There might be. He just needs to have the majority of his PAs vs LHP where he has a career .786 OPS. It's going to be on Dusty to use his correctly and not as JV's designated CFer to prevent runners from going first to third.
***Official Houston Astros 2022-23 Offseason Thread***
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Last: 1 yr ago by Beat40
That's fan stuff
Dubon probably gets close to 300 at bats, and Astros win the West with ease.W said:
if Dubon gets 300 at-bats in 2023...something has gone really, really wrong with the season
Is that something really really wrong with the season?
Agreed. I've had a chance to think about it a little more since yesterday.Harry Dunne said:
I agree with that reasoning.
I don't think I'd have a problem with Dubon being an emergency backup who gets the rare start and plays late game defense. You'd rather have him there than a young guy who needs the ABs.
The problem is that Dusty is going to give him 300 ABs, and that being the case he is such a bad hitter that I'd rather give a young infielder who might eventually be something the playing time rather than throw them away on dead-end Dubon.
Even though he can play CF and started 29 games there last year, I don't think he should be playing there this year. Last year, we had Chas + Jake had a bum shoulder + Dusty had his weird "first to third" theory with JV. This year, we have Chas + the need to evaluate healthy Jake + a few guys at AAA who will likely be knocking on the door by midseason + no more special CF for JV. I don't see why he should be getting CF reps.
So any roster value he adds is on the infield. And from that perspective, I get it. We lost Diaz and we don't know exactly what we have with Hensley. In the near term, Hensley needs to get most of the infield utility reps so we can answer that question, but it's probly not worth the risk to go into a season without another option.
One wild card to this discussion is if adding 20 pounds of muscle will help Dubon hit for a little more power. If he can boost his OPS to .700+, he can become a plus version of Diaz and easily justify his roster spot.
But if he stays sub .600, it's hard to justify giving him ABs. I'm fine finding a way to stash him in case of emergency (ie put him on IL with a fake injury or just let him ride the pine/mop up duty). You're probly right that Dusty is gonna give him 200-300 ABs regardless of how he's hitting though.
Which OF who plays center are we calling "knocking on the door"
Because Justin "thicc" Dirden doesn't play CF. I e seen that referenced a few times but he is a corner outfielder
Because Justin "thicc" Dirden doesn't play CF. I e seen that referenced a few times but he is a corner outfielder
He can definitely play CF. He's played there alot in the minors and has played there a few times this spring. With a rangy RF like Tucker next to him, it would definitely be possible.Lonestar_Ag09 said:
Which OF who plays center are we calling "knocking on the door"
Because Justin "thicc" Dirden doesn't play CF. I e seen that referenced a few times but he is a corner outfielder
Curious why you think he can't. Have you seen Dusty or Brown explicitly say he can't?
Astros lineup to face Justin Verlander for the first time since he's left the team.
— Michael Schwab (@michaelschwab13) March 10, 2023
Shawn Dubin on the mound pic.twitter.com/hxGZgtbsZw
The personal center fielder bats leadoff
He’s everywhere I go. 😭 pic.twitter.com/pB8Cp3ufJ4
— Archbishop Deshaies (@HouCounterplot) March 10, 2023
EastCoastAgNc said:Thank you, @el_yuly10 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/iuv9LrOXWC
— APOLLO @ SPRING TRAINING 🌴 (@ApolloHOU) March 10, 2023
Is this game being aired on TV?EastCoastAgNc said:Astros lineup to face Justin Verlander for the first time since he's left the team.
— Michael Schwab (@michaelschwab13) March 10, 2023
Shawn Dubin on the mound pic.twitter.com/hxGZgtbsZw
The personal center fielder bats leadoff
Mets are carrying a broadcast on SNY. MLB.tv should have the feed, but if you don't have that, I'm sure there are other illicit places it can be found. Watch out for computer herpes.AggieNiebs said:Is this game being aired on TV?EastCoastAgNc said:Astros lineup to face Justin Verlander for the first time since he's left the team.
— Michael Schwab (@michaelschwab13) March 10, 2023
Shawn Dubin on the mound pic.twitter.com/hxGZgtbsZw
The personal center fielder bats leadoff
Dana Brown said this week that extensions for Alex Bregman and Jose Altuve will be more of an emphasis next year than this one - https://t.co/Bb9TLOqUIu
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 10, 2023
Altuve's should absolutely wait. Right now we'd be buying high. Bregman on the other hand is probably going to be about the same. But if Crane/Brown are maxing out at a 7 year deal then another year makes a difference. A 5 year extension vs a 6 year extension.
Forrest Whitley will start tomorrow’s game against the Cardinals and Hunter Brown will start Sunday against the Marlins.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 10, 2023
Today's matchup is a $284 million ace against a former soccer player who gave up baseball twice, had the sport discontinued at one of his four college stops, signed with the Astros for $1,000 and is now on the 40-man. On Shawn Dubin from a few years ago - https://t.co/PGBNEuqvJI
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 10, 2023
I just realized the count is off again so it's double duty on the countdown.
At #21 we have a bevy of Astros greats, most recently Zack Greinke who wore the # from 2019-2021. He was everything we wanted in 2019, going 8-1 with a 3.02 ERA in 10 games after a trade, 3-3 in the COVID year, and 11-6 but with a 4.16 ERA in 2021. He was not nearly as successful in the post-season, going 0-2 in 2019, 1-0 in 2020 and not getting a decision in 2021, although he pitched well against the Braves in the World Series. He did bat .500 in 2019 though.
Prior to Zach Attack, a lot of fast guys wore the #, including Brian L. Hunter, Michael Bourn, Dexter Fowler ( I guess), and Derek Fisher, known around Houston for scoring the game-winning run in our epic 13-12 win over the Dodgers in Game 5 of the 2017 WS. Bourn came over in the Lidge trade in 2007 and was a really exciting player, leading the league in steals in 2009, 2010, and 2011, when we traded him to the Braves for 4 not very good players. I did not know the Astros originally drafted him in 2000.
The Pride of Deer Park, Andy Pettite wore #21 in 2004-2005. He was worth every penny in 2005, going 17-9 with a 2.39 ERA.
Two of the Astros' biggest a-holes have also wore #21 - Phil Nevin and Mitch Meluskey. Fun fact, the Astros could have taken Jeter instead of Nevin in the draft, and when they took Nevin, scout Hal Newhouser quit the team in protest. In 1995 when he got sent to Tucson after hitting .117 in 60 at bats, he cussed out Terry Collins and Bob Watson. The Astros made him the "player to be named later" barely a month later when they traded for Mike Henneman.
Mitch Meluskey one upped Nevin by punching another player in the face. Meluskey broke out in 2000 with an incredible year, hitting .300 with 14 HR and 69 RBI for the team. But on June 11, he punched Matt Mieske in the face when Meluskey was late for batting practice, tried to cut in front of Mieske, and words were exchanged.
Craig Biggio's comments to the media about Meluskey after the fight were the rough equivalent of dousing him in gasoline and then throwing him into the Earth's molten core.
"To me, it has everything to do with respect," Biggio said, noting that Mieske is in his 11th year in pro ball. "You know, some people have it and some people don't. I'm going to leave it at that. There's no way in the world something like that should happen."
That winter, Meluskey got traded with Roger Cedeno and Chris Holt to the Tigers for Doug Brocail, Brad Ausmus, and Nelson Cruz. Pretty sure we traded for Ausmus 6 different times from Detroit.
Going back even further, you have three popular Astros wearing the number.
First came Norm Miller, who wore it from 1967-1973. Mostly a reserve for his career, Miller debuted with the Astros when he was 19 and played all three OF positions.
Next came Greg Gross, who wore #21. He was runner-up for NL ROY in 1974 when he hit .314, with 185hits and an OBP of .393. He also somehow stole 12 bases but was caught 20 times. He played 3 years before getting traded and returned to the team in 1989 for a last hurrah, which included pitching an inning in a 17-5 loss to the Pirates. It should come as no surprise to you that Jim Clancy started that game. The Astros let Craig Reynolds pitch the 7th (ERA 27) and Greg Gross the 8th (ERA 18). Gross struck out Jose Lind in his inning.
And last but certainly not least, my brother's all-time favorite Astro Terry Puhl wore #21 from 1977-1990. The pride of Canada, Puhl almost always hit for a high average (.280 career), stole bases, had a slick glove and never seemed to complain when he lost playing time to the Astros' flavor of the month. He was an All-Star in 1978 when he hit .289 with 32 steals. Had the Astros won the 1980 NLCS, he would have been the MVP, hitting .526 with a 1.222 OPS, going 10 for 19.
At #21 we have a bevy of Astros greats, most recently Zack Greinke who wore the # from 2019-2021. He was everything we wanted in 2019, going 8-1 with a 3.02 ERA in 10 games after a trade, 3-3 in the COVID year, and 11-6 but with a 4.16 ERA in 2021. He was not nearly as successful in the post-season, going 0-2 in 2019, 1-0 in 2020 and not getting a decision in 2021, although he pitched well against the Braves in the World Series. He did bat .500 in 2019 though.
Prior to Zach Attack, a lot of fast guys wore the #, including Brian L. Hunter, Michael Bourn, Dexter Fowler ( I guess), and Derek Fisher, known around Houston for scoring the game-winning run in our epic 13-12 win over the Dodgers in Game 5 of the 2017 WS. Bourn came over in the Lidge trade in 2007 and was a really exciting player, leading the league in steals in 2009, 2010, and 2011, when we traded him to the Braves for 4 not very good players. I did not know the Astros originally drafted him in 2000.
The Pride of Deer Park, Andy Pettite wore #21 in 2004-2005. He was worth every penny in 2005, going 17-9 with a 2.39 ERA.
Two of the Astros' biggest a-holes have also wore #21 - Phil Nevin and Mitch Meluskey. Fun fact, the Astros could have taken Jeter instead of Nevin in the draft, and when they took Nevin, scout Hal Newhouser quit the team in protest. In 1995 when he got sent to Tucson after hitting .117 in 60 at bats, he cussed out Terry Collins and Bob Watson. The Astros made him the "player to be named later" barely a month later when they traded for Mike Henneman.
Mitch Meluskey one upped Nevin by punching another player in the face. Meluskey broke out in 2000 with an incredible year, hitting .300 with 14 HR and 69 RBI for the team. But on June 11, he punched Matt Mieske in the face when Meluskey was late for batting practice, tried to cut in front of Mieske, and words were exchanged.
Craig Biggio's comments to the media about Meluskey after the fight were the rough equivalent of dousing him in gasoline and then throwing him into the Earth's molten core.
"To me, it has everything to do with respect," Biggio said, noting that Mieske is in his 11th year in pro ball. "You know, some people have it and some people don't. I'm going to leave it at that. There's no way in the world something like that should happen."
That winter, Meluskey got traded with Roger Cedeno and Chris Holt to the Tigers for Doug Brocail, Brad Ausmus, and Nelson Cruz. Pretty sure we traded for Ausmus 6 different times from Detroit.
Going back even further, you have three popular Astros wearing the number.
First came Norm Miller, who wore it from 1967-1973. Mostly a reserve for his career, Miller debuted with the Astros when he was 19 and played all three OF positions.
Next came Greg Gross, who wore #21. He was runner-up for NL ROY in 1974 when he hit .314, with 185hits and an OBP of .393. He also somehow stole 12 bases but was caught 20 times. He played 3 years before getting traded and returned to the team in 1989 for a last hurrah, which included pitching an inning in a 17-5 loss to the Pirates. It should come as no surprise to you that Jim Clancy started that game. The Astros let Craig Reynolds pitch the 7th (ERA 27) and Greg Gross the 8th (ERA 18). Gross struck out Jose Lind in his inning.
And last but certainly not least, my brother's all-time favorite Astro Terry Puhl wore #21 from 1977-1990. The pride of Canada, Puhl almost always hit for a high average (.280 career), stole bases, had a slick glove and never seemed to complain when he lost playing time to the Astros' flavor of the month. He was an All-Star in 1978 when he hit .289 with 32 steals. Had the Astros won the 1980 NLCS, he would have been the MVP, hitting .526 with a 1.222 OPS, going 10 for 19.
Life is better with a beagle
FWIW- the organization thinks he can play CF in a pinch but they don't see him as a full time CF.Deluxe said:He can definitely play CF. He's played there alot in the minors and has played there a few times this spring. With a rangy RF like Tucker next to him, it would definitely be possible.Lonestar_Ag09 said:
Which OF who plays center are we calling "knocking on the door"
Because Justin "thicc" Dirden doesn't play CF. I e seen that referenced a few times but he is a corner outfielder
Curious why you think he can't. Have you seen Dusty or Brown explicitly say he can't?
and finally caught up with #20 as it actually is 20 days until opening day.
#20 is all Chazzy Fizzy, and his legendary catch to save Game 5 of the World Series last year. Let's watch it on repeat another 50 times, shall we? If you really want to have fun frame by framing it, watch all the Phillies fans in the front row as they think it's a HR, then at the last second all look down to realize it's an out.
Bud Norris inhabited #20 for 5 seasons, but before that it was Tony Eusebio's choice of fashion from 1994-2001. Eusebio could hit like amother, including .299 in 1995 when he caught 113 games. He also hit .375 across 7 career post-season games with a 1.006 OBP. In 2000, he had a 24-game hit streak, that was the Astros record for a number of years. The streak came over the course of 45 games in 51 days. In 1994 he hit .625 in training camp and took the starting catcher job from Scott Servais.
Eusebio is also the main culprit of my favorite all-time Astros post-game interview. After catching a game for the 6-10 Randy Johnson, the 6-4 Eusebio was asked how intimidating Johnson was for batter and replied. "Well Randy is really tall, he's like 6-6 or 6-7 and guys are scared to face him."
#20 is all Chazzy Fizzy, and his legendary catch to save Game 5 of the World Series last year. Let's watch it on repeat another 50 times, shall we? If you really want to have fun frame by framing it, watch all the Phillies fans in the front row as they think it's a HR, then at the last second all look down to realize it's an out.
Bud Norris inhabited #20 for 5 seasons, but before that it was Tony Eusebio's choice of fashion from 1994-2001. Eusebio could hit like amother, including .299 in 1995 when he caught 113 games. He also hit .375 across 7 career post-season games with a 1.006 OBP. In 2000, he had a 24-game hit streak, that was the Astros record for a number of years. The streak came over the course of 45 games in 51 days. In 1994 he hit .625 in training camp and took the starting catcher job from Scott Servais.
Eusebio is also the main culprit of my favorite all-time Astros post-game interview. After catching a game for the 6-10 Randy Johnson, the 6-4 Eusebio was asked how intimidating Johnson was for batter and replied. "Well Randy is really tall, he's like 6-6 or 6-7 and guys are scared to face him."
Life is better with a beagle
Astros manager Dusty Baker said Yordan Alvarez began swinging a bat today in the batting cage.
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) March 10, 2023
Michael Brantley is still away from the Astros tending to a family matter, Dusty Baker said. It’s looking increasingly unlikely he’ll be ready for opening day.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 10, 2023
So would that all but guarantee Dirden makes Opening Day?EastCoastAgNc said:Michael Brantley is still away from the Astros tending to a family matter, Dusty Baker said. It’s looking increasingly unlikely he’ll be ready for opening day.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 10, 2023
Either him or Jake Meyers and Chas both make the squad. I think when Brantley is back, only one of those is on the 40 man.AggieNiebs said:So would that all but guarantee Dirden makes Opening Day?EastCoastAgNc said:Michael Brantley is still away from the Astros tending to a family matter, Dusty Baker said. It’s looking increasingly unlikely he’ll be ready for opening day.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 10, 2023
Yea I'm pretty sure I've heard that in interview and an article.
Keep in mind that if Dirden gets added to the 40 man, someone has to come off. I think the 40 man is full right now.EastCoastAgNc said:Either him or Jake Meyers and Chas both make the squad. I think when Brantley is back, only one of those is on the 40 man.AggieNiebs said:So would that all but guarantee Dirden makes Opening Day?EastCoastAgNc said:Michael Brantley is still away from the Astros tending to a family matter, Dusty Baker said. It’s looking increasingly unlikely he’ll be ready for opening day.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 10, 2023
Has Phil Maton pitched in a game this spring? I think given the bullpen performance in the postseason, he's a candidate for DFA or trade.
Absolutely no way he gets DFA'd
Good grief, I'm blubbering like a baby after watching this. If you didn't watch it when it was posted a couple days ago, do yourself a favor and check it out. You'll be reminded yet again what an outstanding person George is.All I do is Nguyen said:Of all the players we have lost over the years, I miss Springer the most.agproducer said:
Here is the full George story -- about 10 minutes long.
Got a little misty."I just saw a kid that I was... I had been in that position and knew, felt and understood exactly everything he was going through." - George Springer
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) March 2, 2023
The story of Mateo Sanchez and the @BlueJays star, as told by @castrovince. pic.twitter.com/XdyF70E2P2
Right. He can play CF if that's what the circumstances dictate. I was pushing back against a poster who said he "doesn't" play CF. He does.texasaggie2015 said:
FWIW- the organization thinks he can play CF in a pinch but they don't see him as a full time CF.
What his full time position ends up being when/if he makes the show will be driven by other factors (mainly roster need). Our next visible OF opening is in LF after this year when Brantley is a FA. If there's injury issues at any OF position this year and he's killing it at AAA, he'll be a strong candidate to fill in.
Nevin had a pretty good career, but if he had been as good as the thought he was based on his college career he would have been a first ballot HOF lock. He might have gotten away with cussing Collins who never was that popular in the Astros clubhouse or organization I thought, but Watson was a bridge too far.Quote:
Two of the Astros' biggest a-holes have also wore #21 - Phil Nevin and Mitch Meluskey. Fun fact, the Astros could have taken Jeter instead of Nevin in the draft, and when they took Nevin, scout Hal Newhouser quit the team in protest. In 1995 when he got sent to Tucson after hitting .117 in 60 at bats, he cussed out Terry Collins and Bob Watson.
I've enjoyed your countdown Porkchop, it's brought back some good memories. But some pretty bad ones too. It's kind of like eating a sweet chocolate cake, with a bunch of nasty little cockleburs baked inside.
Dusty Baker on Yuli Gurriel's deal with the Marlins: "He was one of my favorites. I'm glad he got a job ... We were entertaining him coming back here because he's not through. This is a good spot, because if he makes this team, he's right at home."
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 10, 2023
Yeah Collins seemed like a d*bag, but reading that article, I thought to myself - if Watson hadn't been in a suit that day, he probably would have beaten the **** out of Phil Nevin.
Life is better with a beagle
I assume we're going to have 13 position players.AggieNiebs said:So would that all but guarantee Dirden makes Opening Day?EastCoastAgNc said:Michael Brantley is still away from the Astros tending to a family matter, Dusty Baker said. It’s looking increasingly unlikely he’ll be ready for opening day.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 10, 2023
C - Maldonado
1st - Abreu
2nd - Altuve
SS - Pena
3rd - Bregman
LF - Alvarez (50/50 split with Brantley, but he's out for opening)
CF - McCormick
RF - Tucker
Bench: Lee or Diaz (maybe both), Meyers, Dubon, Hensley.
Even with Brantley out, Dirden is going to have to beat out Meyers or you leave one of the catchers in AAA. If Lee is the main back up then I find a spot for Diaz. He can DH, play some 1B, LF even (/?), and catch once a week. His bat tool is good enough to find a spot to see if he's ready.
As its already been brought up, who's leaving the 40 man for Dirden?
Add another one for the IL for NY.
Harrison Bader Has Oblique Strain, Likely To Open Season On Injured List https://t.co/FDvHcRT8Gt pic.twitter.com/WJ689TQ8Oo
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) March 10, 2023
I'm starting to get a little worried about Yordan.
Life is better with a beagle
The Porkchop Express said:
I'm starting to get a little worried about Yordan.
If he went a couple months without playing and had issues before even swinging a bat then I imagine it's not gonna magically go away once the season starts.
I'm guessing it'll be a day or two off a week throughout the season.
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