It’s spring season time, and the Houston Astros are yet to find their best combination at 2B and 3B! If their Alex Bregman saga is not enough, finding a proper replacement at 2B poses a bigger threat. However, why find a replacement at 2B when a veteran like Jose Altuve is there? Reportedly, Altuve is moving away from 2B to left field to make scope for a 3B player to shift to 2B and ultimately find a space for Bregman to fit in. 

Till last year, the Astros got Bregman at 3B and Altuve at 2B. However, Bregman is about to find his new home, and Altuve is willing to move away from 2B, leaving the Astros with no reliable option to replace him. The offseason is about to get over, and no big names are available; the Astros are racing against time to fill the lineup holes. So what’s the Astros’ plan with Bregman and Jose Altuve? If Bregman cannot be landed, what should be the team lineup for the Astros?

Jose Altuve leaving big shoes to fill

Alex Bregman and Jose Altuve are leaving a big shoe to be filled by the new ones. The numbers these two guys generated all these years will take time to replace. For reference, Altuve scored 229 HRs and 315 SBs across the 13 seasons, all for the Astros, while Bregman has amassed 191 HRs and 42 SBs since 2016. Hence, a legacy is created by these two at the bases, quite difficult to replicate. Even if Bregman is getting landed with the Astros, Altuve will move from 2B to left field, and again the 2B will get exposed. So whom the Astros are betting on?

The Astros traded Isaac Paredes from the Cubs as a designated 3B player. He is coming with 72 HRs and 234 RBIs, and his age is also on his side to excel in the long run. Well, Paredes was taken as the third baseman, and now with Jose Altuve moving out of 2B, Paredes will expectedly be moved to 2B. A staple 3B player at 2B? Yes, that’s what the Astros’ rotation depth looks like. “He’s going to get exposure to left field while not forgetting his natural position at second base,” said MLB insider Brett Chancey in a podcast with Locked On Astros. He is scared thinking about an experienced 2B player going to play at left field and an experienced 3B player joining; enough reason for the fans to get scared of the Astros.

What’s ahead for the Astros?

It looks like landing Bregman for 3B or keeping Altuve at 2B is the only viable option left with the Astros. Jose Altuve was all set to play at 2B, but it was only to accommodate Bregman that he opted to move away. Now, if Bregman has not landed, there’s no hurdle for Altuve to play in his staple position. At that point, the Astros will have the option to replace Bregman with Paredes. According to MLB.com’s roster projection for the Astros, Jose Altuve is kept at 2B, hinting at no change in his position and no Bregman with the team. 

On the other hand, if Bregman is coming back, then Jose Altuve is moving away, and the Astros need to fill his 2B. Will Paredes be a safe option? Fans can bet on outfielder Alex Verdugo from free agency who can take the infield position. This will ensure Bregman at 3B and Altuve at 2B, and the only change will be at the left field. Still, a safe option rather than shuffling up the entire base positions. Anyway, it may be that the Astros have limited time now to feed their lineup before the offseason ends. 

The primary objective for the Astros should be to get Bregman; if not, then keep Jose Altuve at 2B and pick some options for the infield. This can solve the dismal 2B options for the Astros to a certain extent. What do you think about the vulnerable 2B options for the Astros? Share your thoughts with us below.