Oh I am. Like him a lot. I’m not totally against drafting college bats, just think it could be beneficial to lean more toward HS bats. But I’ll trust Dana and Co. regardless.
how the hell did I omit Hunter Brown. If he is able to be a true SP1 over the long haul, that is franchise changing scouting and development.
Out of Hernandez and Santander, I'd prefer the one with less ks and similar OB%. However, makes me wander why a career Oriole did not sign a short term contract to stay? I understand the Orioles may be picky on extending but it's only 5 years? Truth though is we get none of the above.
I think Brown has a vision of some combination of Melton, Baez, Dezenzo, Cole, Matthews, Smith, Gomez, and/or someone I forgot filling all OF positions by 2026-27 and therefore is not wiling to go over 2 years for any OF deal.
The farm system is in much better shape than it was 18 months ago. I think Brown’s plan was to incubate a large group of high risk/ceiling prospects and enter this season with better than average odds that the farm starts to generate some real difference makers. Assuming Houston adds another OF, the upper levels will feature a dozen guys who have a chance at real stardom, albeit many of them with very high bust risk. Smith Melton Matthews Dezenzo Cole Baez Whitcomb Leon Corona Williams Cerny Daniels All of those players has power to hit 25+ HR in a season if they reach their ceiling. All but Baez and Smith have the speed to get 25+ SB. They just need 1-2 of those guys to actualize their full potential and it will make a HUGE difference in Houston’s long term outlook.
Agreed In addition, this team has 9 position players in arbitration or on high $$ contracts. Plus they need at least 1 additional outfielder who will add to that. The Astros simply don't have NY or LA resources. It is unreasonable for them to keep 10+ position players above min, pre-arb salaries. At some point they must reset. I would like to see a cycle where at least 1 prospect each year and 4 total every 3 years graduate from the position player ranks which would keep a max of 9 position players in arbitration or FA salaries on the roster at any given time. It would also assure the roster was maintaining youth and not aging out of effectiveness.
Orioles have a **** ton of talented prospects and don't need to spend money on players, they need to focus their payroll on pitching especailly once Burnes leaves.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! To all my fellow clutchfans! (Yea I know, insert gif “Who the fook is that guy?”). 25 year lurker (cringe) let’s end the year with a surprise trade for a really good OF, shall we? Wish you all and your families a wonderful Christmas! (@Nook keep the detailed posts coming on all forums please and thank you!)
Guys below AA still have so far to go that there are a full range of possibilities. There are some guys with great tools and early results. I'm hopeful. As for 2027, I predict: Dezenzo, Melton, and Smith as the primary outfield. That means Baez is 4th OF/DH when Yordan isn't there, traded, or a bust. The other two guys you mentioned will still be young and inexperienced enough to be options I hope there is an heir apparent at SS by then, as it will be Pena's walk year.
Pena likely takes a buy out of his contract and a three year extension next off season. I doubt his replacement is signed yet.
I don't know if Pena is worth an extension. I would trade him in a heartbeat if there was a prospect ready, or returned in the trade. He is perfectly fine, but now that he is entering arbitration his trade value is probably higher than his on-field value.
They do, but he shouldn't cost all that much money and I like the idea of a arb-years+more extension.
I am not opposed to an extension for Pena, but I would prioritize Diaz. Hunter is quite compelling but he is under control for 4 more years, there is little incentive to buy out 1 FA season, and I hate commiting over 5 years to a pitcher. I think the value and savings are simply not worth the injury risk. Having Pena for 5-6 more years would be fine at the right price. He is a good defender at, arguably, the most important defensive position. He is very durable and dependable. He hits LHP very well, and isn't awful vs RHP so the negatives are minimal. In order for the Astros to have a good run scoring team with Pena, it will be important that they have good bats at all corner positions and DH. Diaz at catcher is a plus. Whoever plays in the outfield and how they perform will determine if this is possible.
Diaz is controllable thru his age 29 season. Any extension would buy out the last 2-3 seasons of him being a productive catcher. It makes sense if Diaz wants to secure the bag. Pena is also controllable thru his age 29 season. My opinion is that as soon as his defense starts to degrade he will no longer be a viable everyday player. Any extension for him would need to carry a heavy discount. I’ll tell you who makes sense as an extension candidate: Isaac Paredes. He’s schedule to reach free agency after his age 27 season and he could be valuable for a half decade after that. Melton and Dezenzo also might be extension candidates depending on how confident the FO is in them. And of course the young pitchers (Brown, Arrighetti) could make sense at the right price.
Diaz is an interesting discussion. I think his offensive potential is extremely high, he has the unteachable gift to loudly put bat to ball. With a slight launch angle improvement and a little more patience he could be a superstar hitter regardless of defensive position. Of course just because somebody knows what they need to improve doesn't mean they can or will improve. Diaz the actual player right now is just good, nothing special, and retains most of his value from being a catcher. How much would you want to force the contract issue on Diaz the "potential' superstar.
