Here's what we know: Marwin Gonzalez has been optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City and Wade LeBlanc has been designated for assignment. Corresponding moves will be made tomorrow.
Gonzalez was hitting .230/.250/.339 for the Astros in 54 games with 33K:5BB in 174 PAs. After starting the season strong (.297/.338/.516 in April) Gonzalez tanked, "hitting" .191/.196/.236 with one walk and three extra-base hits in 33 games in May and June. He actually broke an 0x16 slump yesterday, going 2x4.
Wade LeBlanc, picked up as a waiver claim like, twenty minutes ago, pitched in three games for Houston. In 3.2IP, he allowed 4H/5R (4ER), with 1K:3BB.
The intriguing thing will be the corresponding moves. Because we're basically looking at a shortstop and a reliever. As much as I'd like to think it's Cosart Time, I doubt that's the case (though I'm a fan of breaking him in this season in the bullpen, and it IS after the projected Super-Two cut-off.). Might the corresponding move for Marwin be:
Jonathan Villar? He's hitting .278/.328/.425 for OKC this season (.291/.345/.443 in June). Luhnow said he needed more time. Brett Wallace? He's hitting .323/.397/.550 for OKC. Maybe not, since the Astros aren't looking for a 1B.
I was thinking this anyway, but now it seems to be general consensus, so I can't lay claim to any breaking news, but Jake Elmore makes more sense. He's played middle-infield most of the season (52 games at 2B, five games at SS), and he's hitting .297/.382/.433, AND he's already been in Houston this season, so he's already had one of his options burned.
As far as the LeBlanc Replacement, maybe Brad Peacock. He has allowed 15H/3ER with 10K:7BB in his last 18.1IP.
STAY TUNED.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
