[Official] Astros Off Season Thread

You could have said this about the last 4-5 years about the Dodgers. As long as the Stros have pitching they will be in the championship mix.

 

I agree CF is the most difficult position to fill ( well)

But I can't fathom any knowledgeable, unbiased fan thinking CF is the most pressing position.

For all Meyers' warts, he was still a productive, positive player last year and still in his prime.

Dubon and an unproven rookie are penciled in at 3b

A backup catcher with a career OPS+ of 88 who the team is trying to trade is currently the starter at 1b vs LHP.

The projected starting LF is coming off of a 66 OPS+ and -0.6 bWAR season.

And you think the 29 year old CF who is a gold glove finalist and had a 1.7 bWAR season is the most pressing position? I get that he can't hit RHP, but he does hit LHP and catches the ball.

He is the player who is the most important to be replaced?

How can anyone not biased or ignorant think that?

 

I have been thinking about the 40 man roster and it's going to be crazy.

After free agents, there are currently 42 players on the 40 man, so 2 will need to go immediately. My guess is that Urquidy and Hummel are non-tendered.

Then space will need to be made for any prospects they want to protect from the rule 5 draft in early December.

Then roster spots will need to be made when/if players are brought in to fill holes.

I expect several trades from the bottom of the major league roster, even if they are very minor "PTBNL" type deals.

 

Dubon is a utility guy. If he is given a permanent position like 3B or any outfield spot, the Astros aren't trying to win.

 

100%

 

Agreed, but he's a very valuable utility guy who was overused last year IMHO.

 

Absolutely

 

Other than one month Meyers hit below the Mendoza line.

That backup catcher was more productive with the bat than Meyers.

Sometimes WAR lies. Give me a guy like Robert in CF and a platoon of Whitcomb and Gamel in LF if they dont want to add a guy like Duvall.

I'll take my chances with Dezenzo hitting better than Meyers and if I'm wrong then Dana should get his vet. replacement at the deadline. Dezenzo is also good in the field. Or maybe Matthews will be ready./

Would you want an OF of Robert/Tucker/Duvall or an OF of Tucker/Meyers/Chas.

BTW, I dont think Meyers should be the 1st guy to be replaced, he should be the 2nd guy to be replaced from outside the org. The 1st base hole should be filled 1st.

Y'all make it seem like everybody is ok with a Mendoza level hitter in CF is good enough as long as he can play defense. I'm telling you there are other options who play a good CF that can actually hit at an avg MLB level. Like I've said, I dont know why anybody would not want to upgrade a position that had a Mendoza level hitter. Heck, put Matthews or Melton out there, they cant be worse with the bat and are more than adequate in the field.

 

Batting average is a very poor indicator of value. Much worse than WAR.

That said, I understand what you are saying, but Meyers' value is simply not in his bat, and CF is a position where a guy with a weak bat can be very valuable.

There is more to winning baseball games than hitting.

And, yes I really want Robert on the Astros in 2025.

But I think Meyers is a better everyday option than Caratini, Singleton, Dezenzo, Whitcomb, Dubon, or Chas.

 

Not if Chas returns to his ‘23 form.

big “if”, I know

 

Did you know that last year Jake Meyers hit .291 w/ a 786 OPS and 125 wRC+ in the #8 spot in the lineup?

He just needs to be used correctly.

 

Batting average is a “poor indicator” of value only when it is applied to power hitting guys that also get on base a lot via walks. Meyers is not that kind of hitter. You could say it doesn’t matter as much for a super clutch guy, who gets his hits in optimal situations, but Meyers isn't that either.

It actually is an indicator of your success % with the bat in your hands. It speaks to contact as well. Many guys with low batting averages have a lot of strikeouts contributing to that. Strikeouts suck.

 

Batting average may be a "poor indicator" but he has a terrible eye, can't bunt, can't move runners, can't hit with RISP, and is a terrible base runner. He has no place as a starter on this team.

 

See? Batting average is cool!

 

That's why I said an above avg hitter and not BA. Above avg hitter includes BA/OBP.

Agreed about there's more to winning games than hitting, but at what point does an avg fielder who can hit outweigh a good fielder that is Mendoza?

Chas was the Starting CF on a WS winning team. His bat is much better and his defense is close enough to Meyers that his bat makes him a better option IMHO.

 

While not wearing a cup and wearing 2 left shoes.

Bottom line is he's Mendoza and I still haven't heard a good reason why he shouldn't be upgraded upon?

 

At his worst Chas was better than Meyers last year.

 

What would y'all think about an OF of Lowe/Chas/Tucker, with Walker at 1B?

 

This can be true and it can also be true that I love Mauricio Dubon so much and he’s always invited to my house for Christmas Eve. Love that dude!

 

I think you know where I stand on Chas