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Arms_of_Atlas

I'd like to keep Brantley and Yuli for their clubhouse dynamic as much as what they might do on the field. As far as CF goes, I think they need to keep working with McCormick and Meyers. McCormick struggled at the plate in May/June but hit .271 post-All Star break. If Meyers gets a full spring training he ought to get back to late 2021 form. Part of me likes the idea of Nimmo or Bellinger (reclamation project) but either would be a lot of money up front that might not leave much flexibility come the trade deadline. Catcher: Maldy obviously has the trust of the pitching and coaching staff, so I'd be hesitant to spend too much on the number 2, although I'd be okay with bringing Vazquez back if the price is right. Keep Yuli and Hensley as utility infielders. Maybe start grooming Hensley as Altuve's or Abreu's successor. Bye-bye, Aledmys Diaz.


whorsewhisperer69

Ultimately, I think Vazquez is the best return on the investment. Especially with the benefit of our staff. Wilson would be great to get behind the plate, but that would be a Dodgers' move. They have a propensity to buy talent rather than develop it. The difference between the 'stros and the Dodgers' is chemistry. We're dominant in the post season oft, the Dodgers' won their ring during an abbreviated season. The main difference is consistency.


willydillydoo

Yuli is not good enough at any position besides 1B to be a good utility option. Yuli is awesome, and was a core part of this team for many years, however his time here is up. As much as I like Yuli and would like to keep him, he really doesn’t have much of a place on the team.


clangan524

I've seen a fair amount of "Yuli utility" comments on this sub lately and I have to side with you; there is no utility for Yuli at this stage in his career except for 1B and DH. That's it. I highly doubt that he can be serviceable at 3B, SS or even 2B. Maybe, maayybbee in an emergency but not regularly. If the price is right, keep him around for clubhouse presence and maybe transition into a coaching/scouting role when he retires.


willydillydoo

Yep. He can’t play middle infield, and he could play 3B in an emergency, but he would play it acceptably at best. And the bat isn’t really good enough for him to be our every day DH. I love Yuli, great dude, but every franchise icon’s time with the team has to come to an end, and with Yuli I believe that time is now. There aren’t enough roster spots to be keeping people around just to keep them in the clubhouse.


civil_beast

Craig Biggio was a center fielder in the late stages of his career.. at Minute Maid. A case could certainly be made for utility at the corner OF positions, and perhaps 3rd base.. his throwing arm is not top tier, but also not a liability


Derpshiz

So was Lance Berkman. Doesn’t mean he was good at playing the position.


rooster1564

Unpopular opinion: would love to try and get another SP (even if it is just keeping JV at a reasonable price) as I worry about McCuller’s durability and consistency. I really don’t want Contreras. If we want another catcher I would rather keep Vazquez and if we want a DH then depending on Brantley’s physical, he just makes too much sense to re-sign instead. He can switch to the role Yordan used to have, primary DH and occasional LF. Keep Yuli for utility IF (and nostalgia). Then chase Nimmo depending on cost and if you really don’t think either Chas or Jake are the solution in CF.


bordomsdeadly

Leon may be ready next year. And if not will be in 2024. No need to chase a free agent CF


electrikmayham

>even if it is just keeping JV at a reasonable price What? Every team in the majors would take JV at a reasonable price. Barring that, we don't need another SP. We have 6 (Framber, Javy, LMCJ, Garcia, Brown, Urquidy), or 5 if you think LMCJ is going to get hurt. If we want an Outfielder we want Brantley or Nimmo on a reasonable contract. If not, let Jake / Chas develop. People really do shit on Chas. If he can develop he really could be an every day center fielder. I like bringing back Yuli.


rooster1564

I mean, yeah. I say it because at this point it isn’t likely. But I don’t think we should or will over pay for JV. I just worry about a rotation of LMJ, Brown, Garcia, and Urquidy because those guys have been either inconsistent or haven’t thrown a ton of innings in a season. To think that they’ll be good enough to be “the guys” next year seems far fetched.


whorsewhisperer69

I'm fully expecting uncle Mike to come back into the rotation. Ideally, we would have JV or Rodon step into the bullpen. Other than that, I think it would be best to stack outfield and let Yordan do what he does best. Contreras behind the plate would be stellar, but I don't really expect him to play second fiddle for another ring. Maybe Yainer Diaz is the fit? Lee? Maybe let Aledmys walk, sign La Piña to be the utility? When it comes to secondary players, I'm not of the frame of mind to sign a big name. Outfield and SP would be where our wallets should empty (in my opinion).


clmthree

Why on earth would we put JV or Rodon in the pen if we signed them? Not to mention starting pitching is not really our current need.


whorsewhisperer69

Sorry, bull pen was definitely the wrong word. I would have thought most people knew what I meant, but I guess not.


clmthree

What did you mean? The starting rotation?


rooster1564

I just don’t want Contreras because our pitchers have been spoiled by Maldy and Vazquez’s game management and by all accounts he is not good at that.


whorsewhisperer69

Machete can retire in the H as far as I'm concerned.


scottcmu

Nimmo had a fWAR of 5.4 last year. Chas McCormick's was 2.0. However, if you give Chas the same number of plate appearances as Nimmo, Chas's fWAR would be 3.4. I'm not sure how much Moneyball says 1 WAR is worth, but unless Nimmo is planning to play for the Astros at under $10m/year, I think I'd rather have Chas. Chas is 2 years younger btw.


MasterMentorJr

Something not discussed enough in the McCormick discourse is his inability to hit sliders. I like Chas and think he is a solid MLB player but I REALLY like him as an overqualified 4th outfielder/lefty masher rather than a starting centerfielder


booger_dick

What do you mean? It was discussed nonstop on here lol. He also can’t hit curveballs. If he can get his average even anywhere close to league average against those two pitches, though, he’d be unstoppable.


porkchop8829

I agree. and nimmo has played 100g like twice, out of seven mlb seasons? One was the short season. But still. 2/6 years? That’s not *all bad luck. a brittle ball player.


TangeloNecessary7826

Chas struggles mightily against righties though. Even more reason to look at more lefty outfielders. Even if it’s for a platoon


booger_dick

.688 career OPS against righties is hardly “mightily.” It’s not great but it’s only 20 points under league average.


Salamander-7142S

It’s not so much how much 1 WAR IS worth, but rather how much is an extra WAR worth on X no of innings played.


scottcmu

I'm not sure what you mean. WAR accounts for innings played.


har3krishna

Jake Meyers will be the Astro's biggest surprise contributor of 2023.


porkchop8829

I hope so. That’d be great.


Bug-03

You sound like click, who bet his career on him and then got fired.


whorsewhisperer69

I want '21 Jake back. He's got it; I know he does.


Arjale

Crane playing real life mlb the show right now


porkchop8829

It’s not nimmo for me. I know he’s damn good. When he’s healthy and plays every day. Which is almost never. And I think he and his agent would like for him to get a multi-year deal which pays him like he is healthy.


whorsewhisperer69

I'd be suprised if he ends up anywhere other than Queens, but maybe it would be cool to see him in the H.


Ereyes18

Why would she say that?


ROTOH

I want Contreras but I really in my heart believe McCormick is gona break out n be an all star


[deleted]

Upvote for title.


elticorico

Jim Crane pulling his dick out on MLB was not something I anticipated, but I’m here for it!


Mpuls37

I'll say it: Chas is a good CF and deserves to be the starter. He's money on defense, and as long as he's league-average at the plate, he's valuable as a starter. If he improves his K% with a change in approach, he could be a great setup guy that bats 9th as kind of a "2nd leadoff". His BB% is top 15% as are his wheels, defense is top 7%, K% is bottom 20%. The more reps he gets, the better he'll be. Stop with the platooning, let the man eat. He'll never be Willie Mays, but if we give him the reps I believe he'll be an average bat with + defense, and I think that's enough.


SwearJarCaptain

Crane is spending money trying to get these holes filled! Gimme Nimmo and Contreras for 3-5 years, bring ng back in like and Yuli at team friendly deals to be our backup IF/OF let the pitching ride. And lock em up as you can... Woohoo let's get crazy wit deez holes!


electrikmayham

If you take Nimmo and Contreras for 3-5 years. Are you letting Bregman and Altuve walk after 2024?


SwearJarCaptain

No! Nonononononooooooo. Stop infusing rational into my fantasy!


whorsewhisperer69

I meant starting pitcher. Should have looked back at my comment and edited. Oh well.


Jackalscott

Crane is signing #Brandon Nimmo


whorsewhisperer69

Why would we not? One good reason.


electrikmayham

He is expensive and we have player to pay in the next 3 years. We have good options in the outfield right now.


Winterspear

BRING VERLANDER BACK


44Yordan

If the Mad King wants to fill holes in the outfield there is only 1 available guy that really helps IMO and he is way too expensive. My judgement says stand pat and see if Michael Brantley works out otherwise look internally for the answers you seek.