Hooks, Lines and Some Real Stinkers!
Today's post has somewhat of a good news/bad news feel to it. I'll do my best to keep as much of the bad stuff out of it as possible. Whatever is mentioned here, though, are all things that need to be said.
First, to some of the bad:
The Houston Astros finished the series up in NYC against the Yankees with only 1 win and a pair of losses. They now start a series in Milwaukee against the Brewers later on tonight and through the weekend. Feldman, Fister, and Keuchel are scheduled as the starting pitchers for this upcoming series. If I can be blunt for a moment, it is the pitching so far that could really use some work in both the rotation and the bullpen. We already know full well the capabilities of this crew, and it is my hope that they will find that groove in this next series.
Now, to some of the good:
The offense has been explosive, however, as reigning AL Rookie of the Year and sophomore shortstop, Carlos Correa nabbed himself 3 home runs within these first few games. Meanwhile, the new hot first base commodity known as Tyler White is making himself quite the statement that he is going to be in this Astros infield for quite a while. So there was some light in an otherwise dark scenario.
Plus, I just reached another milestone, as this blog has now surpassed the 30,000 views mark. Even though I had a little bit of help through a Google campaign, I averaged another 10,000 of those views in the past 2 months. I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone out there that has helped spread word of my work, and to all of those in the Gattis clan themselves that continue to support me day in and day out. Many haters out there feel I should have given up a long time ago. But you know what, I'M STILL HERE! And I honestly could not have done it without your help, readers. So again, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
What about your people's champion and mine, Evan Gattis? Well, he was cleanup DH in his first rehab game down with the AA Corpus Christi Hooks yesterday. He went 1-for-4 with a double, reach on a fielding error, fly out and strikeout. This starts him at a .250 average and OBP collectively, while also posting .500 SLG and a .750 OPS. Nothing in the way of superstar numbers, but still a decent start for a guy recovering from hernia surgery.
Of course, now to some more of the bad:
A lot of fans have been taking to social media to do, what I feel is in-sighting anxiety and degradation towards Evan. All in the name of proclaiming Tyler White and A.J. Reed the two new DH's, or pushing an agenda that promotes Preston Tucker in lieu of trading Evan. All of these fans are giving random and unjust causes as to why Evan should no longer be part of the team, and instigating a he-should-be-scared mentality.
So I decided, being the Oso Blanco loyalist and journalist that I am, to highlight to all fans out there, including you critics and haters, exactly why getting rid of Evan is, under any circumstances, a bad idea. Here's a nice little list for you, taking the bad you have created and turning it good for Evan's sake, as well as the team's collective sakes:
1. The Free Agent Market: A list of players that will potentially be gone next year, and maybe even traded at the deadline:
a. Carlos Gomez
b. Luis Valbuena
c. Jason Castro
d. Colby Rasmus (could potentially turn down another qualifying offer.)
e. Jose Altuve (Astros did not discuss contract renewal with the star second baseman.)
Given all of the names on this list here, if you throw Gattis into this group of players you say bye bye to, then guess what? You just got rid of 6 out of the 9 active roster players from 2015 that helped get the team to the playoffs. And honestly people, this team does not need to pull of a Braves-style rebuild. We all know how THAT is going. Astros rebuild - OVER!!!!
2. Players with higher trade values: Preston Tucker, at this point, has higher trading value than Gattis does. More controllable years, younger, cheaper and rakes. Since there are already 4 other outfielders on the team, he would be the most likely to go via trade since there will be some teams out there looking for an outfielder/DH with his numbers. And I say this with all due respect to Mr. Tucker, because I love him too. But this is the true reality of the situation.
3. Depth of the farm system: This is a good thing that the Astros have, given that it still ranks in the top 10 in minor league systems. Depleting it too much just to give the youngsters "a chance" also can be damaging in the midst of potential injuries. This includes any level with any player therein. Even when they want to call up Reed, you can put him at 1st base and shift White over to 3rd and trade Valbuena. Since money seems to be an argument for some of the fan base, Valby, whom I love as well is costing you more, and will be a free agent in 2017. Enough said!
4. EVAN GATTIS BUSTS HIS ASS FOR ANY TEAM THAT HE IS ON!!!!: This last part should go without saying, but I'll say it anyways. His versatility, hard work ethic and team player attitudes all collectively should give any team cause to lengthen the leash. He has his flaws. On base numbers being the biggest of these. But Evan works tirelessly to make himself a better player all around, while still keeping to that power that we all know and love him for.
While were on the subject of Evan, as if reading his unofficial fan blog wasn't enough, some in the Astros fan base really need to stop making spectacles out of every last little thing he does with his life outside of baseball. When I see a reporter post something like this:
Nicknames are fun, and most of us do, or have had one at some point in our lives. But can we please stop making Evan into a circus act? Can we all agree to shift the focus back to his playing style and the hard work he is putting into get better rather than calling him a "Kurt Angle look-alike?" Using this spin to revert and downplay his true worth on this Astros' squad is getting just a little bit much for me and the rest of the Oso Blanco loyalists to bear. And it really needs to stop!
P.S. To all of you A.J. Reed lovers, he went 0-for-3 yesterday in AAA Fresno. He was lucky to draw the 2 walks, but by comparison, at least Gattis reached on a fielding error and got a double. So, untested kid, or seasoned and powerful veteran? I don't know about you, but I'm going for the latter.
Photo Credits: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle and Ian Steele, KIII-TV
Outside Matches Inside: The only look of Evan's that people should be concerned with is his play look on and devotion to fans off the field, which we all know are already stellar!!!!
First, to some of the bad:
The Houston Astros finished the series up in NYC against the Yankees with only 1 win and a pair of losses. They now start a series in Milwaukee against the Brewers later on tonight and through the weekend. Feldman, Fister, and Keuchel are scheduled as the starting pitchers for this upcoming series. If I can be blunt for a moment, it is the pitching so far that could really use some work in both the rotation and the bullpen. We already know full well the capabilities of this crew, and it is my hope that they will find that groove in this next series.
Now, to some of the good:
The offense has been explosive, however, as reigning AL Rookie of the Year and sophomore shortstop, Carlos Correa nabbed himself 3 home runs within these first few games. Meanwhile, the new hot first base commodity known as Tyler White is making himself quite the statement that he is going to be in this Astros infield for quite a while. So there was some light in an otherwise dark scenario.
Plus, I just reached another milestone, as this blog has now surpassed the 30,000 views mark. Even though I had a little bit of help through a Google campaign, I averaged another 10,000 of those views in the past 2 months. I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone out there that has helped spread word of my work, and to all of those in the Gattis clan themselves that continue to support me day in and day out. Many haters out there feel I should have given up a long time ago. But you know what, I'M STILL HERE! And I honestly could not have done it without your help, readers. So again, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
What about your people's champion and mine, Evan Gattis? Well, he was cleanup DH in his first rehab game down with the AA Corpus Christi Hooks yesterday. He went 1-for-4 with a double, reach on a fielding error, fly out and strikeout. This starts him at a .250 average and OBP collectively, while also posting .500 SLG and a .750 OPS. Nothing in the way of superstar numbers, but still a decent start for a guy recovering from hernia surgery.
Of course, now to some more of the bad:
A lot of fans have been taking to social media to do, what I feel is in-sighting anxiety and degradation towards Evan. All in the name of proclaiming Tyler White and A.J. Reed the two new DH's, or pushing an agenda that promotes Preston Tucker in lieu of trading Evan. All of these fans are giving random and unjust causes as to why Evan should no longer be part of the team, and instigating a he-should-be-scared mentality.
So I decided, being the Oso Blanco loyalist and journalist that I am, to highlight to all fans out there, including you critics and haters, exactly why getting rid of Evan is, under any circumstances, a bad idea. Here's a nice little list for you, taking the bad you have created and turning it good for Evan's sake, as well as the team's collective sakes:
1. The Free Agent Market: A list of players that will potentially be gone next year, and maybe even traded at the deadline:
a. Carlos Gomez
b. Luis Valbuena
c. Jason Castro
d. Colby Rasmus (could potentially turn down another qualifying offer.)
e. Jose Altuve (Astros did not discuss contract renewal with the star second baseman.)
Given all of the names on this list here, if you throw Gattis into this group of players you say bye bye to, then guess what? You just got rid of 6 out of the 9 active roster players from 2015 that helped get the team to the playoffs. And honestly people, this team does not need to pull of a Braves-style rebuild. We all know how THAT is going. Astros rebuild - OVER!!!!
2. Players with higher trade values: Preston Tucker, at this point, has higher trading value than Gattis does. More controllable years, younger, cheaper and rakes. Since there are already 4 other outfielders on the team, he would be the most likely to go via trade since there will be some teams out there looking for an outfielder/DH with his numbers. And I say this with all due respect to Mr. Tucker, because I love him too. But this is the true reality of the situation.
3. Depth of the farm system: This is a good thing that the Astros have, given that it still ranks in the top 10 in minor league systems. Depleting it too much just to give the youngsters "a chance" also can be damaging in the midst of potential injuries. This includes any level with any player therein. Even when they want to call up Reed, you can put him at 1st base and shift White over to 3rd and trade Valbuena. Since money seems to be an argument for some of the fan base, Valby, whom I love as well is costing you more, and will be a free agent in 2017. Enough said!
4. EVAN GATTIS BUSTS HIS ASS FOR ANY TEAM THAT HE IS ON!!!!: This last part should go without saying, but I'll say it anyways. His versatility, hard work ethic and team player attitudes all collectively should give any team cause to lengthen the leash. He has his flaws. On base numbers being the biggest of these. But Evan works tirelessly to make himself a better player all around, while still keeping to that power that we all know and love him for.
While were on the subject of Evan, as if reading his unofficial fan blog wasn't enough, some in the Astros fan base really need to stop making spectacles out of every last little thing he does with his life outside of baseball. When I see a reporter post something like this:
I have to ask myself: How are hairstyles and grooming statuses even a thing as it relates to baseball? Yes, folks, we all love the macho lumberjack beard. I do as much as anyone does. But can we maybe shift the focus back to what he does for the game? I feel like too many out there are so concerned with the tabloid factor for Evan, rather than the good things he actually brings to a team and it's clubhouse. And that is, a very solid veteran presence that will keep these kids in line and humble them to the point of sincerely solid team chemistry. What he does or doesn't do with this facial hair should be his business, not ours!A clean-shaven Evan Gattis addresses missing MLB Opening Day for his rehab assignment with @cchooks pic.twitter.com/YcZFLRbRU6— Ian Steele (@IanSteeleKIII) April 7, 2016
Nicknames are fun, and most of us do, or have had one at some point in our lives. But can we please stop making Evan into a circus act? Can we all agree to shift the focus back to his playing style and the hard work he is putting into get better rather than calling him a "Kurt Angle look-alike?" Using this spin to revert and downplay his true worth on this Astros' squad is getting just a little bit much for me and the rest of the Oso Blanco loyalists to bear. And it really needs to stop!
P.S. To all of you A.J. Reed lovers, he went 0-for-3 yesterday in AAA Fresno. He was lucky to draw the 2 walks, but by comparison, at least Gattis reached on a fielding error and got a double. So, untested kid, or seasoned and powerful veteran? I don't know about you, but I'm going for the latter.
Photo Credits: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle and Ian Steele, KIII-TV
Outside Matches Inside: The only look of Evan's that people should be concerned with is his play look on and devotion to fans off the field, which we all know are already stellar!!!!
Comments
Post a Comment