And Blum is OK. But I feel like the Astros bench lacks balance and power. The Astros need a RHB outfielder that can hit LHP who is better than Abercrombie. (Cruz, Jr., was supposed to fill that role, but it didn’t work.) In theory, Abercrombie has power also, but his K rate is so high that I suspect Cooper is reluctant to use him in PH situations. I notice that Yordany Ramirez hits LHP well, although his overall offense at AAA hasn’t been good. He doesn’t fulfull the power role, but he probably is a better defensive outfielder than even Bourn. And if the Astros need to go to a platoon in CF, maybe he could have a role.

I haven’t really analyzed all the benches in the NL, but my impression is that the Brewers and Cubs have good, deep benches. In particular, after picking up Edmonds and Reed Johnson, and with Daryl Ward as the top PHer (who I view as one of the best power threats off the bench in the NL), the Cubs’ bench looks pretty good to me.