George Springer in fine form and good spirits upon his arrival in camp.
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — He cracked inside jokes and blasted baseballs. He acted super cool but was as passionate as ever.
George Springer was back. “I just hung out,” Springer said Friday at the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, telling the media he didn’t do anything during the offseason.
Springer really didn’t train for the Astros’ 2019 season?
“I worked out,” Springer said. “That doesn’t mean I (did) anything else after that.”
The sixth-year outfielder technically had a down year in 2018. Springer was selected to his second consecutive All-Star Game, but his average fell to .265 and power (22 home runs, 71 RBIs, .780 OPS) also dropped.
With Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa and Alex Bregman on the mend, the Astros are counting on a big year from their now-healthy veteran outfielder.
“Work on your failures and success and go from there,” said Springer, describing his offseason focus.
Hinch to keep Diaz busy this spring
Aledmys Diaz will receive the Marwin Gonzalez treatment. The Astros plan to move Diaz across the field during spring training, according to manager A.J. Hinch.
In recent years, the Astros heavily relied on Gonzalez, turning the former backup into a reliable multi-use weapon. With Gonzalez still searching for a new team in free agency, the Astros intend to use this time before the regular season to see how versatile Diaz can be.
“I want to see Diaz play all four infield positions and potentially two outfield positions on the corners,” said Hinch, who referred to the plan as one of his biggest goals of the spring. “We may not have enough time to do that as much as we want. As funny as that sounds, that’s a lot to ask out of one guy. But I would like to move him around a little bit. I know he can play shortstop — he may see the least amount of time at shortstop.”
The Astros tried to move first baseman Yuli Gurriel around the field last spring. An injury disrupted those plans.
Diaz was acquired in a November 2018 trade with Toronto, which was as an acknowledgement the Astros didn’t expect Gonzalez to return in 2019.
Diaz hit .263 with 18 home runs, 55 RBIs, 55 runs and a .756 OPS in 130 games with the Blue Jays last season. His primary position was shortstop (95) games, but he also played third base and spent one game at DH. Diaz, 28, previously played second base and the outfield during his time with St. Louis.
“He’s up for it,” Hinch said. “He’s excited about it. He knows that’s his way to contribute and get into the lineup — to move around a little bit.”
Manager putting his faith in Osuna
Manager A.J. Hinch already has named Roberto Osuna the Astros’ new closer. The secondyear Astro spoke with the media Friday.
Osuna is entering his first full season with the team, which acquired the former Toronto reliever in a controversial move before last year’s non-waiver trade deadline.
Osuna, who had been suspended 75 games for violating Major League Baseball’s domestic violence policy, posted a 1.99 ERA and recorded 19 strikeouts in 222⁄3 regular-season innings with the Astros. He allowed five hits and five earned runs in six postseason innings.
“It feels really good to be back, especially with this great team,” Osuna said. “I got to know my teammates a little bit better, and I’m happy for it.”
“Absolutely,” he said, when asked if he looked forward to getting back on a more consistent footing with an uninterrupted season. “I got a lot of personal goals this year, and I’m going to do everything I can to make it happen.
“Obviously, the biggest goal for me is to win a World Series. So I’m really looking forward to focusing on baseball.”
Osuna plans to work on a sinker during the spring. The righthander also plans to use a pink glove throughout the season, which was a promise he made to his mother.
Hinch said a “humble” and “thorough” Osuna proved himself to his new teammates last season.
“Just watching him work gained some credibility with our guys,” Hinch said. “He was here for the right reasons, and he was here to help us win. … He’s had a ton of success as a closer in the big leagues.”
Brantley high on club’s chances
A new face greeted teammates in West Palm Beach: ex-Indian Michael Brantley.
The Astros’ biggest offseason acquisition had been at the facility during recent days, but he spoke with the media for the first time Friday.
“We have a chance to win the World Series. It’s not a secret,” said Brantley, who was signed to a two-year, $32 million deal. Brantley will soon join
George Springer in the Astros’ outfield.
“(The Astros) are a great team, and I’m glad to be a part of this,” Brantley said.