Astros: 4 Different Center Field Routes with Marte Signing Elsewhere

With Jake Meyers undergoing surgery for a torn labrum in mid-November and being unavailable at the beginning of the 2022 season, the Houston Astros‘ starting center fielding job is open for an undetermined period of time.

That is until Meyers is able to recover, rehab and be ready to play after Opening Day, but how long that takes is up in the air according to general manager James Click.

What should the Astros do with the center field position until that time? Here are four options.

Chas McCormick/Jose Siri Platoon

While Meyers was the presumed starting center fielder prior to his injury, Chas McCormick has proven that he can field the position well and hit with power. McCormick’s power diminished post All-Star break, and he struck out 104 times in 284 at-bats, so that will need to change, but platooning McCormick and Jose Siri is a possibility.

This will also allow for Kyle Tucker to fill in at the position as needed, while spending the majority of his time in right field. Siri hit four home runs in 46 regular season at-bats, but was questionable defensively, with several near misses on collisions in the outfield.

This option would likely see McCormick face righties (.262/.314./.427) while Siri, who batted .333 in 15 at-bats vs. lefties, faces the southpaws for the most part. I’m more bullish on McCormick than most and would point out that while his average against left-handers was lower (.244), his OBP (.330) and SLG (.500) were better than against righties.