What Is Next For The Houston Astros? Someone Has To Go!

The Houston Astros enter the new week fresh off of their biggest move of the offseason, acquiring Evan Gattis from the Atlanta Braves.

The shocking move sent Astros twitter into a frenzy, with many positive words being written about them. For the most part, I liked the move. It took some time to get over my “prospect love” but the move had to be done. Now, I wish the Astros went out and used those prospects to get Gattis’s former teammate Jason Heyward, but hey, Astros fans can’t be picky.

May 19, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Houston Astros right fielder George Springer (4) celebrates with designated hitter Chris Carter (23) after scoring during the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

Gattis adds more power to the middle of the lineup and between himself, George Springer, and Chris Carter, you’re likely looking at over 90 home runs from your 3-4-5 hitters and probably at least five times the amount of strikeouts.

The Astros now have options. In the outfield they have George Springer, Dexter Fowler, Robbie Grossman, Alex Presley, and Jake Marisnick, and that’s also before we even mention Carter and Gattis. There’s a clear logjam in the outfield.

Of course both Carter and Gattis can see some time at first base, but if all goes well the Astros expect to give the majority of starts at first base to Jon Singleton. The DH spot will also help with the Astros glut of outfielders, but they still have about one or two too many.

You figure that George Springer and one of Carter/Gattis are guaranteed two outfield spots. That leave Marisnick and Fowler vying for that final (centerfield) spot. Many, including myself, would prefer to see Marisnick be given the chance to start everyday.

If you ask me, Dexter Fowler seems the most likely to be moved of these outfielders. The Astros were unable to come to terms with Fowler before Friday’s arbitration deadline. According to reports, the Astros and Fowler were approximately $2.3 million from reaching a deal, a pretty substantial amount. They’ll head to arbitration barring a trade or an agreement.

Jun 22, 2014; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Houston Astros center fielder Dexter Fowler (21) at bat against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Fowler will be on the final year of his deal and may also have the most trade value of the available outfielders. The Astros could recoup a prospect or two by dealing Fowler or could package him in a deal to improve elsewhere. Carter could also potentially be moved.

Third base is another position the Astros could look to improve. Matt Dominguez slashed a horrific .215/.256/.330 in 2014 and his glove certainly isn’t worth his bat in the lineup. There’s not many options available, but the Astros could go with Marwin Gonzalez at the hot corner or with prospects Ronald Torreyes and Colin Moran if “Matty D struggles” early in 2015.

The catcher carousel is something that will certainly be figured out within the next few weeks. Jason Castro and Carlos Corporan were the two Astros catchers on the roster last season but it’s certainly possible neither are on the 2015 Opening Day roster. The Astros traded for Hank Conger early in the offseason and appear to like catching prospect Max Stassi. The recently acquired Evan Gattis can also play catcher if need be.

Castro probably has the most value on the trade market but it may not be where GM Jeff Luhnow wants it to be. Corporan figures to be the favorite to be dealt since he has value as a backup veteran backstop. A move involving a catcher should happen within the next month.