I agree with this. He is good enough but it's not ideal. Ideally the team would have an everyday 1b and 3b (and even LF) so a platoon partner would fit on the roster. Part of the issue is that Pena is also weak vs RHP ( but not as bad as Jake) if either of them were strong against RHP and weak vs LHP then it would balance out better. It's tough having 2 everyday starters who have the same offensive weaknesses ( and their backups, Dubon and McCormick, are also much stronger vs LHP)
The issue with replacing Meyers is actually improving, and not addressing CF by simply shifting the problem to another position (3B) Meyers posted 2 WAR in 513 PA, by comparison the Braves who were 15th in CF WAR got 2.2 in 696 PA. As bad as Meyers was offensively, the net value of him wasn't worse that what most teams are getting from CF. On paper, 1B, 3B, and LF (sans Yordan) are actual significant liabilities relative to league averages as the roster stands now. I'm all for upgrading from Meyers, I just would want the other problem areas addressed first, the financial and trade assets are far from unlimited at this point.
Agreed, but in no way should Meyers ever be the starting CF again. If you're a fan of his, fine if he's a 4th OF. But he's not a starting CF on a championship team. I'm really hoping they can trade for Robert. Robert/Walker/Lowe would represent change.
Depends on if they bring Bregs back or sign a guy like Renfigo/Urshela. Personally I hope Dezenzo gets a shot. Meyers got his shot last year, failed miserably and should never be a starting CF on a contending team. I'll bet you that Dezenzo plays a solid 3B and has a much better BA/OBP than Meyers will ever have. Meyers had one hot month and after that he was below the Mendoza line. I would rather give Melton or Matthews in CF than Meyers. Meyers is a huge negative in the lineup. At least Melton/Matthews have potential to be good.
Yes. If the Astros bring in a good 3B then there are plenty of scenarios where I makes sense to bring in an OF who can hit RHP in a platoon role. Heyward would be a great fit in that situation. My personal opinion is that a Heyward/McCormick platoon would be fine in the 6 hole. I actually think these 2 lineups would be really good: RHP: 2B Altuve RF Tucker DH Alvarez 3B TBD C Diaz LF Heyward 1B Singleton SS Pena CF Meyers LHP: 2B Altuve SS Pena DH Alvarez RF Tucker C Diaz LF McCormick CF Meyers 3B TBD 1B Dezenzo
I think replacing Meyers is the 4th priority as far as position players go. 1) find an everyday 3b 2) find a 1b who hits, especially vs lefties 3) find a LF who is + in the 5th or 6th spot 4) replace Meyers if possible. Currently, 1b, 3b, and LF are all significantly worse than CF. It wasn't Meyers' fault that Espada hit him in the middle of the lineup in 30% of his games.
So none of Astros's pitchers's arms will fall off next year, if the Astros jettison Meyers? Tucker and Yordan wont miss a large chunk of the season? We need Meyers on the next train out of town!!!
I'm talking about the lineup. I can't figure out why some still want Meyers out there in CF. He can't hit or throw, but he can chase balls down in CF. That's the definition of a 4th OF. Trade for a CF and be done with it. Robert is my favorite. I just hope they learned their lesson about counting on pitchers coming off of TJ.
The odds are against it. The Astros rarely re-sign late season additions in FA. Heyward 1.1 WAR .700 OPS (.756 in 24 g as an Astro) $9 million contract (last year) The Astros could do worse than signing Heyward to be their starting LF (and RF if Tucker has another long spell on IR).
Robert is my favorite too But things that would be worse than Meyers being the primary starting CF Dubon starting more than 10% of the games at 3b Dezenzo being the starting 3b out of spring training Singleton starting games vs LHP Whitcomb playing 3b at all Caratini starting more than a few games at 1b Yordan expected to start more than 25% of the games in LF LMJ is bring counted on to make 15+ starts Javier is being counted on at all The team decides to use a 5 man rotation all season This team has so many issues more important than finding a replacement for Jake Meyers.
I wonder how the Yoan Moncada situation plays out, he could be an option at 3rd. He has a 25 million team option for next season, and hasn't really performed well enough to justify it since his big 2019. Still he's generally been a capable bat at 3rd. There's would be big upside in bringing in Moncada and Robert, but given their recent inconsistency there's no guarantee that they would result in a net improvement. Not sure how hard the White Sox will play ball on Robert coming off his disaster last season.
Episode 85 of breathkngnorenge fire is up. Check it out. Listen. Rate, review, share. We basically talked about something we don’t believe will happen (a total tear down and rebuild of the organization). Why should you listen to something that won’t happen? We had a lot of fun doing it and were excited about it so hopefully you have fun listening. It’s an interesting thought experiment. And we are doing a middle way and then a realistic offseason primer so this sets the predicate for establishing what we think the value is for every person in the organization. Tell me what we got right, what we got wrong, what’s insane, what makes sense etc.
Roster spots--- some of these guys also don't always have great platoon splits--- increased risk of illness or injury. You can do it at A spot or two but that is about as far as it goes. The reality is that the Astros ideally add 3 bats and if they do, two of them are likely going to be full time starters.
You don't want Moncada and Robert.... you can deal with one of them but not both of them.... same with Contreras..... you can have one or maybe two of those guys on a team. With Moncada, probably only one.
This is all based on the idea that CF WAR is an accurate measure ..... guys like Straw and Meyers and others flash reasonably high WAR seasons and no one lines up to pay them when they are free agents because they really are not quite as valuable as their WAR numbers. I am fine with Meyers in CF if they address 1st and LF/DH with legitimate upgrades - I can even tolerate a mediocre offensive player at 3rd if those other spots are improved.... Pena/3rd/Meyers as the 7-9 isn't ideal but not bad enough to keep the Astros from competing at an elite level. What I will be upset about is having that bad part of the line up stretch to 4-5 spots, then the Astros will run into what they ran into this year in the playoffs.
Updated shopping list: 1. One or two elite bats: Bregman, Walker, Lowe, Contreras, Diaz, Rooker, Correa, Buxton, Robert, Bellinger, Arenado, Suarez 2. One OF platoon bat: Pederson, Winker, Profar, Verdugo, Canha, Benintendi, Heyward, Duvall, Belt, Gamel
