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Noting most of these guys "career" figures is dubious at best.
TOTAL MLB PAs
Casto - 535
Wallace - 810
Altuve - 894
Dominguez - 183
Carter - 411
Maxwell - 639
If you are going to write off every 25-26 year old who hasn't blossomed yet - why on earth are you still supporting Smoak?
As for Cedeno, Ankiel and Pena ... my point on them is if they ARE dead ... Houston dumps them and picks up whoever they need that might be competent. With ZERO guys on uncuttable contracts, they could pick up a Thames or Endy Chavez in a heartbeat if needed.
In 2011, Seattle was in no position to simply cut Figgins or Ichiro ... and had to eat dollars to cut guys like Bradley. Houston has zero baggage. If ANYONE on that club slumps for 6 weeks, they can be replaced. They have no Olivo or Ichiro or Ryan that they are largely stuck with.
Do I expect all of these kids to produce 100 OPS+ figures? No. But, I expect anyone that flames out (a la Peguero), will be sent down or sent packing ... unless they happen to have a Smoak-like pedigree that suggests they will be blossoming in the near future.
This is a club that was 100% as bad last season (and won 55 games), with even more flexibility to make positive changes as the year unfolds. The Houston Astros are NOT the roster they have today. They are the roster they have today, PLUS every nominal talent available for nominal cost.
There are ALWAYS Josh Wilsons and Hanrahans and Langerhanses available for next to nothing. Houston is pretty much the only club on the planet that can pretty much go get anyone they want with zero spots blocked - unless by perceived upside talent.