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Houston Astros: What Can the Astros Do About Third Base?

By Matthew Bartlett

Mar 10, 2016; Melbourne, FL, USA; Houston Astros third baseman Colin Moran (79) hits a ball in the sixth inning against the Washington Nationals at Space Coast Stadium. The Houston Astros won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 10, 2016; Melbourne, FL, USA; Houston Astros third baseman Colin Moran (79) hits a ball in the sixth inning against the Washington Nationals at Space Coast Stadium. The Houston Astros won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports /
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What to Do About the Houston Astros Third Base Job?

Mar 15, 2016; Kissimmee, FL, USA; Houston Astros first baseman Marwin Gonzalez (left) is congratulated by Astros player Luis Valbuena after he hit a home run during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Osceola County Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 15, 2016; Kissimmee, FL, USA; Houston Astros first baseman Marwin Gonzalez (left) is congratulated by Astros player Luis Valbuena after he hit a home run during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Osceola County Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

The 2016 version of the Houston Astros has some warts, which doesn’t come as too much of a surprise given their less than stellar record. Among the more glaring problems has been, the worse than mediocre play coming from third base. Whether it’s Luis Valbuena, Marwin Gonzalez, or Colin Moran, the production just hasn’t been there.

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Through 46 games the Astros slash line at 3rd is .173/.254/.314. Four home runs and 14 RBIs both rank 21st in the major leagues. Among all other third base groups, no one has a lower OPS than the folks manning the hot corner for the Astros. Nowhere to go but up right? Fortunately for Houston, they aren’t short of potential solutions internally – or externally.

Gonzalez continues to be serviceable, but the club needs his versatility at the other infield positions keeping him out of the competition for the everyday job at third. Colin Moran’s call-up was a bit puzzling for many fans, and he is stilling looking for his first big league hit after going 0-7 in three contests. Barring a two week Tyler White-esque stretch, he’s on the outside looking in as well.

Next: Potential Solution #1

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