Houston Astros 2025 thread

[GroceryGetter]

Is he a 2 B now?

Oh, yeah. Rafael Devers is not giving up his spot at 3B, a position that he has held down for eight seasons and somehow only 28.
Either way, Bregman should help a club that was ranked 4th worst in MLB for defense last season.

[trophy8]

What’s this BS with Altuve taking LF practice at spring training?

[Twist]

They’re still thinking about moving him there, even with Bregman gone.

Probably trying to get the best bats in the lineup, maybe looking at Dubon os someone from the minors taking over 2B.

It doesn’t make much sense to me because they apparently have a couple up and comers in Sugar Land that play outfield, I believe at least one is a LH bat which they could really use at this point.

The OF is really starting to look like a major weak spot for them from the offensive side this year because neither McCormick or Myers have shown much lately.

[zztex]

Altuve in left field is a real thing. He is embracing it. I believe the stat I saw said he was the second worst second baseman in MLB last year. There is even a rumor that they are circling back on trading for Arenado who would play third and Paredes would play second. I watched the first spring training game yesterday. Cam Smith worked walks in his only 2 at bats and looked good at the plate

[trophy8]

Altuve in left field is a real thing. He is embracing it. I believe the stat I saw said he was the second worst second baseman in MLB last year. There is even a rumor that they are circling back on trading for Arenado who would play third and Paredes would play second. I watched the first spring training game yesterday. Cam Smith worked walks in his only 2 at bats and looked good at the plate

Would have never guessed that stat on him. Hes our favorite player in the entire league.

[Twist]

Altuve barely has enough arm for the 4 spot, I can’t see how he could possibly work in the outfield.

And a move for Arrenado would probably be a very bad thing. He’s been in decline for a couple of seasons now and has the potential of becoming Jose Abreu on the other side of the diamond.

At this point, give one or more of the kids a chance.

[GroceryGetter]

Altuve in left field is a real thing. He is embracing it. I believe the stat I saw said he was the second worst second baseman in MLB last year. There is even a rumor that they are circling back on trading for Arenado who would play third and Paredes would play second. I watched the first spring training game yesterday. Cam Smith worked walks in his only 2 at bats and looked good at the plate

What stat was that?

in 2024 Altuve defensively ranked against all MLB 2B:
4th in fielding percentage
16th in range factor
16th in defensive wins above replacement
3rd fewest in errors with five. 1st and 2nd place both had four and each played 15 games fewer.

Offensively he ranked against all MLB 2B:
2nd in at bats
2nd in runs scored
1st in hits
1st in batting average
2nd in doubles
4th in HR
4th in RBIs
2nd in total bases
7th in walks
6th in stolen bases
3rd in OBP
3rd in slugging percentage
2nd in OPS
7th in wins above replacement

[zztex]

https://www.mlb.com/news/jose-altuve-left-field-potential-transition

[zztex]

This is what I saw^^^^

[zztex]

Here’s another

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/jose-altuve-could-be-on-the-move-to-left-field/

[kruppa24]

Maybe I’m way off here but I would think Dubon would play a better left than altuve

[zztex]

Maybe I’m way off here but I would think Dubon would play a better left than altuve

He would I think also. I think they would like to upgrade offensively from Dubon being a starter. They signed Rogers from Colorado and supposedly are still pursuing Arenado. It would be especially problematic if Altuve’s arm is weak in left, especially with noodle arm Meyers in center

[GroceryGetter]

Maybe I’m way off here but I would think Dubon would play a better left than altuve

My opinion is that Dubon is way too valuable to be pigeon holed into one position when he can effectively play seven positions not name catcher or pitcher.

[kruppa24]

My opinion is that Dubon is way too valuable to be pigeon holed into one position when he can effectively play seven positions not name catcher or pitcher.

That’s a good point. Makes sense

[GroceryGetter]

My observations and opinions from today's game against NYM.

1. Amazing how the Astros spring training facility does not have the capability of a radar gun nor the automated ball/strike system
2. Ronel Blanco was not sharp at all with location. Stuff looked good but just couldn't locate
3. Cam Smith with 2(!) opposite field blasts was a very nice sight. Along with Christian Walker smashing
4. Forrest Whitley has a real live arm but we all knew that. He is out of options so this is his last chance and today he brought the gas and blew it by two of the three batters he faced.
5. Jon Singleton has definitely shed some weight. He looks like the last guy you want to see as a bar bouncer.

PS- Jose Siri is still a tool and CB Bucknor is such an incompetent umpire he is almost getting to Angel Hernandez territory.