Panic button

[JimR]

I have pushed it.

[MusicMan]

The 2013 team was 7-14 at this point.


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[Fredia]

for what its worth i am right there with you. can there be mass hysteria in baseball

[Mr. Happy]

I have pushed it.

My hand is on the button. I'm going to give it nine more games. But I expect some changes in the lineup.

[Navin R Johnson]

They are 74-82 in the last 156 games

Im not pushing the panic button, but am coming to the realization that this just isn't a very good team.   The starting rotation is Keuchel and 4 #4/5 pitchers right now.  There are 2 people hitting in the lineup and assuming Correa and Springer play to their potential, there are still holes at 1st, 3rd, CF, C, DH.

McCullers coming back should help.  There are a couple guys in the minors that should help before seasons end (Moran & AJ Reed, Musgrove) but given the Gomez/Giles trade, they really dont have the pieces to move for a ++ MLB starter or position player.

[moriartp]

I have plenty of faith in the offense, even as terrible as it's looked at times. I think the bullpen is good and I think Giles will be fine. I have no faith in the rotation at all.

[Jacksonian]

They are 74-82 in the last 156 games

Im not pushing the panic button, but am coming to the realization that this just isn't a very good team.   The starting rotation is Keuchel and 4 #4/5 pitchers right now.  There are 2 people hitting in the lineup and assuming Correa and Springer play to their potential, there are still holes at 1st, 3rd, CF, C, DH.

Neither Correa nor Springer are hitting for power right now, but over the last 7 games Correa's OBP is .375.  Springer's is .344.  They are at least getting on base.  But I agree there is 5/9 suck in the batter's box.

[Navin R Johnson]

I have plenty of faith in the offense, even as terrible as it's looked at times. I think the bullpen is good and I think Giles will be fine. I have no faith in the rotation at all.

I have "faith" in Altuve, Rasmus, Correa and Springer.  I have zero faith in anyone else.   Maybe Gattis starts hitting for power, maybe Gomez comes around, maybe White turns into a MLB hitter.  That is a lot of maybes.   I have zero faith in Valbuena or Castro hitting.

[MusicMan]

I have "faith" in Altuve, Rasmus, Correa and Springer.  I have zero faith in anyone else.   Maybe Gattis starts hitting for power, maybe Gomez comes around, maybe White turns into a MLB hitter.  That is a lot of maybes.   I have zero faith in Valbuena or Castro hitting.

There is more than ample evidence by now that Castro can't hit. Period.

[moriartp]

I have "faith" in Altuve, Rasmus, Correa and Springer.  I have zero faith in anyone else.   Maybe Gattis starts hitting for power, maybe Gomez comes around, maybe White turns into a MLB hitter.  That is a lot of maybes.   I have zero faith in Valbuena or Castro hitting.

I think there's enough offensive talent that they'll end up above average in the AL in runs scored. It just won't matter much if the pitching staff surrenders the most runs in MLB.

[David in Jackson]

They are 74-82 in the last 156 games

Im not pushing the panic button, but am coming to the realization that this just isn't a very good team.   The starting rotation is Keuchel and 4 #4/5 pitchers right now.  There are 2 people hitting in the lineup and assuming Correa and Springer play to their potential, there are still holes at 1st, 3rd, CF, C, DH.

McCullers coming back should help.  There are a couple guys in the minors that should help before seasons end (Moran & AJ Reed, Musgrove) but given the Gomez/Giles trade, they really dont have the pieces to move for a ++ MLB starter or position player.

The record over the past 156 games shows it is not too early to panic.  Given the team's performance last year after an incredible start, it seems to me now that the big story is why did not bring in quality new players (I know we resigned Rasmus and Sipp) in the offseason.

Astros catchers have to be the worst offensive player at any position in the majors.  How much longer is Kratz a professional baseball player?  There is no successor waiting in the minors.
Is Gomez done?  A complete bust?
Giles?  Who knows?
What is happening at third base?  This year?  Next year?

The big problem, obviously, is starting pitching. Four #5 starters and Keuchel struggling.

This is the first time in years we entered the season expecting playoffs.  It can still happen, but I'm wondering when we see changes.

[Navin R Johnson]

Gomez did have some decent ABs last night.   Hit ball well his first 2 at bats, & didn't swing out of his socks.   Why he wasn't doing this in spring training, when he was regularly falling over swinging, is something that makes me question what in the hell the coaches were doing.

[Jacksonian]

Gomez did have some decent ABs last night.   Hit ball well his first 2 at bats, & didn't swing out of his socks.   Why he wasn't doing this in spring training, when he was regularly falling over swinging, is something that makes me question what in the hell the coaches were doing.

Some people just have to learn by their own experiences.  Sometimes over and over and over again.

[JimR]

I was exaggerating for effect, of course, but I do not think this is a stand pat and wait roster. I have confidence in Luhnow to tweak it, and I would make the Giles trade again.

[WVastro]

Gomez did have some decent ABs last night.   Hit ball well his first 2 at bats, & didn't swing out of his socks.   Why he wasn't doing this in spring training, when he was regularly falling over swinging, is something that makes me question what in the hell the coaches were doing.

I honestly wonder if Gomez thinks one of those swings are going to actually connect at some point. At least a stopped clock is right twice a day but that swing is wrong 100% of the time.

[pots]

I think the bus has backed up over White awfully fast.  Dude has had 2 very bad weeks but is still 19th in the AL in OPS and second among first basemen.  No doubt he has been pressing.  He has slumped at the same time the club went into a tail spin.  Self admitted he's trying to do too much.  Good news is he has a good head on his shoulders.  I think he'll figure it out. 

[das]

I was exaggerating for effect, of course, but I do not think this is a stand pat and wait roster. I have confidence in Luhnow to tweak it, and I would make the Giles trade again.

 I intentionally stayed away from all Astros media all day today. When I woke up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom and checked the score,  I will admit that the first thought that popped into my sleepy mind was, "well, there's the season…".   Up until yesterday, I was holding out hope that this was a good team with a bunch of people slumping at the same time.  The  extended poor performances from so many parts of the team are just so hard to ignore now.

 I hope that Lunhow and Hinch can figure it out. I think some of the answers probably exist in the Fresno - Houston pipeline.

[Fredia]

cant hurt at this point

[Knoxbanedoodle]

I hope that Lunhow and Hinch can figure it out. I think some of the answers probably exist in the Fresno - Houston pipeline.

Ditto. And Corpus, too. I wouldn't be terribly surprised if Musgrove was making a difference by the end of the year.

 

[Reuben]

I think the bus has backed up over White awfully fast.  Dude has had 2 very bad weeks but is still 19th in the AL in OPS and second among first basemen.  No doubt he has been pressing.  He has slumped at the same time the club went into a tail spin.  Self admitted he's trying to do too much.  Good news is he has a good head on his shoulders.  I think he'll figure it out.

I agree with this. I have confidence in White to be a solid hitter, probably not an All-Star 1B, but far from a "black hole".

Moran is off to a good, but not monster, start in AAA. I'd expect to see more Marwin at 3B before they totally pull the plug on Valbuena and install Moran.

Musgrove had another terrific game at CC yesterday. I wonder if he could follow the McCullers path and be jumped from AA fairly early. Not sure they want to rush him that much.

[VirtualBob]

Musgrove had another terrific game at CC yesterday. I wonder if he could follow the McCullers path and be jumped from AA fairly early. Not sure they want to rush him that much.

Why not?  It has certainly worked well for McCullers. [/sarc]

[Arky Vaughan]

Another thing to consider on the positive side is that the biggest holes in the line-up other than catcher -- Gomez, Valbuena, Gattis (who, to be fair, got no spring training) -- are not in the team's long-term plans. The Astros have players in the system who can out-hit them given time and experience.

[juliogotay]

Another thing to consider on the positive side is that the biggest holes in the line-up other than catcher -- Gomez, Valbuena, Gattis (who, to be fair, got no spring training) -- are not in the team's long-term plans. The Astros have players in the system who can out-hit them given time and experience.

Who among CF prospects do you see that can take CF and improve the offense?

[Mr. Happy]

At least we salvaged a win last night. With a day off, we can all breathe a little easier and step back from the edge today. Hopefully, the day off will help the club.

[juliogotay]

Maybe there is some hope, after all. http://www.astroscounty.com/2016/04/comparing-2005-to-2016.html

[Jacksonian]

Who among CF prospects do you see that can take CF and improve the offense?

In the near term the only CF in the minors right now are Marisnick and Kemp.  Don't know if either can improve the offense.  Marisnick is the better defender.  Moving Springer to center doesn't really help either as there's no RF ready.

[juliogotay]

In the near term the only CF in the minors right now are Marisnick and Kemp.  Don't know if either can improve the offense.  Marisnick is the better defender.  Moving Springer to center doesn't really help either as there's no RF ready.

Hopefully Kyle Tucker develops in a couple of years to a RF prospect. That could allow Springer to CF.

[hostros7]

The big problem, obviously, is starting pitching. Four #5 starters and Keuchel struggling.

Daren Willman ‏@darenw 
The #Astros avg fastball this year is 89 MPH. Lowest of any team by almost 2 MPH. If holds would be lowest since the 2009 #Phillies, 88.9

[jbm]

IMO, the Kemp option gives you a reliable table setter, but less defense.  I still have hopes for Teoscar as raw guys like him sometimes develop in odd spurts.  I also think that Kemmer shouldn't be written off as a possibility for RF. 

[Jacksonian]

Hopefully Kyle Tucker develops in a couple of years to a RF prospect. That could allow Springer to CF.

I can't imagine he'll be ready any time before the '19 season and likely during it or to start the '20 season.

Also, it's been mentioned on the bus too, don't lose sight of Jason Martin in Lancaster.  He's been a slow but steadily developing CF.

[Navin R Johnson]

IMO, the Kemp option gives you a reliable table setter, but less defense.  I still have hopes for Teoscar as raw guys like him sometimes develop in odd spurts.  I also think that Kemmer shouldn't be written off as a possibility for RF. 

If Kemp were to be called up, would he play LF or CF?  Why not Kemp in LF, George in CF, Rasmus in RF.

[Jacksonian]

IMO, the Kemp option gives you a reliable table setter, but less defense.  I still have hopes for Teoscar as raw guys like him sometimes develop in odd spurts.  I also think that Kemmer shouldn't be written off as a possibility for RF.

With Altuve they don't need a table setter.  He needs to be an overall better player than Marisnick to get his shot.  Oh, and a spot on the 40-man.

I'm not holding my breath for Hernandez.

Kemmer has to hit at AAA first before he'll get any shot.  And as he's currently struggling, it'll be a while.

[Reuben]

If Kemp were to be called up, would he play LF or CF?  Why not Kemp in LF, George in CF, Rasmus in RF.

That sounds fairly reasonable (Kemp not having a strong arm), although I've found it difficult to tell how much the Astros really like Kemp as a potential starter. Kemp/Altuve filling the top two spots would allow Springer to slide to a run-producing spot, so I could see the logic there.

Realistically though, I think it's more likely the 2017 CF comes from free agency (any Cuban CFs out there?). I think they want to keep Springer in RF for health and possibly defensive reasons.

Let's see, the top free agent OF this offseason, according to mlbtr, is somebody named Carlos Gomez. Maybe Crane will splurge and sign him.

[jbm]

With Altuve they don't need a table setter.  He needs to be an overall better player than Marisnick to get his shot.  Oh, and a spot on the 40-man.

I'm not holding my breath for Hernandez.

Kemmer has to hit at AAA first before he'll get any shot.  And as he's currently struggling, it'll be a while.

I thought this discussion was for long-term plans, and every team needs multiple players who get on base.

[Jacksonian]

I thought this discussion was for long-term plans, and every team needs multiple players who get on base.

My point was that he doesn't need to fill a specific need.  He just needs to be the best option.  At this point his future competition is Marisnick.

The Astros are really hoping that Fisher is the long-term left fielder.

[Navin R Johnson]

Kemp has hit and got on base at every level.  He was unbelievable at Vandy and since making it to the pro ball....

season/level/avg/ob
2014/A+&AA/316/411
2015/AA&AAA/308/388
2016/AAA/305/395

I like the idea of he and Tuve at the top allowing Hinch to move Springer into a run producing spot.  Tuve/Kemp/Correa/Rasmus/Springer/DH/White/3rd base/catcher

[astrosfan76]

I still think that Bregman ends up in the outfield at some point, especially if Moran pans out at 3B.  Right now, I don't see Moran moving off the hot corner with Reed & White in line to get most of the 1B/DH at-bats (once Reed moves up, of course).  The club seems pretty intent on getting Gattis some time behind the dish, so I think C/DH is where his AB will come (would also inject "some" offense once he gets on track).  Back to Bregman, I don't know how he'd be in CF, but there or LF would seem to be options.  He's not likely to get a shot before OD next year (especially if there's a position switch), but he's a guy they'll need to make room for somewhere.

[Reuben]

True. 3B, CF, or July trade bait seem to be his possible futures, but I have no idea which is most likely.

[Navin R Johnson]

I'd guess the most likely course for Bregman is a September call up and a chance next Spring to win a shot to make the big league club.

[Reuben]

...

The Astros are really hoping that Fisher is the long-term left fielder.

Just curious what makes you say this. It seems their preference was to deal him, instead of Appel, in the Giles trade. Only VV's injury/physical issue made them cave and "improve" the offer to include Appel rather than Fisher. Not what I would normally expect with a guy you have such high hopes for.

[HudsonHawk]

The 2013 team was 7-14 at this point.


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The difference between this team and the 2013 version is that this team is capable of reeling off seven wins in a row or avoiding a 12-game skid. The 2013 team wasn't.  That doesn't mean they will.

[WVastro]

Hopefully Kyle Tucker develops in a couple of years to a RF prospect. That could allow Springer to CF.

Sorry to go back so far in the thread but I figure in two-three years Springer will be (I hope) so entrenched in RF that moving him to center would be more of a "only if needed" situation. I'd love to see Kemp do well, I'd love even more to see Marisnick become the player I think he is. After that, unless Tucker forces his way in to the outfield, the Astros have two outfield spots to fill. (Though Rasmus may just keep saying "fuck it" and take qualifying offers until he opens a Hard Rock Cafe in Mississippistan with Roy Oswalt....)

For those of you that see the games/follow them closely does Bregman have the toolset (more than Kemp) to play CF?

[Fredia]

if he trots giles out there again i will scream. maybe i am missing something, but the guy is just bad