Astros Express Interest in Willy Taveras

Uh, oh. I think the Astros didn't read Dave's arguments here at TCB. After Taveras clears waivers, he will only cost the league minimum, with the A's paying the rest of his salary. Wade says that Taveras would be considered if he is willing to accept a non-roster invite. If you want to review our previous discussion of this issue, you can look at the comments on David's article.

about 2 years ago clack 11 comments 0 recs |

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If it’s a non roster invite or minor league deal I have no problem with bringing Willy T back and would actually love it. I’m just not fond of him being a 5th outfielder. An injury replacement is pretty good though.

by Astrosws20 on Feb 9, 2010 9:03 PM CST reply actions

If he accepted the role, it appears that he would compete for the 5th outfielder slot.

by clack on Feb 10, 2010 6:39 AM CST up reply actions

I wouldn't have a problem with this

As long as he’s the 5th outfielder.

I know he’s not the idle hitter, and I’d hope he be the last pinch hitting option, but he’d provide a nice defensive replacement, pinch runner, and designated bunter. I’m fascinated by the prospect of having Bourn and Taveras on the base paths at the same time.

by Timothy De Block on Feb 10, 2010 7:19 AM CST reply actions

I think he is better than Sullivan (he is younger, if nothing else), and as I said in comments on Dave’s previous article, objectively speaking, he seems like a decent choice for a 5th outfielder spot at a minimum salary. (Of course, he isn’t a LHB; so if that gives Sullivan an automatic slot, is Willy T better than Michaels? Probably not.) My main concern is that Willy T’s offense can really hurt a team if he is given too much playing time. (His Reds’ season is an example, although Taveras may have been particularly unlucky.) And I have this lingering suspicion that Willy would talk his way into more playing time over Bourn, particularly if Bourn has a slump and Taveras’ Houston fans complain that he should be playing. That’s more of a fear than a logical reason, though.

by clack on Feb 10, 2010 7:34 AM CST up reply actions

That’s my concern as well, too much playing time, if he’s on the roster in a limited capacity he can provide value. This is where I’d hope Mills comes in to play and realizes that he’s more valuable in a limited role, and limits his time on the field.\

The other possibility, but would get thrown into the long list of Astro if’s , is Willy is in the prime of his career and could have a career year. That still isn’t saying much, but at least it’s better than some of the projections around here for him.

by Timothy De Block on Feb 10, 2010 7:49 AM CST up reply actions

Willie T not as good as Jason Michaels ?? Hmmm

I guess I’m not a Michaels fan, and I was a Willy T fan. I favor giving Willie T a chance to prove himself (unless Bobby Heck says otherwise)

Astros fan for life

by Joe in Birmingham on Feb 10, 2010 3:30 PM CST up reply actions

I’m not exactly a Michaels fan (even though Wade is, by the way). And I said Michaels is “probably” better than Willy T. Taveras is a better defensive player than Michaels, and Michaels is a better offensive player than Taveras. Based on Willy T’s last two seasons (OPS in the .500’s and .600’s), I have to think that the gap between the two on offense is greater than the gap on defense. Michaels had a .750 OPS last year for the Astros, and he has power and Willy doesn’t. Given that Wade likes Michaels and the fact he would be the only power on the bench, I just don’t see Willy T displacing Michaels.

by clack on Feb 10, 2010 5:03 PM CST up reply actions

Remember when...

http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070112&content_id=1778091&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou

The Crawfish Boxes, Astros blogging at its finest.

by Evan Hochschild on Feb 10, 2010 11:20 AM CST reply actions

Wow I COMPLETELY forgot about this

by Astrosws20 on Feb 10, 2010 12:40 PM CST up reply actions

Me too

The Crawfishboxes
A good friend of mine used to say, "This is a very simple game. You throw the ball, you catch the ball, you hit the ball. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains." Think about that for a while.

by Stephen Higdon on Feb 10, 2010 8:58 PM CST up reply actions

Reportedly, Astros have shown interest in Endy Chavez.

He is a first class defensive replacement in the outfield when healthy. His career average UZR/150 in the outfield is +15.7. His career OPS is .679, which is why he is a career back up outfielder. Obviously, there are some similarities with Willy T, even though Chavez has a better defensive reputation. But Chavez has the advantage of hitting LH, which means he could displace Sullivan more easily.

However, Chavez had knee surgery, and we don’t know if his defense will hold up post-surgery. Reportedly, Chavez wouldn’t be ready until late April or May. Perhaps that allows a team to put him on the DL after he is signed—which helps with crowded rosters.

by clack on Feb 11, 2010 7:13 AM CST reply actions

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