3 Astros Things: Making the MVP case for Jose Altuve

Astros are just running down a Wild Card dream...

Making the MVP case for Jose Altuve

I will not take the time to completely regurgitate Corinne Landrey’s argument for Jose Altuve as the 2016 AL MVP because I want you go to FanGraphs and read it for yourself. But the crux of Landrey’s argument is an age-old argument for all MVP award — who is the best player in one sport compared to the “most valuable” to his team.

The argument is simple — Mike Trout is the best player in baseball and Jose Altuve is the “most valuable” player in baseball, specifically for the Astros. Landrey says:

Trout has been the better player, but there’s a case to be made that Altuve has been more important and, by extension, more valuable to his franchise. Context is relevant. It may not be fair, but it’s relevant. The story of Altuve’s 2016 season is an impressive one and, yes, a valuable one worthy of celebration. Whether that is enough to elevate him to the Most Valuable Player award is up to the voters.

I implore you to go read the article for yourself, it’s an interesting read.

Tim Purpura: Texas League President

Tim Purpura has been a life-long member of the baseball community more specifically the Astros baseball community. Purpura has held plenty of jobs, most famously as Astros general manager from 2004 to 2007 including the 2005 World Series run.

Purpura will leave his job as an Astros scout to take over as league president of the Texas League of Professional Baseball Clubs, the league announced Tuesday. Purpura will be replacing the outgoing Tom Kayser, as reported by the Midland Reporter-Telegram.

So Tim Purpura ability to be in the right place in the right time to take over a job that he is questionably qualified for continues — or that may be my lingering frustration from his time as GM coming out.

Astros scout Spike Lundberg joining the Cubs

MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart is reporting the Astros are losing a key scout, Spike Lungberg, to the Cubs. Lungberg was drafted by the Rangers in the 1997 draft but didn’t pan out as professional baseball players. He bouncing around the globe before finding a second life in professional scouting.

Lumgberg was listed as the Astros’ Southern Californa scout on his LinkedIn page.

It stinks to lose front office talent like losing David Stearns to the Brewers. But I don’t think its warrants the outcry I see on twitter in reply to McTaggart’s. The system doesn’t hinge on one scout. Best of luck Mr. Lumgberg with the Cubs.