Combination of body breaking down (at a relatively young age) and once pitchers figured out his tendencies, he's never been able to re-adjust. He looked completely broken-down/lost in the playoffs... where the long season really starts to take its toll (ironically, our other past light-hitting catcher, Ausmus, saved his best for the playoffs).
I hate watching him at the plate, because he has shown in the past to be better. He gets caught looking way to often on borderline pitches, struggles to catch up with high heat above 90, and can't lay off pitches down and in. Those 3 things are why he strikes out so much more. I feel like if he close off one, he'll turn back into that 2012 guy.
That reason alone. I feel as though there were countless at bats last year where a pitcher would just reach back for a little extra, not care where it was going, but would confidently know it would induce a swing and a miss from Castro.
To be fair, Castro's inadequacies at the plate are magnified by our lack of production from other spots in the lineup. A stud hitting catcher is not essential for a WS team. Stability at 1B, and 3B, would surely minimize Castro's deficiencies. And, he's still a very good defensive and play-calling catcher. I like the idea of acquiring LuCroy for a haul of midlevel prospects, though I think it may take one of our top 6-7 guys to seal the deal. Fun fact, LuCroy has 53 (!!!!) doubles two years ago.
He isn't that good defensively that you can just ignore his offense. I don't think any of us believe that getting a catcher that hits is some make or break pressing issue, but a problem is still a problem, even if you can probably still succeed with it there. Every little bit helps. Catcher is the only position that I don't think posts a .750 OPS this year. Adding a Lucroy would literally give us significant threats 1-9 when healthy. FWIW, I don't think it's a big enough issue to sell out on Lucroy. Would love to have him, but only if the price is right. By most accounts the Brewers have been playing hard ball.
Castro was 7th in DWAR among Catchers last season at 1.2 (and 1.1 in 2014), which isn't shabby, which was my point. I wouldn't call Castro elite, but he's certainly serviceable in a more balanced lineup. Ausmus is a great defensive catcher, but expecting his defensive output in more of a pipe dream than a realistic measuring stick.
One of the top picthing prospects will have to be included. The Brewers supposedly asked for Martes. I wouldn't do that trade. But I would do a Feliz/Singleton/Cameron/Janikowsi for Luccroy type deal.
I think we should pull the trigger on Lecroy, even if it costs us dearly in prospects. http://houseofhouston.com/2016/02/01/houston-astros-could-another-move-be-on-the-horizon/ Still, Jason Castro’s lack of offense killed the lineup several times last season and adding Lucroy would only make the offense better, while not losing much, if anything, behind the plate. Yes, I remember all the inning killing AB's also. It would be one thing if I though Stassi could step up, but I dont. Now, for those of you thinking I am recommending a Drayton approach, lets remember that when he emptied the farm, it was to bolster an aging ML team. The Bagwell/Biggio/Berkman era was waning. In contrast, our present ML team is full of young guys perhaps years from reaching their potential. In short, even if we emptied the farm (which we would not have to do to get Lecroy alone), we would have several years to refill it before age becomes even remotely a factor.
I completely agree. He'd be fun in our lineup and we wouldn't even be "broke" afterwards (prospect wise).
I have a question for you Nook... BSPN listed the Astros as the #1 team that "could take a serious look at Pedro Alvarez." I personally don't want him, as I think he's a left handed Chris Carter with negative defensive value. I guess there's some limited appeal as a DH, but as we've all discussed before, there aren't enough roster spots to platoon two "DH-only" guys (in reference to Preston and Gattis). Would you lend this any credence? Is there any indication that we're actually interested in him? The article is insider blocked, so I'll post the Astros-related part: http://espn.go.com/blog/buster-olney/insider/post/_/id/12208
I think the Stros lineup construction last year - high Ks with power - has made some people lazy and they just assume whenever a player like that is available, "Yeah, the Astros are interested." Whether or not it has any basis in fact is unimportant.
Sort of my belief upon reading it. Occasionally, I'll delude myself that national baseball writers give a sh** about the accuracy of their pieces. I highlighted Nook because seems to be some sort of insider.
Brad Ausmus was a great defensive catcher, Castro is above average. I have no idea what his health situation is like, but gimpy knees would sure explain his inability to get down and block pitches, and maybe some of his offensive struggles as well. It's impossible to hit a baseball with a bad knee, believe me I've tried.
Interesting stat that Peter Gammons mentioned over the weekend on the MLB Network. The team that scores first (in both leagues combined) went on to win 70% of the time.
I can believe it. Baseball, like many sports, is mental. Getting that first run for an ace pitcher or even a #2/3 can be GG.
