Short Left

 

One of the big stories out of the baseball world today was the rise of 6'6 Yankee centerfield prospect Spencer Jones. I've kept tabs on him for a while, as I'd always heard very good things, and he's turning out to be a really nice, hard-hitting outfielder. Like Aaron Judge, he's big and tall and hits like crazy. People were worried about Soto leaving and I reminded them that Jones wasn't going anywhere. Between him and George Lombard, the youth has been giving Yankee fans lots to be excited about this spring.

But of course, the Yankees doing well means that across the country the Houston Astros are no doubt thinking of ways to get the better of them in the end, especially after a shellacking the other day. Which is why, to combat the Yankees' plan for a 6'6 centerfielder, the Astros have invested in an, um...5'6 left fielder. 

The idea of moving Jose Altuve to left emerged during talks with Alex Bregman. They basically said, 'look, if Isaac Paredes is our third baseman, we can sign Bregman to play 2nd, even if it means moving Altuve to left'. And the thing is, getting Altuve out of 2nd does feel like a step in the right direction for this team. Yes, Altuve has a ton of all-star nods and silver sluggers, but he's only won a single gold glove, and it was 10 years ago. The last three seasons, Altuve's defensive infield skills have been several points below average, as his journey to becoming a one-dimensional power hitter continues. The Astros have Mauricio Dubon, and they have Brendan Rodgers, and those are better defensive bets than Altuve right now. So, as it doesn't make sense to DH him with Alvarez holding court there, the die was cast and Altuve was moved to left field.

There's uh...a few fundamental issues with that. And I understand the irony of me saying this someone who is 6'7. But, you see...there's the thought that maybe a lot of balls are gonna fly over Altuve's head out there. Look, if they're arcing at chest level he'll be fine, but he is not the 'leaping catch' kind of outfielder that even Kyle Tucker was able to be. Jose Altuve's height has been the punchline of the MLB for a while, and this is just a sight gag waiting to happen. 

I think there is a case to be made that the Astros wouldn't put Altuve there if they didn't have immense trust in him as an athlete, and his ability speaks for itself. One of the most consistent hitters in the game, one of the most driven athletes, and someone who can help you a million different ways. But putting him in left is a risk that may not pay off. Boston learned this when they tried making Hanley Ramirez an outfielder, they learned the limits of Ramirez as a defender very quickly. Not everyone is Mookie Betts. 

What this says the most to me is that the Astros are desperately trying to reinvent themselves to distract from how many people are leaving. Verlander's gone, Tucker's gone, Bregman's gone, Pressly's gone. An outfield of Altuve-McCormick-Meyers, even if it's not BAD, stands out. George Springer used to be here, Kyle Tucker used to be here. Even Jeremy Pena, and let's be clear here, a very good shortstop in his own right, has the unfathomable task of trying to match up to Carlos Correa, and he's only done so much. The Astros have Hayden Wesneski and Ryan Gusto in position to start games in case any one of the many guys on injury watch can't make it to Opening Day. Everything about this team screams 'diminishing returns to me'. And yes, the Astros are the kind of team that can make things happen with nothing, but without Tucker? Without Dusty Baker? With Altuve in left?

Also, the big feat for me might be starting this custom season with the three teams I enjoy talking about the least. The Red Sox, the Cardinals and the Astros, including Altuve. Just getting 'em out of the way. I usually leave them for last this month.