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The Houston Astros must retain Evan Gattis over anyone else

By Josh Sippie

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The Houston Astros made a lot of off season pick ups. Luis Valbuena, Colby Rasmus and Evan Gattis were brought on to give the lineup that extra power and Jed Lowrie and Hank Conger chipped in as well. Carlos Gomez was also traded for as that ‘final spark’ later. All of these players were seen as high-price, temporary rentals until prospects like George Springer, Jon Singleton, Preston Tucker and the like were ready to carry the mantle.

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Given the return this year, it looks like that is not too far off. Preston Tucker is hitting .250 with 12 home runs and 31 RBIs but he has also had a flair for the dramatics, hitting a couple crucial home runs. George Springer would be a dynamic cog in the machine if he could stay healthy. His OPS is second on the team only to Carlos Correa as he clubbed 13 home runs and 29 RBIs.

And then there is Carlos Correa. Correa is 20 years old and completely lived up to every bit of hype ever put on him. And then some. He leads the club in OPS and leads all American League short stops in home runs as well. No easy feat when you only play half the season.

That is a fantastic core to the line up and with Jake Marisnick showing decent potential, Jon Singleton yet to hit his peak and many more prospects waiting in the ranks, the Houston Astros would have a great lineup already. But it probably would not be enough to compete with the big boys. That is what this year was for, to bridge the gap until they were completely ready.

Apparently Jeff Luhnow had it in his mind that this would be the only year where such a bridge was necessary, because at the end of the year, Evan Gattis, Luis Valbuena, Colby Rasmus and Chris Carter will be seeking new deals.

Most of those guys the Houston Astros can do without. Evan Gattis they cannot.

The big white bear, as he is affectionately known, leads the team in RBIs with 73. The next closest is who else but Jose Altuve at 55. Gattis is also tied for the team lead in home runs, leads the team with 9 triples and only strikes out once every 5 at bats. For the Houston Astros, that is pretty good. 

In fact, Evan Gattis has gone from just another power-heavy strike out hitter to the base of this lineup. Throw around all those prospects and its intimidating, but throw them around with Evan Gattis at the center and you have a fearsome lineup. Guys like Gomez, Valbuena and Rasmus are just auxiliary characters in the machine.

Not only that, but Evan Gattis has taken a strong liking to life with the Houston Astros and the fans have quickly fallen for the big white bear’s antics as well. Just six months into the season, when doing an interview while 400 fans waited to meet him, Gattis spoke of his time with the Houston Astros, saying “I really kind of fell in love with (Houston). I really don’t want to leave in the offseason. This might be the first place my girlfriend and I could actually make permanent. It would be really nice.”

On a team that is predominantly associated with Jose Altuve, Dallas Keuchel, George Springer and Carlos Correa, all of whom have the farm system factor in common, Evan Gattis has grown to be a face of the club as well.

The Houston Astros can part ways with the other rentals but they need to purchase Evan Gattis and make him part of club Astro for the long run.

Next: Pitching is most impressive aspect of Houston Astros

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