Man our outfield looks UGLY. Cole/Smith/Loperfido doesn’t inspire confidence. Jake Meyers is just ok. No power at all. Dana has been talking a lot, let’s see if he actually gets something done.
It’s 4 league average bats with excellent defense, a lot of power, a decent amount of steals, and a ton of strikeouts.
Yep, and if Yordan is healthy, locked in, and playing left, then the outfield is above average. Hope springs eternal.
There was a radio broadcast posted earlier today on X, including 3 interviews—one with Espada. I was listening to it and lost it. Does anyone have a link?
He averaged 135 games the previous 4 seasons before this last one. It’s not as bad as some are making it seem on here.
https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/...itional-battles-orioles-dodgers-mets-red-sox/ Houston Astros: Right and left fields Candidates Zach ColeHOU OF Joey LoperfidoTOR OF Cam SmithHOU 3B Taylor TrammellHOU LF This position battle extends into the infield, because the Astros have hinted at playing Jose Altuve in left field and Isaac Paredes at second base. Yordan Alvarez, however, seems locked in at DH. Don't expect to see him roaming left field much, if it all. For now, Jake Meyers in center field is about the only part of Houston's outfield that can be considered even remotely settled, and even that's not a given. The Astros could give Smith, who moved from third base to right field last year, time in center this spring. Cole gave the Astros a nice boost late last season, though his strikeout issues are worrisome. Loperfido was reacquired from the Blue Jays last week and, frankly, isn't all that dissimilar from Cole. All things considered, Smith handled himself well last season considering he changed positions on the fly and played only 32 games in the minors after being drafted in the first round in 2024. Trammell and utility guy Zach Dezenzo didn't impress when they played last year. It's not the best outfield group for the Astros. This is a wide open spring competition. The frontrunners: The answer is "all of the above." Trammell's a long shot, otherwise Smith (a righty hitter) can platoon with Cole and Loperfido, two lefties. Paredes has been in trade rumors all winter. Trading him for a no-doubt starting outfielder would be ideal, though it seems unlikely at this point, especially after the Red Sox seemingly moved on and brought in Caleb Durbin and Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Still, keep an eye out for a Paredes trade, or another move that nets Houston a legitimate big-league outfielder.
Houston just needs to find 1200 really good pa from a group of 7 guys: Smith, Cole, Loperfido, Dezenzo, Meyers, Trammell, and Whitcomb. All of them project to be right around average with the bat but all except for maybe Meyers and Trammell have upside to produce well above average.
I can't say I have a lot of confidence in Cole. I think he is very much a boom or bust candidate. He oozes ability but outside of a couple years of Joey Gallo, I cannot think of a similar profile from a K perspective. Trammel, Whitcomb and Loperfido are lightening in a bottle guys. I have zero confidence in them. I have a little confidence in Matthews being able to contribute enough if given a chance - maybe 25% chance. I have a fair amount of confidence in Cam Smith based on the first half, the circumstances of his professional career and the talent - over 50% he is good this year. I have Meyers at about 60% to be solid - he has a high injury risk and a history of slumps.
Yep, this is how you have to go into the season. If you aren't getting an all-star level player in return for Paredes, you are making this team worse, end of story.
This is only true if you are willing to play all 5 infielders and Yordan at the same time. If one of them is on the bench because you don't want to use LF to get him in the lineup then ANY MLB caliber LF is better.
