Houston Astros Rumors: Signing AJ Pollock would create league’s best outfield
By T.A. Mock
The Houston Astros are on the market for outfield help this offseason. If they were to sign AJ Pollock, they would create the MLB’s best outfield, here’s why.
The Houston Astros had a really great 2018 season. The franchise won a record number of games, 103, and saw themselves climb back to the ALCS, in which they ultimately lost to the Red Sox. This could easily be viewed as a more complete team than the one that won the World Series just two years ago.
The pitching staff was excellent with Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole leading the best starting rotation in the majors in 2018. They were dominant and carried the team the entire year. The offense wasn’t quite as good as it was in 2017 but it was still potent and dangerous all year long.
However, that doesn’t mean to say there were holes on this roster that caused the team issues. The Astros acquired two bullpen arms to ensure it would be a strength. The club also went out and traded for Martin Maldonado to shore up the catcher position. There was one other position that seemed to be unsettled the majority of the year and it would be left field.
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The Houston Astros featured Marwin Gonzalez as their left fielder the vast majority of the 2018 season. Unfortunately, MarGo was unable to stay in left field as the season progressed to an abundance of injuries, especially the two to Carlos Correa and Jose Altuve. This forced the Astros to use a bunch of different options in left.
Kyle Tucker, the team’s top prospect, got the first crack but he struggled. Tony Kemp then turned out to be one of the primary alternative options in left. The second base convert performed very well and proved to be an extremely capable hitter. The Astros would also employ Jake Marisnick in center which would rotation George Springer to right and Josh Reddick to left.
So, with MarGo all but gone for the 2019 season, the Houston Astros have a few options. They could hope Tucker is now ready to take on a full-time role or they could opt to play Kemp or Marisnick more often. There is also the possibility, probably a pretty good one, that look for external help.
If the Astros do look externally for outfield help, the man they should target is A.J. Pollock, formerly of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Pollock’s career has fluctuated between above average/good at it’s lowest and borderline elite/excellent at it’s highest. Let’s take a look at what he’d bring to the table.