The Astros’ first-base situation is one of the more fluid among contenders league-wide, but Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle writes that the competition is off to a compelling start. Possible options such as A.J. Reed, Tyler White, Jon Singleton, and Matt Duffy are among the players who have begun making their case for major league jobs, and Drellich explains that it won’t be long before the team will begin to make its choices. “The at-bats are going to start to dry up with the competition,” said manager A.J. Hinch, who added that he’ll begin to give more playing time to the most likely candidates in the middle of March.
Here’s some more camp news out of the AL West:
- Athletics righty Jarrod Parker is going to be limited to bullpen duty as he tries to work back from an elbow fracture (not to mention his two prior Tommy John procedures), Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports. The 27-year-old, who hasn’t seen MLB action since 2013, will likely trim his offerings down to a fastball-change combination. He’s currently building up his arm strength in bullpen sessions, and says that he’s just taking things one step at a time. “Expectations are not in my vocabulary anymore,” said Parker. “I just go day to day and try to be in tune, see how I feel, give what I’ve got that day and not try to reach.”
- The Athletics have received good signs on the injury front from catcher Stephen Vogt and righty Jesse Hahn, as Slusser further reports. Vogt, who isn’t far removed from an elbow procedure, hit two home runs today and says he was glad to be able to “trust the elbow” and “take full swings and not feel any pain.” And Hahn, who was limited last year with a concerning forearm strain, looked good in his two innings and says he feels healthy. Likewise, outfielder Coco Crisp looks to be in good form after an injury-riddled 2015 season, manager Bob Melvin told reporters including John Hickey of the Bay Area News Group (via Twitter).
- Over in Angels camp, the left field situation remains an interesting one to watch, and MLB.com’s Alden Gonzalez writes that 24-year-old Rafael Ortega is a player who has impressed early. Of course, the organization still seems set to go with a platoon of Daniel Nava and Craig Gentry to open the season. As Pedro Moura of the Los Angeles Times reports, they have taken a long and winding road to this point.
Left field may end up turning into a strength if Ortega, Choi, Nava, Gentry all perform. Along with Cowart and Kubitza whom were practicing multiple positions during the off-season. If none of them hit we at least have an amazing arm in Ortega.
Nava is having a great spring so far
There’s no reason to think Nava and Gentry can’t perform on their own, but if Ortega and Choi emerge then we’re talking some serious depth. That is the kind of situation that worked very well for them in the previous decade, and I see them taking steps toward that again now that Dipoto and his station to station, managing a team from a laptop approach is out of the front office. Pile up on depth and the Angels will be successful.
Solution for Astros is to make a trade with the Braves for Freeman. Braves send Freddie Freeman and Nick Swisher to Astros for George Springer and AJ Reed. Or, Braves send Freddie Freeman and Michael Bourn to Astros for AJ Reed, Alex Bregman and Kyle Tucker.
Freddie Freeman is a great player don’t get me wrong but if I’m the Astros I wold rather take my chance with AJ Reed being a great player like Freeman without taking on a big contract and losing more top prospects/good young talent
Freeman for Springer and Reed? Yeah no…Springer is not going to be traded and honestly that isn’t a fair trade.
Second trade: Why is Bourn in the deal? Astros already have a full outfield as it is… I would not do that deal. I’d like Freeman, but meh I’m fine with Reed/White/Duffy/etc.
Oh didn’t see Swisher in the first deal….Why? Shouldn’t that lower the amount we have to pay in order to get back below replacement level guys like Swisher and Bourn?
This is absurdly terrible. Take the chance on Reed. I like Freeman and all, and he’s got a nice contract, but giving up the top 1B prospect in the game for him is a bit much. Top that with giving up Springer for Swisher… just… no. They are giving up tons of team control for Freeman and 1 year of Swisher, and Swisher blows. You are essentially asking for Houston to give up Springer and Reed for Freeman, which is hilariously bad.
Take changes on Reed/Duffy/White/Singleton and having one pan out.