Astros: 4 Different Center Field Routes with Marte Signing Elsewhere

Should the Astros move Kyle Tucker to center field?

Tucker hasn’t played much center field in the Major Leagues, but he did play almost 1,100 minor- league innings at the position. Meyer’s injury also forced him to put in some time at the position this past postseason.

One version of this has Tucker moving to center, Michael Brantley to right field and signing a veteran outfielder to play left. While Tucker was adequate in center as a defender, he’s not going to give you the range and defense of Meyer or McCormick on a day to day basis.

This option would also mean multiple position changes and for that reason, it’s not optimal. Who would play left in this scenario?  Some of the available left fielders (age) are Kyle Schwarber (29), Tommy Pham (34), Andrew McCutchen (35), Joc Pederson (30), Michael Conforto (28) and Clint Frazier (27).

While McCormick (249.2 innings) and Siri (22 innings) have both played left field, there would seem to be little benefit to moving the entire outfield if either is going to be in the lineup on a regular basis.