Finally in September we have the team we thought we would have when ST started. Brantley makes a huge difference. So does Abreu’s driving in runs. Diaz has been a surprise for me, and he will only get better. I understand and do not complain about JV’s and Framber’s wanting Machete to catch them; Machete occasionally surprises us with his bat too. I am not going to say a bad word about Dubon either. He has become a solid major leaguer this year. I think we are thin at SP, but we have been all year.
That said, here is what I would do in games Maldonado does not catch. I am not one who says Diaz should play every day, but he should play most of them. Chas should also. I am not the manager, but I would not do much tinkering with the lineup going forward except for batting Machete 9th and for the only very occasional day of rest.
Altuve
Peña
Alvarez
Bregman
Tucker
Abreu
Brantley
Diaz
McCormick (Machete, which may require another OF depending on Uncle Mike’s availability; Chas can move to LFor Diaz can DH and Yordan can be LF. I know Dubon will be in CF some, but he does not have to be)
When I was filling out lineup cards (I know, Charles, I am too old to be relevant), I picked a lineup and did not change it. We were not playing every day, of course, and I am not Dusty Baker. He is the anti-Coach Raup in lineup construction.
Dubon utility
Myers defensive replacement and PR
Singleton defensive replacement and occasional PH
Next year? Espada or somone else as manager and Maldonado as bench coach. I also read the Astros are talking to David Stearns about being President of Baseball Operations. I hope that is true and happens. The Mets are seriously pursuing him.