Thursday, July 18, 2024

The Missing Answer at 1B for Houston:

 

Well Houston they did indeed have a problem when it came to their first basemen. They released Jose Abreu despite still owing him money for another season after this. For the season he hit .124/.167/.195 with 2 home runs and 7 RBI in 35 games and posted a −1.6 WAR, by far the lowest of his career. That was a result of their decision in choosing between their own veteran in Yuli Gurriel or Abreu to be their first baseman- both veteran Cubans up there in age. That move did not work out and are now plugging the gap with Jonathan Singleton and Mauricio Dubon. Singleton was a former top prospect that was given a ten year deal before he even made it to the big leagues but then was demoted a year later and then cut a few years after that. Dubon is a super utility player.

Yordan Alvarez has been their left fielder/DH but has been on the injured list more than ten times since he debuted five years ago. He won Rookie of the Year mostly playing DH and has done the same when he hasn’t been hurt. So he would be the perfect solution to finally fill the hole at first base. You could say he is right where he belongs, playing DH or LF but they have a good amount of young players to play the outfield. Jake Myers can be their everyday centerfielder and let Chas McCormick play LF or Joey Loperfido. There would also be some more at bats at DH for Yainer Diaz or anyone else. It doesn’t have to be Alvarez at first base for all 162 just a suggestion to keep him healthy and to make this team better going forward.

The Astros need to think about their future as core players like SP Justin Verlander and 2B Jose Altuve are getting up there in age, and 3B Alex Bregman is an impending free agent plus OF Kyle Tucker next season. If they want to keep being World Series contenders they need to keep their best players healthy. Then Houston we might not have a problem anymore.


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