Tim Purpura appreciation thread

[Nick]

Time to wipe the slate clean, boys... time to give the man his due... thus the need for a new thread that doesn't contain ample pages of "fat-ass", or "does he even have another GM's number" type responses.

I admit... I'm SHOCKED that he could get somebody to bite on a couple of border-line prospects: Talbot was a high draft pick, but he had arm trouble, and has already been lapped in the ranks by Matt Albers (I always get the two confused, and I had a mini-panic when I thought they gave up him). Zobrist is 25... and he's got to have a lot of Chris Burke-like moments before he feels he belongs in the big leagues... not likely.

But, this isn't a place to talk about the trade. Its a place for this guy to get some CREDIT, after getting nothing but ridicule the last two years (despite his team reaching the World Series, with major contributions from the prosepcts that HE developed).

Also, I can already predict that people will be complaining their ass off if Huff comes up and struggles initially (or Zobrist does his best Ripkin imitation if he gets a big league shot). I can also imagine that people will then say that Hunsicker "fleeced" us, since he's basically in charge of the D-rays, and is getting prospects that both he and Purp were very familiar with.

All of that will happen, and this mini "praise" will be forgotten... so for now, while its still got some novelty, give the "big P" a pat on the back...

(and, he's not yet done...)

[msn]

Fine job. We all knew he was great with scouting and running the minors; this a good step in seeing if he is a good GM.

[kaleidosky]

good stuff. congrats to purpura on his first real splash outta nowhere ;) Wonder if Gerry decided to help his old friend out at his new job by taking a chance on some prospects, heh..

[wrath_of_khan]

Let's not forget that Purpura had a deal in place last year for Randy Winn and Jamie Moyer that was negated only because Moyer preferred losing to winning.

(Although, in retrospect, I'm glad we still have Burke.)

Methinks Purp will still be working the phones between now and July 31 as well!

[JunkyardDwg]

I've usually defended him in the past... the fact that he hadn't made a trade up till now just means that he didn't make a piss poor move (see *cough cough* Rockets). He stuck with the young guys and paid immensly last season. He recognized the need for a bat a signed a decent hitter in a weak FA class this past offseason, a hitter whose overcome early struggles. He has recognized that this team needed some improvement, some change, and he dealt for Huff without giving up a whole lot. Whether Huff pans out or not this was a great move. Now lets see what he can do to fix that pen.

[RocketManJosh]

I've never really bashed Purpura because we really have no idea what was available, when, and at what cost. I don't like making trades for the sake of making trades. This was definitely a good trade for the Astros and I hope Purpura can do what he needs to do get some bullpen help at a reasonable cost.

To say whether or not a GM is good, I believe you need to give them at least 5 years unless they make horrible trades or decisions (ala Isaiah Thomas). The jury is still out on Tim.

[The Real Shady]

http://img389.imageshack.us/img389/3225/donpurpura8go.jpg

Don Purpura I'm sorry for doubting your GM talents. I pledge my ever-ending loyalty to you.

[MadMax]

I've usually defended him in the past... the fact that he hadn't made a trade up till now just means that he didn't make a piss poor move (see *cough cough* Rockets). He stuck with the young guys and paid immensly last season. He recognized the need for a bat a signed a decent hitter in a weak FA class this past offseason, a hitter whose overcome early struggles. He has recognized that this team needed some improvement, some change, and he dealt for Huff without giving up a whole lot. Whether Huff pans out or not this was a great move. Now lets see what he can do to fix that pen.

honestly, i don't want them to give up much to "fix that pen." you just added nieve and you may be adding wandy to it soon enough, when backe's back (tell a friend).

[ima_drummer2k]

Don Purpura I'm sorry for doubting your GM talents. I pledge my ever-ending loyalty to you.
Don Purpura, I am honored and grateful that you have invited me to your team... 's press conference... on the day of your team's press conference. And I hope their first acquisition will be a masculine acquisition.

[wrath_of_khan]

Don Purpura, I am honored and grateful that you have invited me to your team... 's press conference... on the day of your team's press conference. And I hope their first acquisition will be a masculine acquisition.

Well done, sir!

[VesceySux]

I'll give Timmah! major props for landing Huff, but c'mon, this is ONE good trade out of, what, one total trade? So he's batting 1.000 with a sample size of 1. Super. I'm sorry, but unlike everyone else, I'm just not ready to anoint him Supreme God Emperor yet. Like Johnny 5 before me, I need more input. Show me a string of good moves (or at least more good moves in total than bad), and I'll declare my undying loyalty. (After all, filling The Hun's shoes is a tall task.) Until then, I'll continue to post my smarmy and sarcastic messages, and you'll just have to live with them. :)

[Buck Turgidson]

Anyone listening to 610 right now just heard one of the single dumbest callers in the history of that station.

The Huff deal is just "to appease the fans". The Astros are not willing to "do what it takes to win". The Astros "could have *signed* Dontrelle Willis if they hadn't waited around for Clemens".

How jackholes like this guy even get on the air, but once they are then subsequently don't get their asses torn up by the host, is beyond me.

Station now changed. My mistake listening in the first place.

[wrath_of_khan]

I'll give Timmah! major props for landing Huff, but c'mon, this is ONE good trade out of, what, one total trade? So he's batting 1.000 with a sample size of 1. Super. I'm sorry, but unlike everyone else, I'm just not ready to anoint him Supreme God Emperor yet. Like Johnny 5 before me, I need more input. Show me a string of good moves (or at least more good moves in total than bad), and I'll declare my undying loyalty. (After all, filling The Hun's shoes is a tall task.) Until then, I'll continue to post my smarmy and sarcastic messages, and you'll just have to live with them. :)

So what are your thoughts on the agreed-upon trade of Burke for Jamie Moyer/Randy Winn that was vetoed by Moyer?

That deal didn't fall apart because of Purp. So the sample size is *at least* 2. ;)

Admittedly, in retrospect, Burke looks like a keeper so the price might've been too steep on that one.

[ima_drummer2k]

Anyone listening to 610 right now just heard one of the single dumbest callers in the history of that station.
Are you saying that people who call talk radio shows are, how shall we say, not very well informed? :eek:

[The Real Shady]

....And I hope their first acquisition will be a masculine acquisition.

lol :D Let's hope.

[VesceySux]

So what are your thoughts on the agreed-upon trade of Burke for Jamie Moyer/Randy Winn that was vetoed by Moyer?

"Almost" only counts in horsehoes, hand grenades, and thermonuclear war. In the end, Purp obviously didn't do enough to sell Moyer on the trade, thus I award him no points, and may God have mercy on his soul.

[Groogrux]

Wait, I thought Purpura had already resigned Beltran, Vescey. :p

Seriously, only grading a GM based on trades is absurd. I'd much rather have a GM who actually thinks about the trades instead of making them just to make them.

[Buck Turgidson]

So what are your thoughts on the agreed-upon trade of Burke for Jamie Moyer/Randy Winn that was vetoed by Moyer?

That deal didn't fall apart because of Purp.[/SIZE]
And the agreed-upon Tejada deal, nixed because a) Tejada wouldn't waive his right to a trade from the Astros; and b) he relented on his demand to be traded from the O's...

And the agreed upon Lidge-Abreau deal, nixed because Philly wouldn't pick up part of his overpriced contract.

But, yeah, according to Vescey, Purp's just bin sittin around eating bonbons.

[wrath_of_khan]

"Almost" only counts in horsehoes, hand grenades, and thermonuclear war. In the end, Purp obviously didn't do enough to sell Moyer on the trade, thus I award him no points, and may God have mercy on his soul.

Well, you said "almost" -- I didn't.

The trade was a done deal. Period.

Now, maybe it's part of a GM's job description to persuade a player that's not on your team to accept a trade, but I didn't realize it was. Wouldn't Purp have to get permission from the Mariners before talking to Moyer? I have no idea how that would work.

And I don't know what more could have been done to "sell" Moyer besides telling him he could be part of a pennant race for 5 months and then go back to his family or whatever his hangup was (I forget the specifics) when he becomes a FA. Most sane professional ball players would jump at that chance.

Oh, but it's Purp's fault for not flying up to Seattle midseason for a recruiting trip.

[wrath_of_khan]

And the agreed-upon Tejada deal, nixed because a) Tejada wouldn't waive his right to a trade from the Astros; and b) he relented on his demand to be traded from the O's...

And the agreed upon Lidge-Abreau deal, nixed because Philly wouldn't pick up part of his overpriced contract.

But, yeah, according to Vescey, Purp's just bin sittin around eating bonbons.

I agree with you, but I'll let the Purp-haters have those ones because THEORETICALLY, we could've taken on Tejada knowing we'd lose him or Abreu if "cheap Dreighton" were willing to pay up. Those were our choices -- never mind that they were the right ones.

In the Moyer scenario, there was nothing we could have done. Other than a midseason recruiting trip.

[msn]

I'm sorry, but unlike everyone else, I'm just not ready to anoint him Supreme God Emperor yet.
I missed where "everyone else" was ready to do so. In fact, I missed where even *one* person was ready to do so.

[Phil]

I know that having the 3rd highest payroll in the majors has much to do w/ roger clemens and jeff bagwell, but i'm pleasantly surprised to see uncle drayton going out of his way to make this team a contender. i wonder if his over-willingness to spend has anything to do w/ his fondness for Purp. it seems like he trusts Purp a lot more than he did hunsicker (even though that was not justified - i'll always appreciate what gerry did for this organization).

i also respect that he has not pushed the desperation button by bringing in hirsch and/or pence. both will be very good, and to jeopardize their steady progress might do more harm than good for their development. i will say, though, that i hope the 2 of them are allowed to travel a little with the astros from time to time like the astros have done in the past, at the very least. maybe throw hirsch into the bullpen if we can't get a trade to work before the deadline. but first thing's first...one more move, mr. purpura, and you'll make this team very solid and very scary in the division.

[Nick]

I'll give Timmah! major props for landing Huff, but c'mon, this is ONE good trade out of, what, one total trade? So he's batting 1.000 with a sample size of 1. Super. I'm sorry, but unlike everyone else, I'm just not ready to anoint him Supreme God Emperor yet. Like Johnny 5 before me, I need more input. Show me a string of good moves (or at least more good moves in total than bad), and I'll declare my undying loyalty. (After all, filling The Hun's shoes is a tall task.) Until then, I'll continue to post my smarmy and sarcastic messages, and you'll just have to live with them. :)

The guy doesn't have to make trade after trade... in fact, the more trades a GM makes, the likelihood that he's going to get burned goes up each and every time (esp. if they're trades made out of desperation).

I'd like to look more at the "type" or "quality" of trades that are made, not sheer quantity:

1.) Are you trading great young (ie - your #1) prospects to get guys who can fill in right away (Scott Kazmir for Victor Zambrano, Coco Crisp for Chuck Finley, Haren for Mark Mulder)
2.) Are you trading away bonafied major leaguers for younger prospects who will help you down the road (Glenn Davis for Schilling, Finley, Harnisch; Larry Anderson for Jeff Bagwell)
3.) Are you trading some really good quality for guys who could just be rent-a-players (Freddy Garcia, Guillen for Randy Johnson; Dotel, Buck for Beltran).
4.) Are you trading away marginal prospects for quality MLB players on bad teams (How the Astros got Alou, how the Cubs got Aramis Ramirez, how the Cardinals got McGwire, how the Astros got Huff).
5.) Are you trading away quality MLB players for another team's quality MLB players (Clemens for Wells, Griffey for Cameron, Vasquez for Randy Johnson).

Out of all these types of trades, #4 gets me excited every time... simply because there's just a very slim chance that you'll actually get burned. If Purp is able to make these sorts of trades each time out, he'll never hurt the farm system AND he'll always help the MLB club. Of course, its unlikely that a GM can keep on doing that before teams just stop talking to you.

Also, I hate #1 type of trades (which any trade that involves Jason Hirsh will fit in under), and teams only have a chance to make #2 types if they're bad.

#3 is a sore subject...

[VesceySux]

I missed where "everyone else" was ready to do so. In fact, I missed where even *one* person was ready to do so.

Clearly, you've missed several posts in this thread (and that was a joke, anyway). After all, Purpura is apparently infallible, and any and all rumored deals and player-nixed trades count 100% towards his sterling legacy. Huh. And oh, I'm not allowed to speak ill of him for doing nothing last year (rescinded trades, notwithstanding :rolleyes: ) due to the oh-so-commonplace "greatest comeback of all time to make the playoffs" thing.

One thing I will say, though: He is the best GM in Houston. :) And hey, I DO like Drayton, so I've got that in common with y'all.

Wait, I thought Purpura had already resigned Beltran, Vescey.

Urge to kill... rising... :) I can't be held at fault if Beltran lies to those close to him, including his agent. I had good, reliable information.

[MadMax]

Urge to kill... rising... :) I can't be held at fault if Beltran lies to those close to him, including his agent. I had good, reliable information.


yeah..but just like that moyer trade....it just failed to materialize. ;) :D

[VesceySux]

yeah..but just like that moyer trade....it just failed to materialize. ;) :D

Hey, I got the arrival of Beltran right. You have every right to shoot the messenger (me); just don't shoot him, then beat him with a bat a thousand times, further mutilate his body, and finally feed his remains to animals.

[msn]

Clearly, you've missed several posts in this thread (and that was a joke, anyway).
No, just pointing out the hyperbole you've employed. At any rate, sorry I missed the sarcasm.

[My Lund]

The guy doesn't have to make trade after trade... in fact, the more trades a GM makes, the likelihood that he's going to get burned goes up each and every time (esp. if they're trades made out of desperation).

I'd like to look more at the "type" or "quality" of trades that are made, not sheer quantity:

1.) Are you trading great young (ie - your #1) prospects to get guys who can fill in right away (Scott Kazmir for Victor Zambrano, Coco Crisp for Chuck Finley, Haren for Mark Mulder)
2.) Are you trading away bonafied major leaguers for younger prospects who will help you down the road (Glenn Davis for Schilling, Finley, Harnisch; Larry Anderson for Jeff Bagwell)
3.) Are you trading some really good quality for guys who could just be rent-a-players (Freddy Garcia, Guillen for Randy Johnson; Dotel, Buck for Beltran).
4.) Are you trading away marginal prospects for quality MLB players on bad teams (How the Astros got Alou, how the Cubs got Aramis Ramirez, how the Cardinals got McGwire, how the Astros got Huff).
5.) Are you trading away quality MLB players for another team's quality MLB players (Clemens for Wells, Griffey for Cameron, Vasquez for Randy Johnson).

Out of all these types of trades, #4 gets me excited every time... simply because there's just a very slim chance that you'll actually get burned. If Purp is able to make these sorts of trades each time out, he'll never hurt the farm system AND he'll always help the MLB club. Of course, its unlikely that a GM can keep on doing that before teams just stop talking to you.

Also, I hate #1 type of trades (which any trade that involves Jason Hirsh will fit in under), and teams only have a chance to make #2 types if they're bad.

#3 is a sore subject...

As far as making trades goes, #3 on this list is the worst kind of trade one could possibly make. Nothing short of winning a championship justifies that kind of trade. Having said that as long as you dont do that for a Scott Boras client u still might have a shot at resigning them. Is Huff's agent Boras? God I hope not. All his players only go to NY. Otherwise Astros might be able to resign Huff .

[Major]

I'm sorry, but unlike everyone else, I'm just not ready to anoint him Supreme God Emperor yet.

No one has claimed Purpura is a great GM, let alone a good GM. What people have defended, however, is that the lack of moves thus far don't show that he's a terrible GM, as many people want to argue. No one here that I know of has claimed Purpura is good - plenty of people have said he's bad though, and that's who we argue with. There's just not enough evidence yet either way - no one has made significant in-season trades these last two years, and the team he inherited and tweaked has performed for the most part, so you can't say that he sucks at this point.

[The Real Shady]

1.) Are you trading great young (ie - your #1) prospects to get guys who can fill in right away (Scott Kazmir for Victor Zambrano, Coco Crisp for Chuck Finley, Haren for Mark Mulder)
2.) Are you trading away bonafied major leaguers for younger prospects who will help you down the road (Glenn Davis for Schilling, Finley, Harnisch; Larry Anderson for Jeff Bagwell)
3.) Are you trading some really good quality for guys who could just be rent-a-players (Freddy Garcia, Guillen for Randy Johnson; Dotel, Buck for Beltran).
4.) Are you trading away marginal prospects for quality MLB players on bad teams (How the Astros got Alou, how the Cubs got Aramis Ramirez, how the Cardinals got McGwire, how the Astros got Huff).
5.) Are you trading away quality MLB players for another team's quality MLB players (Clemens for Wells, Griffey for Cameron, Vasquez for Randy Johnson).

Out of all these types of trades, #4 gets me excited every time... simply because there's just a very slim chance that you'll actually get burned. If Purp is able to make these sorts of trades each time out, he'll never hurt the farm system AND he'll always help the MLB club. Of course, its unlikely that a GM can keep on doing that before teams just stop talking to you.


Actually, the Jeff Bagwell for Larry Anderson was a #4 trade for Boston. Bagwell was a good hitter with great plate disapline, but was not a top notch prospect. He only had 6 homeruns in 2 minor league seasons and was mediocre at fielding 3rd base.

Jeff Bagwell's minor league stats compared to Ben Zobrist.

Jeff Bagwell -
710 AB
231 Hits
.325 BA
6 HR
83 RBI
98 BB
82 SO

Ben Zobrist -
645 AB
209 Hits
.324 BA
9 HR
90 RBI
127 BB
83 SO


I think the Astros may have traded away a future hall of famer. ;)

[BobFinn*]

Glad to see that free agent signing (Preston Wilson) producing :rolleyes: Now he brings in Huff? Get a clue Tim.

This team is going nowhere this year.

[JunkyardDwg]

Glad to see that free agent signing (Preston Wilson) producing :rolleyes: Now he brings in Huff? Get a clue Tim.

This team is going nowhere this year.


Wow...seriously?
Preston is hitting .284 for the season with 8 hrs and 46 rbis. Not MVP numbers but decent nonetheless. And he struggled early too.

Huff, who like Preston got off to a slow start is hitting .436 with 6 rbis, 3 hrs and 7 runs scored in his last 10 games...and he's a better second half player.


Some are never pleased I guess.

[Rocket Fan]

He made a move without giving up current major league guys that might help us compete this year..

I'll give him his credit for that.. glad to see the move.

[Blatz]

Way to go Timmy "One Move" Purpura!

:)