eta: maybe the 40 does play into it. They can DFA Fedo at will with no chance of losing him. Stubbs would need to stay if he doesn't immediately pan out, could cut into their offseason flexibility re: Rule Cinco. Dunno, haven't really thought through it.
Reed optioned to AAA to make room for Smith. Ugh, why not White? Today would have been the perfect day to give Reed another chance (against a righty). White is pretty useless for us, I want him traded so he can get what he truly deserves: more playing time.
Stubbs isn't on the 40 man. Also, it should tell you how legit the Astros think his Fresno numbers are.
I don't think that Grandal is going to break the bank. However I think he will likely get more than the Astros are willing to pay.
With us at 38 on the 40 man I think your second point is more in their thinking than your first Have to believe if they thought he could produce at the big league level he would be here But Tuck isn’t so who knows what they are thinking or have planned
They were willing to pay $15 million for Joe Smith, who likely won't add much value over his two years here. You don't think they would be willing to spend $15-20 million for a catcher when their in-house option (Stubbs) is totally unproven in the MLB?
For 2018, I think Whitley, James, and Tucker have excellent chances of getting added to the 40-man. As such, adding Stubbs likely means someone eventually gets booted from the 40-man as Astros will likely reach 40 at some point this season. Stubbs, based on way Astros are acting, isn't good enough to boot someone from the 40-man, but has enough long-term value that they aren't going to waste it by calling him up for a few weeks.
Can Max Stassi please get some respect and love!! Ranks as the best framing catcher in MLB from Baseball Prospectus and leads all catchers in BP’s fielding runs above average metric .255 with 7 hr and 11 doubles in 158 AB’s are really good numbers for any position player especially a catcher over a full season of AB’s that’s 20+ hr’s and 30+ doubles
Hopefully he’s ok. McCann going to the DL is a big opportunity for him... hopefully he didn’t just get hurt too.
Don't ever use the term "framing" again, and I'll give you and him all the love he deserves. The word is "receiver".
The catchers situation today has a very Texans QB feel today. From first string to third string just like that. Tomorrow they will bring in street free agent catchers for a workout.
The concept and talent of catching a pitched ball being pulled in towards your body and not jabbing at it has existed as long as the position of catcher has. It's called being a "good receiver". Setting up a good target, blocking balls as needed, these are all along those lines. The idea of "pitch framing", and the people who act like they have just unearthed some wondrous new concept, is offensive to me. It has always been a part of the game.
Yeah but now we know how to measure it and can say who's best. Is that a bad thing? And what's wrong with the word? You just don't like it?
Wasn't that hard to measure it before, you just had to pay attention, everybody who was looking knew who had soft hands, who had a great pop time, who could go down to their knees or better. This was not shocking info. Now, this is *all* the buzzword that people talk about, people who have never caught a game in their life, never even talked to a guy who has caught a game in their life, never even paid any attention to a guy who has caught a game. I told you guys that Stassi was really good behind the plate after about 2 games this year. And yes, the word completely glosses over the other aspects of being a catcher, especially the relationships with the pitchers, and damn straight the term "pitch framer" pisses me off a bit. Those are my words on the matter.
Man.. JT Realmuto is the truth. would be awesome to get him, but a pipe dream. i also like the idea of mesoraco in free agency if they're not willing to spend a lot on a catcher. had a superb year before the injuries, and is slowly bouncing back now provided he maintains his health.
Hinch said the team is HOPEFUL McCann returns by September. Sounds like he won't be effective again this season.
If McCann really is out for the season, they need to make a move, unless they think Gattis can catch, which doesn’t seem likely. Realmuto, Perez, Ramos, Mesoraco, or Barnhart would be my targets.
