For this year Espada has to find a way to get Caratini's bat in the lineup.. If Yordan had played LF tonight the Stros most likely would've won this game.
I hate when I accidentally post on the wrong thread. oh but you were laughing about my Chas comment lol
It’s a cheat code IF you put good hitters in the positions that are designed for good hitters. It remains one of the most baffling components of the Astros roster construction that they have spent years with poor hitters at 1B and LF (or DH if Yordan is in LF) while relying on 2B, sometimes SS, sometimes CF, now C. On the position player side, they do the hard things well and the easy things poorly.
Generally agree. Just a side note, the Astros have had the best batting production from LF from 2017-2023. Between Brantley, Tucker, Alvarez, and pre-2024 Chas, the Astros have had LF covered for a while. The LF problems this year are solely on Chas falling apart. Even then, Alvarez is the best LF in the game, and as you point out, there is a problem backfilling DH when he is in LF. I like Caratini so far. It would have been nice to have another 1B so Caratini/Diaz could both play more often with Alvarez in LF. Especially for the postseason.
Fair point on LF in the Brantley / "good Chas" years. I have recency bias from the train wreck this year, esp as I really don't want Yordan playing the OF frequently.
It's really not that baffling. What's baffling is that Dana didn't choose to fill either of these holes at the deadline for a team that has as good a chance as any to win another championship. SMH
Dana should've known this wasn't Chas year and acted accordingly. Hoping Chas comes around is really just Dana not giving the team it's best chance to win another championship. Sad thing is, a league avg 1b?LF wouldn't have cost that much and to think Dana traded away a league avg bat in Wagner.
Dana really gambled that players would get healthy on schedule... but yeah... that hasn't happened in a generation.
Victor Caratini and Yainer Diaz should switch roles playing Catcher, 1st Base, DH and both must stay in the Lineup together. Victor is a very clutch hitter, with a few game winners.
Tell me how this is? Alvarez is an avg OF with an upgrade as an OF arm. Diaz appears to be able to play a passable 1B and should get better the more he plays there. Is he really worse than Abreu was ? Caratini is a fine catcher. Whitcomb and Dezenzo are not defensive liabilities at 3B. Are they as good as they would be if Bregs was playing 3B? Nope, but are they going to be White Sox bad? highly doubtful as long as they've got Caratini or Diaz at Catcher, Pena, and Altuve at SS, 2B, Meyers in CF and Dubon or Tucker in RF the defense will be fine. Certainly not on the White Sox level of defense.
I love Yordan, but he is not an average OF. In many ways he is the anti-Jake. Below average range but great arm. It will only probably he an issue on 1 or 2 plays every couple of weeks. He also is a hard worker and cares to be as good as he can. Maybe all those factors get him close to average. I still think it's not a problem for him to be out there but I don't love it. I also hate needing to EVER take him out of the lineup, but playing him in LF instead of DH means a defensive replacement should be put in late when the team is winning. Still better than he and Alex sharing DH w/ one of them sitting.
Dezenzo has NOT been good defensively. Whitcomb has not impressed either with the glove. Yordan is decent in LF at MMP and spent the most time there, but I am concerned about his ability to handle Camden Yards.
Small sample size at 3B and I'm hoping they get better as they get more comfortable in MLB. There's nothing that can be done about this. I dont remember reading scouting reports that said they were below par defensively in the minors. I'm not worried about Yordan defensively, is he great? nope But He's more than acceptable and his arm is an upgrade. Give me acceptable defense in LF and a massive upgrade offensively from the position.
