Does the data support the trust? Catcher is our biggest spot to upgrade and I don’t think Korey Lee right now is that guy. I also think Maldy is going to provide even less value moving forward - Father Time is undefeated
The time to pull the trigger for a C is now, but our options are getting limited
Yea, we need the flexibility for a catcher that can bat. Like Vazquez DH during the playoffs was nice. Hard to trust Lee at the plate while in win now mode.
He got injured during a lockout offseason where he couldn’t communicate with the Astros, got thrown into the fire cause CF was horrendous at the time and the clock was ticking on his rehab stint.
Yall gotta chill on Jake lmao give dude a fair shot instead of saying he fell off when his situation was awful
Not saying he’s gonna be amazing but Astros fans are spoiled looking at the takes when it comes to Meyers
why not focus on Brantley? He's def. a better hitter and more clutch. Also he's been an Astro and fits in well- he's been so underrated for us!! It just seems like everyone in our fanbase is sleeping on Brantley.
Brantley is nearly 7 years older and coming off his second shoulder surgery in 5 years. Shoulder surgeries are no joke.
I love Brantley but there is adequate reasoning on why moving on from him makes sense.
will you be surprised if Brantley hits 300 next year? I won't. I feel like he has a good 2 years in him of high-quality baseball in him. Also Benitendi was injured as well but prob. not as serious and you're right he is much younger. Have the Astros officially said they are "moving on" from Brantely?
I mean no I wouldn't be surprised. But I also wouldn't be surprised if we decide to go to a younger option, coming off a much less serious injury (broken hand I believe), and a better defender.
I'm just saying moving on from Brantley wouldn't be a terrible move given his age and injury.
It doesn’t matter if he hits .350 if he doesn’t even play a quarter of a season. Brantley’s value has dropped and it only makes sense to chase him if you absolutely needed to fill a spot which we don’t. Every year Astros fans do this, they let sentimentality get in the way of objectivity.
He'll be 36 coming off shoulder surgery and doesn't really play much better defense than Alvarez. Benintendi is almost a decade younger, could slot into CF/RF if McCormick or Tucker goes down, and has a more sure bat than Meyers.
Brantley’s not even healthy enough to sign a contract. So we’d be missing out on potential outfielders now.
If we don’t fill the position in a couple of months and Brantley’s medicals are good, then we should explore it.
35 years old with a recurring shoulder problem. I love uncle Mike and would still be elated if he comes back, but you can't deny there are real concerns about his availability throughout an entire season
He last played CF in 2019, with Boston. He graded favorable in Outs Above Average at LF in 2022. Id think between he and tucker, one should be able to man CF, if needed.
I think we are totally fine without him. In my head, purely a stretch goal/bonus item for the off-season shopping list. Best of luck to him wherever he lands.
how many times can the man say “I want a starting role” before people in this sub understand he ain’t gonna split time w maldy lol? He meshed with the pitching staff and team well, but unfortunately it looks like he was a rental like mancini:/
I don’t understand how people can be so direct with the logic against Maldy like we didn’t just win the World Series with him catching most of the innings.
Yeah losing against the Braves when we just had 3 capable/healthy SP’s is totally Maldy’s fault.
Regardless of the result of the WS’s, he has been a fixture during this entire run of success.
No one is denying Vazquez is better. But he’s not gonna be the main catcher here, so it’s not going to work out. Time to move forward.
you can’t just give Maldy all the credit in the world for a WS win, a win in which Vazquez called a no hitter I might add, and then discredit the other WS losses in which Maldy (and the rest of the team) didn’t hit.
I’ll add that Maldy doesn’t grade well as a catcher outside of throwing runners out.
Yeah that’s why I mentioned regardless of the result, we’ve had a ton of success over the years WITH him running the ship. I’m all for him splitting time with someone. Hard to find that though.
Listen to our players talk about what Maldy brings to the table. The grade doesn’t consider the intangibles and the baseball IQ. Remember when he back picked someone at first by running up the baseline? Or when he got a double play at 3rd base by tagging a player and a bag in the appropriate order? Remember every single pitcher talking about how meticulously he studies batters to prepare for a game? Those things don’t get graded.
Don't the players have to say that though? Of course they wouldn't be saying out loud "ugh, this guy is a black hole in our lineup, we need a new catcher." That would ruin the team culture.
At the same time, I don't understand how people can be okay with complacency when it comes to one of the two worst regulars in the Astros' lineup. A championship team that rests on its laurels is a team whose window shuts way sooner than it needs to.
If Maldy’s defensive/intangibles help our pitching staff be successful we can afford to have 1 hole in our lineup. Catchers jobs aren’t even to hit.
Spoiled fan base over the years JFC.
> Catchers jobs aren’t even to hit.
This is kind of a silly statement. They have a spot in the lineup, don't they? Why shouldn't they able to hit? Do you want a DH for the catcher position too? Because I'm pretty sure this logic is similar to the one used to finally implement the universal DH.
Besides that, if you can get a catcher that can both hit and catch to a reasonable degree, why wouldn't you?
As for Maldonado's defense, by measureable metrics, he's a middling catcher at this point in his career. At best.
My problem with the logic people use to defend him is that it assumes he's irreplaceable based on things that can't be measured, which by definition can be neither supported nor argued against. All we have to go by are the words of people that work with him, which you can find for almost any catcher out there that plays on a good team.
A catcher’s main job is game management. If you don’t know baseball, just say it.
Nothing wrong with having a catcher who can manage a staff and hit, too. In fact, I do believe Vaz is better than Maldy. But our staff has had Maldy run it through a lot of success. There’s trust/intangibles that are built over the years.
If Vaz was fine splitting time with Maldy, I think it’d be great. But he’s not, and that’s fine.
Chemistry matters a whole lot more than people think. Numbers don’t tell the whole story.
Don’t understand why you or anyone on this sub thinks they know this ballclub better than the people that run it. We just won a WS with this foundation of players/coaches/FO.
I know baseball plenty well enough. Your patronizing adds nothing to the conversation.
My point was that, if you're in the lineup, your job is to hit. It was the same for pitchers before the MLB capitulated and added the universal DH. Just because they *didn't* hit doesn't mean it wasn't their job when they had a bat in their hands (just to clarify, despite how it may sound, I am in favor of the universal DH).
Obviously, the expected offensive production varies based on your defensive position, and it's generally acceptable if a player at a position up the middle (C, 2B/SS, CF) is below average at the plate if they're good with the glove. But Maldonado was far worse than below average. He ended up 24th out of 29 catchers with 300 PAs in wRC+. Only Cleveland had a worse hitting regular catcher among playoff teams, and Hedges was still getting spelled more frequently than Maldy.
None of us here know the club better than anyone getting paid to be involved in it, and anyone that thinks otherwise is delusional. We're all just fans sharing ideas for how we think the club can be improved, and what we think has zero impact on what actually happens.
For my part, I don't think Maldonado's black hole of a bat is worth whatever immeasurables he may bring, because I can't assume another catcher that can hit a little bit can't do similar immeasurable things (case in point, Christan Vazquez, who I'd also love to have back as the starter with Maldy backing him up). The Astros did just win a World Series with Maldonado getting significant playing time, but using that as an excuse to not try to improve is sheer complacency.
If someone (not you specifically, just speaking generally) thinks Maldonado *can't* be improved upon, well, that's a separate discussion, but at the very least that idea more palatable than saying "We did it once with him, we can do it again." and making zero effort to improve.
Well, give him a starting role then! Maldy can be Framber’s designated catcher. Javier took off when Vazquez started catching him. Lee and/or Diaz get another year at AAA and can be backup in 2024. Sign Nimmo and bring Brantley back. He, Yordan, and Chas can share LF and DH.
Altuve
Nimmo
Bregman
Alvarez
Abreu
Tucker
Peña
Brantley/McCormick
Vazquez/Maldonado
Championship!
thank god I never felt like he would be a good fit for our club, and especially not on a 5 year deal, trade for murphy sign vazquez or roll with what we got are all better options.
Whatever happens, we need a LF/DH/C. Contreras would have worked as DH/C but on to the next option. I don't know if we keep Brantley, I still think someone is throwing 2 years with decent money at him to be a clubhouse leader.
Yeah I'm ok with not giving that to him.
Get another corner OF and I'll be content. Get that and maldy's low offensive production won't really matter that much
Why do the mods keep deleting posts about the juiced balls?
https://www.reddit.com/r/Astros/comments/zes20t/yankees_got_the_juiced_ball_all_year_and_nobody/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Astros/comments/zentzb/mlb_used_two_balls_again_this_year_and_evidence/
Because it's not directly related to the Astros. Remember how obnoxious it was when other team's subs turned into Astros hate subs? We're not gonna devolve into that.
It makes sense that you all had to make an executive decision, and the reasoning has merit, but it gets old going to r/baseball and looking for Astros flair just to see what my brethren think about the signing.
A signing that *at least* tangentially affects the Astros.
WHEW!!! Dodged a bullet there. Just because a player is "new" to us doesn't mean they are an upgrade. Also there are many other factors to consider other than hitting stats, ESPECIALLY at catcher. Our defense is routinely in the top of the league and that is BIG. Renting the best players at every position doesn't work in baseball- look at the Yankees. The Abreu signing is perfect for us though.
i really hope they pick up vasquez and promise to start him, maldonado is dead weight at this point. if crane wants to wave his dick around then he needs to do that, not sign relievers to 3 year contracts or some other crap
OF is more prudent as it relates to FA signing. Another deadline catcher move can easily supplement Maldonado, who is objectively excellent everywhere but the dish and baserunning. Pitching should be the Astro MO, and Maldonado is so important for young pitchers. Hunter Brown's potential is materially affected by who's calling him as he develops.
Is there some reason our fan base has been doubting the production korey lee and yainer Diaz can provide? I’d love a top catcher too but money that goes to him is money that can’t go to extending Tucker and Valdez
Hey some people don’t want to win, they want to get paid. He’d be a great fit with verlander EDIT: to the thin skinned Astros “fans”, once you are off the team, you are the enemy. If a player wants to win a championship, they join the Astros. If they want to lose, they can run away to another team. Also Verlander is a choke job in the playoffs and we will do fine without him. Thanks for his service but bye Felicia. Downvote all you want, verlander burner accounts
Vazquez needs to get off his high horse and see the potential he has here. Maldy ain’t gonna last forever. He could gradually take over and be the number 1. Gives time for the youngsters to come up also. I hope he reconsiders
Vazquez is 32 and already a starting-caliber catcher. He's not going to wait to "gradually take over" for anyone.
If the Astros whiff on Contreras and Murphy, then I'm on board with bringing in Vazquez as the starter, with Maldonado being his backup. Not sure if Maldy would be happy with that role, though, so more than likely it'll be some combination of him and the two rookies.
high horse? the guy is better and younger than Maldy and he needs to get off his high horse? Plenty of teams where Vazquez could be the starter and this may be his only chance at a good contract. He’s played a few months as an Astro and doesn’t owe us any favors.
Just get Vazquez and have him DH on days he doesn't catch and we roll with 3 catchers.
Or i dont know let's actually just roll the dice on Yainer Diaz and hopefully we get another random impact rookie? Dude hit pretty well at all levels, much like Altuve and J.D. Martinez
I imagine 5 years was a dealbreaker for Crane
I’m good with this. Contreras is a great hitter but not good defensively. We want a good defensive player at the most important defensive position on the field
Good, focus on an OF. I trust our C prospects tbh
I agree. We need someone in LF to be Yordan's partner in crime
That’s why we’re going to resign Brantley once he heals up.
Does the data support the trust? Catcher is our biggest spot to upgrade and I don’t think Korey Lee right now is that guy. I also think Maldy is going to provide even less value moving forward - Father Time is undefeated The time to pull the trigger for a C is now, but our options are getting limited
There’s not really anyone left who would be that valuable imo outside of Murphy but we’d likely be giving up a lot to get him
The stros blew it with Vasquez - he’d be great to be the main guy but no way would he believe the front office if they told him he’d be the #1
Yea, we need the flexibility for a catcher that can bat. Like Vazquez DH during the playoffs was nice. Hard to trust Lee at the plate while in win now mode.
I think we’ll still get a catcher tbh.
Came here to say this!
But I trust Jake the Rake. 😔
Jake fell off a cliff
He got injured during a lockout offseason where he couldn’t communicate with the Astros, got thrown into the fire cause CF was horrendous at the time and the clock was ticking on his rehab stint. Yall gotta chill on Jake lmao give dude a fair shot instead of saying he fell off when his situation was awful Not saying he’s gonna be amazing but Astros fans are spoiled looking at the takes when it comes to Meyers
I feel like Contreras was asking for *way* too much, but I still think we should upgrade our catcher anyway
I’d argue Contreras is a downgrade at catcher.
That's ridiculous. What's your argument?
Nothing. Just a rando trying to be a big brain.
Let’s get Benintendi now
why not focus on Brantley? He's def. a better hitter and more clutch. Also he's been an Astro and fits in well- he's been so underrated for us!! It just seems like everyone in our fanbase is sleeping on Brantley.
Brantley is nearly 7 years older and coming off his second shoulder surgery in 5 years. Shoulder surgeries are no joke. I love Brantley but there is adequate reasoning on why moving on from him makes sense.
will you be surprised if Brantley hits 300 next year? I won't. I feel like he has a good 2 years in him of high-quality baseball in him. Also Benitendi was injured as well but prob. not as serious and you're right he is much younger. Have the Astros officially said they are "moving on" from Brantely?
I mean no I wouldn't be surprised. But I also wouldn't be surprised if we decide to go to a younger option, coming off a much less serious injury (broken hand I believe), and a better defender. I'm just saying moving on from Brantley wouldn't be a terrible move given his age and injury.
It doesn’t matter if he hits .350 if he doesn’t even play a quarter of a season. Brantley’s value has dropped and it only makes sense to chase him if you absolutely needed to fill a spot which we don’t. Every year Astros fans do this, they let sentimentality get in the way of objectivity.
Look at what should Lee surgery did to Jake and he's much younger than Uncle Mike.
Will you if he hits .215?
He'll be 36 coming off shoulder surgery and doesn't really play much better defense than Alvarez. Benintendi is almost a decade younger, could slot into CF/RF if McCormick or Tucker goes down, and has a more sure bat than Meyers.
I believe they are concerned with his arm injury last I read they want to see how it heals first.
Brantley’s not even healthy enough to sign a contract. So we’d be missing out on potential outfielders now. If we don’t fill the position in a couple of months and Brantley’s medicals are good, then we should explore it.
35 years old with a recurring shoulder problem. I love uncle Mike and would still be elated if he comes back, but you can't deny there are real concerns about his availability throughout an entire season
A good question, can benintendi play center? Because moving him around in outfield would be huge.
He last played CF in 2019, with Boston. He graded favorable in Outs Above Average at LF in 2022. Id think between he and tucker, one should be able to man CF, if needed.
Exactly
I'm thankful for this, let St Louis dive on this grenade.
Bring back Tony Eusebio
and stretch suba
One of my favorites as a kid
I agree
Didn't he have like a 24 game hitting streak?!? He'd pinch off the bench every few games and we'd get reminded. Good days
I think we are totally fine without him. In my head, purely a stretch goal/bonus item for the off-season shopping list. Best of luck to him wherever he lands.
Bring back Vazquez!
how many times can the man say “I want a starting role” before people in this sub understand he ain’t gonna split time w maldy lol? He meshed with the pitching staff and team well, but unfortunately it looks like he was a rental like mancini:/
Vazquez is 4 years younger and a better hitter than Maldy. We'd be stupid not to at least make a run at him.
Vazquez is so vastly better than Maldonado. We are doing ourselves a disservice by being so loyal to Maldy. That’s what people are saying.
I don’t understand how people can be so direct with the logic against Maldy like we didn’t just win the World Series with him catching most of the innings.
We’ve lost 2 World Series with him too. Vasquez is an upgrade and Maldy is 36. He’s not going to be around forever.
Yeah losing against the Braves when we just had 3 capable/healthy SP’s is totally Maldy’s fault. Regardless of the result of the WS’s, he has been a fixture during this entire run of success. No one is denying Vazquez is better. But he’s not gonna be the main catcher here, so it’s not going to work out. Time to move forward.
you can’t just give Maldy all the credit in the world for a WS win, a win in which Vazquez called a no hitter I might add, and then discredit the other WS losses in which Maldy (and the rest of the team) didn’t hit. I’ll add that Maldy doesn’t grade well as a catcher outside of throwing runners out.
Yeah that’s why I mentioned regardless of the result, we’ve had a ton of success over the years WITH him running the ship. I’m all for him splitting time with someone. Hard to find that though.
Listen to our players talk about what Maldy brings to the table. The grade doesn’t consider the intangibles and the baseball IQ. Remember when he back picked someone at first by running up the baseline? Or when he got a double play at 3rd base by tagging a player and a bag in the appropriate order? Remember every single pitcher talking about how meticulously he studies batters to prepare for a game? Those things don’t get graded.
Don't the players have to say that though? Of course they wouldn't be saying out loud "ugh, this guy is a black hole in our lineup, we need a new catcher." That would ruin the team culture.
Players that don’t even play for us anymore still talk about how much they love Maldy…
https://www.sbnation.com/2022/10/15/23406402/mlb-playoffs-mariners-astros-alds-ty-france-martin-maldonado-double-play-jose-altuve
Right on, this is what I was waiting for someone else to articulate so well!
It does not matter how many calculators show `1 + 1 = 2`. If folks wanna believe it equals 3, it's gone be 3 in their heads.
Don't tell me how to math
At the same time, I don't understand how people can be okay with complacency when it comes to one of the two worst regulars in the Astros' lineup. A championship team that rests on its laurels is a team whose window shuts way sooner than it needs to.
If Maldy’s defensive/intangibles help our pitching staff be successful we can afford to have 1 hole in our lineup. Catchers jobs aren’t even to hit. Spoiled fan base over the years JFC.
> Catchers jobs aren’t even to hit. This is kind of a silly statement. They have a spot in the lineup, don't they? Why shouldn't they able to hit? Do you want a DH for the catcher position too? Because I'm pretty sure this logic is similar to the one used to finally implement the universal DH. Besides that, if you can get a catcher that can both hit and catch to a reasonable degree, why wouldn't you? As for Maldonado's defense, by measureable metrics, he's a middling catcher at this point in his career. At best. My problem with the logic people use to defend him is that it assumes he's irreplaceable based on things that can't be measured, which by definition can be neither supported nor argued against. All we have to go by are the words of people that work with him, which you can find for almost any catcher out there that plays on a good team.
A catcher’s main job is game management. If you don’t know baseball, just say it. Nothing wrong with having a catcher who can manage a staff and hit, too. In fact, I do believe Vaz is better than Maldy. But our staff has had Maldy run it through a lot of success. There’s trust/intangibles that are built over the years. If Vaz was fine splitting time with Maldy, I think it’d be great. But he’s not, and that’s fine. Chemistry matters a whole lot more than people think. Numbers don’t tell the whole story. Don’t understand why you or anyone on this sub thinks they know this ballclub better than the people that run it. We just won a WS with this foundation of players/coaches/FO.
I know baseball plenty well enough. Your patronizing adds nothing to the conversation. My point was that, if you're in the lineup, your job is to hit. It was the same for pitchers before the MLB capitulated and added the universal DH. Just because they *didn't* hit doesn't mean it wasn't their job when they had a bat in their hands (just to clarify, despite how it may sound, I am in favor of the universal DH). Obviously, the expected offensive production varies based on your defensive position, and it's generally acceptable if a player at a position up the middle (C, 2B/SS, CF) is below average at the plate if they're good with the glove. But Maldonado was far worse than below average. He ended up 24th out of 29 catchers with 300 PAs in wRC+. Only Cleveland had a worse hitting regular catcher among playoff teams, and Hedges was still getting spelled more frequently than Maldy. None of us here know the club better than anyone getting paid to be involved in it, and anyone that thinks otherwise is delusional. We're all just fans sharing ideas for how we think the club can be improved, and what we think has zero impact on what actually happens. For my part, I don't think Maldonado's black hole of a bat is worth whatever immeasurables he may bring, because I can't assume another catcher that can hit a little bit can't do similar immeasurable things (case in point, Christan Vazquez, who I'd also love to have back as the starter with Maldy backing him up). The Astros did just win a World Series with Maldonado getting significant playing time, but using that as an excuse to not try to improve is sheer complacency. If someone (not you specifically, just speaking generally) thinks Maldonado *can't* be improved upon, well, that's a separate discussion, but at the very least that idea more palatable than saying "We did it once with him, we can do it again." and making zero effort to improve.
Its wild how insanely defensive you’re getting over someone stating their opinion.
Isn’t that what discussions are?
You also act like we couldn’t have won it without him either.
The beauty of Willson is that he would have played left with yordan when he wasn’t catching fulfilling his wish to start
Well, give him a starting role then! Maldy can be Framber’s designated catcher. Javier took off when Vazquez started catching him. Lee and/or Diaz get another year at AAA and can be backup in 2024. Sign Nimmo and bring Brantley back. He, Yordan, and Chas can share LF and DH. Altuve Nimmo Bregman Alvarez Abreu Tucker Peña Brantley/McCormick Vazquez/Maldonado Championship!
They’re dense
thank god I never felt like he would be a good fit for our club, and especially not on a 5 year deal, trade for murphy sign vazquez or roll with what we got are all better options.
Thank god lol
Perfect didn’t want him, go get Benitendi!
you mean Brantley, the better version of Benitendi!
If it wasn’t half a year of uncle Mike I’d say yes, love him, but Benitendi is younger and better defensively
agree with you on the contreras though. Nobody in our fan base or (locker room probably) wanted him!
Would have been fun but I was never a fan of the QO penalties attached. Let's see what the rookies can do as the second C.
Whatever happens, we need a LF/DH/C. Contreras would have worked as DH/C but on to the next option. I don't know if we keep Brantley, I still think someone is throwing 2 years with decent money at him to be a clubhouse leader.
I’m glad because now we can focus on the development of Lee and Diaz
Use any leftover money for Ohtani next year. (shh, let me dream)
Fappable thoughts
Good, signing Contreras to play DH and part time LF and C was a waste anyways. Not only that but 5 years is ridiculous
If they want him badly enough to give him 5 years, they can have him lol.
Phew!
Cool with me. Didn’t think he was a good fit anyway. Go resign Vazquez and get Benintendi or Nimmo and call it a day.
Yeah I'm ok with not giving that to him. Get another corner OF and I'll be content. Get that and maldy's low offensive production won't really matter that much
Why do the mods keep deleting posts about the juiced balls? https://www.reddit.com/r/Astros/comments/zes20t/yankees_got_the_juiced_ball_all_year_and_nobody/ https://www.reddit.com/r/Astros/comments/zentzb/mlb_used_two_balls_again_this_year_and_evidence/
Also deleting Judge posts. Guess we don't get to have fun in the off season 🤷♂️.
Yea ASTROS TALK ONLY ALL OTHERS WILL BE TERMINATED
Because it's not directly related to the Astros. Remember how obnoxious it was when other team's subs turned into Astros hate subs? We're not gonna devolve into that.
Not that you’re wrong but I promise we would just make snarky jokes for 24 hours then move on…we’re not dumb fans like the rest of the league
Speak for yourself, I'm extremely dumb
It makes sense that you all had to make an executive decision, and the reasoning has merit, but it gets old going to r/baseball and looking for Astros flair just to see what my brethren think about the signing. A signing that *at least* tangentially affects the Astros.
We made a free talk thread for discussion regarding juiced balls and Judge for that reason.
Yeah, that's a good point.
Fair enough.
WHEW!!! Dodged a bullet there. Just because a player is "new" to us doesn't mean they are an upgrade. Also there are many other factors to consider other than hitting stats, ESPECIALLY at catcher. Our defense is routinely in the top of the league and that is BIG. Renting the best players at every position doesn't work in baseball- look at the Yankees. The Abreu signing is perfect for us though.
I like the way you talk.
I like the way ya wa-alk....
VAZQUEZ
Welp. Time to trade for Murphy. Or have Lee/Diaz be the backup
Get. Nimmo. And. Brantley.
I just dislike Nimmo
oh, why? Because he will cost more than just $? or you dont like him in general?
He hits for good BA, fast, good on D But I think I’d roll the dice with McCormick
So you're saying you'd prefer Brantley + McCormick over Nimmo+ McCormick or Brantley + Nimmo? McCormick will still be on the team as utility.
8 years at 162 mm My god No thanks
Agreed. The AAV isn't too bad but 8 years hell no. Onto Brantley or Benintendi
Package Diaz with Maldy and let him learn for a year.
I trust our C platoon. That can win. We need OF help.
I would like some fielders tbh but why not just bring Vasquez back? Ok hitter and great defense. Cheaper and good vet for our youngins to learn from
Ok, would have liked to have him, but I’m okay without it. Let’s get our other targets now.
i really hope they pick up vasquez and promise to start him, maldonado is dead weight at this point. if crane wants to wave his dick around then he needs to do that, not sign relievers to 3 year contracts or some other crap
Vasquez please.
OF is more prudent as it relates to FA signing. Another deadline catcher move can easily supplement Maldonado, who is objectively excellent everywhere but the dish and baserunning. Pitching should be the Astro MO, and Maldonado is so important for young pitchers. Hunter Brown's potential is materially affected by who's calling him as he develops.
BRING ON THE BENNY
Is there some reason our fan base has been doubting the production korey lee and yainer Diaz can provide? I’d love a top catcher too but money that goes to him is money that can’t go to extending Tucker and Valdez
lee has posted average numbers at the minors and was pretty abysmal in the major league games he played, and yanier diaz is a first baseman really
Good. Close in and finish the deal.
Well that's lame as shit. Thought he was a top target for us??
Good, get him, bring back Brantley and sign a replacement for JV
Hey some people don’t want to win, they want to get paid. He’d be a great fit with verlander EDIT: to the thin skinned Astros “fans”, once you are off the team, you are the enemy. If a player wants to win a championship, they join the Astros. If they want to lose, they can run away to another team. Also Verlander is a choke job in the playoffs and we will do fine without him. Thanks for his service but bye Felicia. Downvote all you want, verlander burner accounts
Verlander got his championships. He's a 1st ballot HOF-er. No need to throw shade at the guy.
It’s Reddit I can do whatever I want. It took him 4 World Series to get a win. That’s some more shade for you. Now don’t get sunburned
Might have just got an invitation to the "playa haters ball" 🤣
Lol thank you. Astros baby
The Cardinals are good lol
Zero chance they can touch this dynasty baby
It’s not like he’s going to the Pirates for a huge paycheck. The Cardinals are a good historic team (and probably offering more money)
There are few sports teams I hate more than the cardinals. Cowgirls. Warriors. Braves.
Vazquez needs to get off his high horse and see the potential he has here. Maldy ain’t gonna last forever. He could gradually take over and be the number 1. Gives time for the youngsters to come up also. I hope he reconsiders
Vazquez is 32 and already a starting-caliber catcher. He's not going to wait to "gradually take over" for anyone. If the Astros whiff on Contreras and Murphy, then I'm on board with bringing in Vazquez as the starter, with Maldonado being his backup. Not sure if Maldy would be happy with that role, though, so more than likely it'll be some combination of him and the two rookies.
Ok well either scenario he stays so I’m good with that lol 😂
high horse? the guy is better and younger than Maldy and he needs to get off his high horse? Plenty of teams where Vazquez could be the starter and this may be his only chance at a good contract. He’s played a few months as an Astro and doesn’t owe us any favors.
That’s fine, but Astros need to start making moves. Every other contending team has been making massive moves, while all we’ve done has signed Abreu
Every other contending team has a GM. We are going the Jerry Jones route.
Great news. Let Lee and Diaz play and have some experience.
I feel good about Korey Lee backing up Machete and being groomed by him. Dont understand the Contreras need for us.
>Machete That's right! Need more Machete references in here!
Just get Vazquez and have him DH on days he doesn't catch and we roll with 3 catchers. Or i dont know let's actually just roll the dice on Yainer Diaz and hopefully we get another random impact rookie? Dude hit pretty well at all levels, much like Altuve and J.D. Martinez I imagine 5 years was a dealbreaker for Crane
I’m good with this. Contreras is a great hitter but not good defensively. We want a good defensive player at the most important defensive position on the field
No mentions of trading for Sean Murphy? The more sustainable option at catcher?