CFTXAG10 said:

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"First thing is to find a backup catcher for Diaz"

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I'll be interested to hear how Diaz responds to this transition. I don't remember the reason behind his apparent lack of interest in past years- was it the catching position specifically, or defense in general? I know Ketch indicated that he really committed himself to learning the job this past year... I just hope this news causes him to double down and not coast.

And that is 100% speculation. I have zero reason to think he'd slack off, other than his attitude some years ago. I expect he'd be all in, I just look forward to hearing about that in a couple of months.

Marvin said:

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I really like the idea of adding another starter, even if it's a back end kind of guy. It might help keep the inning counts down which would really show benefit at the end of the year, especially if Garcia and LMJ come back.

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2 ways to address the bullpen. Go get proven relief pitching or go get proven starting pitching and shift unproven starters from this year to the pen.

I almost hope it's the latter because it gives you more options down the road to the playoffs.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cxdaesnu87P/?igshid=MTc4MmM1YmI2Ng==

And the deadline. I think we're good enough to go in with just 1 more bullpen piece (lefty please). Then address SP & RP again in July.

AgLA06 said:

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Marvin said:

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I really like the idea of adding another starter, even if it's a back end kind of guy. It might help keep the inning counts down which would really show benefit at the end of the year, especially if Garcia and LMJ come back.

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2 ways to address the bullpen. Go get proven relief pitching or go get proven starting pitching and shift unproven starters from this year to the pen.

I almost hope it's the latter because it gives you more options down the road to the playoffs.

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I'm with you on that, hence my post, but I do think we need a stopper/hold kind of guy for the 7th inning or to put out a fire when the starter gets pulled.

Marvin said:

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I really like the idea of adding another starter, even if it's a back end kind of guy. It might help keep the inning counts down which would really show benefit at the end of the year, especially if Garcia and LMJ come back.

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But, I was told we didn't need to look at starting pitching.

Farmer1906 said:

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And the deadline. I think we're good enough to go in with just 1 more bullpen piece (lefty please). Then address SP & RP again in July.

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Of course. I should have said in the off season. You see what assuming got me.

Marvin said:

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AgLA06 said:

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Marvin said:

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I really like the idea of adding another starter, even if it's a back end kind of guy. It might help keep the inning counts down which would really show benefit at the end of the year, especially if Garcia and LMJ come back.

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2 ways to address the bullpen. Go get proven relief pitching or go get proven starting pitching and shift unproven starters from this year to the pen.

I almost hope it's the latter because it gives you more options down the road to the playoffs.

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I'm with you on that, hence my post, but I do think we need a stopper/hold kind of guy for the 7th inning or to put out a fire when the starter gets pulled.

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It would be nice. Probably more the cherry on top incase a starter transitioning can't fulfill that role.

I'm working on getting some actual names but I've been told the Astros have had discussions with a few teams in regards to trading for starting pitching- so that checks out.

Marvin said:

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I think the best case scenario is that an effective and healthy return of Garcia and McCullers are our deadline acquisitions with respect to pitching, which would not require additional payroll or loss of future talent.

Big if, I know.

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That and add 1 starting pitcher, a backup catcher, and maybe an above average outfielder would have me feeling like the favorite for another run this year.

texasaggie2015 said:

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I'm working on getting some actual names but I've been told the Astros have had discussions with a few teams in regards to trading for starting pitching- so that checks out.

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Who's out there?

Quick list pulled from other lists.

Michael Soroka
Paul Blackburn
Edward Cabrera
Shane Bieber
Tyler Glasnow
Dylan Cease
Corbin Burns
Michael Kopech
Mitch Keller
Alek Manoah

Have you heard anything regarding LF? Or are they just gonna wing it and keep Meyers, Julks, Chas rotation going? It'd be nice to have a more solid permanent outfield than this past season.

_veeyah_ said:

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Have you heard anything regarding LF? Or are they just gonna wing it and keep Meyers, Julks, Chas rotation going? It'd be nice to have a more solid permanent outfield than this past season.

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I'd like a left handed starting left fielder, but I've come around to Chas and Duby playing every day and rotating around Alvarez getting a third to half of the games in left field.

I like the idea of Seth Brown

I liked him before we signed Abreu

Who's our backup catcher in 2024?

Farmer1906 said:

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I think someone has mentioned him before but Seth Brown could be a nice trade target.

Left Handed

Plays OF and 1B (Abreu insurance)

Hits RHP well enough
2021 - 109 wRC+
2022 - 128 wRC+
2023 - 103 wRC+

3 years left of control so it won't be cheap, but he's not someone you break the bank over either.

"Buy low" since 23 wasn't nearly as good as 22.

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I mentioned Seth Brown at the trade deadline -- good memory Farmer.

I thought the consensus was that his BA and OBP were too low. But my question would be: is that because the pieces around him are terrible, so he doesn't get much to hit?

agproducer said:

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Farmer1906 said:

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I think someone has mentioned him before but Seth Brown could be a nice trade target.

Left Handed

Plays OF and 1B (Abreu insurance)

Hits RHP well enough
2021 - 109 wRC+
2022 - 128 wRC+
2023 - 103 wRC+

3 years left of control so it won't be cheap, but he's not someone you break the bank over either.

"Buy low" since 23 wasn't nearly as good as 22.

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I mentioned Seth Brown at the trade deadline -- good memory Farmer.

I thought the consensus was that his BA and OBP were too low. But my question would be is that because the pieces around him are terrible, so he doesn't get much to hit?

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I wouldn't want him as an everyday player, but part-time and pinch hitting? Why not?

Look at his stats vs RHP vs Duon.

Brown


Dubon


Anyone taking Doobie?

If Brown could get back to his 2019 form -- I'm all for it. That's when he actually had a major league team around him.

Neither of those screams full time starter numbers for a championship team.

We don't need another .230 average platoon guy. We already have too many of those. Either get a solid starter in left or center or ride with what we've got.

Does it?

Because if it seems to me you're going to spend money on an outfielder so Alvarez doesn't have to play in the field, you might as well spend enough to ensure he doesn't have to do anything other than DH. Or keep rolling with your current Chas / Duby / Alvarez platoon.

There isn't value in the acquisition otherwise.

The correct answer is if you can have Seth Brown take those ABs, you do it.

Farmer1906 said:

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Alvarez isn't going to go full time DH. He doesn't want to.

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I guess I missed this. I'm aware his numbers trend better when he does play the field, but I wasn't aware he wanted to. Because looks about as natural out there as Berkman did.

Yes Yordan has personally petitioned for more time in LF.

And I don't think he's a bad LFer. He's not a GG candidate but he's also not a liability. I think he actually plays better than you'd expect a 6'7" 290 lb behemoth of a man would play.

AgLA06 said:

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Farmer1906 said:

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Alvarez isn't going to go full time DH. He doesn't want to.

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I guess I missed this. I'm aware his numbers trend better when he does play the field, but I wasn't aware he wanted to. Because looks about as natural out there as Berkman did.

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He's got a cannon for an arm. He can easily handle MMP LF full time

I wouldn't mind rolling with what we got in DuBonds at CF and Chas in LF with Yordan playing some LF. But a player like Seth Brown can be critical just in case Abreu does go down again and Diaz will be catching full time. I know someone posted earlier that we are not keeping Singleton anymore. They might just go with some prospects at 1B it will be interesting.