The Astros announced a number of roster moves today. Phil Maton — acquired yesterday from the Indians — was added to the active roster, while Jake Meyers had his contract selected. To make room on the active roster, Bryan Abreu was optioned to the taxi squad and Brandon Bielak was optioned to Triple-A. To create a spot on the 40-man roster, right-hander Nivaldo Rodriguez was designated for assignment, tweets Mark Berman of Fox 26.
Meyers, 25, is the most interesting addition of the bunch here, despite his lack of prospect status and unheralded beginnings as a 13th-round pick. His revelatory play in Triple-A this season seems to be one of the driving factors in Houston’s decision to trade Myles Straw for Maton. It’s certainly not standard operating procedure for a first-place team like the Astros to deal their starting centerfielder for a middle reliever in the middle of a playoff race — especially with Straw being cheap and controllable through 2025.
But Meyers raked in Triple-A, slashing .343/.408/.598 with 16 home runs for the Sugar Land Skeeters. He brings a less extreme version of Straw’s positive approach at the plate, but with the added benefit of some power potential. Meyers has walked at an 8.2 percent clip while striking out just 19.4 percent of the time. He has benefited from a .389 BABIP, and the power marks – .255 ISO, .598 SLG — are way above his career averages prior to this season.
Defensively, he has split his time evenly between all three outfield spots this year. Back in June, Kevin Goldstein of Fangraphs noted that he profiles as an above-average defensive centerfielder, though without Straw’s arm. If his power proves to be for real, Meyers ought to be an upgrade in centerfield, assuming he can outbid Chas McCormick for playing time. The 26-year-old McCormick has a head start on the starter’s job with a 113 wRC+ through 178 plate appearances this season.
Rodriguez, meanwhile, will be left exposed to waivers as a result of Houston’s trade deadline additions. The 24-year-old righty has nine career appearances between this season and last. He logged 16 innings, allowing eight earned runs on 19 hits and 10 walks while serving up five long balls. Given the need for pitching league-wide, there’s certainly a possibility somebody takes a chance on Rodriguez either as a starter or a reliever with multi-inning potential.
half game back for best record in MLB, playing Giants right now.
This team is SO fun!!!!
Anyone here get selected for the Halo Infinite beta test? Looks fun.
Astros farm system is ranked near the bottom, but they keep churning out these players, especially in starting pitching. These guys know how to develop talent.
It kind of reminds me of how the Patriots never had early picks, but kept putting out stars.
I’m hearing that comp a lot these days
I believe it is both art, AND science.
Can’t see Brent Strom lasting until 2040, but this system, and the thinking behind it, I don’t see any reason why winning will not continue for many years.
This might be Strom’s last year. I read in The Athletic that he has bought some retirement property in Mexico, and is already getting involved in community programs down there involving baseball development.
How much more will Dusty go even too as manager. Strom has been great. But do not think Dusty has been signed to extension.. so who will lead team going forward. If Dusty is in for another year or two will Strom stick around.
Just hope have someone that can keep leading this team and even pitching coach that can turn pitchers around
I think an under appreciated element is that the Astros are the only organization to provide housing to the players. It might seem small, but I believe it really helps prospects focus on developing.
This team is solid top to bottem. I do wonder about how they address their pitching next season if they will let Verlander and Grienke leave or they re-sign one or both of them
I think Verlander is gone. It would be great if they could bring Greinke back. His personality fits this team like a glove.
McCullers
Odorizzi
Urquidy
Garcia
Valdez
Javier
That’s 6 starting pitchers from this year that will all be back next year. Not sure they do anything to address starting pitching honestly.
I think it depends on price. I think the Astros QO Verlander if he’s healthy. Maybe he signs.
I think Correa is gone though. I love the player, but he’s not worth his asking price. Plus, there’s a glut of SS available. The Astros can find someone who isn’t injury prone.
Is anyone really missing George IL Springer? I own his jersey and he was my favorite Astro of this generation, but I don’t want that contract on my team. I’m glad he got he paid though.
I am curious too. I heard something Verlander may want to go back to Detroit before hangs it up. Sensing wants to retire a Tiger and I can understand.
I think we would want a veteran in there and all. I would love to see Verlander one last time but his age and returning from TJ
Not sure where Greinke and contract is.
Also wonder with Correa if lose him could that Leon take spot. Correa will be a Daddy I think later this year so could focus there when season ends depending on how deep we go in playoffs
The Astros will probably have to back off their policy of long term deals if they want to keep Correa. They offered him 6 years before the season started, but that was at $20 million/year. He’ll be 27 next month, so I’m sure he’ll be looking for at least an 8 year deal to get him through at least half of his 30’s.
I fear team-chemistry loss if they don’t manage to keep him
But, of course, I’ve wanted to keep the other 47 guys they’ve off-loaded since 2017 WS. 🙂
They gave Altuve a 5-year/$151M extension and Bregman’s was 5-years/$100M. Correa is extremely popular with his teammates and the fans, and he will only be 27 right before the end of the season. I just can’t see them allowing such an amazing talent to go anywhere.
LOL! Just heard Greinke has career goal of hitting 10 HR, stealing 10 bases. He’s at 9 on both.
I am absolutely NOT an Astros fan, but Jake Myers played for the Nebraska cornhuskers, so I have to say congratulations to him. I honestly didn’t think he would ever make it to Houston because of all the big names that are already there. Course at that time they still had George Springer, etc