can add not handing out egregious contracts to that list.
The Front Office is still the same, just James Click was hired from Tampa Bay to be promoted to General Manager. The Astros Front Office are amazing in finding excellent talent in the Minors. Even trading for Minor Leaguers. Yordan Alvarez is a huge example. Probably the best hitter in Baseball.
10 players that can reach .800+Ops on the roster. I'm including Alejandro. It's clear that he was hamstringed with the injury prior to it snapping. Wish there was a way we could transplant Chazzie's hitting into Maldonado but that's playing god and getting greedy.
Yep, Meyers/McCormick breaking out is huge. Lengthens the lineup tremendously, provides insurance for injury prone players in Brantley and Alvarez, and adds 2 potential core cost-controlled pieces for 6 more seasons. Without spending a dime in free agency, this would be the 2022 opening day lineup next season by 2021 wRC+ (Note: wRC+ of 100 is an average hitter, 120 is an excellent hitter, 140+ is an elite superstar level hitter): 2B Altuve 133 LF Brantley 134 3B Bregman 120 DH Alvarez 145 1B Gurriel 137 RF Tucker 133 SS Diaz 130 CF Meyers 170 C Maldonado 71 Bench: McCormick 116, Castro 96, De Goti 128, Jones 84 That is a STACKED roster (and of course they will very very likely upgrade from Alex De Goti/Robel Garcia).
Astros: should Jake Meyers start in CF when Kyle Tucker returns? https://climbingtalshill.com/2021/08/23/astros-jake-meyers-start-cf-kyle-tucker-returns/ I would say no. But, I would insert Meyers into the lineup as often as possible via DH and/or DHing Brantley or Chas on occasion. I don't want to hurry Meyers too much and I wouldn't want to affect Chas's ego by benching him. But Meyers needs reps and AB's if we are to get comfortable with him playing important playoff minutes.
The Astros did right by moving Straw to bring up Myers. Straw had better value as a super sub / pinch runner than as a mediocre every day center fielder.
Until proven otherwise, Chas is a great 4th outfielder (better than Straw) but Meyers has shown that he deserves to be the primary starter. It's a good problem to have.
The funny thing is that Chas and Meyers are faster by all metrics. Edit: Meyers is faster. Chas is slightly slower but a better outfielder.
Straw is already at 3.0 fWAR and has hit for a 135 wRC+ with Cleveland. If y'all wanna argue that Meyers can provide equal or better future production, that's perfectly reasonable but Straw is having a very good first full ML season.
Oops, I read the data wrong posted earlier in this thread. Myers is faster, Chas is slightly slower. From the eye test Chas has better instincts in in CF. Sprint speed: Meyers: 29.5 ft/sec (18th in MLB) McCormick: 28.9 ft/sec (49th in MLB) Straw: 29.2 ft/sec (27th in MLB)
But he's done enough during those at bats and in the outfield to earn more playing time. His OPS is near 1000
I agree fully. But more playing time doesn't necessary equate to making him your every day starter. Next year? Most likely yes.
