With Miguel Tejada most likely on his way out, Tommy Manzella is in as Astros Shortstop in 2010
Straight from Eddy Wade's mouth:
At this point, we’re prepared to commit to Tommy Manzella playing shortstop.
The possibility remains that Tejada could return as a third baseman.
Tommy Manzella grades anywhere from good to very good at shortstop. AstroAndy did a fine comparison between Manzella and former Astro Adam Everett a few months ago. Replacing this kind of defense with Manzella's defensive abilities at short would definitely be a boon.
As far as being able to retain Miguel Tejada as a third baseman, I don't know if that would be in the cards. His Bill James projection for 2010 is actually better in terms of runs created per game as compared to 2009. The million dollar-plus question will be if that production is worth spending X amount of dollars more on the veteran Tejada vs. some sort of platoon with Blum/Kepp/C. Johnson.
With Lance Berkman, Geoff Blum, Kaz Matsui and Jeff Keppinger already assured of spots on the club in 2010, Ed Wade will have decisions to make on which other infielders to bring in. It seems as if Tommy Manzella will play shorstop, as a trade or free agent signing isn't likely. While Chris Johnson has shown promise, don't look past Jeff Keppinger as a good option to be a starter on this team. He's not going to get David Wright AB's, but he is right at the peak of his career and is looked at as being a solid contributor in 2010. A fairly cheap contract makes him nearly as attractive as Johnson for the cost conscious Astros.
Bottom line, this was the first real indication of what changes we can expect in our 2010 Astros. For those who missed having a superb defensive shortstop, your wish looks like it may be coming true. Tommy Manzella will need time to adjust to major league hitting, but he has shown the ability to approach Everett's level offensively. That may not wow you, but remember that the cost is right with Manzella. Get used to hearing that sort of rationalization from the Astros camp. Keep in mind as well that Gio Mier is drawing rave reviews as the best defensive shortstop from the 2009 draft and his bat has been better than advertised so far as a professional. View Manzella however you want- a defensive savant, a stopgap, Adam Everett, 2.0. He makes the league minimum, and when your team is dominated by three player's salaries, those are the sort of trade offs a team must make.
As for Miguel Tejada, it doesn't appear that he will be back as an Astro, despite the door being left open for his return. He turned in a nice offensive season and as stated earlier is supposed to be even better in 2010. It's probable that another club gives him a shot at third, and does so with a contract whose value is close to eight figures per season. The Astros have three serviceable to slightly above serviceable options at third base, which leaves Tejada as the odd man out in my mind.
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I feel like a broken record, but I think the Astros have to either bring back Tejada at 3d base or pick up a free agent to play 3d base. The offense is likely to be unacceptably bad otherwise. It might end up being the worst offense in the NL. I suppose another alternative would be an upgrade at catcher, but that doesn’t seem attractive with Castro and Towles among the better prospects in the minors. One thing to keep in mind is that the Astros had better hitters, than any of the potential current in-house possibilities (excepting Tejada), at 3d base throughout most of Everett’s career in Houston.
by clack on Nov 7, 2009 12:08 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I tend to agree
I just don’t see the money being spent to bring anyone in. Tejada’s bat would play well at third for the next season or two (maybe), but this is a signal to me that we’re going to go with what we already have
The Crawfish Boxes, Astros blogging at its finest.
by Evan Hochschild on Nov 7, 2009 12:12 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree with clack
And I’m not sure I agree that this signals Wade wants to work with what he has for third base. Why would it? It’s possible, but I don’t think we can know for certain what Wade is thinking at this point, and Manzella playing shortstop is simply an obvious move to make regardless of the 3B situation.
by OremLK on Nov 7, 2009 1:10 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I wonder
if you could get an outfield to switch to 3B. Highly unlike I know, I can still fantasize.
On another note, why are they talking to Michaels agent about returning? I think we have enough OF that could fill in as a backup in the minors. They’re going to come a lot cheaper too.
by timmy_ on Nov 7, 2009 3:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I hear you on the talks with Michaels. I really don’t understand signing these bench positions so early, rather than waiting until you fill your starting positions and then see how much is left to spend. I would rather sign a free agent for 3d base and then utilize minor league depth or minor league free agents for the bench positions, if necessary. The only outfielder I can think to switch to 3d base is Carlos Lee, and somehow I don’t think that would work out at this point.
by clack on Nov 7, 2009 5:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I had thought of that before too and dismissed it. But I don’t think it’s his reflexes that are the problem so much as his speed, so maybe it could work. His throwing arm is more of a question in my mind.
Could it hurt to try in ST? Of course that assumes the Astros won’t pick up an FA third baseman as HLP seems to think will happen.
by OremLK on Nov 7, 2009 11:09 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
How about a 3B to OF?
I’m not a fan of moving an OFer to 3B b/c the only one to do that to is Lee and I highly doubt he could pull it off, but how about having a 3B back up at 3B and OF? This might be a stretch to ask someone to switch positions only to be the 4th OFer but I thought it was interesting. According to Blum’s career fielding stats he’s 66 games in the OF and started 42 games. It’s mainly scattered and most of those games came in his 3rd season with the Expos when he played 35 & started 28 so he may not have the legs since next season will be 9 years after that, but a thought. Plus I’m unsure of Johnson’s defensive capabilities but I bet he’d be willing to make the move if it helps him get to the majors quicker and get more PT. Although if he’s not starting you’d hate to take regular ABs away from him and you kind of just want young players like that to be able to just focus on adjusting to ML pitching. Just thinking of a way to not have to sign Michaels yet still have a capable 4th OFer. Personally I’d like to see Blum share time between 3B and OF if he’d accept the assignment.
by Astrosws20 on Nov 8, 2009 12:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Keppinger played in the outfield on some rare occasions last year. He seemed quite adequate in LF, and (if I recall) he threw someone out from the outfield. Neither Blum or Kepp is fast enough to back up CF. Michaels has more speed than either of the two. I think the Astros would like to have a sub who can back up some infield positions plus corner outfield positions. The Astros picked up the outfielder Borgeouis from the Brewers, and they talked about possibly seeing if he could also play 2d base.
by clack on Nov 8, 2009 12:59 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
My thinking is that's where the 5th OFer would come into play.
Maybe that’s not too practical but I’m just trying to think outside the box. Usually don’t try and stretch my logic like this but I think this team is a bit of a stretch to begin with lol. Blum could play as a back up for both IF and OF and if we have Borgeouis to do that also then that’d add a ton of versatility to our team and could free us up for another bench player. Let me lay it out:
Pitching staff = 12 players
Starting position players = 8 players
Back up catcher = 1 player
12+8+1=21
That leaves 4 bench players. Lets say Keppinger starts. Usually you have 2 back up infielders and 2 back up OFers. If we have 2 bench players who can do both then that’s amazing because then we have 2 spots to address specific needs. Maybe one more of each. A back up SS and a back up CF-er. We could also use that extra spot on an extra bullpen arm or a Rule 5 experiment.
This whole deal could get us in a bind though late in games if we’ve already used Borgeous or Blum and need them to play the outfield or something. I don’t know. I think I made it clear that I’m not a Michaels fan when you take into consideration his price. Once again I’m just throwing options out there which are obviously outside the box.
by Astrosws20 on Nov 8, 2009 2:16 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t think an infielder will be a primary back up for the outfield, or vice versa. This is more for creating flexibility during the game. Maybe if you can create an extra bench slot, you could perhaps pick up a pinch hit only type bat (e.g., a Daryl Ward, Chris Shelton, etc.)
by clack on Nov 8, 2009 3:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I guess I should of clarified
I was thinking along the lines of some of the minor league OF’s, Locke, Gaston particularly.
by timmy_ on Nov 9, 2009 8:00 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

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