Astros Sign Catcher Chris Snyder
The Astros picked up a free agent catcher, Chris Snyder, who also happens to be an ex-UH player. When Tatum was moved off the 40 man two days ago, I said we should expect a move to pick up a catcher in the future. I didn't realize it would be this quick. This is a very interesting move. It's a 1 year contract with a mutual option for next year.
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Good move
The link said its a one year deal with a mutual option for next season. I take it that this contract is guaranteed, or will it be similar to Cust’s deal.
Also, a question on Tatum: If he is not claimed off of waivers does he stay with the Stros, or does he become a free agent.
So once again who comes off of the roster. Is it Leon this time.
by conroestro on Jan 20, 2012 11:46 AM CST via mobile reply actions
I assume that it’s a guaranteed contract. Snyder isn’t in the same category as Cust, who can’t really demand much. I think Tatum can accept a minor league assignment or choose to become a free agent, if he clears waivers. What happens to Quintero, by the way?
Good question on Q. His $1 million deal is still pretty reasonable, so I would be surprised if they did something with him. I guess he’s destined to be a backup again.
I wonder if this means that maybe the Astros might slow Castro’s roll, and keep him in OKC for a little while and let him develop and return from injury at his own pace.
by conroestro on Jan 20, 2012 11:57 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
That is what I though when I first read the news. I think we could see Castro in AAA to begin next year, Snyder is a solid hitting catcher maybe Luhnow thinks that Castro needs more time to develop. His numbers from two years ago certainly argues that. Snyder has a meger .231 avg, but has posted an average of 18HR per 162 games. Take him out of the large field in Arizona and give him the Crawford boxes, maybe he has a great year.
Any info on the $ just yet?
This is a solid move, but it could be a very good move depending on the price. Snyder made over $6 million last year, but I’m assuming he’ll be making less this time around.
The bird is struggling out of the egg. The egg is the world. Whoever wants to be born, must first destroy a world.
by Stupendous Man on Jan 20, 2012 11:50 AM CST via mobile reply actions
I was wondering the same thing I still havent seen any info on the money yet, but it would probably be safe to assume it is close to Cust’s deal. Snyder spent most of his time on the DL last year and there havent been any rumors of other teams close to signing him. Put all that together and you get another veteran player for dirt cheap.
yeah, it would be interesting to see the salary. I would be shocked though if his salary is in Cust’s range….which is around ML minimum. I am guessing $2 million might be in the ballpark, but who knows.
Though its not a big deal one way or the other I wouldn’t mind it if Tatum chose to accept his assignment with the Astros. A ML depth chart of Castro (when healthy), Snyder, Quintero, and then Tatum and Corporan wouldn’t be bad.
by conroestro on Jan 20, 2012 11:59 AM CST via mobile reply actions
The farther away from the majors Corporan gets pushed the better.
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by Timothy De Block on Jan 20, 2012 12:18 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs
Third that.
I can’t remember watching a major leaguer consistently have as many terrible at-bats as he did.
I LOVE THE ASTROS. Now lets win something!
by ccislanders on Jan 20, 2012 1:02 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
agreed
wasn’t Snyder hurt last year, also I vaguely remember a story about his wife being assaulted and he couldn’t do anything to protect her.http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=6668231
When you ask Carlos Lee what his favorite place to play is, and he anwsers with the words, anywhere with a Buffet. You know theirs a real problem.
by orangeblood kid on Jan 20, 2012 6:43 PM CST up reply actions
Snyder and Q
Interesting move. Snyder could be a good bounceback candidate if he can stay healthy(which seems to be the story with half of this roster). He can hit the longball when he’s not striking out. Good fielder, not a lot of CS success though. Possibly a mid-season trade target if he produces?
I think Q is safe for now, especially with Jason Castro injured. Jon Heyman tweeted awhile back that there was some trade interest in Q, but he refused to divulge any other details and hasn’t posted anything additional since then. I, honestly, would be surprised if Q has any trade value at all considering he’s gone through waivers once or twice in the past (at the league minimum salary, too) with nobody making a claim.
Like the signing.
Would be a nice option if Castro doesn’t do well in Spring Training.
Like Subber10 said, Castro can always be sent down to AAA just in case he’s not ready on opening day, which is a possibility.
"Hakeem couldn't kick your ass cuz you were too
close kissin his!"- Sir Charles to Kenny Smith.
Footer has now said
its almost a certainty Castro doesn’t make opening day (apologies if I’m repeating).
I've always liked Snyder
Good underrated catcher. The only thing I don’t like about this is that it may cost Castro playing time. But I suppose if Snyder is hitting really well he or Quintero could probably be traded at the deadline for a prospect.
http://www.crawfishboxes.com
They could possibly ease Castro back into regular playing time at OKC for the first half of the season, and possibly trade Snyder/Q at the deadline and then let Castro play.
by conroestro on Jan 20, 2012 1:42 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Yeah, the more I think about it the more it makes sense
Castro has been a long time without playing at a high level. He probably does need a fairly long rehab stint in the upper minors to get back into the swing of things. In fact, he should probably start the year at AA ball or even lower, at least for a week or two.
http://www.crawfishboxes.com
Who is the #3 hitter in this scenario? Cust?
The bird is struggling out of the egg. The egg is the world. Whoever wants to be born, must first destroy a world.
by Stupendous Man on Jan 20, 2012 2:36 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Yeah
He sure wouldn’t be a #3 on most other teams, but after Lee, Snider and Cust are probably the best offensive players on the team until the young guys improve.
I wouldn't be surprised at all if JD Martinez exceeds all three offensively
Altuve has a shot at it too depending on how he adjusts.
http://www.crawfishboxes.com
50/50 chance in 2012
Lee and Cust have been setting the bar very low at this point in their respective careers, and Snyder has never been an offensive juggernaut—just an average-ish offensive player whose bat plays up because he’s a catcher.
JD Martinez has a good chance to be a league average offensive player next year, and that might be enough to surpass all three of those players.
http://www.crawfishboxes.com
I think you're selling Lee very, very short.
Lee was a very good offensive player last year. Just not star-level.
He was about league average
Not very good from poor defensive LF/average 1B.
Still an improvement over the year before which was even worse.
http://www.crawfishboxes.com
Except
That he was very good defensively at both positions last season.
Do you really buy that? It was a half season at first and left. You know that defensive metrics don’t really work in short increments, and did he pass the eyeball test?
I don’t know if Lee was as good as the advanced metrics from last season. But from my standpoint, he passed the eyeball test as average to abov.e average. He played the best LF that I’ve ever seen Lee play since he has been in Houston, and he had the third most assists of any LFer in baseball, despite only playing about 2/3 of the time in LF.
I have to agree with this.
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by Timothy De Block on Jan 23, 2012 7:55 AM CST up reply actions
That’s fair enough. I wouldn’t describe him as “very good.”
by MadMartygan on Jan 23, 2012 11:50 AM CST up reply actions
I’m not saying you’re wrong, but damn let’s not talk about it like that.
by MadMartygan on Jan 20, 2012 2:51 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Both on contracts where
we have ventured nothing significant, given potential protection to our youth on roster, and potentially gained a piece of value. I like both moves and though our new management has not been long on the job I really like the way they are going about this off-season.
I think taking a few really low risk chances on some guys that have been banged up is a good idea. There becoming a little more undervalued than they should be.
Very happy with this deal
I’ve been wanting Synder for a while. Good-bye Quintero and your shitty offensive game and over-rated defensive game.
I am all about sending out a team of misfits in 2012
and letting all of the younger guys who were rushed get the proper time in the minor leagues. Let Castro, Altuve, Lyles and company spend another year in the lower levels.
Too late
their arbitration clocks have already started.
by Neil Leininger on Jan 20, 2012 4:34 PM CST up reply actions
Do they keep ticking from here on out? Like let’s say Lyles and Altuve stay in AAA all year, that counts as service time?
From mlb.com
A: A player with three or more years of service, but less than six years, may file for salary arbitration. In addition, a player can be classified as a “Super Two” and be eligible for arbitration with less than three years of service. A player with at least two but less than three years of Major League service shall be eligible for salary arbitration if he has accumulated at least 86 days of service during the immediately preceding season and he ranks in the top 17 percent in total service in the class of Players who have at least two but less than three years of Major League service, however accumulated, but with at least 86 days of service accumulated during the immediately preceding season.
I think that means that they have to be on the big league team to accumulate service time.
That says that Altuve and Lyles would not be Arbitration eligible unless they were in the majors for 86 days in the season before the try for arbitraion. No doubt Luhnow knows these rules very well. He is not going to let good players slip out of our orginization.
I think the 86 is for super 2 status, but it looks like you have to be in the bigs to accrue the needed service time. I just would like to know what constitutes an mlb year.
Yeah that is how I understood it. They got time this year but it wont matter unless they continue to play in the majors.
Yeah. That’s what I’m thinking. It doesn’t just start and continue for the next six years regardless of where they are.
I think you are correct. That’s why you occasionally see 30 year old veterans who have been on and off ML rosters for years but are not yet arbitration eligible. J.A. Happ entered his first arb-eligible season this year, yet he was first called up in 2007—-five (not three) years ago.
Ok. that makes sense. It would be strange if the clock kept ticking even if they were in the minors. Do you happen to know what constitutes a league year?
Here is a summary I found:
Under the CBA, 1 year of service is defined as 172 days. A player may earn up to 172 days of Major League service during a championship season (regular season), which generally lasts 183 calendar days. If a player is sent to the minor leagues on optional assignment for a total of 20 days or less during a season, he receives service time for the entire season
ML service time is not credited during any period or periods of optional assignment totaling 20 days or more during a single season
A player is credited at the rate of 172 days per "year", though the season is actually 182 days long.
Defensively
I’ve heard a lot made of Snyder’s fielding % (hey are we in the stone age?), and his errorless streak. I dug out this baseball prospectus article, Snyder is dead level with Quintero at +10 runs (Snyder had more called pitches).
Even though I always liked him
I never thought of him as a good defensive catcher. That is nice to hear.
http://www.crawfishboxes.com
Fans Scouting Report shows a total percentile of 61 and 64 for arm strength and arm accuracy. I think the scale is 0 – 100 with 50% as average. I don’t know how much stock to put in the FSR, but that’s all I’ve got.
Snyder’s career caught stealing rate is 30.1%, which is pretty good. For comparison, Quintero’s career caught stealing rate is 32%.
I love this!
A good hitting catcher, a good fundamental catcher, and he’s a local boy that is a fan of the Stros and REALLY wants to play here! I’m happy :D !!!!!
by Its Gonna Happen on Jan 20, 2012 5:14 PM CST via mobile reply actions
I like this move
He would be able to split time with Q and work much better with the pitching staff than Towles and even Corporan did.
Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is probably the reason why so few engage in it. - Henry Ford
Astros have
2 players named Snyder
2 players named Martinez
3 players named Rodriguez
3 players named Fernando
Unfortunately, Chris Snyder won’t be able to participate in the killer J movement.
Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is probably the reason why so few engage in it. - Henry Ford
We still have Travis Buck.
Now no one go getting any ideas about John Buck…
"In the biographies of men and nations, success often arrives in a mask of failure"
by hunterpencefan on Jan 20, 2012 7:12 PM CST up reply actions
Hopefully
This means Castro can work his way back through the system and isn’t rushed. I’m very happy with this pick.
by Its Gonna Happen on Jan 20, 2012 6:48 PM CST via mobile reply actions
Does this make the Cust deal make more sense?
Is he trying to put some players back in AAA to actually let them develop. A lot of us thought in a fan post just a couple of weeks ago that the Stros are pushing players through too fast. So is Luhnow just finding veterans to put a team that is halfway watchable, while he lets some of our raw talent develop more. Or is he finding dirt cheap guys that have shown brillance at times, so that he can trade them for prospects at the trade deadline. Is it both, neither? I have no idea but I love it. Wade would have never touched these players. If he was our gm we wouldnt have picked up Martinez, Lowrie, or weiland either. If he was our gm the biggest news would have been that no one wants Lee. I am pro Luhnow.
Why can’t it be both? Make the young players earn playing time, rather than just hand it to them out of desperation?
by jmike on Jan 21, 2012 11:38 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I hear he's not a very good base stealer
I’m really liking these off-season moves so far though. New GM seems legit.
"Hats for bats, keep bats warm."
based on some updated quotes...
—Luhnow says Jason Castro is ahead of schedule for his recovery. Luhnow says this signing is for depth; no indication that it is intended to displace Castro as the starting catcher.
—Luhnow likes Snyder because he provides major league value both offfensively and defensively. He says that Snyder also has a strong reputation in the clubhouse. Astros performed due diligence on Snyder’s medicals and were satisfied.
—Snyder is excited to play for his hometown team. He knows it is a young rebuilding team, and he plans to help the team both on and off the field.
That sounds good.
- It’s good to hear that Castro’s rehab is going better than expected. I guess I kind of assumed that the Snyder signing meant that Castro would most likely start the season in the minors but I might have jumped the gun on that assumption. I guess they may wait and see how Castro’s body is responding in spring training and possible also how he is performing.
Also glad that Snyder is excited to be here, and sounds like he will be a good influence on our younger players.
-
by conroestro on Jan 21, 2012 10:31 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
Id be surprised
If Castro came back from back to back injuries swinging a hot bat. Not to say it won’t happen but it would definately be a surprise, a pleasant surprise.
by Its Gonna Happen on Jan 21, 2012 3:59 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Astroholic Approved Acquisition
Damn, I could get spoiled by all of these rational, objectively justifiable moves.
Hi, my name is Rich and I'm an Astroholic.
by Austin Astroholic on Jan 21, 2012 3:01 PM CST reply actions
I wonder who else we might sign
I am quite heartened by these moves, they make good sense.
Sooo 2b/3b maybe… does anyone think the market for Theriot or Keppinger will fall far enough to see them end up in the Astros price range? Even Willie Harris with his ability to get on base and play every spot in the field except pitcher and catcher might warrant a look.
I was looking at potential starting pitcher targets just in case we swung a trade involving one of ours… it is pretty desolate when it comes to potential bargain pitchers. Out of the ones that I can recall off the top of my head Harden is made of glass and is a fly ball guy, Penny is also made of glass, Garland was only special because he could log a billion innings and it seems like those days are done, Francis is a 4/5 starter kind of guy at his best, and though not made of glass Brandon Webb has not pitched in the majors since 2009 because of one catastrophic injury.
The reliever market is much better in terms of having the potential for a quality player without a team looking for an offer as spring approaches…. just to name a few I love (hopefully one or two get left out “in the cold”) Wheeler, Lidge, and Coffey.
Maybe a guy like Francisco Cordero. He’s not really very good, but maybe if he signed a cheap deal and took over closing duties, he could be a trade asset at the deadline. Closers often get moved around that time, even if mediocre ones.
I would LOVE to have Kepp back
But I just can’t see him being available. Then again I could never understand the little market that he had when we traded him. I think he was/is a very good player who gets on base a lot and is very solid defensively. He doesn’t make a lot of stellar plays as his range is limited, but the balls he gets to usually turn into outs.
I think he could once again be a very big part of our lineup, especially with another potentially high average guy in Altuve. Plus he’d once again be a nice trade chip if he can play at the level he did for us last year. And now that we have an upgraded GM, we might get a better return.
by Its Gonna Happen on Jan 21, 2012 6:58 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Luhnow did say that he expects to sign more players as the off-season goes on and players haven’t found a team yet. He didn’t mention any particular positions—-just said they would look for good value for the money.
This is so opposite of Wade's approach, and so welcome.
Looking for the best value, not getting your heart set on a particular player early in the offseason.
http://www.crawfishboxes.com
Change in Philosophy
1. Luhnow signs veteran player
2. Commentators ask if Ed Wade is still GM
3. Luhnow signs another veteran player
4. Commentators plea that young guys get playing time
5. Wise guy says it’s not all bad to let young players develop in the minors
<—currently
6. Commentators agree
7. Commentators ask for more veteran player signings
Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is probably the reason why so few engage in it. - Henry Ford
It has to do with the veterans too
Would you rather:
A) See Jack Cust and Chris Snyder in Astros uniforms?
or
B) Another year of Pedro Feliz, Geoff Blum, and Jason Michaels?
I hope the Astros don't pursue Keppinger.
Look at who Luhnow as signed. Guys that walk and have shown good power. Keppinger does neither, and is a below average defender.
It’s time for the shift in the type of players the Astros target. Moneyball is here, and it’s time we embrace it.
So you're saying you want Wilson Betemit for utility IF?
Now that’s some bad defense.
http://www.crawfishboxes.com
Yes, he's really bad.
But I would take him over Keppinger and Sanchez. Plus, he’s the type of guy that can be traded later in the season if he hits as well as he does.
by Neil Leininger on Jan 21, 2012 10:23 PM CST up reply actions
Let's see - a catcher recovering from a herniated disk in his lower back
What are the odds he makes it through the season without reinjuring it?
I’m sure he exercises to keep the back muscles strong and flexible. Hope he makes it.
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Jan 21, 2012 10:34 PM CST reply actions
This is exactly what the Stros should be doing! Castro, Paredes, Altuve and JD Martinez all need to start the season at AAA.They were all horribly rushed. On the other hand Wallace, Downs,Johnson, Schafer, F-Mart, and Bogusevic need to be given basically the full season to evaluate their value. There are actually some interesting offensive pieces here. Lets create a little order here and give the young guys a chance to properly develop. Lyles also needs more time at AAA.
by Stoiber on Jan 22, 2012 1:08 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
I agree with most of this, but I think I’d switch the Martinez boys. I think J.D is ready and F-Mart was the one horribly rushed.
Agreed
Switch the Martinez’s and it sounds pretty solid, with the exception that if one or more ML players can’t hit their weight they be replaced after the deadline. Also, could Keppinger play 3rd? He could be in the mix for 2nd or 3rd or be a utility guy. IF we were to sign him that is.
by Its Gonna Happen on Jan 22, 2012 3:07 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Perhaps the dumbest thing posted on this forum in quote some time.
Good job.
by Neil Leininger on Jan 22, 2012 1:28 PM CST up reply actions
You absolutely know that this isn’t the place for comments like that. If you are gonna disagree, fine, but give a reasoned response. This isn’t chron.com. That’s embarrassing man.
by MadMartygan on Jan 22, 2012 1:34 PM CST up reply actions 4 recs
CJ should never hit the active roster again barring 3 or more infielders hitting the DL
At age 27 he has very limited upside and showed no signs last year of improving upon the weaknesses which keep him from being a ML quality player.
In terms of the rest of this:
I think JD Martinez is ready for the majors and should definitely be the starting left fielder. He has enough experience in the upper minors and is an advanced enough hitter to make the necessary adjustments to stick on the ML roster.
Even though they were rushed, I don’t really like the idea of sending Altuve and Paredes down when they were holding their own last year. Young players should be rewarded for meeting or exceeding expectations, not punished, and being optioned to the minors is always going to feel awful for these guys whose entire life goal has been to play in MLB. I would understand starting them at AAA but if it were up to me I would let them play unless/until they struggle.
For Castro, I’d guess that even he would admit he probably needs an extended rehab stint in the minors to knock off the rust. So that for me is fine.
Fernando Martinez I can go either way on. He struggled in the majors in brief playing time last year and he probably never spent enough time in the upper minors.
http://www.crawfishboxes.com
The Altuve-Paredes situation is interesting. Paredes did not do anything to justify a major league call up, in my opinion, and Altuve did seem a bit overmatched. So what hurts their development more? Basically I’d go with an open competition. If CJ looks better than Paredes, start CJ and send Paredes down. Same with Downs and Altuve. I’m not saying that CJ or Downs are going to be the future, but more like a placeholder.
I agree with both of you. Like OremLK, I think it’s hard, at this point, to send Paredes and Altuve back down to AAA until they fail to perform. But I think they will need to perform in spring training. Altuve probably gets a little more leeway in the spring. I doubt that Altuve isn’t on the ML roster unless he just utterly fails in spring training (which I think is unlikely). Paredes most likely starts with an advantage over CJ in the spring, but I think CJ makes the roster over Paredes if Paredes plays poorly and CJ plays well. I think both players would understand the situation if one or the other clearly wins the competition. This all presumes that other players aren’t added who inject themselves into the competition.
Honestly at this point I'd rather have Angel freakin' Sanchez on the roster than CJ
My issue with CJ is that he’s too poor defensively to be a proper utility infielder and he’s not good enough to start at third base over Matt Downs. So if he is on the roster it’s essentially as a bench 3B/1B only (and poor defensive 3B at that). He doesn’t carry a big enough bat to be a big pinch hit threat either.
We have more versatile players who are barely worse offensively. If Paredes doesn’t make the opening day roster, Downs should start at third base until he’s ready, in my opinion.
http://www.crawfishboxes.com
I understand your feeling. But I don’t see the point of inviting CJ to spring training if his performance has no bearing on whether he can make the team. And I would include “fielding” as part of the spring performance. I think it’s probable that CJ starts the season in AAA. But I don’t think it’s reasonable to put CJ in the position that there is nothing he can do to improve his fielding and hit well in spring training that would allow him to make the roster.
I have wanted CJ to get some time in AAA learning to be a COF
for quite a while. Since I first saw him in the majors I have felt that CJ seemed a bit stiff and slow to react in the infield but he does have a fairly strong arm and a bit of pop in his bat. I still do not feel that he is an every day player at any position because he lacks OBP skills, but he has a strong arm, is a good line drive hitter, and has some pop so he can have definite value off the bench. I also feel that his physical tools would play better defensively in the outfield. I could easily see him as a quality bench player while we are rebuilding as a COF/CIF guy.
Of course I do have a love affair with adding value to fringy guys by expanding their flexibility in the field, but in this case it has more to do with my belief that CJ was better set as an outfielder all along.
by Crzycjunx76 on Jan 23, 2012 11:41 AM CST up reply actions
How's his speed?
Can he run down balls in the outfield?
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Jan 23, 2012 7:02 PM CST up reply actions
When you put it that way, yes, I’ll agree with your point on CJ. It’s more about not forcing the younger guys into spots they aren’t ready for. If they earn the job, I have no problem with them playing.
by MadMartygan on Jan 23, 2012 12:07 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Paredes impressed me in his 2011 stint
To me unless someone beats him out is the starting third baseman. I don’t think Chris Jonhson has the relexes to play third at the major league level.
Jose Altuve when first called up looked like the Astros future. Something happened the last mtonth or so – either he lost his confidence or was distracted or the league pitchers and catchers figured him out. Where he starts 2012 therefore depends on how he handles MLB pitching after the winter. he either is the starter at second or he goes to Oklahoma City – no bench player status for him.
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Jan 22, 2012 3:51 PM CST up reply actions
Altuve may have been tired.
Only 21, and played the most he has ever played in his career.
by Neil Leininger on Jan 22, 2012 4:25 PM CST up reply actions
Paredes comps pretty well with Cano
Better batting average, less patience and power, but more speed. Cano got more playing time than Paredes, so he was the everyday starter at age 22.
Just no reason unless Paredes hits under .200 to not play him over anyone else the Astros might have at 3rd base.
I think that expecting Paredes to become Cano is wildly optimistic. The main issue with Paredes is that he hasn’t yet shown the ability to maintain a decent OBP. Cano’s career minor league OBP is .331, and Paredes’ is .312. Cano had a .357 OBP in AA, while Paredes’ OBP in AA was .296. I think Paredes has earned the incumbent mantle and I’m OK with starting him in the majors. But if he struggles with controlling the strike zone in the majors, the argument can be made that he might be better off working on his OBP skills at AAA.
Agreed
Honestly, his most likely outcome right now is probably closer to a Pedro Feliz (in his prime), much as I hate to put that comp on him. His absolute ceiling might be somewhere in between Feliz and Cano, or perhaps somewhere between Feliz and Adrian Beltre.
http://www.crawfishboxes.com
the fact is we are not going to have all-stars at every position. Most teams dont. You have to have a few studs mixed with a few players that are above average. If he turns out to be pedro feliz he could start at 3B for 10 years here and I would be thrilled. That means we will have a dependable player who is a leader in the club house. Those skills are undervalued. Think Ausmus, at third base.
Ausmus at third base is terrible.
The reason Ausmus started at catcher was because of his defense and ability to work with the pitching staff.
How quickly you all forget Matt Downs. More than Paredes, Downs has earned an opportunity to stater somewhere on the field next year.
Follow my ramblings on Twitter .
by Timothy De Block on Jan 23, 2012 7:06 AM CST up reply actions
When I said Ausmus at 3B I meant an average player for the position with leadership skills. I didnt mean I wanted a .250 hitter with no pop.
As far as Downs is concerned I agree. I was talking about Paredes because that was the discussion. But Downs certainly earned a starting spot. It may turn out he is just a great bench player and a below average starter, but he earned a shot.
However, Paredes earned that same shot. And since Paredes was starting last year he will probably continue to do so.
Downs doesn't deserve to be a starter
as his .250/.307/.453 triple stash line indicates. He’s a quality guy off the bench, and a great PH. He doesn’t need to be starting over Altuve or Paredes.
by Neil Leininger on Jan 23, 2012 10:54 AM CST up reply actions
It’s tough to say that he couldn’t be more with regular playing time though. The ideal situation would have been to start Downs full time at either second or third last season so they would have a better idea of what he could do, but that ship sailed.
Now its tough to say. I think Altuve and Paredes deserve the starting job barring a decent spring. If they struggle then maybe Downs gets a look. Opportunities are tough to come buy, and unfortunately Downs may have missed his as far as starting is concerned.
by conroestro on Jan 23, 2012 11:48 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
As a starter throughout his career...
.230/.293.387 → It’s why he’s a bench player, and a good one at that.
As a sub→ .284/.385/.534
I’m all for giving Downs a start at 2nd and 3rd each week, but Altuve and Paredes should be getting the bulk of the playing time, until they prove they shouldn’t.
by Neil Leininger on Jan 23, 2012 12:22 PM CST up reply actions
Small sample size
He’s had less than 400 at bats.
Follow my ramblings on Twitter .
by Timothy De Block on Jan 23, 2012 12:42 PM CST up reply actions
He hasn't been able to win a fulltime job at age 28.
He’s not a starter.
Like I said, give him a start a week at 3rd and 2nd, but Altuve and Paredes need to prove they aren’t ready before Downs is the fulltime starter.
by Neil Leininger on Jan 23, 2012 2:29 PM CST up reply actions
By that logic Brian Bogusevic shouldn’t be the starting right fielder. Both Jose Bautista and Ben Zobrist should still be riding the bench. The Major Leagues are littered with guys who don’t start until their late 20’s and end up becoming stars in the league. Not giving someone an opportunity to prove that due to his age is shortsighted.
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by Timothy De Block on Jan 24, 2012 7:53 AM CST up reply actions
Is Bogusevic blocking anyone?
Bautista had over 1,000 ABs by the time he was Downs age. Zobrist is closer to our comparison, but he had the reverse splits that Downs had.
He has a spot on this team, it’s not taking PT from Altuve and Paredes.
by Neil Leininger on Jan 24, 2012 6:57 PM CST up reply actions
Altuve and Paredes are not being blocked
There is no blocked on a team that just came off a 100 loss season.
Bautista having over 1000 AB’s just further proves my point. By age 27 he had a .239/.324/.398 while Matt Downs has a .244/.317/.424 at age 27.
There’s no reason not to see what the Astros have with Downs especially if Paredes and Altuve could use more time in the minors. Not trying to find value wherever possible is just silly.
Ed Wade trying to save his job and promoting every decent prospect he could should not determine what Minor League players play in the big league next year.
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by Timothy De Block on Jan 24, 2012 7:34 PM CST up reply actions
From what I’ve seen, third base probably is Downs’ best position, defensively. He is passable at 2d base, but he doesn’t look smooth at that position (admittedly his sparse playing time at the position probably makes him appear rougher than he is). I just want to see Downs get plenty of playing time, even if it is at multiple positions. I think he can be valuable as a super utility player, and if third base becomes a gaping hole for whatever reason, he can take over.
.250/.307/.453 is likely better than what Paredes will provide
On the flip side, Downs is older, has less upside, and is probably the worse defender at this point (and especially as Paredes gains experience).
Also, Downs batted .276/.347/.518 including both pinch hits and starts.
http://www.crawfishboxes.com
and on the upside
He preserves a year of team control for Paredes – easily the most important part with very little organizational depth at 3B
Allows Paredes to work on his game in AAA
and if he over performs gives us a trade chip at the deadline, noting major but every little bit helps.
I mean I would prefer Altuve get some time in the minors to learn that there are some pitches he should not make contact with even if he can… but with Altuve there are other options behind him that will likely challenge him for 2B in a few seasons so preserving his team control is not quite as important (since we might trade him to make room if the player in the minors has more upside).
by Crzycjunx76 on Jan 23, 2012 12:11 PM CST up reply actions
I think it would be better he do that in the majors
For all intents and purposes, Altuve will probably crush AAA pitching and will reinforce his bad habits.
by Neil Leininger on Jan 23, 2012 12:23 PM CST up reply actions
He’ll be 28 next season and could do the same thing Bogusevic did last year. Finding that out would be wise, especially when it’s clear the guy he’d be blocking (Paredes) could use some more time in the minors.
If he does end up proving he can be a starter that also allows the Astros to look at trade possibilities. 3B was a weak offensive position last year across the majors if the Astros have managed to find a good one there will be a lot of teams calling come July.
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by Timothy De Block on Jan 23, 2012 12:40 PM CST up reply actions
I still think it's Paredes' position to lose
But bearing in mind that there’s a very high chance he could lose it, perhaps even during spring training.
http://www.crawfishboxes.com
I agree.
I wish they would have found out about Downs last year.
by conroestro on Jan 23, 2012 2:25 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Angel Sanchez DFA'd
Alyson Footer @alysonfooter Close
IF Angel Sanchez designated for assignment to make room for C Chris Snyder on 40-man roster.
Jerry Crasnick @jcrasnick Close
Chris Snyder’s deal with #Astros: $750,000 salary in 2012, with $350,000 guaranteed. Also bonuses for plate apps and days on roster.
That’s shockingly cheap. Teams must really feel that Snyder has to prove that he has overcome his back problem.
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Current Series
4 game series vs Rockies @ Coors Field
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Houston Astros
Monday, May 28, 2012, 2:10 PM CDT Wandy Rodriguez vs Juan Nicasio Sunny. Winds blowing in from center field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game time temperature around 70. |
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| Mon 05/28 | 7:10 PM CDT | |
| Wed 05/30 | 7:40 PM CDT | |
| Thu 05/31 | 7:40 PM CDT | |
NL Central Standings
| W | L | PCT | GB | STRK | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cincinnati
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27 | 20 | .574 | 0 | Won 2 |
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St. Louis
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26 | 22 | .541 | 1.5 | Won 1 |
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Pittsburgh
|
23 | 24 | .489 | 4 | Won 3 |
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Houston
|
22 | 25 | .468 | 5 | Lost 2 |
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Milwaukee
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19 | 28 | .404 | 8 | Lost 2 |
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Chicago
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15 | 32 | .319 | 12 | Lost 12 |
(updated 5.28.2012 at 12:18 AM CDT)
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