HOUSTON – The Houston Astros held their first full squad exercise Monday in West Palm Seaside, the place new supervisor Joe Espada despatched a message in a workforce assembly – it is a World Sequence contender. Whereas Espada declined to enter the specifics of his speech, gamers intimated Espada laid out how a lot expertise and expertise this membership has.
“(He stated) now we have the instruments to make it to the World Sequence, now we have MVPs, now we have Cy Youngs, now we have Gold Glovers, now we have Silver Sluggers,” stated pitcher Framber Valdez. “Now we have every thing wanted for us to get again to the World Sequence.”
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“Personally I feel we received one of the best workforce within the league,” stated outfielder Kyle Tucker. “I do know that’s form of vibe across the clubhouse is that you must have that mindset. You continue to should earn it and grind by means of it, however you must have that mindset that you simply’re one of the best participant or the workforce on the market.”
WHO IMPRESSED?
4 Astros pitchers threw stay batting observe to a bunch of hitters. Of the 4, reliever Ryan Pressly appeared sharp with excessive fastballs to the very affected person Alex Bregman. New nearer Josh Hader was almost untouchable, particularly towards left-handed hitters he confronted. Ronel Blanco and minor leaguer Misael Tamarez additionally threw.
Yainer Diaz and Jake Meyers every hit dwelling runs of their stay batting observe periods. Diaz hit a deep drive to lifeless middle off Blanco, whereas Meyers crushed an extended dwelling run pulled to left off a dangling breaking ball from Tamarez.
ASSESSING THE CONTRACT SITUATIONS
Let’s begin with Alex Bregman, who will turn into a free agent after the 2024 season. Bregman stated this week he’ll plan to hear, whereas GM Dana Brown stated the workforce plans to supply Bregman some form of extension.
What does that appear to be financially? After speaking to a number of within the business, and weighing comparisons, I’ve provide you with a spread based mostly off the midpoint of a projected contract for a present free agent, and a current extension.
Bregman is a comparatively related participant to present free agent Matt Chapman (Bregman has the higher bat, Chapman a barely higher glove, they’re of comparable age at free company). Chapman is presently unsigned however is projected to obtain a contract within the 5-year (CBS projection) or 6-year (MLB Commerce Rumors Projection), $150 million vary (each projections got here to this quantity). Bregman ought to obtain extra years and more cash than Chapman, given how way more bat he offers. Bregman has a 135 profession OPS+/126 OPS+ from 2021-2023, whereas Chapman is available in at 117 OPS+ for his profession and 108 OPS+ from 2021-2023.
The second comparability is Manny Machado, who signed a 10-year, $300 million deal in 2019, adopted by an 11-year, $350 million extension earlier than the 2023 season. Machado was youthful when he signed these offers than Bregman and has had extra peak years, whereas additionally offering glorious protection. The midpoint of $150 million and $350 million is 250 million. The midpoint of 5/6 years and 11 years is roughly 8 years – placing Bregman within the 8 or 9-year/$240-250 million vary.
Kyle Tucker and Framber Valdez’s conditions are far much less instant, with the 2 gamers turning into free brokers after 2025, however Tucker stated Monday he’s open to discussing an extension with the Astros, saying whereas there have been discussions between the Astros and his representatives at Excel Sports activities Administration, there was nothing concrete supplied. Valdez stated Monday there haven’t been any actual extension talks between the Astros and his brokers at Octagon.
NEW SWING, WHO DIS?
Jeremy Peña has been teasing a brand new and improved swing since late January, and at last debuted it on Monday.
New swing who dis? pic.twitter.com/vuOhfEyFLy
— Ari Alexander (@KPRC2Ari) February 19, 2024
Peña has a lot much less bat waggle, and a typically quieter swing with much less shifting components. He hopes to maintain the enhancements he made in 2023 when it got here to stroll charge and strikeout charge, however get again a number of the barrel proportion and energy he misplaced final 12 months.
NAMES TO WATCH
Primarily based on speaking to some folks round camp, listed below are some darkish horses to observe for:
OF/1B Trey Cabbage – Each Dana Brown and Joe Espada are excessive on his potential and are engaged on a swing repair to chop down on strikeouts. Cabbage came visiting on waivers from the Los Angeles Angels, and is coming off a 30-30 season in Triple-A in 2023.
RHP Dylan Coleman – Coleman had an excellent 2022 with Kansas Metropolis, however an terrible 2023. He used to the touch 101, however had velocity down in 2023. If he can regain triple-digit warmth, he’s an excellent upside play for Houston.
RHP Drew Strotman – Right here’s the actual darkish horse. Strotman has by no means made the massive leagues and has bounced round organizations. He’s spent three straight years in Triple-A, with unhealthy ERAs in all three seasons. Some teammates inform me he has simple velocity and nasty stuff. Strotman is a non-roster invitee, however was hitting 99 this offseason at Tread Athletic Facility.
