Silent For Too Long said:
I'm sorry brother, but there simply is noo way he has cost us a dozen wins.
He's a plus win manager for his career. Five thirty eight has articles objectively analyzing this. Google it.
As far as Maldy is concerned, a future hall pf fame manager, a future hall of fame Pitcher, and a perennial all star pitcher, all prefer him behind the dish. Shouldn't that be enough to queue in that maybe, just maybe, his encyclopediac knowledge on batter weaknesses, and his ability to keep pitchers locked in, more then make up for his lack of hitting?
I'm just saying. I love Diaz. He's clearly the Astros future. But the fact that very,very proven Baseball veterans are choosing to stick with Maldy screams that he's providing a big boost to the team that doesn't show up on boxscores?
And, IDEALLY, sending Diaz a message hat his peers strongly prefer a catcher with Maldy's studios approach should develope him into a better all around catcher?
Just my thoughts on the subject based off available data. Their has to be a reason Kate, Dusty, and Framber all want him. Maybe we just eat some humble pie on this subject and accept there are things we simply aren't privy too that those in the know are?
And relax?
And enjoy the season?
Sigh...first of all, I had said half a dozen. There's a BIG difference between 6 and 12 wins. He's been a manager of supremely talented teams throughout his career and that plays a big part of it. Look at AJ as skipper for us versus Detroit.
As for Maldy's encyclopedic knowledge of batter weaknesses, surely that translates to ERA and WHIP behind the plate compared to when Diaz catches....OOPS, it doesn't. Certainly didn't need Maldy's wizardry when we threw a combined no hitter in the World Series but whatever.
Also, Maldy leads the league in passed balls and his machete is certainly in need of sharpening, especially compared to Diaz, who has thrown out TWICE as many runners comparatively.
As to pitcher preference, I've said several times I absolutely want Maldy catching Framber, you'll get no argument from me there. As to JV's preference, it's likely familiarity but I could see JV getting frustrated eventually if he has a few more 3-1 or 3-2 losses hung around his neck (at least last game we mashed).
The rest of the staff don't have the juice to dictate who they pitch to so that's all on Dusty.
Bottom line, he's finally got the lineup right, something we've been begging him to do for MONTHS so that's a huge positive. Maldy's bat is starting to get a little warm so hopefully that will mitigate some of Dusty's stubborness.