re: Alex Bregman and the Houston Astros

If you know anything about the Astros, you would know that the Astros are a frugal organization, to the point where agents, players, players union and other teams have grumbled about the money they don't spend. They kept George Springer in the minors for a couple of weeks in 2014 and Carlos Correa in the minors for almost two months last year to avoid them reaching Super Two arbitration status. That gives the Astros another year of control over both and delays their arbitration another year. Those were two financial advantages for each player the Astros claimed by keeping them down.

So with that in mind, Bregman probably isn't going to be up this year. He's not ready, and the Astros don't have a glaring middle infield need. Their infield needs are on the corners. They're not going to let him (or Correa) learn to play third on the fly, especially if the Astros are in a pennant race again. It's possible Bregman learns a new position in the minors, but they're probably not going try him there down the stretch unless they're out of it. And the financial implications I mentioned above also play into it.

If Bregman makes it up before the end of April next year, that would be a success.

Except it's not the same as being on the 40 man. There is a pretty big difference in being on the 40 man and being a spring training extended roster invitee.

Ok, and he will be in the minor leagues. So he is not on the 40 man. Like I said he won't be on the major league roster. You just want to argue.

I'm sorry.. Dallas keuchel not a #1 guy? Do you understand how the CY young award works?

Also bregman isn't taking over SS, correa is the current SS, I love the A-rod Derek jeter comparison. Jeter was on the team and a rod came, not the other way around. Bregs can go to third or outfield.

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This is true. Alex Bregman is projected by most of the major baseball prospect evaluators to be the Astros starting 3B in 2018 and beyond. Correa is way too valuable defensively at SS to move him just because of size. Hes already got one of the best ranges at SS in the MLB. Bregman, although a great defender doesn't hold a candle to that. You will see him at 3rd or 2nd (if Altuve commands $$ that the Stros don't have) before you see him at SS and Correa moved.

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Agree with all of this. Stros are keeping bregs. Not gong to call him up this year and not going to trade him.

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Bregman will be dealt sooner than later.

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I was talking with co worker about this. I brought up him being traded and using Spring Training to show him off to teams. I got laughed at. Astros young in infield, they could get a few players in need for him or draft picks down road. However watching the spring games his bat has not showed in 14 AB's this spring, 1 hit and 6 K's. But hes young and its his first taste of MLB pitching.

I agree, Correa showed signs of a premiere SS last year. A lot of people make the "A-rod moved to 3rd comparison", but only because he was on the same team as Jeter and it was at the back end of A-rod's career. Unless Bregman is a Jeter caliber defender I don't see Correa ever moving and if so 8 years down the road, which would be too long of a wait for Bregs. I look for him to be traded while his stock is high. I look for Houston to try 3B prospects Colin Moran and Matt Duffy at third. Bregman as well unless he gets traded.

I'm not a Jeter fan, but I wouldn't say a career .976 in the bigs is below average, to go with 5 gold gloves. There are also other things Jeter brought to the table that metrics don't measure (as does Bregman). Bregman was a good college shortstop, his Freshman year he sat back on balls and fielded at a .939, there is a reason he charged 85% of balls his Junior year. It's due to his "weaker not weak" arm and how he feels comfortable playing the position, and you have to be able to sit back on a balls in the show, he has to change his style to be consistent and I'm not sure if his arm will allow him to be able to make that change. I can only think of that being the reason he was at a .95 last year with a very small sample size. So I think 2nd base, but not for Houston and no way he unseats CC anytime soon. I'm definitely not bashing Bregman, I just don't think his style translates to a MLB SS, but he's definitely a potential All-Star at 2B. Just my opinion.

I agree 100%, but if you go back to my OP, it's in reference the a younger version of Jeter at the time A-Rod came over to NY.

And at the same time Jeter was getting older, A-rod was getting older as well. Don't think Jeter was the greatest SS ever (give me Ozzie Smith on that).

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A-rod had the power numbers to make the transition to third easier

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huh