A note about stories behind a paywall: If I encounter a paywall, I let you know. There are some issues with some of the Chronicle links, I understand, but I'm able to get the full text, and I don't subscribe to the Chronicle. I'm trying to figure out how this is possible. Sorry if you run into it...
Split-squad game today! Scott Feldman starts against the Blue Jays (Gameday Audio) and Brad Peacock starts against the Pirates (MLB.tv) - both at 12:05pm Central.
*Ken Giles was trying to be too fine in yesterday's first loss of 2016. (Chron)
*The Astros can make a case for the best - and most fun - outfield in baseball. (Chron)
*Carlos Gomez is trying to tone down his swing. (MLB.com)
*File this under "I can't remember if we put this in a couple of days ago": Carlos Correa is the superstar-in-waiting MLB needs. (Yahoo)
*Colin Moran is more comfortable in his 2nd Spring Training with the Astros. He'll begin 2016 at
Triple-A Fresno (MLB.com). Luhnow:
He will hit for average, some power, but not a ton. At the end of the year, you look up and you've got a guy who's hitting .300 and maybe driving in 80 and scoring 80, and those guys are really valuable.
*Jeff Bagwell: Getting into the HOF is a big deal. (Chron)
*The Nationals and Astros are excited about Spring Training 2017. (TC Palm)
*Tony Clark thinks having more pre-draft medical information (think Brady Aiken) is a dangerous idea. (Chron)
*Rosters expanding to 40 on September 1 will soon be a thing of the past; stay for the note about the Astros being one of two teams to make the playoffs and have seven players on Baseball America's Top 100 prospects list. (Boston Globe)
*Sal Perez and awarding contract extensions out of fairness (FanGraphs)
*Jacob DeGrom refused to sign his $607,000 contract out of protest (ESPN)
*Camaraderie is a factor in how the Rays built their roster (Tampa Bay Times)
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
Showing posts with label Outfield. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Outfield. Show all posts
Sunday, March 6, 2016
Friday, February 5, 2016
Friday Morning Hot Links
*Be sure to read Jexas' write-up of the Town Hall with Hey-J Inch.
*Read the 3rd in our Cups of Coffee series on Larry Yount.
*The Astros outfield is solid, writes Brian McTaggart. You can never have too much pitching. Or outfielders. Or infielders. Or catchers.
The fact that four out of the five guys are basically center fielders or can play all three positions gives us a lot of flexibility to mix and match. I think it's about the best combination of outfielders in the league.
*Here's something we allwant to believe know: The Astros' future is bright.
*Former Phillies great Roy Oswalt will be inducted into the Round Rock Express Hall of Fame.
*Commissioner Rob Manfred slammed writers who judge Hall of Fame-eligible players for PED use based on their appearance.
*Today in Obviousness: MLB has greater parity than the NFL
*Read the 3rd in our Cups of Coffee series on Larry Yount.
*The Astros outfield is solid, writes Brian McTaggart. You can never have too much pitching. Or outfielders. Or infielders. Or catchers.
The fact that four out of the five guys are basically center fielders or can play all three positions gives us a lot of flexibility to mix and match. I think it's about the best combination of outfielders in the league.
*Here's something we all
*Former Phillies great Roy Oswalt will be inducted into the Round Rock Express Hall of Fame.
*Commissioner Rob Manfred slammed writers who judge Hall of Fame-eligible players for PED use based on their appearance.
*Today in Obviousness: MLB has greater parity than the NFL
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
Phew! Presley Avoids Arbitration!
Alex Presley signs for a cool million. Thank goodness he is locked up!! Another vital cog in the Astros rebuild in Houston for another year!
Unnecessary snark aside - and only written to support the headline - this is quite an interesting development. Lets start at the beginning, as I see it.
The Astros' 2015 roster has been taking shape for a few years now, and I am pretty sure most AC readers would be able to guess what most of it looks like next year. That guy Altuve will get a look. As will Springer and Singleton. Chris Carter had a great half-season, and with the scarcity of RH power in the Majors at the moment, he can also expect to be staying. The starting pitching is starting to sort itself out, with three slots pretty much decided for next season, barring injury. And in the 'pen, Fields, Qualls and Sipp form the backbone, with a bunch of other live arms getting the chance to establish themselves.
I find the outfield situation most fascinating at the moment. I count five outfielders for four or five slots, with a couple of potential guys knocking on the door. Springer, barring ongoing quadriceps issues, has RF locked up. Presley has just signed for a mil - perhaps that portends a trade, but it probably signals that he will be the fourth or fifth OF next year. Fowler is an established major-league player, and as Batguy elegantly pointed out, he was pretty decent offensively for an AL CF last year. Marisnick has nothing more to prove at AAA, and boasts better D - via both the eye and the stats - than Fowler. Grossman has been given a bunch of chances, and has managed to tease with elite OBP for decent periods that sandwich suckitude during his short career. The FO seems resistant to giving up on him.
L.J. Hoes and Domingo Santana round-out the 40-man outfielders - the former seems to be used as a contact-first platoon bat, and the latter seems to be the LF of the future, if he can get his strikeout percentage below 80%. Joe Sclafani - who has been taking some OF reps in the AFL - and Preston Tucker are also outside candidates to bolt onto the 40-man, and onto the active roster either at the start of the season, or part way through 2015.
As opposed to the rotation (where there is clearly room for an upgrade) or the infield (which desperately needs an upgrade), there is a plethora of similar talents in the outfield. All players there have their warts. A couple are capable of carrying a team offensively. The remainder need to have a go, so that Baseball can work out what the rest of their careers look like. Springer, Presley, Marisnick and Grossman are all cheap. Fowler projects to earn in the 10-million range in arbitration. Much can happen during Spring Training to upset the proverbial applecart, including injuries.
Gosh, this conversation would be quite different with one Julio Daniel Martinez still on the roster.
I am fascinated with Fowler. He is arguably the fourth best defensive CF on the roster. The Astros traded for him last year, and he has proven he can hit away from Coors Field. He has one year to go to free agency - which can be a bonus (qualifying offer) or loss (not going to be around for long), depending on your point of view. But trading Fowler means losing valuable production in an outfield where perhaps only Springer is the only other good candidate for an above-average bat. Fowler also isn't going to agree to a move away from CF anytime soon - that would cost him millions in free agency next year - so he is not going to suddenly agree to a move to LF to allow Marisnick to get the starts there.
Anyhow, what also makes the Presley signing interesting is that the Astros need to finalise the 40-man very shortly. The deadline is midnight ET, Thursday night, for the 40-man to be set, otherwise they would risk losing unprotected eligible players in December's Rule V draft.
By my count, the 40-man stands at 38. Continuing the maths, there are two players that are highly likely to be added to the 40-man: Vince Velasquez and Delino DeShields, who would take up the remaining two slots. Harder decisions will need to be made with catcher Roberto Pena, short-statured and young utility-man and infielder Ronald Torreyes and flame balling starter Michael Feliz. I would be a little surprised if two other eligible players - Danry Vasquez and Jandal Gustave - are added in the next 36-odd hours, especially at the expense of the five guys mentioned earlier in this paragraph. That is all I can think of that is worth a mention - please comment below if I have missed anyone important.
Of course, even if an unprotected player does get selected from the Astros, there is probably a greater-than-even chance they get returned - usually prior to the end of Spring Training. Roster spots are valuable, and aside from a couple of famous Rule V wins and losses, the Draft normally nets either useful pieces, like Marwin Gonzalez, or is a brief holiday for the player drafted before being returned to his original team.
If you want to add more than Valasquez and DeShields to the 40-man, then more spots would need to be created. Looking a little shaky with regards to being put through waivers - and obviously currently on the 40-man - are Marc Krauss, Anthony Bass, Sam Deduno, Jake Buchanan and Hoes, I would think. But that is pure speculation on my part, and I have been wrong before.
The wildcard in all of this 40-man spot creation is the catcher situation. Russell Martin just signed with the Jays for a cool 5-and-82, leaving a number of wealthy teams waiting at the alter. The Pirates, Cubs and Dodgers were all publicly linked to Martin, although none of those teams desperately need a catcher, with some probably-acceptable in-house options available. A bunch of other teams not mentioned could certainly use a catcher upgrade.
The Astros have four catchers on the 40-man, and not enough playing time to distribute between them, so that could create another 40-man slot, potentially via a trade, or a DFA. Obviously Castro and Conger aren't candidates for a DFA, but certainly are for a trade.
Lastly, with reference to the 40-man and Rule V draft, this year likely represents the first year in a while where the Astros will probably not be looking to draft Rule V players from other clubs. Technically, they passed on the opportunity to draft last year as well, because they consummated the Bass trade with the Padres immediately after grabbing someone with the 1-1 pick. But I would certainly be surprised if the Astros took anyone in the draft, and if they do, it will be a targeted player that they consider a direct upgrade over what they have available. Most likely a bullpen piece or infielder.
Going to be interesting.
Unnecessary snark aside - and only written to support the headline - this is quite an interesting development. Lets start at the beginning, as I see it.
The Astros' 2015 roster has been taking shape for a few years now, and I am pretty sure most AC readers would be able to guess what most of it looks like next year. That guy Altuve will get a look. As will Springer and Singleton. Chris Carter had a great half-season, and with the scarcity of RH power in the Majors at the moment, he can also expect to be staying. The starting pitching is starting to sort itself out, with three slots pretty much decided for next season, barring injury. And in the 'pen, Fields, Qualls and Sipp form the backbone, with a bunch of other live arms getting the chance to establish themselves.
I find the outfield situation most fascinating at the moment. I count five outfielders for four or five slots, with a couple of potential guys knocking on the door. Springer, barring ongoing quadriceps issues, has RF locked up. Presley has just signed for a mil - perhaps that portends a trade, but it probably signals that he will be the fourth or fifth OF next year. Fowler is an established major-league player, and as Batguy elegantly pointed out, he was pretty decent offensively for an AL CF last year. Marisnick has nothing more to prove at AAA, and boasts better D - via both the eye and the stats - than Fowler. Grossman has been given a bunch of chances, and has managed to tease with elite OBP for decent periods that sandwich suckitude during his short career. The FO seems resistant to giving up on him.
L.J. Hoes and Domingo Santana round-out the 40-man outfielders - the former seems to be used as a contact-first platoon bat, and the latter seems to be the LF of the future, if he can get his strikeout percentage below 80%. Joe Sclafani - who has been taking some OF reps in the AFL - and Preston Tucker are also outside candidates to bolt onto the 40-man, and onto the active roster either at the start of the season, or part way through 2015.
As opposed to the rotation (where there is clearly room for an upgrade) or the infield (which desperately needs an upgrade), there is a plethora of similar talents in the outfield. All players there have their warts. A couple are capable of carrying a team offensively. The remainder need to have a go, so that Baseball can work out what the rest of their careers look like. Springer, Presley, Marisnick and Grossman are all cheap. Fowler projects to earn in the 10-million range in arbitration. Much can happen during Spring Training to upset the proverbial applecart, including injuries.
Gosh, this conversation would be quite different with one Julio Daniel Martinez still on the roster.
I am fascinated with Fowler. He is arguably the fourth best defensive CF on the roster. The Astros traded for him last year, and he has proven he can hit away from Coors Field. He has one year to go to free agency - which can be a bonus (qualifying offer) or loss (not going to be around for long), depending on your point of view. But trading Fowler means losing valuable production in an outfield where perhaps only Springer is the only other good candidate for an above-average bat. Fowler also isn't going to agree to a move away from CF anytime soon - that would cost him millions in free agency next year - so he is not going to suddenly agree to a move to LF to allow Marisnick to get the starts there.
Anyhow, what also makes the Presley signing interesting is that the Astros need to finalise the 40-man very shortly. The deadline is midnight ET, Thursday night, for the 40-man to be set, otherwise they would risk losing unprotected eligible players in December's Rule V draft.
By my count, the 40-man stands at 38. Continuing the maths, there are two players that are highly likely to be added to the 40-man: Vince Velasquez and Delino DeShields, who would take up the remaining two slots. Harder decisions will need to be made with catcher Roberto Pena, short-statured and young utility-man and infielder Ronald Torreyes and flame balling starter Michael Feliz. I would be a little surprised if two other eligible players - Danry Vasquez and Jandal Gustave - are added in the next 36-odd hours, especially at the expense of the five guys mentioned earlier in this paragraph. That is all I can think of that is worth a mention - please comment below if I have missed anyone important.
Of course, even if an unprotected player does get selected from the Astros, there is probably a greater-than-even chance they get returned - usually prior to the end of Spring Training. Roster spots are valuable, and aside from a couple of famous Rule V wins and losses, the Draft normally nets either useful pieces, like Marwin Gonzalez, or is a brief holiday for the player drafted before being returned to his original team.
If you want to add more than Valasquez and DeShields to the 40-man, then more spots would need to be created. Looking a little shaky with regards to being put through waivers - and obviously currently on the 40-man - are Marc Krauss, Anthony Bass, Sam Deduno, Jake Buchanan and Hoes, I would think. But that is pure speculation on my part, and I have been wrong before.
The wildcard in all of this 40-man spot creation is the catcher situation. Russell Martin just signed with the Jays for a cool 5-and-82, leaving a number of wealthy teams waiting at the alter. The Pirates, Cubs and Dodgers were all publicly linked to Martin, although none of those teams desperately need a catcher, with some probably-acceptable in-house options available. A bunch of other teams not mentioned could certainly use a catcher upgrade.
The Astros have four catchers on the 40-man, and not enough playing time to distribute between them, so that could create another 40-man slot, potentially via a trade, or a DFA. Obviously Castro and Conger aren't candidates for a DFA, but certainly are for a trade.
Lastly, with reference to the 40-man and Rule V draft, this year likely represents the first year in a while where the Astros will probably not be looking to draft Rule V players from other clubs. Technically, they passed on the opportunity to draft last year as well, because they consummated the Bass trade with the Padres immediately after grabbing someone with the 1-1 pick. But I would certainly be surprised if the Astros took anyone in the draft, and if they do, it will be a targeted player that they consider a direct upgrade over what they have available. Most likely a bullpen piece or infielder.
Going to be interesting.
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Astros looking for outfield bat
Finally! NEWZ! Jeff Luhnow told new Astros beat writer Evan Drellich that the Astros were really looking for more production from the outfield...which makes sense since Astros outfielders hit .242/.294/.367 as a unit in 2013 (2013 AL average slash line for an outfielder was .260/.322/.412).
Luhnow, speaking from the GM and Owner's Meetings in Orlando, told Drellich that it's why they went hard after Jose Dariel Abreu (to watch Abreu sign with the White Sox). If you look at what the Astros have in the infield...(according to Luhnow, click the link for context)
1B/DH: Carter, Wallace (!), Krauss
2B: Altuve
3B: Dominguez
SS: Villar
That's pretty much set. Luhnow mentioned the possibility of acquiring a third baseman, but "where would Dominguez play?"
Luhnow:
Really our opportunity is to add another offensive weapon is in the outfield.
How would they do such a thing? By considering the possibility of trading some young talent (because you don't have to convince a traded player to play for you), a possibility Drellich says is furthered by the fact that Luhnow has already begun conversations with other teams.
Again, Luhnow:
We’ve been accumulating talent and the idea is to use that talent to help us win at the major league level. Whether that comes through trades or players naturally getting there and playing for us, we have to consider all of our alternatives. We know we need to improve at the big league level, and it needs to start next year and it needs to be significant.
Of course there is a larger strategy at work:
So we’re not going to do anything to block any of our players or disrupt their development. But you can argue that we’re in a position where we have some areas of excess in terms of future talent, and we could potentially use some of that to get something.
Where is that excess? Pitching? We'll see how this unfolds, but at least there is something to actually talk and think about now...
UPDATE: The Phillies just signed Marlon Byrd to a 2yr/$16m deal. And he's 36 years old. And was suspended for testing positive for PEDs. As TCB pointed out, acquiring a premier offensive outfielder through free agency just got a little more expensive.
Luhnow, speaking from the GM and Owner's Meetings in Orlando, told Drellich that it's why they went hard after Jose Dariel Abreu (to watch Abreu sign with the White Sox). If you look at what the Astros have in the infield...(according to Luhnow, click the link for context)
1B/DH: Carter, Wallace (!), Krauss
2B: Altuve
3B: Dominguez
SS: Villar
That's pretty much set. Luhnow mentioned the possibility of acquiring a third baseman, but "where would Dominguez play?"
Luhnow:
Really our opportunity is to add another offensive weapon is in the outfield.
How would they do such a thing? By considering the possibility of trading some young talent (because you don't have to convince a traded player to play for you), a possibility Drellich says is furthered by the fact that Luhnow has already begun conversations with other teams.
Again, Luhnow:
We’ve been accumulating talent and the idea is to use that talent to help us win at the major league level. Whether that comes through trades or players naturally getting there and playing for us, we have to consider all of our alternatives. We know we need to improve at the big league level, and it needs to start next year and it needs to be significant.
Of course there is a larger strategy at work:
So we’re not going to do anything to block any of our players or disrupt their development. But you can argue that we’re in a position where we have some areas of excess in terms of future talent, and we could potentially use some of that to get something.
Where is that excess? Pitching? We'll see how this unfolds, but at least there is something to actually talk and think about now...
UPDATE: The Phillies just signed Marlon Byrd to a 2yr/$16m deal. And he's 36 years old. And was suspended for testing positive for PEDs. As TCB pointed out, acquiring a premier offensive outfielder through free agency just got a little more expensive.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Good Lord, this outfield is brutal
Outfielders are supposed to be your power guys, right? So how do we explain what's happening with the Astros outfield? Aside from Jordan Schafer, who isn't looking as impressive lately (hitting .219/.278/.315 with 24Ks in 79 plate appearances since April 21), the outfield has been a black hole, "hitting" a collective .221/.316/.315. That .631 is bad. How bad? Well, it's 15th out of 16 in the National League, and 29th out of 30 in All O'Baseball, with only the Cubs' outfield faring worse than the Astros' outfielders, with a .240/.307/.317 line (.624 OPS). The Indians (.641) and Nationals (.639 OPS) are right there with the Astros, as well. Except the Nationals are leading the NL in ERA at 2.80 and WHIP at 1.10, and are 2nd in the NL with a 2.97 K:BB ratio. I don't think anyone knows how Cleveland is doing what they're doing. Perhaps a deal with Satan is involved.
So what about the Astros? How do they fix it? I honestly don't know that they can. Brian Bogusevic is the Old Man in the Outfield, at 28. J.D. Martinez, who, despite getting two hits in his last 42 plate appearances, has the highest OPS of any Astro to see time in the outfield, at .688 (and, as I type this, he just got a single).
Justin Ruggiano has a .997 OPS in 35 games (126 PAs), but the 30-year old probably isn't in the Astros' long-term OF plans. However, Fernando Martinez - at 23 - is raking at Oklahoma City, hitting .326/.376/522, with 25K:1BB in 153 PAs (coming into the afternoon game today). He's 21st in the Pacific Coast League in OPS with 100+ PAs, and only Anthony Rizzo, Mike Trout and Adam Eaton are younger than Martinez on this list.
Consider that Martinez has a career .276/.337/.475 line in parts of four seasons at Triple-A, and the average hitter in the PCL is 26.6 years old. Over 2010-11, Martinez struck out in 23.3% of his plate appearances, which right now (prior to today's game) is sitting at 16.3%. Can that translate into Major League success? It hasn't so far for Martinez, albeit in 145 injury-riddled plate appearances.
Is he an option for the Astros? That would involve doing something with Bogusevic or J.D. Martinez. With J.D. Martinez' iffy knees, that would likely push Fernando Martinez to RF (even though he's spent most of his outfield time in LF), which would involve moving Bogusevic...somewhere. And there's also the issue of Justin Maxwell.
There's just not a clean answer here.
So what about the Astros? How do they fix it? I honestly don't know that they can. Brian Bogusevic is the Old Man in the Outfield, at 28. J.D. Martinez, who, despite getting two hits in his last 42 plate appearances, has the highest OPS of any Astro to see time in the outfield, at .688 (and, as I type this, he just got a single).
Justin Ruggiano has a .997 OPS in 35 games (126 PAs), but the 30-year old probably isn't in the Astros' long-term OF plans. However, Fernando Martinez - at 23 - is raking at Oklahoma City, hitting .326/.376/522, with 25K:1BB in 153 PAs (coming into the afternoon game today). He's 21st in the Pacific Coast League in OPS with 100+ PAs, and only Anthony Rizzo, Mike Trout and Adam Eaton are younger than Martinez on this list.
Consider that Martinez has a career .276/.337/.475 line in parts of four seasons at Triple-A, and the average hitter in the PCL is 26.6 years old. Over 2010-11, Martinez struck out in 23.3% of his plate appearances, which right now (prior to today's game) is sitting at 16.3%. Can that translate into Major League success? It hasn't so far for Martinez, albeit in 145 injury-riddled plate appearances.
Is he an option for the Astros? That would involve doing something with Bogusevic or J.D. Martinez. With J.D. Martinez' iffy knees, that would likely push Fernando Martinez to RF (even though he's spent most of his outfield time in LF), which would involve moving Bogusevic...somewhere. And there's also the issue of Justin Maxwell.
There's just not a clean answer here.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
At least someone is excited about the possibility of a Cust/Lee outfield
Over at the Platoon Advantage, they tackle the possibility of history and the 2012 Astros - namely in just how terrible a defensive outfield would be if it included Carlos Lee and Jack Cust.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
So. Many. Outfielders.
In the wake of the Fernando Martinez waiver claim, here are the other outfielders vying for spots in 2012, with 2011 stats:
Brian Bogusevic: .287/.348/.457 (182 PAs)
Jason Bourgeois: .294/.323/.357 (238 PAs)
Carlos Lee: .275/.342/.446 (653 PAs)
J.D. Martinez: .274/.319/.423 (226 PAs)
Jordan Schafer: .242/.309/.315 (337 PAs)
J.B. Shuck: .272/.359/.321 (92 PAs)
Brian Bogusevic: .287/.348/.457 (182 PAs)
Jason Bourgeois: .294/.323/.357 (238 PAs)
Carlos Lee: .275/.342/.446 (653 PAs)
J.D. Martinez: .274/.319/.423 (226 PAs)
Jordan Schafer: .242/.309/.315 (337 PAs)
J.B. Shuck: .272/.359/.321 (92 PAs)
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