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Rockets would feel the heat from this bold move, but it's worth it
Feb 10, 2021, 11:18 am
Which option is better? Composite image by Jack Brame.
After their 130-101 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, the Houston Rockets stand at 11-13. That puts them 12th in the Western Conference and near the bottom (14th place) in the draft lottery. The only way the Rockets keep their first round pick this year is if it is in the top four. In a rebuilding phase like the Rockets are clearly in, it begs the question: should they compete for a playoff spot, or make moves to tank and get a high draft pick?
On the one hand, Rockets' fans would like to think this team, when fully healthy and all hands on deck, is a playoff contender. They're hoping John Wall stays healthy, Jae'Sean Tate, David Nwaba, Mason Jones, and Sterling Brown all improve enough to make them competitive in the Western Conference this season. They're also banking on Christian Wood's continued growth as a future superstar in the league, while Victor Oladipo progresses as an established star.
On the other hand, some are hoping guys like Oladipo, Wall, and others are traded for future assets and expiring contracts (like Oladipo's). If the Rockets' pick is in the top four selections of the draft, they keep their own pick. In my eyes, this draft isn't shaping up to be much, but a top four pick is better than not having one in any given draft, especially when your team is devoid of talent.
So which option is better? Should the Rockets make a run at a playoff spot? Or should they trade away assets and "tank" to see if they can get and keep a top pick in the draft to help with the rebuild? In my opinion, I think they should trade assets and aim for the draft pick. I highly doubt they make enough of a run in the regular season to make a decent seed. Even if they make the playoffs, it's even more doubtful they will make it out of the first round, which would result in them not having that first round pick to help them rebuild. Add that to the fact that they won't have cap space to offer a max contract free agent a spot, and you get a team in purgatory.
This is why I believe they should tank, get the high draft pick, and have that assist in the rebuild assuming the lottery falls their way. Sure, I'd love to see them in the playoffs, but this team isn't built for a playoff run. Look around at the Western Conference. Can this Rockets team honestly beat the Jazz, Clippers, Lakers, or even the Suns in a seven game series in the first round? If you think so, I have a therapist I can refer you to. While they're only three games out of the fifth seed in the West at this time, I can't see them making any waves. I also don't see them keeping guys around, especially since Oladipo has an expiring contract that could prove very attractive come the trade deadline. Here's to hoping they do the right thing for the team's future, whatever you, or I believe that looks like.
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With the Astros now officially ten games under .500 for the season, manager Joe Espada is taking a lot of heat from the fanbase for the team's struggles.
While we don't agree with the sentiment, we even hear fans clamoring for the return of Dusty Baker and Martin Maldonado, thinking the Astros wouldn't be in this mess if they were still here.
Which is ridiculous. First of all, Maldonado has been awful for the White Sox, hitting .048 (even worse than Jose Abreu's .065). And for those of you that think his work with the pitching staff justifies his pathetic offense. Let me say this: Where was Maldy's game calling genius for Hunter Brown, Cristian Javier, and Framber Valdez last year? All of them regressed significantly.
And as far as Baker is concerned, we have no idea how much a difference he would make, we can only speculate. Baker would also be dealing with a pitching staff ravaged with injuries. And let's not forget, Baker was the guy that refused to move Jose Abreu down in the batting order, even though he would finish the regular season with the ninth-worst OPS in baseball.
The reality of the situation is managers can only do so much in baseball. Which leads us to something else that needs to be considered. Is Espada being handcuffed by the front office? Espada and GM Dana Brown both said recently that Jon Singleton was going to get more at-bats while they give Abreu time off to try to figure things out. Yet, there Abreu was in the lineup again in the opening game of the Cubs series.
It makes us wonder how much power does Espada truly have? The Astros have some other options at first base. Yainer Diaz may only have eight games played at the position, but how much worse could he be than Abreu defensively? Abreu already has four errors, and Diaz is obviously a way better hitter. Victor Caratini isn't considered a plus offensive player, but his .276 batting average makes him look like Babe Ruth compared to Abreu. Let him catch more often and play Diaz at first. Starting Diaz at first more often could also lengthen his career long-term.
Maybe that's too wild of a move. Okay, fine. How about playing Mauricio Dubon at first base? I understand he doesn't have much experience at that position, but what's the downside of trying him there? If he can play shortstop, he can play first base. He's driving in runs at a higher rate (11 RBIs) than everyone on the team outside of Kyle Tucker and Yordan Alvarez. And he's producing like that as part-time player right now.
The other criticism we see of Espada is his use of Jon Singleton to pinch hit late in games. Let's be real, though, who else does Espada have on the roster to go to? Batting Abreu late in games in which you're trailing should be considered malpractice. Espada can only use who he has to work with. This all really stems from the Astros poor farm system.
They don't have anyone else to turn to. The draft picks the club lost from the sign-stealing scandal are really hurting them right now. First and second rounders from 2020 and 2021 should be helping you in 2024 at the big league level.
Maybe they go to Astros prospect Joey Loperfido soon, but after a hot start he has only two hits in his last six games.
Finally, we have to talk about what seems like a committee making baseball decisions. Lost in a committee is accountability. Who gets the blame for making poor decisions?
As time continues to pass it looks like moving on from former GM James Click was a massive mistake. He's the guy that didn't sign Abreu, but did trade Myles Straw (recently DFA'd) for Yainer Diaz and Phil Maton. He also built an elite bullpen without breaking the bank, and helped the club win a World Series in 2022.
The reality of the situation is Dusty Baker and James Click are not walking back through that door. And all good runs come to an end at some point. Is this what we're witnessing?
Don't miss the video above as we hit on all the points discussed and much more!
Catch Stone Cold 'Stros (an Astros podcast) with Charlie Pallilo, Brandon Strange, and Josh Jordan. We drop two episodes every week on SportsMapHouston's YouTube channel. You can also listen on Apple Podcast, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.