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Astros Offseason Chat: 2022-23
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Bregmans barber
12:46
Altuve and Bregman’s contract is up after 24,  should we be looking to extend now or mid 24?
Anthony Franco
12:47
I don't think it's urgent on either player, especially not Altuve. He had an incredible year and obviously is tremendous player but he's already under contract through age 34. Not the profile I'd be itching to commit to a couple years in advance
12:49
Bregman makes more sense but I don't know how urgent he is to sign another extension when he can get to free agency at age 31. If he tacks on three years or so to his current contract, he's basically bypassing any chance he has at getting a six-plus year deal down the line
A
12:49
Christian Javier seems like a good extension candidate to me. Do you think that's a discussion being had this offseason?
Anthony Franco
12:50
Yeah I like this idea. Three more years of arbitration control but he's starting from a relatively low platform salary because arb salaries for starting pitchers tend to be suppressed and he didn't have much chance to build the counting totals in his first couple seasons
12:51
If you're getting a Javier extension done, this spring's probably the time to do it
Astros
12:51
With the Astros now having 5 high leverage relievers (Pressly, Montero, Abreu, Neris, Stanek) do you think the Astros consider trying Abreu as a starter again?
Anthony Franco
12:52
I don't. Control and the lack of a changeup were the knocks on him as a prospect, when a bunch of evaluators thought he'd be better suited to relief work. He still doesn't throw the changeup and walks a fair number of guys
12:53
It doesn't matter in his current role because he just blows hitters away with his fastball-slider combo. But it wouldn't be as successful as a starter and we know he's already very good at what he does right now. I'd leave him
HOUSTONBUCK
12:53
We won 106 regular season games and a World Series, why would we not resign Yuli and look to get more production in centerfield?
Anthony Franco
12:54
I certainly think they could re-sign Yuli, but I wouldn't want to go into the season with him as my #1 first base option. He had a great playoff before the injury, but his regular season production wasn't particularly good
12:56
At this stage of his career, he's probably best suited as a contact-oriented bench bat. If he's willing to take that role behind Abreu, Bell or a trade candidate like Hoskins or Tellez, then that's fine. But if he's set on getting another 600 plate appearances at first base, I'd move on
Josh C.
12:57
Does Altuve eventually get in the Hall of Fame?
Anthony Franco
12:58
Yeah I think so. He's not there yet and I would've said no if asked this question 12 months ago when it looked as if he were taking a step back, but he only needs like 2-3 more productive seasons to have the counting numbers that should get him in
After the season he just had, I assume he'll do that
Josh C.
12:59
If you were guessing, who do they sign/acquire to play left/first when it is all said and done?
Anthony Franco
1:00
Guess I might as well throw a prediction down with how many questions I've had about those positions. I'll go with Abreu and Dickerson, with Yuli back as a bench bat
Zac
1:00
I had Bader for Urquidy at the trade deadline, got Montgomery instead. Is Montgomery better or worse than Urquidy?
Anthony Franco
1:01
Slightly better pitcher, less desirable trade asset because he's more expensive and has a shorter window of club control
Andy
1:01
Where are we at with Forrest Whitley? After years of tantalizing potential, should he even hold the status of "something to look forward to" as a fan, or has his injury history made him too much of a wild card to tell?
Anthony Franco
1:02
I've given up hope between the injuries and lack of recent minor league production. Think there's a real shot he ends up on waivers at some point this offseason
JCAM
1:02
What type of role could we see C/1B Yainer Diaz play next year? Surprised Astros didn’t give him more ABs this past September?
Anthony Franco
1:03
A little bit, yeah. There should be a clearer path to playing time this season, albeit not at any one position
1:04
I think the bat-first skillset makes him a nice complement to Maldonado. If you carry him on the roster alongside Maldonado and a veteran backup, that allows you to pinch hit for either of the other guys if necessary. He can mix in at DH or first base, particularly against LHP, with Yordan going out to left field on those days
Zac
1:05
Dom Smith fit LF and 1st base needs?
Anthony Franco
1:06
Sure I could see him as a possible lower-cost target, albeit as more of a fallback if they miss on the bigger bats available. Same for Belt, whom a couple people threw out there as well
Alright that's all I have time for today
1:07
Thanks for all the questions, and I appreciate those of you who dropped stuff wishing me a good Thanksgiving!
Hope you all have a great holiday yourselves!
If you want to throw anything at me on Twitter, I'm @affranco10
1:08
I also do weekly chats exclusive to Front Office subscribers where I cover most of the questions because the queues tend to be pretty small
1:09
You can find out more about our memberships there. That also gets you weekly emails from Steve and myself. I looked at some post-hype prospects who could be trade candidates this week, while Steve's offering his thoughts on the Teoscar Hernández/Erik Swanson deal
1:10
Have a good one, enjoy your Thanksgiving!
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