***** Official Houston Astros 2024-2025 Offseason Thread *****

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txags92
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In reply to Mathguy64 • 5:02p, 3/19/25
AG
Mathguy64 said:
Someone on the Expos threw Bagwell an Euphus pitch that he sent into upstate NY. I want to say it was oil can Boyd but I'm sure that's wrong.

All I remember was Bagwell uncoiled like 3 times waiting on that lobbed baseball.

Someone with Google-fu skills can probably find it.
You thinking of Bagwell or Glenn Davis?

Houston Astros vs Montreal Expos (July 19, 1988) "Pascual Perez Gives Glenn Davis An Eephus Pitch"
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Mathguy64
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In reply to txags92 • 5:12p, 3/19/25
AG
txags92 said:
Mathguy64 said:
Someone on the Expos threw Bagwell an Euphus pitch that he sent into upstate NY. I want to say it was oil can Boyd but I'm sure that's wrong.

All I remember was Bagwell uncoiled like 3 times waiting on that lobbed baseball.

Someone with Google-fu skills can probably find it.
You thinking of Bagwell or Glenn Davis?

Houston Astros vs Montreal Expos (July 19, 1988) "Pascual Perez Gives Glenn Davis An Eephus Pitch"


Ah. That must have been it. Davis just destroyed that like it was beer league softball night. I could swear they threw one to Bagwell too. Maybe he whiffed on it waiting for it.
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tylhair
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5:47p, 3/19/25
AG
Altuve dropped a pop up for the second straight day
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MaxPower
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In reply to tylhair • 5:50p, 3/19/25
tylhair said:
Altuve dropped a pop up for the second straight day
I suspect it will be ugly early. Hopefully he improves as the season goes on.
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Hornbeck
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5:55p, 3/19/25
AG
He's going to suck… I'm just prepared for it
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tylhair
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5:59p, 3/19/25
AG
I didn't expect him to be good out there but I also didn't expect him to drop routine fly balls.

Hopefully this is a product of high Florida skies and swirling wind or something like that.

I'm starting to get concerned.
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tylhair
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5:59p, 3/19/25
AG
accidental emoji. not not apt though.
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tjack16
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6:09p, 3/19/25
AG
I just don't think he was THAT bad at second to warrant a change to a position he's never played in his 13 year career
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tylhair
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In reply to tjack16 • 6:16p, 3/19/25
AG
He's bad at 2B in a way that is imperceptible during a broadcast.

He didn't make a ton of errors or misplays, he just wasn't able to get to as many of the groundballs that average MLB 2B do. Those hits really start to add up.

He is (at the moment) bad at LF in a way that is very perceptible. This could spiral into a huge media narrative and mental obstacle for Tuve.
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tjack16
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In reply to tylhair • 6:17p, 3/19/25
AG
tylhair said:
He's bad at 2B in a way that is imperceptible during a broadcast.

He didn't make a ton of errors or misplays, he just wasn't able to get to as many of the groundballs that average MLB 2B do. Those hits really start to add up.

He is (at the moment) bad at LF in a way that is very perceptible. This could spiral into a huge media narrative and mental obstacle for Tuve.


That might be so but his defense was never the reason we lost a game or postseason series.

Like I don't remember ever thinking "we'd be so much better if Altuve played a better 2B defensively"
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Mathguy64
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In reply to tylhair • 6:18p, 3/19/25
AG
tylhair said:
He's bad at 2B in a way that is imperceptible during a broadcast.

He didn't make a ton of errors or misplays, he just wasn't able to get to as many of the groundballs that average MLB 2B do. Those hits really start to add up.

He is (at the moment) bad at LF in a way that is very perceptible. This could spiral into a huge media narrative and mental obstacle for Tuve.


He's going to play 81 games in a very controlled environment at home and 81 in everything from indoors to outdoors. It won't be anything like a purely open ST stadium.
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linkdude
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In reply to tjack16 • 6:21p, 3/19/25
AG
tjack16 said:
tylhair said:
He's bad at 2B in a way that is imperceptible during a broadcast.

He didn't make a ton of errors or misplays, he just wasn't able to get to as many of the groundballs that average MLB 2B do. Those hits really start to add up.

He is (at the moment) bad at LF in a way that is very perceptible. This could spiral into a huge media narrative and mental obstacle for Tuve.


That might be so but his defense was never the reason we lost a game or postseason series.

Like I don't remember ever thinking "we'd be so much better if Altuve played a better 2B defensively"
remember the 2020 ALCS when he got the yips in games 1-3? I think he'll get the catches sorted out. His range will probably be the deciding factor on his usefulness
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tylhair
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In reply to tjack16 • 6:23p, 3/19/25
AG
You didn't think it bc when a ground ball went between Jose and Singleton or Jose and Pena you just thought "dang Framber just gave up another hit" rather than "Altuve should make that play"

That is what the numbers show. worst 2B in MLB.
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iBrad
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6:24p, 3/19/25
AG
Both drops were in Sac fly situations, so he just needs to focus on making the catch.
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tjack16
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In reply to linkdude • 6:25p, 3/19/25
AG
linkdude said:
tjack16 said:
tylhair said:
He's bad at 2B in a way that is imperceptible during a broadcast.

He didn't make a ton of errors or misplays, he just wasn't able to get to as many of the groundballs that average MLB 2B do. Those hits really start to add up.

He is (at the moment) bad at LF in a way that is very perceptible. This could spiral into a huge media narrative and mental obstacle for Tuve.


That might be so but his defense was never the reason we lost a game or postseason series.

Like I don't remember ever thinking "we'd be so much better if Altuve played a better 2B defensively"
remember the 2020 ALCS when he got the yips in games 1-3? I think he'll get the catches sorted out. His range will probably be the deciding factor on his usefulness


Yeah he was bad that series but also we were missing JV and Yordan. To me that's why we lost the series. Also not to mention Bregman, Tucker and Yuli were a combined 12-73
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SpaceCityAg05
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In reply to iBrad • 6:28p, 3/19/25
AG
Agreed. That is guy who is still thinking instead of playing (natural when you are still processing the coaching at a new position) - he is taking the steps to catch the ball in stride, make the throw on the right trajectory, etc.

I don't worry about Jose Altuve knowing how to catch a popup - this isn't a Blake Binderup in LF situation. This is him in the laboratory practicing fundamentals for playing OF.

There may be bumps along the way in the earlier going, but I predict that he will quickly become at least a league average defensive LF.
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astros4545
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6:43p, 3/19/25
AG
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MaxPower
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7:07p, 3/19/25
Both drops were on balls to his right side, which makes sense. He prolly didn't make many of those catches at 2B as that should be a SS ball. I think he can figure it out.
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tylhair
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7:32p, 3/19/25
AG
Cam Smith, 2-4, HR (4), 2 RBI
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Wabs
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In reply to tylhair • 7:41p, 3/19/25
AG
tylhair said:
Cam Smith, 2-4, HR (4), 2 RBI


Opening day starter. Give it to him.
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Mr.Bond
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In reply to astros4545 • 7:56p, 3/19/25
AG
astros4545 said:



He's fielding it like a scared 10 year old. Get your ****in face behind your glove man
Im looking for Ray Finkle.... and a clean pair of shorts. Im just a very big Finkle fan. This is my Graceland, sir.


MAGA

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Ags #1
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In reply to astros4545 • 8:01p, 3/19/25
AG
Lol that was bad
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Beat40
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In reply to tylhair • 8:53p, 3/19/25
tylhair said:
You didn't think it bc when a ground ball went between Jose and Singleton or Jose and Pena you just thought "dang Framber just gave up another hit" rather than "Altuve should make that play"

That is what the numbers show. worst 2B in MLB.


But what's more harmful to your team overall? Dropping fly balls in the outfield or not getting a few more grounders at 2B?

One is a single, the other might be a double.

The other thing I thought about is if teams score on him on sac flies form LF because of his arm strength, that's even worse than him missing some ground balls at 2B other 2Bers would get.

I agree with tjack. I could understand this move if they had gotten Nolan or resigned Bregman. With neither of those things current, this seems like a dumb and unnecessary move.

I'll give it a while to play out and I do think Altuve will adjust, but this is feeling a little bit like don't let perfect become the enemy of good/great territory.
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Ag_07
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In reply to Mr.Bond • 8:56p, 3/19/25
AG
Looks like he was trying to catch it low to make the quick transfer and the throw home.

He just needs to realize he isn't going to throw anyone and his job is to catch the ball.
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iBrad
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In reply to Ag_07 • 9:16p, 3/19/25
AG
Ag_07 said:
Looks like he was trying to catch it low to make the quick transfer and the throw home.

He just needs to realize he isn't going to throw anyone and his job is to catch the ball.

Bingo. Both drops were essentially the exact same play. On one hand, it's only spring training, and this is the time to work on that. On the other, it is a pretty routine play for an outfielder. He needs to be a little more deliberate with the catch and not attempt a quick transfer like he's turning two.

If I had to guess, he'll be getting some reps on this type of play over the next week.

On the bright side, he's made some nice running catches, which are harder to make. His other blunder was a mistimed jump at the wall, but he had more room to retreat. I'll cut him some slack on that one, though, as even seasoned outfielders get wall shy from time to time.

We used to have Berkman and Carlos Lee in our outfield. I think Jose will be fine.
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tylhair
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In reply to Beat40 • 9:17p, 3/19/25
AG
If he's dropping fly balls regularly like this in the regular season then this move was dumb.

If he can make the routine plays without catastrophe and Rodgers/Dubon play 2B the Astros will give up less runs and win more games.

However, I'm now concerned he may not be able to make all the routine plays.

Additionally, there is a long-term factor to Altuve in LF. His range at 2B (and LF) is only going to get worse as he ages. If Yordan is going to DH we need Altuve at a less consequential defensive position over the course of his contract.
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iBrad
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9:19p, 3/19/25
AG
We just need to sign and develop more ground ball pitchers. Problem solved.
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astros4545
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9:47p, 3/19/25
AG
Ive never understood the criticisms of his range when Altuve still has such above average speed, and elite when he' is really sprinting

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tylhair
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In reply to astros4545 • 10:03p, 3/19/25
AG
The data shows overwhelmingly that he fields fewer balls hit away from him than the average MLB 2B.

His sprint speed is declining, but still above average. His range issues probably stem greatly from his lack of height, combined with his declining athleticism.
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txags92
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In reply to Mathguy64 • 10:30p, 3/19/25
AG
Mathguy64 said:
txags92 said:
Mathguy64 said:
Someone on the Expos threw Bagwell an Euphus pitch that he sent into upstate NY. I want to say it was oil can Boyd but I'm sure that's wrong.

All I remember was Bagwell uncoiled like 3 times waiting on that lobbed baseball.

Someone with Google-fu skills can probably find it.
You thinking of Bagwell or Glenn Davis?

Houston Astros vs Montreal Expos (July 19, 1988) "Pascual Perez Gives Glenn Davis An Eephus Pitch"


Ah. That must have been it. Davis just destroyed that like it was beer league softball night. I could swear they threw one to Bagwell too. Maybe he whiffed on it waiting for it.
Not very often you see a guy start to swing, stop, reset his shoulder, then unload on a ball and still pull it.
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Silent For Too Long
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In reply to iBrad • 10:50p, 3/19/25
iBrad said:
Both drops were in Sac fly situations, so he just needs to focus on making the catch.


Exactly this. He's rushing his throw home because he has the heart of a champion and he wants to be perfect.

Plus it's Spring where he can push himself on these things.

Some of yall need to relax. He's the GOAT. He'll be fine.
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tjack16
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5:26a
AG
So when are they releasing the city connect stuff online? It's not available yet
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All I do is Nguyen
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In reply to tjack16 • 6:10a
tjack16 said:
So when are they releasing the city connect stuff online? It's not available yet
Just checked the MLB Store and nada, yet.
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The Original Houston 1836
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6:40a
The frustration is - if you wanted Altuve to play LF, why didn't he start working on it in January?

Altuve was definitely was lagging at 2B. Those of you old enough to remember Ryne Sandberg playing might recall one year he had this long streak without making an error. Google says it was 123 games / 584 chances. But if you watched him in that streak - easy on WGN - you could see the streak was at least somewhat due to him having no shot to get to a lot of balls because he was into his 30s and a pretty big guy with lagging range.
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Mathguy64
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In reply to The Original Houston 1836 • 7:20a
AG
It also helped that the Cubs were leaving the infield grass so long at Wrigley that even the gorse at St Andrews was blushing.
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