Outside help not in plans at 2B
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Acquiring another Jose Altuve is impossible, so the Astros are not going to attempt it. Opt-outs and roster cuts across the past few days grew the market of available free agents, but Houston general manager Dana Brown appears content with his club’s internal options for at least the beginning of Altuve’s absence.
“We’re trying to really fill the gap with Altuve (from) within,” Brown said Saturday. “We may have to let that play out for a while and see what these guys are made of. Sometimes guys need (an) opportunity, and if they get the opportunity, they step up.
“It doesn’t mean we haven’t had conversations, but sometimes in the conversations, the asking price is a little high.”
Brown’s comments, coupled with manager Dusty Baker’s recent Grapefruit League lineup construction, offer the most clarity yet of how Houston will move forward during Altuve’s extended absence. Altuve’s middle infield partner might profile as his replacement atop the batting order. Two other teammates will split time at second base before he returns.
Baker said he spoke to Altuve on Saturday. The skipper said his second baseman seemed in good spirits but is still experiencing some pain following last week’s thumb surgery.
Altuve was expected to rejoin the team at some point during its two-game exhibition series against Class AAA Sugar Land this week. He will participate in opening-day festivities prior to Thursday’s game against the Chicago White Sox and receive his championship ring alongside teammates Friday.
The celebration can mask Altuve’s absence for only so long. Once the pomp and circumstance settles, Thursday’s game will offer a sobering sight: someone else as Houston’s openingday second baseman for the first time in 12 years. David Hensley and Mauricio Dubón should share the position in Altuve’s absence.
The team views Dubón as the better defender, but Hensley offers far more offensive upside. Playing time could hinge on matchups or how well Houston’s lineup is performing. Hensley has fared a tad better against righthanded pitching
throughout his minor league career. Dubón’s career OPS against lefties is 200 points higher than his mark against righties.
Houston is facing Chicago righthander Dylan Cease on opening day, but Baker might be more swayed by his own starter. The skipper has long preferred to play his best infield defense behind Framber Valdez — he of a 66.5 percent ground-ball rate last season.
Presuming that continues Thursday, Dubón is the logical choice. Baker could arrange his batting order with a similar, matchup-based approach, but he acknowledged Saturday one obvious front-runner to lead off.
Though Baker did not set it in stone, Jeremy Peña seems primed to be Houston’s leadoff hitter for at least the start of the regular season. Baker has batted him there four times in Grapefruit League play since Altuve fractured his thumb on March 18.
“He gives us speed, gives us power. He might get a few more pitches to hit in front of whoever is batting second,” Baker said. “That’s a big hole vacated by Altuve.”
Peña hit leadoff eight times last season. Only Altuve had more appearances atop the order. Hitting Peña first could allow for the same quick-strike power Altuve affords.
The sophomore shortstop is every bit as aggressive as Altuve — only six qualified major league hitters swung more frequently than Peña last season — but he must demonstrate more advanced plate discipline. Peña struck out 135 times as a rookie. He is the team’s fastest sprinter but could not utilize that speed much last year with a meager .289 on-base percentage.
Peña pulverized fastballs last season but struggled with changeups, sliders and sinkers. Leadoff hitters generally see more fastballs, but Baker hopes his shortstop will see a steadier diet of hittable breaking balls — those thrown for strikes instead of chase pitches — as a leadoff man.
Slotting Peña atop the order does not answer all of the Astros’ questions. Michael Brantley will start the season on the injured list, meaning Baker must find a consistent two-hole
hitter. He hit Yordan Alvarez behind Peña on Saturday, but only out of convenience to get Alvarez more at-bats as he ramps up for the season.
“I could change depending on how some of the guys do,” Baker said. “I’m trying to hit some guys that are kind of hot backto-back, so that earlier in the year, if we get a couple guys hot, they could carry you until the other guys get at least lukewarm to hot.”
Among Alvarez, Peña, Alex Bregman, Kyle Tucker and José Abreu, it stands to reason someone will separate himself or themselves as candidates to carry the offense. Hensley still has only 34 major league plate appearances, while Dubón posted a 60 OPS+ last season. Brantley’s absence probably means two of Hensley, Chas Mccormick and Jake Meyers will crack the everyday lineup.
“You have to stay the course, and you have internal options,” Brown said. “It’s not like we’re empty. We’re not desperate.”