Astros want Meyers to stick in center field

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- One spot the Astros apparently won’t be looking to add players to this offseason is in the outfield. Astros general manager Dana Brown said as much Tuesday, telling reporters at the Winter Meetings that Jake Meyers will get a chance to be the everyday center fielder to begin the season.

That came as somewhat of a surprise considering the emergence of Chas McCormick in center field last season, but Brown maintains McCormick is an “everyday guy.” Ultimately, it will be up to first-year manager Joe Espada to divvy up playing time but expect McCormick to begin the season in left field, where slugger Yordan Alvarez will play when he’s not at designated hitter. All-Star Kyle Tucker, of course, will start in right field.

“We want to see what Meyers can do,” Brown said at the Opryland Resort and Convention Center. “The defense is pretty special. If he turns the corner with the bat, it’s a pretty good player.”

Meyers was the Astros’ starting center fielder entering the 2021 playoffs before a shoulder injury led to surgery and derailed his career. The 2022 season was a lost year for Meyers, and he slashed .227/.296/.382 with 10 homers and 33 RBIs in 112 games last season, starting a team-high 87 games in center field.

Still, Meyers’ playing time plummeted at the end of the season when Michael Brantley returned from injury and he didn’t see the field in the postseason (he wasn’t on the ALCS roster). Gold Glove utility player Mauricio Dubón started six games in center field in the postseason.

“We’re going to give Meyers a chance to play every day,” Brown said. “Meyers is a really good defender. Hopefully we can make some adjustments with the bat but we’re going to give him a chance to play. McCormick is going to be out there and get a chance to play left field and Tucker will be in right.

“When we want to give Meyers a day off, we’ll put Yordan in left and give him some time out there. Initially, we’d like to see what Meyers can do, see if we can get the bat going because the defense is pretty special. If you can prevent runs, that’s a big part of winning. We’re going to be comfortable with our four guys right now. We’ll rotate them the way we need to rotate them.”

With McCormick in left, Meyers in center and Tucker in right, the Astros will have an elite defense. Tucker won the Gold Glove in right field in 2022, and Meyers last year ranked fourth among Major League center fielders with at least 700 innings played in defensive runs saved at 7.7. McCormick started 45 games in left field and 51 in center field last season.

“I think McCormick’s an everyday guy, without a doubt,” Brown said. “He’s one of those guys that showed he could be an everyday. He’s earned the right. He’s productive, but we will give these guys rest. I think it’s important you give the guys a breather.”

Meyers showed some flashes on offense last year, including a career-high four-hit game at Toronto on June 5, and he slugged a pair of three-run homers on Aug. 6 at the Yankees. He reached base safely in nine consecutive plate appearances from May 17-21. Meyers finished with a .785 OPS vs. left-handers and .646 against right-handers.

“I do feel comfortable, with the guys that we have, that both can cover and we could get some solid production out of center field,” Espada said.

Brown said the team has had some trade discussions about Meyers, but doesn't plan to deal him. Houston is still looking to upgrade its bullpen and find a backup catcher and doesn’t appear to have the financial flexibility to add anyone to the outfield mix, which also plays into Meyers getting another shot in 2024.

“So, if he turns the corner with the bat, and now his defense, it’s a pretty good player,” Brown said. “If he can’t turn the corner and he ends up being a platoon-type player, then that’s a little bit different. But right now, it’d be good to see if he can turn the corner and swing the bat.”