Just to generate some discussion...

[TerryPuhl21]

.....is everyone comfortable with our catching situation? This is undoubtedly McCann’s final year. Do you think Stubbs will be ready next season? Are we comfortable with Stassi as the backup? Should we try to sign Lucroy on a 2 or 3 year deal then turn it over to Stubbs??

I think Lucroy would hit well in MMP. While I like Stassi as a backup, if I didn’t think Stubbs was ready to take over next year, I think I’d try to sign Lucroy. Split time with he and McCann behind the plate this year and then Stubbs is Lucroy’s backup and learns on the job for a year or two. Thoughts??


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[NeilT]

This is undoubtedly McCann’s final year.

Why?  I wouldn't assume that at all.

[Bench]

There's a $15 million club option for 2019 (he's earning $17 million this year).  I'd be surprised if the Astros don't exercise it.  And while he's said he wants to retire a Brave, that's still a few years away.

[Jacksonian]

.....is everyone comfortable with our catching situation? This is undoubtedly McCann’s final year. Do you think Stubbs will be ready next season? Are we comfortable with Stassi as the backup? Should we try to sign Lucroy on a 2 or 3 year deal then turn it over to Stubbs??

I think Lucroy would hit well in MMP. While I like Stassi as a backup, if I didn’t think Stubbs was ready to take over next year, I think I’d try to sign Lucroy. Split time with he and McCann behind the plate this year and then Stubbs is Lucroy’s backup and learns on the job for a year or two. Thoughts??


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2018 will likely tell you everything you need to know about Stubbs future in the Astros org.

[JimR]

I am fine with it. We won the WS with McCann, Gattis, and Centeno/Stassi. If it ain’t broke, etc.

[NeilT]

I am fine with it. We won the WS with McCann, Gattis, and Centeno/Stassi. If it ain’t broke, etc.

Centeno is gone, right?  I assume right now McGattis will be filling the DH spot, maybe without Gattis catching.

[toddthebod]

There's a $15 million club option for 2019 (he's earning $17 million this year).  I'd be surprised if the Astros don't exercise it.  And while he's said he wants to retire a Brave, that's still a few years away.

I'd be shocked if the Astros exercise the option.  While McCann may be very good with the pitchers (an important characteristic for a catcher), he can't throw anyone out on the bases (13% last season), he appeared to me to not be very good at blocking pitches in the dirt, and he isn't a great pitch framer (actually ranking behind Stassi and Gattis).  http://www.statcorner.com/CatcherReport.php

McCann isn't even a great hitter anymore (as far as catchers go).  I agree with the general consensus here that hitting is not the primary function of a catcher.  But if he was a great hitter, the team might be more willing to forgive his declining defensive skills. 

All in all, it is hard to believe that the Astros will voluntarily pay $15 million to McCann. 

McCann's option does become a player option if McCann hits certain targets.  It is unclear to me from Cot's, however, whether all of these targets must be met or if he only has to hit one of the targets. 

http://legacy.baseballprospectus.com/compensation/cots/al-west/houston-astros/

If he has to hit all of the targets, then it won't become a player option because McCann won't get sufficient plate appearances.  He would need 601 PAs, which he has never done.  If he only has to hit one of the targets, then the option probably vests since he would only need to start 90 games at catcher.

[NeilT]

I'd be shocked if the Astros exercise the option.  While McCann may be very good with the pitchers (an important characteristic for a catcher), he can't throw anyone out on the bases (13% last season), he appeared to me to not be very good at blocking pitches in the dirt, and he isn't a great pitch framer (actually ranking behind Stassi and Gattis).  http://www.statcorner.com/CatcherReport.php

McCann isn't even a great hitter anymore (as far as catchers go).  I agree with the general consensus here that hitting is not the primary function of a catcher.  But if he was a great hitter, the team might be more willing to forgive his declining defensive skills. 

All in all, it is hard to believe that the Astros will voluntarily pay $15 million to McCann. 

McCann's option does become a player option if McCann hits certain targets.  It is unclear to me from Cot's, however, whether all of these targets must be met or if he only has to hit one of the targets. 

http://legacy.baseballprospectus.com/compensation/cots/al-west/houston-astros/

If he has to hit all of the targets, then it won't become a player option because McCann won't get sufficient plate appearances.  He would need 601 PAs, which he has never done.  If he only has to hit one of the targets, then the option probably vests since he would only need to start 90 games at catcher.

My sense is that none of this matters.  He was brilliant at handling the pitchers.

[TerryPuhl21]

I am fine with it. We won the WS with McCann, Gattis, and Centeno/Stassi. If it ain’t broke, etc.

I am actually fine with McCann and Stassi as well, just not sure what happens after this year if McCann’s option isn’t picked up. As long as Stubbs is ready I’m fine with the status quo too. Only the brass knows, but if they are looking at 2020 for Stubbs then personally, I would certainly check in on Lucroy.


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[JimR]

I'd be shocked if the Astros exercise the option.  While McCann may be very good with the pitchers (an important characteristic for a catcher), he can't throw anyone out on the bases (13% last season), he appeared to me to not be very good at blocking pitches in the dirt, and he isn't a great pitch framer (actually ranking behind Stassi and Gattis).  http://www.statcorner.com/CatcherReport.php

McCann isn't even a great hitter anymore (as far as catchers go).  I agree with the general consensus here that hitting is not the primary function of a catcher.  But if he was a great hitter, the team might be more willing to forgive his declining defensive skills. 

All in all, it is hard to believe that the Astros will voluntarily pay $15 million to McCann. 

McCann's option does become a player option if McCann hits certain targets.  It is unclear to me from Cot's, however, whether all of these targets must be met or if he only has to hit one of the targets. 

http://legacy.baseballprospectus.com/compensation/cots/al-west/houston-astros/

If he has to hit all of the targets, then it won't become a player option because McCann won't get sufficient plate appearances.  He would need 601 PAs, which he has never done.  If he only has to hit one of the targets, then the option probably vests since he would only need to start 90 games at catcher.

You obviously did not watch the same season I did. None of this matters a whit.

[TerryPuhl21]

I'd be shocked if the Astros exercise the option.  While McCann may be very good with the pitchers (an important characteristic for a catcher), he can't throw anyone out on the bases (13% last season), he appeared to me to not be very good at blocking pitches in the dirt, and he isn't a great pitch framer (actually ranking behind Stassi and Gattis).  http://www.statcorner.com/CatcherReport.php

McCann isn't even a great hitter anymore (as far as catchers go).  I agree with the general consensus here that hitting is not the primary function of a catcher.  But if he was a great hitter, the team might be more willing to forgive his declining defensive skills. 

All in all, it is hard to believe that the Astros will voluntarily pay $15 million to McCann. 

McCann's option does become a player option if McCann hits certain targets.  It is unclear to me from Cot's, however, whether all of these targets must be met or if he only has to hit one of the targets. 

http://legacy.baseballprospectus.com/compensation/cots/al-west/houston-astros/

If he has to hit all of the targets, then it won't become a player option because McCann won't get sufficient plate appearances.  He would need 601 PAs, which he has never done.  If he only has to hit one of the targets, then the option probably vests since he would only need to start 90 games at catcher.

I too would be stunned if the Astros pick up that option, which is why I posed the question. If Stubbs will be ready this year, and is a mid-season call up and can learn behind McCann and is ready for 2019, then by all means stick to what you have. But if the brass is looking at late 2019 to 2020 on Stubbs, I would like them to consider Lucroy on a 2-3 year deal. Some projections on him are in the 10-12 million per year range. I’d be good with that money to bridge him to Stubbs if necessary.


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[JimR]

I am actually fine with McCann and Stassi as well, just not sure what happens after this year if McCann’s option isn’t picked up. As long as Stubbs is ready I’m fine with the status quo too. Only the brass knows, but if they are looking at 2020 for Stubbs then personally, I would certainly check in on Lucroy.


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I think I read they had kicked the tires on Lucroy. They tried hard to get him before he went to Texas.

As before, I think the needs are a LHP in the pen (hello, Tony Watson) and a LH hitter for LF/DH.

[TerryPuhl21]

I think I read they had kicked the tires on Lucroy. They tried hard to get him before he went to Texas.

As before, I think the needs are a LHP in the pen (hello, Tony Watson) and a LH hitter for LF/DH.

I’m not giving up on Watson either. They have plenty of room under the cap to get that done if they so desire.


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[Duke]

Yep, if Lucroy doesn't want to come to Houston fuck him.

[ValpoCory]

You obviously did not watch the same season I did. None of this matters a whit.

I can see both sides to this.  On one hand you have the people yelling ... "McCann is a WAR 1.0 and trending down player now, and the going rate for that type of production is not $15 million per year, let alone what his WAR will be in his age 35 season in 2019".  But on the other hand, McCann's true value is not only the tangible stats but in the intangible leadership he brings.  Everyone loves Brian McCann. 

Ultimately, I think the decision on the option will be fairly obvious at the time it needs to be made.   If I were a betting man, I'd say the Astros would decline the $15million option.   Maybe it's because they get that clear next-in-line catcher (One could hope for J.T. Realmuto, but unlikely) or due to some injury or due to B-Mac deciding to retire.   We'll see.

[NeilT]

I can see both sides to this.  On one hand you have the people yelling ... "McCann is a WAR 1.0 and trending down player now, and the going rate for that type of production is not $15 million per year, let alone what his WAR will be in his age 35 season in 2019".  But on the other hand, McCann's true value is not only the tangible stats but in the intangible leadership he brings.  Everyone loves Brian McCann. 

Ultimately, I think the decision on the option will be fairly obvious at the time it needs to be made.   If I were a betting man, I'd say the Astros would decline the $15million option.   Maybe it's because they get that clear next-in-line catcher (One could hope for J.T. Realmuto, but unlikely) or due to some injury or due to B-Mac deciding to retire.   We'll see.

I don't think it had anything to do with intangible leadership, not in the usual clubhouse sense.  I think McCann got the best out of his pitchers on the field.  He made the pitchers better. 

[geezerdonk]

Everyone loves Brian McCann. 

Carlos Gomez?

[JimR]

I can see both sides to this.  On one hand you have the people yelling ... "McCann is a WAR 1.0 and trending down player now, and the going rate for that type of production is not $15 million per year, let alone what his WAR will be in his age 35 season in 2019".  But on the other hand, McCann's true value is not only the tangible stats but in the intangible leadership he brings.  Everyone loves Brian McCann. 

Ultimately, I think the decision on the option will be fairly obvious at the time it needs to be made.   If I were a betting man, I'd say the Astros would decline the $15million option.   Maybe it's because they get that clear next-in-line catcher (One could hope for J.T. Realmuto, but unlikely) or due to some injury or due to B-Mac deciding to retire.   We'll see.

I was not thinking about the option. I very much disagreed with the evaluation of his worth.

[juliogotay]

I was not thinking about the option. I very much disagreed with the evaluation of his worth.

Yes, and this shoots holes in the notion that Luhnow is strictly about the advanced metrics.

[HudsonHawk]

McCann will be fine.  He's not a good defensive catcher, but if Keuchel, Verlander, McCullers, Morton, Peacock, etc like throwing to him, then by all means keep him back there.  He's not terrible.  Stassi is the best defensive catcher they have right now.  I'm fine with him backing up McCann.  Gattis...is...well Gattis.  His best position is "batter".  I wish he could do more with the mitt, but he is what he is.  He can fill essentially the same role Beltran did last year. 

[JimR]

The team won 101 games with Gattis as the only backup catcher until he got hurt. There is not a crying need at catcher, imo. Sounds like there may be 3 catchers on the roster, but Gattis will be the primary DH barring a trade or signing which adds a bat.

[HudsonHawk]

The team won 101 games with Gattis as the only backup catcher until he got hurt. There is not a crying need at catcher, imo. Sounds like there may be 3 catchers on the roster, but Gattis will be the primary DH barring a trade or signing which adds a bat.

Exactly.  I'd like to see Gattis just DH and have another backup catcher.  Stassi is fine for that role, IMO, but if they want to look elsewhere, that's fine too.  The backup catcher should not be driving much in the way of roster construction. 

[Jacksonian]

Exactly.  I'd like to see Gattis just DH and have another backup catcher.  Stassi is fine for that role, IMO, but if they want to look elsewhere, that's fine too.  The backup catcher should not be driving much in the way of roster construction.

The last two years Gattis's bat was dependent on position played.  While playing catcher he hit well.  While playing DH he hit very little.

[juliogotay]

The last two years Gattis's bat was dependent on position played.  While playing catcher he hit well.  While playing DH he hit very little.

Interesting.

[NeilT]

Interesting.

Maybe he could platoon in left with Fisher. 

[JimR]

Maybe he could platoon in left with Fisher.

The Bow-Tied troll strikes again!

[NeilT]

The Bow-Tied troll strikes again!

Somebody's gotta do it.

ETA:  It's not going to work.  Gattis only hit .237 in the 11 games he played in left in 2015. 

[Mr. Happy]

The last two years Gattis's bat was dependent on position played.  While playing catcher he hit well.  While playing DH he hit very little.

Do we have another Pat the Bat Burrell?

[VirtualBob]

Exactly.  I'd like to see Gattis just DH and have another backup catcher.  Stassi is fine for that role, IMO, but if they want to look elsewhere, that's fine too.  The backup catcher should not be driving much in the way of roster construction.

Exactly.