Dana Brown has egg on his face from when he went on SportsTalk 790 and confidently declared the Astros would be able to extend Kyle Tucker in his first season as general manager, and we all know how that played out. Now, he gives the local media quotes that really don’t say much of anything.
Fangraphs has added split projections for members to view. Here are the Astros wRC+ splits projections: Vs RHP: Alvarez 180 Paredes 123 Walker 120 Diaz 117 Altuve 116 Caratini 109 Singleton 109 Pena 102 Trammell 102 McCormick 98 Dezenzo 96 Meyers 94 Dubon 92 Hamilton 93 Melton 93 Salazar 87 Whitcomb 85 Leon 81 Vs LHP: Alvarez 156 Paredes 135 Walker 134 Altuve 129 Diaz 126 Pena 119 McCormick 114 Dezenzo 106 Meyers 105 Dubon 102 Whitcomb 99 Caratini 98 Trammell 71 Leon 94 Melton 63 Those projections bode well for Houston. It basically paints Pena, McCormick, Meyers, Trammell, and Dubon all as solidly average to above average hitters. Not bad considering their other 4 hitters are really good.
I get the impression that Montero's issues stemmed from not listening to his catcher and going off script. Has he not been humbled enough yet being DFA'ed and no one wanting him?
Just listened to Bob Nightengale’s radio appearance on 610: he essentially doubled down on his belief that Bregman returns to the Astros. Also said the Christian Walker signing was the best move of any team this offseason.
I honestly think Bregman wants to come back and it would take a significant contract for him to play anywhere else. He's not moving for an extra 10 million.
Yep and Nightengale also noted that the state tax thing was a big deal for Pressly in his trade to the Cubs. Pressly was compensated for the state tax adjustment. Nightengale said something along the lines of -if the contract isn’t over 180 million for Bregman (from another team) that it doesn’t make much sense financially unless he just doesn’t want to be an Astro. Which I doubt
I don't think anyone wants to give him 200 million so he has to make a tough decision on if the extra 20 million is worth not being an Astro for life.
Brown says a lot of things and for various reasons. FWIW I don’t think he ever expected to sign Tucker but it was advantageous for him to say so because it kept everyone optimistic.
Dana says a whole lot of nothing and whenever it sounds like he is saying something substantive- he says something contrary a few days later. He is very bright and has figured out how to not stick his neck out unnecessarily… I’m guessing he learned that working himself up from being a scout. People have long underestimated how smart he is… and he seems fine with that. With the Astros he has painted himself as a happy go lucky guy that gets along with everyone - when he can actually crack the whip when he has to.
The seems like the only meaningful take away. That and Crane may not be willing to go over the tax for anyone else available, so it might be the only way to add an impact bat.
I understand Brown has to be guarded when saying things to the media. I just think he has became more guarded with more experience in the general manager role. Like you said, he says a lot of nothing when talking to the local media now.
If they really want Polanco that bad he should be signed already. Poor defender coming off of ankle and knee issues, knee surgery and coming off a terrible year. It’s possible he has to take a non guaranteed deal as a ST invitee Not saying there is no potential there, but he isn’t a guy that multiple teams are fighting over
My speculation is that the Astros REALLY want Polanco to be their everyday LF for $5M when Polanco wants to be an everyday 2B for $10M. The 2B market was really shallow so it wouldn’t surprise me if Polanco’s agent was advising him to hold off to see if a team offered him an everyday 2B job for more money. For now I am guessing he ends up as Houston’s everyday LF (with the promise that he’ll get at least some time at 2B) for like $8M.
