If, and that’s the key word, Carlos Correa can come back this season, then it raises the uncomfortable question of what to do with this infield. Christian Walker is going to play first base. Jeremy Peña isn’t being moved off of shortstop. For Isaac Paredes, he has done his best hitting this season when entrenched at a position, ideally third base. Realistically, the only position on the infield that Correa could play and possibly improve the Astros’ defense is second base. In that case, it also means displacing Jose Altuve from his long time position. Per Ken Rosenthal and Chandler Rome of The Athletic, it seems like the idea is under consideration.
The odds are looking better that Correa will return, at least from my outside perspective. And moving him to second base makes sense at first glance. After all, Altuve has cost the team -16 runs in the field. Correa is a more natural fit at the position than Paredes. No offense, but I never felt comfortable with the idea of Paredes handling the position other than a spot appearance. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Astros are trying to avoid moving Paredes off of third base, perhaps other than an occasional start at first base, with his struggles at the plate earlier in the season still fresh on its mind.
There is also the question of where Altuve would play. I mean, his time in left field last season wasn’t a disaster, but it also wasn’t great. As detailed by The Athletic, Alvarez in left field with Altuve serving as the designated hitter feels like the more likely option. And in the event that Alvarez needs to serve as the designated hitter, the solution then could be benching Walker while moving Paredes to first and Correa to third. It isn’t like Walker is tearing the cover off the ball in any case. Since his hot start to the season, the veteran first baseman has been hitting. 208/.281/.384 with an 86 wRC+ dating back to May 1. But would such an arrangement with a high-salary veteran other than an occasional game proceed smoothly without issue or protest? Consider me doubtful.
Of course, this entire conversation hinges on one point: Correa’s return. Until that happens, it is an interesting what-if, but with a seemingly increasing probability.
Astros @ Rays Games Information and Gamethread Details
Still no Alvarez so far this weekend, though. Here’s hoping we see him on Sunday.
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It’s also likely that Correa could play DH some of the time. That seems more likely if they feel that fielding will be too much of a risk for his ankle. Correa at 2d base would probably be a good move if they watch him practice the position and it doesn’t put too much stress on his ankle.