I went to the Astros-Brewers game last night. Got some great seats thanks to some connections. Sadly, the game itself wasn't as good as my seats. The Astros managed to drop their 7th in a row, and managment began to make changes immediately after the game had ended; Top hitting prospect Hunter Pence was coming up for Saturday's game and immediately inserted into the starting lineup, in lieu of Chris Burke's demotion.
I don't think that Pence will single handedly change the Astros season; that's not a fair assumption to levy on a 24 year old who will be seeing his first major league action. I do think, however, this is a step in the right direction. Too long it seems these past few years the Astros have stood pat and awaited for some miracle second-half surge to propel them to the postseason. It'd be a novel idea to actually win some games in the first half of the season, might make the push for the postseason somewhat easier.
I may not agree with all of Phil Garners' decisions (Leaving in Oswalt after he was clearly gassed in the top of the 7th; removing Lidge after 4 pitches) nor Tim Purpura's GM moves, but they are probably in those positions because they've had some success. Still, thanks to the World Wide Web, I can add my $.02 into the discussion as to turn around this team.
- I'd start by getting Mark Loretta and Mike Lamb into the starting lineup somehow, someway. They, along with Carlos Lee, have been the Astros bright spots as far as offense has gone this season.
- If you wanted a big stir in the status quo (something I think this team needs), I'd bench Berkman a game and place Lamb in his steed.
- A less extreme option would be to bench Ensberg and place either Lamb or Loretta in as the 3rd baseman.
This team seriously needs a shakeup; not necessarily a massive, season long shakeup, but something for a few games to insure these guys they just can't hit below .250 and expect a starting job everyday. Benching guys for a few games often lights a fire under them, something the Astros need, which is what the front office is trying to do with this move with Pence.
-Not sure what they Astros should do with their lineup, honestly. Burke, who was just reduced to a utilty role, had the best OBP out of the guys I would put at the top of the lineup. Can't even speculate at this point.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Blast from the past
There are a few things in this world that upset me more than anything else. Allow me to degress:
-Hypocrites
-People who don't do the speed limit (below, not speeding)
-Talking about football 24/7/365
-Bandwagon A&M basketball fans
I'm not even going to talk about the first two gripes. Talking about football all year round pisses me off. ESPN doesn't run anything except NFL draft crap. It's March Madness time (which I don't care about either) and they are still running more NFL draft material than anything else. Pathetic.
For all the bandwagon basketball fans: Let's face it, most of you people don't watch basketball on a regular basis, and didn't even consider to go to a basketball game until their run last year. I'm a rare person it seems in this world, considering I still don't give a damn about basketball, in any form. Everyone who is all big into basketball this year won't support them by the time I graduate (whenever that will be). It's a shame when people who can't name their own city's pro basketball team that go to A&M games. I guess I shouldn't complain too much, considering if the only people who go to the basketball games here were actual basketball fans, they wouldn't fill half of the arena.
The 300 sucked. The movie wasn't all that interesting. The fact that the queen of Sparta had a British accent killed it for me. How did the king's eyebrow not get cut as well when his face is cut in that region? I guess I'm asking too much of a movie that's based off a comic book of a mythical event. All the strange ass Persian dudes was a turn off as well. Seemed like they were going for an actual story, but couldn't pull it off. But hell, what do I know, I think X3 is a piece of garbage, and I know people who loved it.
-Hypocrites
-People who don't do the speed limit (below, not speeding)
-Talking about football 24/7/365
-Bandwagon A&M basketball fans
I'm not even going to talk about the first two gripes. Talking about football all year round pisses me off. ESPN doesn't run anything except NFL draft crap. It's March Madness time (which I don't care about either) and they are still running more NFL draft material than anything else. Pathetic.
For all the bandwagon basketball fans: Let's face it, most of you people don't watch basketball on a regular basis, and didn't even consider to go to a basketball game until their run last year. I'm a rare person it seems in this world, considering I still don't give a damn about basketball, in any form. Everyone who is all big into basketball this year won't support them by the time I graduate (whenever that will be). It's a shame when people who can't name their own city's pro basketball team that go to A&M games. I guess I shouldn't complain too much, considering if the only people who go to the basketball games here were actual basketball fans, they wouldn't fill half of the arena.
The 300 sucked. The movie wasn't all that interesting. The fact that the queen of Sparta had a British accent killed it for me. How did the king's eyebrow not get cut as well when his face is cut in that region? I guess I'm asking too much of a movie that's based off a comic book of a mythical event. All the strange ass Persian dudes was a turn off as well. Seemed like they were going for an actual story, but couldn't pull it off. But hell, what do I know, I think X3 is a piece of garbage, and I know people who loved it.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Astros successful in obtaining Jennings
Well, the Astros did indeed make a move today to shore up one of the major concerns I blogged about in yesterday's post, obtaining Jason Jennings from the Colorado Rockies. The Astros gave Willy Taveras, Jason Hirsh and Taylor Buchholz in this exchange. Out of these three, I'm somewhat saddened in seeing Hirsh go. Buchholz, while having better stuff than Hirsh, was not impressive for the most part in his '06 campaign. Hirsh was valued by the Astros organization as their top pitching prospect, and I would have liked to see him give a full year's performance on the big stage. Ah well, I wish these two men the best of luck; Being a MLB pitcher in Coors Field is a rough thing indeed.
Taveras was also packaged in the deal, and a lot of people are upset in this aspect of the trade. Taveras, while an above average CF defensively, was not a very good offensive player. He had a 30 game hit streak in 2006. This is true, but most of these were bunt singles often in the first inning. Taveras had a hard time getting on base consistently, nearly striking out 3 times as many times as he walked. This move allows Chris Burke to seemly have the inside track in being the Opening Day center fielder. Burke is an offensive upgrade to Willy in center, while being a defensive downgrade. However, as is often the case, you often have to give up defense for offense.
Jason Lane has been training to be a CF as well. Many fans' opinion of Lane has soured some what (myself included) after his terrible '06 season, but he should be able to plug in on the days where Burke replaces Biggio in the lineup at 2nd base. Purpura also said that we should see Hunter Pence's major league debut sometime this next season. He tore the cover off the ball in AA ball, and fans have been wanting to see him since.
Taveras was also packaged in the deal, and a lot of people are upset in this aspect of the trade. Taveras, while an above average CF defensively, was not a very good offensive player. He had a 30 game hit streak in 2006. This is true, but most of these were bunt singles often in the first inning. Taveras had a hard time getting on base consistently, nearly striking out 3 times as many times as he walked. This move allows Chris Burke to seemly have the inside track in being the Opening Day center fielder. Burke is an offensive upgrade to Willy in center, while being a defensive downgrade. However, as is often the case, you often have to give up defense for offense.
Jason Lane has been training to be a CF as well. Many fans' opinion of Lane has soured some what (myself included) after his terrible '06 season, but he should be able to plug in on the days where Burke replaces Biggio in the lineup at 2nd base. Purpura also said that we should see Hunter Pence's major league debut sometime this next season. He tore the cover off the ball in AA ball, and fans have been wanting to see him since.
Monday, December 11, 2006
Astros' Offseason So Far
As I stated in the first post, I'll be talking about alot of baseball most likely in this blog. Most of that discussion will revolve around my favorite team, the Astros.
The Astros entered this offseason with questions at plenty of positions. They knew that they needed an impact bat to help protect Lance Berkman, and actually achieved that in the signing of Carlos Lee. I agree, 6 years at $100 million is a bit much, but this year's offseason has been absolutely insane as far as pricing goes. The Astros also acquired Woody Williams, a veteran pitcher who has always pitched well in Minute Maid Park. However, a few holes in the armor remain, and depending on whom you talk to, they are either merely kinks or gaping chasms.
Major Hole #1: 3rd base - 3rd Base was a major let down in the '06 season, with Morgan Ensberg turning in a .235 BA performance, and the mid-season addition Aubrey Huff didn't do too much better, with a .250 clip himself. The current situation is an interesting one: Huff is an Free Agent and will likely command a multi-year contract perhaps less than $10 million a season. Ensberg, a cheaper option, is widely inconsistent at times: His '05 and '06 campaigns provide the best example of this. Mike Lamb is also on the club, a left handed batter who is the weakest of the three in the field.
Huff would provide the Astros with a proven left handed bat availible to hit in the middle of the order, and also can play 1B, 3B and the corner OF positions. Lamb also is an option at 1B, while Ensberg's defense is utilized best at 3B. Another thing usually forgotten is Huff is the youngest of the three men.
Personally, I would resign Huff to a 3 or 4 year contract, possibly the last of those being an option year, if possible. This would allow Ensberg to be used in potential trades for bullpen or starting pitching help, although only a bullpen arm would be a useful trade at this point. This is one of the avenues: The other, and most likely of the two, is to not sign Huff and let Ensberg play this upcoming season. If Ensberg faulters, he will most likely be traded by the deadline, and Lamb would play at the 3rd for the remainder of the season.
Major Hole #2 : A viable #2 starter - A giant problem was caused last Friday by Andy Pettitte's decision to make a return trip to New York. With no Pettitte, the projected #2 is Woody Williams. Williams is a fine pitcher, no doubt, but in this era of his career, he is better suited for the #3 or #4 slot in the rotation. The Astros basically have three routes: Sign a remaining Free Agent pitcher, trade for a starter, or ride it out with an extra youngester in the rotation.
Option #1: Signing a Free Agent - Certainly the most pricey route as far as funds, given the way the market has gone this offseason, it might cost Uncle Drayton a pretty penny to acquire a pitcher. The problem is that there really isn't a bonafide #2 in the current market besides the supposed top pitcher in this market, Barry Zito (Actually there is two, but I'll get into that in a moment). Zito is a fine pitcher, with a Cy Young on his resumé and a durable starter. Zito was a third of the finest young 1/2/3 rotation since Atlanta's Maddux/Galvine/Smoltz of the 90's. Zito, along with Tim Hudson and Mark Mudler, were very dominate for the few years that they were together in Oakland. But, releastically, Zito is not joining the Astros. His agent, Scott Boras, is not liked by many GM's, and McLane most likely hates the man, as he handcuffed the Astros in the '04 offseason with Beltran's contract. Zito also wants $16 million over 6 years, which is crazy to begin with.
So, where does this leave the Astros? I believe three pitchers should be on their radar: Mark Mulder, Jeff Weaver and Jeff Suppan.
Mark Mulder: Out of these three men, Mulder certainly has the proven track record. The left handed power pitcher was a #1/2 in Oakland for the years when he was with Huddy and Zito, and has great stuff. The major catch with Mulder is that his '06 season was pretty much a lost cause, hampered with shoulder problems and ending with shoulder surgery. I believe that Mulder would be the cheapest option of the three men, and more into signing a shorter term deal. Mulder I believe also has the best upside of the three men. Certainly the riskiest of the three pitchers, I think the Astros should try to sign him with a one year contract, with a possible 2nd option.
Jeff Weaver: This lanky right hander made quite a bit of money for himself due to his performance in the Cardinals' run to the championship. Pretty much an underachiever during his career, Weaver showed everyone his true potential on the biggest stage. I think Weaver is the least likely of the men to sign with the Astros, given his agent is Scott Boras, which is pretty much a rock block when it comes to the Astros. I think he'll also be asking for too much money that the Astros won't want to give.
Jeff Suppan: The NLCS MVP this year, and also beat Roger Clemens in Game 7 of the '04 NLCS. Probably the best big game pitcher out of this bunch, he always seems to turn it up an extra notch in the postseason. He'll also likely command a big pay day, probably less than Boras' Weaver, however. Not exactly a #2 either, but he should be able to handle the #2 billing.
Option #2: Trading for a #2 - The pricest option as far as the player talent and future of the organization are concerned. The Astros would have to part with some of their talent, with Willy Taveras, Jason Hirsh, Chris Burke, and Taylor Buchholz often coming up in trade rumors. Two pitchers are been more linked to the Astros than any others this offseason: Jason Jennings and Jon Garland.
Jason Jennings: The earliest trade rumor, and still the most likely of happening. Jennings managed to get under a 4.00 ERA pitching the majority of his games in Coors Field, which is a feat to say the least. Jennings also has a 2:1 K:BB ratio for his career, and is also only 27. The price for Jennings I've heard has ranged just from Chris Burke to Willy Taveras and Jason Hirsh.
Jon Garland: Mentioning this because the Astros said the deal is not dead, but I believe it all but is. The Astros blew it big when they announced it prematurely before the deal was finalized, and it was called off. Garland's produced two back to back fine seasons in the Windy City, and is also a younger option than Pettitte was. Apparently, this supposed deal hurt Pettitte's feelings enough to pursue the Yankees, but I don't honestly believe that.
Out of these two options, Jennings is the best chance of succeeding.
Option #3: Sticking with the youth- The Astros have talent in the pitching category as far as young minor leaguers. Jason Hirsh, Chris Sampson, Taylor Buchholz, Matt Albers and Troy Patton are all above average pitchers in the minor league level. If no one is traded or acquired via FA, these kids will have to step up and earn their keep in the Majors.
Out of all these options, I'd rank them in actually happening for the upcoming season: Sticking with the Youth > Jennings > Suppan > Mulder > Weaver > Garland
Of course, this is all my personal option, and I'm by no means a baseball expert. Hoped you enjoyed it just as much as I enjoyed typing it up!
The Astros entered this offseason with questions at plenty of positions. They knew that they needed an impact bat to help protect Lance Berkman, and actually achieved that in the signing of Carlos Lee. I agree, 6 years at $100 million is a bit much, but this year's offseason has been absolutely insane as far as pricing goes. The Astros also acquired Woody Williams, a veteran pitcher who has always pitched well in Minute Maid Park. However, a few holes in the armor remain, and depending on whom you talk to, they are either merely kinks or gaping chasms.
Major Hole #1: 3rd base - 3rd Base was a major let down in the '06 season, with Morgan Ensberg turning in a .235 BA performance, and the mid-season addition Aubrey Huff didn't do too much better, with a .250 clip himself. The current situation is an interesting one: Huff is an Free Agent and will likely command a multi-year contract perhaps less than $10 million a season. Ensberg, a cheaper option, is widely inconsistent at times: His '05 and '06 campaigns provide the best example of this. Mike Lamb is also on the club, a left handed batter who is the weakest of the three in the field.
Huff would provide the Astros with a proven left handed bat availible to hit in the middle of the order, and also can play 1B, 3B and the corner OF positions. Lamb also is an option at 1B, while Ensberg's defense is utilized best at 3B. Another thing usually forgotten is Huff is the youngest of the three men.
Personally, I would resign Huff to a 3 or 4 year contract, possibly the last of those being an option year, if possible. This would allow Ensberg to be used in potential trades for bullpen or starting pitching help, although only a bullpen arm would be a useful trade at this point. This is one of the avenues: The other, and most likely of the two, is to not sign Huff and let Ensberg play this upcoming season. If Ensberg faulters, he will most likely be traded by the deadline, and Lamb would play at the 3rd for the remainder of the season.
Major Hole #2 : A viable #2 starter - A giant problem was caused last Friday by Andy Pettitte's decision to make a return trip to New York. With no Pettitte, the projected #2 is Woody Williams. Williams is a fine pitcher, no doubt, but in this era of his career, he is better suited for the #3 or #4 slot in the rotation. The Astros basically have three routes: Sign a remaining Free Agent pitcher, trade for a starter, or ride it out with an extra youngester in the rotation.
Option #1: Signing a Free Agent - Certainly the most pricey route as far as funds, given the way the market has gone this offseason, it might cost Uncle Drayton a pretty penny to acquire a pitcher. The problem is that there really isn't a bonafide #2 in the current market besides the supposed top pitcher in this market, Barry Zito (Actually there is two, but I'll get into that in a moment). Zito is a fine pitcher, with a Cy Young on his resumé and a durable starter. Zito was a third of the finest young 1/2/3 rotation since Atlanta's Maddux/Galvine/Smoltz of the 90's. Zito, along with Tim Hudson and Mark Mudler, were very dominate for the few years that they were together in Oakland. But, releastically, Zito is not joining the Astros. His agent, Scott Boras, is not liked by many GM's, and McLane most likely hates the man, as he handcuffed the Astros in the '04 offseason with Beltran's contract. Zito also wants $16 million over 6 years, which is crazy to begin with.
So, where does this leave the Astros? I believe three pitchers should be on their radar: Mark Mulder, Jeff Weaver and Jeff Suppan.
Mark Mulder: Out of these three men, Mulder certainly has the proven track record. The left handed power pitcher was a #1/2 in Oakland for the years when he was with Huddy and Zito, and has great stuff. The major catch with Mulder is that his '06 season was pretty much a lost cause, hampered with shoulder problems and ending with shoulder surgery. I believe that Mulder would be the cheapest option of the three men, and more into signing a shorter term deal. Mulder I believe also has the best upside of the three men. Certainly the riskiest of the three pitchers, I think the Astros should try to sign him with a one year contract, with a possible 2nd option.
Jeff Weaver: This lanky right hander made quite a bit of money for himself due to his performance in the Cardinals' run to the championship. Pretty much an underachiever during his career, Weaver showed everyone his true potential on the biggest stage. I think Weaver is the least likely of the men to sign with the Astros, given his agent is Scott Boras, which is pretty much a rock block when it comes to the Astros. I think he'll also be asking for too much money that the Astros won't want to give.
Jeff Suppan: The NLCS MVP this year, and also beat Roger Clemens in Game 7 of the '04 NLCS. Probably the best big game pitcher out of this bunch, he always seems to turn it up an extra notch in the postseason. He'll also likely command a big pay day, probably less than Boras' Weaver, however. Not exactly a #2 either, but he should be able to handle the #2 billing.
Option #2: Trading for a #2 - The pricest option as far as the player talent and future of the organization are concerned. The Astros would have to part with some of their talent, with Willy Taveras, Jason Hirsh, Chris Burke, and Taylor Buchholz often coming up in trade rumors. Two pitchers are been more linked to the Astros than any others this offseason: Jason Jennings and Jon Garland.
Jason Jennings: The earliest trade rumor, and still the most likely of happening. Jennings managed to get under a 4.00 ERA pitching the majority of his games in Coors Field, which is a feat to say the least. Jennings also has a 2:1 K:BB ratio for his career, and is also only 27. The price for Jennings I've heard has ranged just from Chris Burke to Willy Taveras and Jason Hirsh.
Jon Garland: Mentioning this because the Astros said the deal is not dead, but I believe it all but is. The Astros blew it big when they announced it prematurely before the deal was finalized, and it was called off. Garland's produced two back to back fine seasons in the Windy City, and is also a younger option than Pettitte was. Apparently, this supposed deal hurt Pettitte's feelings enough to pursue the Yankees, but I don't honestly believe that.
Out of these two options, Jennings is the best chance of succeeding.
Option #3: Sticking with the youth- The Astros have talent in the pitching category as far as young minor leaguers. Jason Hirsh, Chris Sampson, Taylor Buchholz, Matt Albers and Troy Patton are all above average pitchers in the minor league level. If no one is traded or acquired via FA, these kids will have to step up and earn their keep in the Majors.
Out of all these options, I'd rank them in actually happening for the upcoming season: Sticking with the Youth > Jennings > Suppan > Mulder > Weaver > Garland
Of course, this is all my personal option, and I'm by no means a baseball expert. Hoped you enjoyed it just as much as I enjoyed typing it up!
A New Beginning
I decided to revive this blog, but in a different manner this time. I'm mostly going to be using it as a personal webpage of sorts, just documenting the things going on in my life (which is what a blog almost is anyway). You'll mostly be seeing reviews on albums, discussions on baseball, and my modeling escapades. So sit back, and enjoy the wild through the crazy thing I call my life.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
