Houston Astros: Jeremy Pena Is Proof Team Move On From Carlos Correa
I’m sure there are teams that would kill for the services of Carlos Correa. In 2021, Correa has had his best season since 2016. He’s gone on record saying this will indeed be his last in Houston. It doesn’t appear Houston will be too keen on signing him to a massive deal either. A reason for this is definitely Correa’s unwillingness to stay an Astro. However, there is another factor at play as well.
Jeremy Pena, a 3rd round pick of the Astros in 2018, is exactly the type of player the Astros need to replace Correa. Having a top-tier prospect in AAA, who’s proven in less than 100 ABs that he’s capable of All-Star play, should be all Houston needs to just let Correa walk himself out of the clubhouse. That’s exactly what should be done.
Carlos Correa will command big money. We are talking $300 million over 10-years at the very least. He’s worth it, especially after this season. Correa has shown much better plate discipline. He’s going into the prime of his career as a seemingly improved player. Yet, it serves no purpose when Pena, who’s not even had any MLB service time, is ready to take over and not miss a beat.
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To prove my point about Pena, in less than 90 AB’s at AAA Sugarland, he’s batting .360 with a .424 OBP. Yeah, it’s only 90 AB’s, but this a guy who was out for the year with a wrist injury. Before this season, the highest affiliated league Pena played in was HI-A. Add in the lost 2019 season, and injury-plagued 2021, he’s seemingly been out of baseball for almost 2 years (outside of the Dominican Winter League). And he just waltzes on to a AAA roster and dominates?
C’mon, that’s just ridiculous.
We can’t underestimate the value Correa has for the Astros. Once could argue he’s been their best player since he was called up. However, if you’re Houston are you going to spend $30 million a season for 10 years on Correa? Or are you going to roll the dice on a guy who’s probably going to replicate those numbers? I’d hope Houston does the latter.
Debate all you want about how Pena is an unknown prospect. Nobody outside of Astros faithful knows how damn good he is (and I question how much they even know). It makes sense for a franchise like Houston to try and bring some of these prospects up. You are already the most hated franchise in sports. Why keep fighting with the guys who got you that moniker? Instead, win with a roster that might be better built for the future than your current group.
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Pena is just be the beginning. You could feature three new faces on the roster next year in Korey Lee (Catcher), Pedro Leon (Outfield), and the aforementioned Pena, and all would cost 90 percent less than what Correa is making. You’re probably going to win damn near as many games as you did this season. Take the extra money and build up a bullpen or deepen the back-end of the rotation. There are so many different avenues to take. This option builds greater depth.
I’m not going to guess what Houston does with Pena. They’ll likely keep him down as long as possible to keep the arbitration clock going. Yet, if Correa weren’t back for the Astros, why would they do that? Jeremy Pena is the best option for the team as your everyday SS. If it takes a couple of months for that to happen, you roll with it. Although, you must admit, paying Correa $30 million a season just to keep his heir apparent seat warm for 2 months isn’t a smart baseball strategy.
Image Source: Lynne Sladky / Associated Press
Daniel is a guru of baseball and basketball prospects. He’s a very experienced Amusement Park traveler as well. Follow him and his hot takes on Insta @dgentleman9288
