Extremely positive Yordan Alvarez update from Astros opens door for landmark year
STONE COLD 'STROS
23 February
It's a new year for the Houston Astros as they return to action for their first game of the spring against the Washington Nationals on Saturday.
Every season we see some adjustments to the roster which means we also see some changes in leadership. As Astros fans, we're all aware of Alex Bregman and Kyle Tucker's contract situations. Breggy could be gone after the season, and Tucker could follow one year later.
Which means it's pretty clear who the leaders of the team will be for the foreseeable future. Not only are these guys two of the best players on the club, but they're also under contract for several more years. In Altuve's case, through the 2029 season. For Yordan, he won't sniff free agency until 2029.
While these guys aren't your typical vocal leaders, they are both highly respected and lead by example. Leadership is something that's front of mind for Yordan this season, according to The Athletic's Chandler Rome.
On Yordan Alvarez the leader, one of two constants in a clubhouse bracing for change and the responsibility he wants to shoulder as a result - https://t.co/sZGlI5taBQ
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) February 21, 2024
Another way to be a leader is to do everything you can to be available for your team. Alvarez changed his diet in the offseason hoping it will help him stay healthy this year.
Manager Joe Espada said Alvarez is fully healthy and he plans on playing him earlier than normal this spring.
Currently, Yordan is trending down in games played for three straight seasons. But he's such a great player that he needs fewer games to put up massive numbers.
He finished 3rd in MVP voting in 2022, and he only played in 135 games out of a possible 162.
So with that in mind, how many games does Yordan need to play this year to win an MVP?
Plus, who's going to protect him in the lineup? With new manager Joe Espada in place, it's hard to know what the lineup will look like.
One thing we do know, Espada immediately named Josh Hader his closer when spring training began. He also told the media that he wants Jeremy Pena to know where he's going to hit every day when he comes to the ballpark.
Espada values players knowing their roles, and getting comfortable in their routines. Something very different from last season when manager Dusty Baker moved Pena all over the lineup throughout the season.
So what does all this mean for Yordan?
Be sure to watch the video above as we break it all down!
Catch Stone Cold 'Stros (an Astros podcast) every Monday on SportsMapHouston's YouTube channel.
According to multiple reports, Astros right fielder Kyle Tucker has been traded to the Cubs. It appears that the Juan Soto contract added to growing concern that the club would not be able to reach agreement with Tucker long-term.
In return for Tucker, the Astros receiver infielder Isaac Parades, pitcher Hayden Wesneski, and 3rd base prospect Cam Smith.
Kyle Tucker to the Cubs for Isaac Paredes, Hayden Wesneski and Cam Smith is done, pending medicals, sources tell @TheAthletic
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) December 13, 2024
Parades can play both 3rd and 1st base, but his best position is 3rd, per Chandler Rome. Parades is 25 years old and hit .238 last season with 19 home runs and was an All-Star. His best season was in 2023, he blasted 31 dingers and had an OPS of .840.
He will be a free agent in 2028 and is a perfect fit for the Crawford Boxes, as he's a pull hitter.
Only two players in MLB had a higher pull rate than Isaac Paredes in 2024: Jose Altuve and Rhys Hoskins. His swing is made for the Crawford Boxes.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) December 12, 2024
Chandler Rome recently reported that Wesneski is a pitcher that "very much intrigued the Astros." He pitched out of the bullpen and started seven games for the Cubs last year, posting a 3.86 ERA over 67.2 innings. He also spent some time pitching for Triple A in 2024. Wesneski went to Cy-Fair high school in Houston, and is under team control for the next several years.
Smith is a 3rd base prospect that was drafted 14th overall out of Florida State in the 2024 draft. He hit .313 overall in three different levels of the minors last season.
That Cubs' MLB Pipeline #7 prospect immediately becomes Astros #1 sums up sorry state of the Astros' system (Cubs' system is good at least).
Paredes is legit 3B (offensively as good as Breg over last 2 years) and will make maybe 3 mil in '25.
Good day for Mariners/Rangers fans.
— Charlie Pallilo (@Pallilo) December 13, 2024
