FanPost

Wondering about Marwin



I have been pondering Marwin's future with the Astros. I am a Marwin fan but he may need to move along.

As I think about the Astros I guess there will be 13 pitchers, 2 catchers, 5 OF's and 5 IF's. Last year the Astros ran with 4 OF's mostly with 3 full time guys. Next year the Astros will have 1, George Springer. Reddick will play the majority of games in RF, but is expected to sit dozens of games against LHP's. Beltran will play most of the games Reddick sits but mostly will DH. Aoki will get a lot of time in LF though Beltran may get some time there. I hope Marisnick plays often in late innings with his great defense after the regular lineup has bashed and mashed earlier in the game.

That leaves the infield. Altuve, Correa, Bregman and Gurriel are givens. Gurriel is projected at 1st in that group. Notice the inherent flexibility. Bregman can give Correa or Altuve a rest. When he does Gurriel slides back over to 3rd. Now do the Astros want a traditional 1st baseman or Marwin? The answer is not obvious. Marwin gives the team redundant options, but a matured White or Reed gives the team more potency. I prefer potency. The choice will depend on whether the hoped for maturity occurs.