J.D. Martinez removed from the 40-man and outrighted to AAA. Ely released. Astros pick up Ryan Jackson from the Cards.
And right after I post the former list, McTaggart posts a list of players eligible to be taken. I'm not going to post the whole list, but here are some players I could see taken:Carlos Perez, Austin Wates, Jason Stoffel, possibly J.D. Martinez.http://brianmctaggart.mlblogs.com/2013/11/21/astros-rule-5-draft-eligible-players/
But given that Houston called up Max Stassi from Double-A and minor league veterans Cody Clark and Matt Pagnozzi late in the 2013 season, it wasn’t too much of a surprise that the Astros left Perez exposed. Perez, who turned 23 last month, is a dependable catcher who moves well behind the plate, blocks well and earns praise for how he handles a pitching staff. His arm is average and he gets rid of the ball quickly, helping him erase an impressive 47 percent of basestealers last year in Triple-A Oklahoma City.The question scouts have on Perez is his offense. His bat speed is below-average, he has minimal power and his swing can get long. But Perez doesn’t swing and miss much and he controls the strike zone, which helped him hit a respectable .269/.328/.345 with 25 walks and 39 strikeouts in 75 games in Triple-A. If the power develops, he could be an everyday catcher, but he should at least get a chance in a backup role. When Perez originally signed with the Blue Jays out of Venezuela at age 17, Marco Paddy was Toronto’s top scout in Latin America. Paddy now runs the White Sox’s international operations as a special assistant to the general manager, and with Tyler Flowers and Josh Phegley, the organization could look for additional depth. The White Sox have the third pick in the Rule 5 draft (and the Astros are at No. 1), so Perez could go off the board early.
If you get taken in the Rule 5 you must spend the whole season on the 25 man roster. It is much easier to hide a guy in the bullpen for the season than on the bench. So I think Jorge DeLeon has the best shot. He has had MLB time and has the power arm. Of position players, I think JD Martinez is the most likely to be picked.
Jiovanni Mier is on the list. Has the team given up on him? I seem to remember him being highly thought of at one time within the organization.
A change may do him good.
I doubt it. I don't think his weak showing over the last four years has anything to do with the organization.
He has not developed to his expectations offensively and with Correa in the organization, Villar currently at the ML level, he is pretty much an after-thought. A change may do him good.
With Peralta signing with St. Louis, I wonder if the Astros could get Kozma or Descalso at a reasonable price. It would be nice for them to have a major league shortstop going in to spring training.
Villar reminds me of Paredes - lots of raw promise but nowhere near major league ready; especially in the fielding and base running departments. I think that the Astros need a major league shortstop on the roster until (and if) Villar matures and completes his development. Of course they played the entire year in 2013 without a major league shortstop.
Correa will be ready about the same time, or before, Villar matures.
So you've given up on Andujar Cedeno?
If Bogar could hit we wouldn't even be having this conversation.
Or Julio Lugo could stop.
Roger Metzger might be available.
Might be able to get Sonny Jackson at a decent price.
