Probably right. Just hate for our best hitter to come up with nobody on base. Setting up Bregman for the RBI’s, especially given his inevitable slow start, is quite a gamble. It’ll work great if Pena and Myers are getting on base at a high clip.
He’s hitting behind Altuve as well. Altuve can drive in all those guys on his own. @Joe Joe is right. It’s all about maximizing the # of AB’s for your best hitters. RBIs come from all parts of the lineup.
Or Diaz pulls the ball more. Or Alvarez is healthy all year. Or Chas hits well again, but is treated like a big boy. If the top/middle of the order does its job, the Astros will be one of the best offenses. The Astros were 5th in offense last year despite their 2 best hitters last year missing a good chunk of the season to injury, 2 other of the top 6 hitters missing a good chuck for topic trying to avoid, and having one of the worst hitters in baseball batting for topic trying to avoid.
Lineup today : I’m excited to see 7-9 and what they bring . I’m hopeful there’s a breakout performer who puts singleton back in AAA - I just think we know what he is and I want better Altuve Bregman Tucker Abreu Diaz Pena Cabbage Melton Loperfido
I’m still dollar cost averaging my Whitley stock all the way down to the penny exchange before I ride that to cooperstown (really oblivion but a girl can dream).
I look at physique as well on certain players. For example Javier and Valdez. Javier seemed to think that he played in the early 1900’s and all he had to do was throw and not take care of his body. As for Valdez, he has serious fat potential and a little bit of the bear fat is good, but too much and it’s a problem. Is Yordan trim? Did his genetics finally catch up to him? Chas, how does he look? Too thin and he can play center but I don’t think he hits with as much authority…. Does your starting centerfielder have a little more arm strength with another period of time to rebuild that arm post injury. Bregman - any issues with the hamstrings? Behind the plate - does your star in waiting catcher have a better command of handling a staff? Coleman …. Is the pop back? How are your twin closers getting along. Is there any animosity there? Some of this stuff you can’t see but will come out in reports.
Nice list. And I appreciate your insights and reports. I'll add: Has the offseason Pilates done its job to keep Abreu's back healthy for 162+ October. Will JV and to a smaller extent Altuve and Pressly hold off father time another season+ My bold prediction: Bregman is healthy and motivated and has his best season since 2019: 30 HR and 40 2B, 110 R and RBI, .900+ OPS, 150 wRC+, and 6.5 WAR.
We're going to see some big numbers from Bregman this year as he plays for a contract. Astros are doing what they've done with Springer and Correa by milking a players contract year with another in the minors waiting to come up or compete. If Bregman comes out strong then the Astros benefit this year (but most certainly won't sign him). If he faulters or seems lethargic at times then perhaps the Astros sign him at a lower rate or fewer years if they feel they don't have another viable option ready to come in) Then rinse and repeat for Tucker next year.
