The defending champion Astros could be set to go with internal options alongside veteran Martin Maldonado behind the plate. As a report from Brian McTaggart of MLB.com suggests, the Astros had looked into the possibility of bringing in an external backstop to replace the retired Jason Castro and departed Christian Vazquez, but now may just let one of their young catchers backup Maldonado.
With the popular Maldonado the team’s top backstop, prospects Korey Lee and Yainer Diaz could battle it out in the spring for the big league backup job. Lee was the team’s first round pick back in 2019 and made it onto Baseball America’s Top 100 list before last season. He got some time in the big leagues last year, going 4-for-25 in 12 games. Lee mashed 25 homers on the way to a .238/.307/.483 line at Triple-A, where he spent the bulk of the 2022 season.
Diaz, 24, is known for his big bat and slashed .306/.356/.542 with 25 home runs between Double-A and Triple-A last season, his first with the Astros after coming over in the Myles Straw deal with Cleveland. Diaz, too, got a callup to the big leagues last season, picking up a double and a walk in nine plate appearances. While both Lee and Diaz have upside, McTaggart speculates that Diaz’ bat could give him the edge over Lee initially, as the team could play him at DH and first-base as well.
Here’s some other bits and pieces from the Astros:
- Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle relays that the expectation is that Michael Brantley will be ready for Opening Day. The Astros re-signed Brantley to a one-year, $12MM deal just before Christmas. The 35-year-old was a productive hitter for the Astros last year, slashing .288/.370/.416 before going on the injured list in late June with a shoulder injury that eventually required surgery. Brantley is no stranger to injury problems, but has been a highly effective hitter when fit, as evidenced by his .306/.365/.462 line since 2017. The Astros will hope he can return fully fit in 2023 and provide more valuable offense as they look to defend their title.
- Astros great and front office member Jeff Bagwell offered some insight into whether or not the team has any interest in bringing back Yuli Gurriel. The 38-year-old is a free agent after playing seven seasons with the Astros. He had some strong seasons in Houston, but his production dipped last year and he wound up hitting just .242/.288/.360 with eight home runs over 584 plate appearances. The Marlins are the only reported team to have made contact with Gurriel, but it seems the Astros aren’t closing the door on bringing him back. “There’s nobody that loves Yuli more than us, myself, Jim (Crane), Dusty (Baker), everybody. It’s just trying to find the right fit for the club. He’s a huge part of our success here. We’ll continue to monitor that situation,” Bagwell said (via McTaggart).
Glad they are going with a battle between Lee and Diaz to back up Maldy rather than signing a free agent. The might be Maldonado’s last year in Houston so it’s time to see if one of these two is ready to play every day at this level.
There will be lots of C let go at the end of spring training if one of them doesn’t earn a spot.
I wouldn’t mind Roberto Perez to back up Maldy. He would come cheap and you wouldn’t lose a step defensively.
You also wouldn’t skip a beat being absolutely dreadful offensively.
Seriously though, Perez while a fine defensive Catcher but probably won’t be ready to start the season so either way the Astros would still have to roll with one of the kids. Though Kevin Plawecki would be a solid option as well (and just as terrible offensively come to think of it)
Think the Astros are making the correct move by going with their youngsters as the backups.
They need to see what they have in them anyways, as MM isn’t getting any younger. Plus, this way, if they aren’t impressed with their in-house options, then they can read dress the subject at the trade deadline or during the following off-season.
Either way though, they have two talented catchers, and Houston needs to see if either player can cut it at the big league level. Not only is it the cheaper route, but, as it stands now, it is also the right route for them to take.
Ashby or Ausmus’ opinion about catching could be more helpful
Was Bagwell sober when he was asked about Yuli?
Doubtful, I think there was something about how much he loved Yuli’s impersonation of east Asian people.
If that was the worst thing he’s ever done, forgivable. My guess is that we have all done worse things, including yourself
Your assumption that everyone does childishly racist things as an adult seems to say a lot about your community.
Your assumption that he is still defined by one awful decision years ago says a lot about your self-righteousness.
Thank you for giving us our daily dose of virtue signaling.
Your assumption that a stray comment about a drunk Jeff Bagwell liking Yuli’s impersonation is an attempt to define him as a person says a lot about your deep desire to use phrases like “virtue signaling” as often as possible.
Ha, something like that. I’ll make you a deal: stop virtue signaling and I’ll stop calling it out.
Is he ever?
He’s been sober for many years. STFU
I don’t see a fit for Gurriel with the way the roster is constructed. Abreu is a 1B/DH type and Michael Brantley if healthy will see most of the DH AB’s
The team really shows great lip service to Yuli.
I hope the team gets a non roster invitee C to compete against the youngsters in Spring Training.
Kevin Plawecki makes a lot of sense
Yuli is much beloved by Astro fans, with good reason. It is a difficult fit at this point. If David Hensley becomes the main utility guy, Mauricio Dubon becomes more expendable. If Dubon is not on the roster (traded) then Yuli becomes more useful as 1B, 2B, DH, PH reserve player. He has shown to be capable of good production for short spurts, as in the playoffs. Most likely scenario is he goes somewhere else. I wish him well and hope he gets a starting/platoon job elsewhere. It seems best case for everybody
I didn’t know Yuli played 2B. I know he hit alot of HR’S off Angels pitching.
Prior to coming to the MLB, he was a third baseman and second baseman in Cuba and also in Japan. When he first came to the Astros he played some 3B, some 2B, and even a little SS. AJ Hinch felt that his best position was 3B, however Bregman came along so he moved to 1B.
How did the Astros not sign Wilson Contreras? Cardinals didn’t even have to overpay for him. That was the biggest upgrade they could have made on their roster this offseason. Huge miss !
They weren’t going 5 years for him.
Bagwell is running to the newspaper each morning, to the transactions column in the Houston Chronicle, and hoping to read that Yuli signed with the Marlins or someone else so he can slightly change his statement to “ it wasn’t the right fit. He’s been a huge part of our success here. We monitored the situation… and we wish him well”
Catching yes I see Maldy going this season as main starter. If use Korey or Yanier they could be used with Brown if he goes into rotation. But as well if one of them backs up Maldy they need reps with all pitchers to see how they fit with them. I truly think Maldy with McCullers and Framber and possibly Javier. Garcia, Urquidy, perhaps with Lee or Diaz. I really would love Brown in our rotation.
Yuli will end up a Marlin or with Correa. . I will miss him but I understand we needed a change at first.
I hope Brantley can go this season. And has something in the tank. I would love Hensley on the team. Dubon is not bad either but sure it will be between one of them. Also what will Meyers have for CF. Meaning hitting wise. I know he can play CF. Chas was great against lefties I think. As I think Brantley may be more DH I do not think will be playing left but could some. But we shall see what transpires. I could take offense at all spots but catcher in lineup. But if one of these can give some great.
But wish all players luck this season.
Put your money on Diaz. Korey Lee will be in AAA or AA.
Why would Korey Lee be sent to AA after a 25 HR season at AAA Sugar Land, especially after proving himself more than adept at handling the pitching staff?
Yuli can DH.
Not with Michael Brantley and Yordan Alvarez sharing LF and DH duties.
Was that an article mentioning Brantley that did not use the term “professional hitter?” Kudos
Stros will be fine with Lee or Diaz or both as backups to Maldy.
“Diaz, too, got a callup to the big leagues last season, picking up a double and a walk in nine plate appearances.”
I think you mean, “Diaz also got a callup to the big leagues last season, picking up a double and a walk in nine plate appearances.”