Given the strength of this team in young pitchers (one with a history of being a bit of a mental headcase), this part seems like a nonstarter to me. The lineup can afford to have a crappy bat at catcher if it pays off in improving all of our pitchers. I love that Maldy sets an expectation of how much preparation should go into pitching and I suspect/hope that would rub off on the pitchers and make them all better in their own preparation. This is one of those areas where you just don't mess with a good thing.
I am not necessarily down on Lee or Diaz (or Meyers for that matter). I think they have a good chance to be decent everyday players and an outside shot to be core/star players. But there’s not much reason to gift them a spot; doesn’t hurt anything to stash them in AAA until they make it clear they are fully developed (or in Meyers case, healthy). And since Houston is signing guys to short deals (3 years or less) there isn’t much risk in blocking guys. Abreu gives Diaz a couple years to have his offensive profile fully mature. Alfaro for 1-2 years would do the same for Lee (or Diaz). A short deal for a LF gives Meyers or Leon or another prospect time to claim a core spot. None of those guys are at the spot that Correa or Bregman or Tucker or Yordan were at where you know they’re ready and you make room for them…yet.
I'm thinking we are gonna resign Brantley to come off the bench. For some reason not an everyday starter but off the bench cycling our RF and LF and DH. I could see Benintendi and Contreras signed both and letting Verlander kick rocks. Crane wants to repeat and said he is willing to go into the luxury
The team still needs a LH bat. I don't think Contreras makes sense anymore. I think that after signing a LH bat (which I think should be Brantley due to history/chemistry as well as lack of options) there won't be money for another $15M+ AAV hitter. I need to look at young cheap LH bats available in trade. This could be how the Astros fill the spot if JV returns. The more I read, the more I am convinced the Astros think Yuli can be a utility player similar to Diaz of the last few years. I think if he does not expect to find a starting position and will sign for less than last year he would be a good choice.
Benintendi, Conforto, and Brantley in that order for me. If we get Conforto I'd want to sit him against lefties in favor of McCormick. It would be a great platoon with their lefty righty splits.
I'm all for re-signing Yuli at the right price- but I think Hensley may be the utility replacement for Diaz. Small Sample size and all, they should give him a shot going into Spring Training -- Yuli will still command a decent salary -- and I bet he will be shopping around for a starting role. The guy was money in the playoffs -- a team will value that and maybe take a flyer on him as a starter.
Altuve and other Venezuelan stars are in a home run derby. It's underway. Notable Venezuelan stars that are here: Acuna, Altuve, Torres, both Contreras brothers, Suarez, etc.
Neither can Yuli -- but Hensley can play 2nd, SS, and 3B - I think 1B too? Also, I don't think we bring back Diaz -- he'll want $5-$7M - i'd rather look internal and bring back Yuli, and/or ride with Hensley/Y Diaz for infield bench depth.
Hensley played at least 18 games at all 4 positions this season in AAA (plus 6 games in LF). Having watched him several times, it’s pretty clear he’s at least playable at all 4 in a utility/backup capacity. I don’t think he would be great as an everyday SS, but he can play there.
Did any of those above players have a slow/steady decline? Or did they get a Cy Young award in your 40’s, lead the league in strikeouts in your 40’s, lead the league in saves in your 40’s, or win a CYA at age 39 the first year after TJ surgery. You’re speaking in generalities. There are specific isolated examples of guys who have special arms till the end. We just saw what JV did in his first year where there were restrictions after TJ surgery. His arm is obviously not just a run of the mill players.
Yuli at short sounds like a disaster waiting to happen -- Hensley seemed decent at short before, IDK -- I'm not really feeling Diaz at a big salary (for a bench player) with all his injury concerns
