Is there an anitdote?

[BudGirl]

So, I intentionally did not watch last night's game.  I went to bed early but did have the game on.  I think I saw the drop by White and I was not surprised.

So, if this team is snake-bitten, what do you suppose is the antidote?  I do not believe they are over-rated, but will admit that Hinch and Luhnow need to make some adjustments and shake things up.

My first move would be to sit Gomez and play Marisnick for more than just one game.  The pitching will get adjusted when McCullers comes back.

Also, someone mentioned in the GZ yesterday that a Bagwell/Biggio moment needs to happen, well, Mr. Altuve and Mr. Correa, you guys are the leaders, start leading.  I also think Rasmus would have their back, which would be good since I believe he is the best veteran on the team.

[Fredia]

that was the most bizarre game ever.  never go to arlington again?

[Jacksonian]

So, I intentionally did not watch last night's game.  I went to bed early but did have the game on.  I think I saw the drop by White and I was not surprised.

So, if this team is snake-bitten, what do you suppose is the antidote?  I do not believe they are over-rated, but will admit that Hinch and Luhnow need to make some adjustments and shake things up.

My first move would be to sit Gomez and play Marisnick for more than just one game.  The pitching will get adjusted when McCullers comes back.

Also, someone mentioned in the GZ yesterday that a Bagwell/Biggio moment needs to happen, well, Mr. Altuve and Mr. Correa, you guys are the leaders, start leading.  I also think Rasmus would have their back, which would be good since I believe he is the best veteran on the team.

It also sounds like Luhnow isn't far from calling up Moran to play third every day.

[BUWebguy]

It also sounds like Luhnow isn't far from calling up Moran to play third every day.

Did he say something publicly that indicated that?

[Jacksonian]

Did he say something publicly that indicated that?

http://www.crawfishboxes.com/2016/4/20/11472112/astros-general-manager-jeff-luhnow-colin-mora-790-am-interview

[HudsonHawk]

Did he say something publicly that indicated that?

He said in an interview yesterday that Moran was "one slump away".  The takeaway was that he really likes Moran, more so than many realize, and he won't hesitate to yank him up here and win the damn pennant!

[juliogotay]

He said in an interview yesterday that Moran was "one slump away".  The takeaway was that he really likes Moran, more so than many realize, and he won't hesitate to yank him up here and win the damn pennant!

He has touted Moran for a long time. He was the key to the Cosart deal. Remember he was under consideration for #1/1 I think the year Correa was chosen.

[mrpink]

I think at this point even Worth would be an improvement at 3rd. 

[BatGirl]

My first move would be to sit Gomez and play Marisnick for more than just one game.  The pitching will get adjusted when McCullers comes back.

totally agree

[pots]

I don't see how it is possible to sit Gomez for more than a game here and there.  If you were going to go in another direction I think you have to trade him.

[Navin R Johnson]

I don't see how it is possible to sit Gomez for more than a game here and there.  If you were going to go in another direction I think you have to trade him.

Why couldnt he just flip roles with Jake for a week or 2?

[pots]

Why couldnt he just flip roles with Jake for a week or 2?

I think given his years of experience you'd have to get his buy in.   Given it's his contract year, that seems like a long shot.  If you just blindly sit him and he chooses to take to the press then you are screwed.  He would have zero value in a trade and the bad PR on top of it. 

[WVastro]

I think given his years of experience you'd have to get his buy in.   Given it's his contract year, that seems like a long shot.  If you just blindly sit him and he chooses to take to the press then you are screwed.  He would have zero value in a trade and the bad PR on top of it.

I don't care about Gomez's feelings. A week on the pine might be good for him and the team.

[Navin R Johnson]

I think given his years of experience you'd have to get his buy in.   Given it's his contract year, that seems like a long shot.  If you just blindly sit him and he chooses to take to the press then you are screwed.  He would have zero value in a trade and the bad PR on top of it. 

LOL, and what is his trade value now?  Considering his salary, it is actually much much less than zero.

[BudGirl]

I don't care about Gomez's feelings. A week on the pine might be good for him and the team.

I rather think hurting his feelings and letting him know that he is replaceable may help him get his shit straight.

[bubba]

Who goes if Moran gets called up? Who goes when McCullers comes back?

[Jacksonian]

Who goes if Moran gets called up? Who goes when McCullers comes back?

Fields out and Fiers to the pen for McCullers. Moran, dunno.

[doyce7]

Who goes if Moran gets called up? Who goes when McCullers comes back?

Fields out and Fiers to the pen for McCullers. Moran, dunno.

Probably Matt Duffy.

[Jacksonian]

Probably Matt Duffy.

Duffy's already at AAA.

[doyce7]

Duffy's already at AAA.

Oh yeah that's right

[austro]

Fields out and Fiers to the pen for McCullers. Moran, dunno.

I think they'll DFA Valbuena, but that's also why they'll wait until they're sure about Moran. I suppose they could just ship Tucker down since he's still got options (right?), but that leaves them with a bit of an odd mix. I guess Marwin/Gattis could be the 5th outfielder if need be.

[MusicMan]

I think they'll DFA Valbuena, but that's also why they'll wait until they're sure about Moran. I suppose they could just ship Tucker down since he's still got options (right?), but that leaves them with a bit of an odd mix. I guess Marwin/Gattis could be the 5th outfielder if need be.

I think once they're comfortable that Gattis can catch, then Kratz goes out and Moran comes up.

[austro]

I think once they're comfortable that Gattis can catch, then Kratz goes out and Moran comes up.

Ah, that's definitely an option. I didn't think of that.

[HudsonHawk]

I think given his years of experience you'd have to get his buy in.   Given it's his contract year, that seems like a long shot.  If you just blindly sit him and he chooses to take to the press then you are screwed.  He would have zero value in a trade and the bad PR on top of it.

Why would it be bad press to sit a guy who's hitting .180?  How is not bad press if you don't? 

[Navin R Johnson]

Marwin is also an option for to replace CarGo.

[pots]

Why would it be bad press to sit a guy who's hitting .180?  How is not bad press if you don't?

If he's still batting 180 in June then sure.  But if you bench a veteran 3 weeks into the season of his contract year, chances of it going over well are slim.  Yes he wasn't very good in July and August last year, but he was good in limited time in September and the post season.  My opinion, your best bet would be to give him 1 to 2 days off a week till he turns it around or doesn't.  I'm no Gomez sympathizer.  I don't like the way he plays and felt it was a huge overpay to get him.  I still think he can turn it around.  Maybe not all the way but a mid 700 OPS isn't out of the question. 

[roadrunner]

I would give him the weekend before starting a Tucker/Marisnick/Gomez platoon of the 3rd OF spot with most of the starts given to Tucker.  Marisnick/Gomez become late inning pinch runners and defensive replacements.  Gattis gets another 7-10 days before Moran or Reed come up and take his spot.

That would be a lineup of:

2B - Altuve
SS - Correa
CF - Rasmus
RF - Springer
LF - Tucker
DH - White/Moran
1B - Reed/White
3B - Moran/Margo
C - Castro

That's just throwing names out there, that's not intended to be my set lineup.  I understand that only one of Moran or Reed could come up and that would mean Gattis or Kratz gets cut (fine by me).

Of course then there's the pitching...

[Mr. Happy]

I would give him the weekend before starting a Tucker/Marisnick/Gomez platoon of the 3rd OF spot with most of the starts given to Tucker.  Marisnick/Gomez become late inning pinch runners and defensive replacements.  Gattis gets another 7-10 days before Moran or Reed come up and take his spot.

That would be a lineup of:

2B - Altuve
SS - Correa
CF - Rasmus
RF - Springer
LF - Tucker
DH - White
1B - Reed
3B - Moran/Margo
C - Castro

Of course then there's the pitching...

I think that Gattis will get more than 7-10 more days. After his February surgery, he's still in spring training of sorts. I see the club parting with Valbuena far more than Gattis.

[jbm]

Any changes here or there might make a small difference, but the mindset seems to be a bigger problem.  They are sloppy and seem entitled, like they thought they were good and expected winning would just happen.  That seems to be a far bigger problem than shitty individual performances.

That being, said, I hope there is a fix, because the thought that they traded a lot of prospects for what I've seen so far is nauseating.     

[Mr. Happy]

Any changes here or there might make a small difference, but the mindset seems to be a bigger problem.  They are sloppy and seem entitled, like they thought they were good and expected winning would just happen.  That seems to be a far bigger problem than shitty individual performances.

That being, said, I hope there is a fix, because the thought that they traded a lot of prospects for what I've seen so far is nauseating.   

The club needs a real wake up call. 5-11 thus far is pitiful. And there may be something to this entitlement/rest on pre-season laurels mentality theory.

[JimR]

Correa should not get a free pass. what has he done lately?

[MusicMan]

Correa should not get a free pass. what has he done lately?

During this 1-7 stretch, he has gone .179/.281/.214.  And he needs to play better defense.

Basically, only Altuve, Rasmus, and White are holding up their ends of the bargain.

[Mr. Happy]

During this 1-7 stretch, he has gone .179/.281/.214.  And he needs to play better defense.

Basically, only Altuve, Rasmus, and White are holding up their ends of the bargain.

You're absolutely right. Correa has been putrid and his lack of solid defense astonishing. I wish that White was a better fielder than he seems to be.

[juliogotay]

You're absolutely right. Correa has been putrid and his lack of solid defense astonishing. I wish that White was a better fielder than he seems to be.

White doesn't have a lot of time at 1B yet. Will be interesting to see what happens when Reed is called up.

[jaklewein]

That being, said, I hope there is a fix, because the thought that they traded a lot of prospects for what I've seen so far is nauseating.   

My thoughts exactly.  Gomez in particular.  I didn't watch a lot of MIL baseball the past couple seasons.  Was he this the same pull happy...swing for the fences no matter the situation...in prior seasons when he was putting up great numbers?  My knowledge of the game is dick compared to most of you but even I can shoot from the hip on him and say any pitcher would be nuts to throw him a pitch middle in right now.

[pots]

You're absolutely right. Correa has been putrid and his lack of solid defense astonishing. I wish that White was a better fielder than he seems to be.

White is just manning first while Gattis get back into catching.  After Gattis replaces Kratz, White goes into a 60% DH. 

I could see this:
First (in a week or 2):
 - Gattis goes to catcher, Kratz released
 - White to DH
 - Marwin to first
 - Worth replaces Marwin as utility

Second (In mid-May)
 - Moran replaces Valbuena (traded)

Third (in June):
 - Reed called up to play first



 

[Navin R Johnson]

FWIW, Hinch said of the Wednesday night game, if it had gone to extra innings, White would have moved to 3rd and Gattis would have caught.   So I think White getting PT at 3rd isn't out of the question.

[Fredia]

shift happens

[chuck]

It would be challenging to make the team's fielding worse than it already is but White to third and Gattis at catcher would do the trick nicely.

[drew corleone]

During this 1-7 stretch, he has gone .179/.281/.214.  And he needs to play better defense.

Basically, only Altuve, Rasmus, and White are holding up their ends of the bargain.

Springer is 9 for his last 24 (6 games) w/ 3 HRs and 3 doubles, to go with plus-defense. I don't put him in the problem camp.

[MusicMan]

Springer is 9 for his last 24 (6 games) w/ 3 HRs and 3 doubles, to go with plus-defense. I don't put him in the problem camp.

That squirrel is finding nuts but his plate approach shows signs of blindness.

[HudsonHawk]

FWIW, Hinch said of the Wednesday night game, if it had gone to extra innings, White would have moved to 3rd and Gattis would have caught.   So I think White getting PT at 3rd isn't out of the question.

I guess that would have meant Tucker at 1B, and the pitcher into Castro's spot, since they'd have lost the DH.  Kratz would have been the only non-pitcher available to pinch hit.  A 16-inning job would have been quite the adventure. 

[drew corleone]

That squirrel is finding nuts but his plate approach shows signs of blindness.

He's still over swinging, but not nearly as badly as the first two weeks, IMO (based mainly on fewer instances of him dropping to one knee).

[juliogotay]

He's still over swinging, but not nearly as badly as the first two weeks, IMO (based mainly on fewer instances of him dropping to one knee).

Yes, he has ceased his Go mess impersonation.