View Full Version : Astros 2006 in review
Well, this year sucked. Post your reviews here. Try to avoid gratuitous whining and moaning and cute sarcastic nicknames ("distastros", "biggi-blow", "Crapholes", etc.). Let's shoot for some actual content instead.
whag00
10-01-2006, 04:10 PM
Positives - Berkman, Scott, Roy O., Clemens, Wheeler, Lamb, Taveras hit streak, 19 - 9 start, 9 game win streak, Everett's defense.
Negatives - Going 54-68 over 122 games of the season, Lidge, Lane, Ensberg, Biggio hitting .247, Russ Springer vs. Bonds, Everett's offense.
It was a fun season but there definitely needs to be some tweaking done here.
VesceySux
10-01-2006, 04:21 PM
http://screwyou.thezeroboss.com/archives/pictures/critic.bmp
Pocket Rockets
10-01-2006, 05:15 PM
This year might have sucked according to our STANDARDS. I would rather have a competitive team every year than a team like the devil rays or blue jays that continue to be at the bottom of the standings year in and year out.
positives heading into next year: wheeler, qualls, i liked the way lidge finished the season, lamb, bring palmeiro back!, resign huff for a full season, carlos lee will be in an astros uniform
ex astros: wandy, ensberg, lane
once again, the astros will be competitive in 2007, and as a fan thats all you can ask for!
Sishir Chang
10-01-2006, 05:48 PM
I'm really dissapointed that the Stros couldn't pull it out in the end but I don't think this was a disastrous season. The phenomenal Stros run at the end showed that this team still has what it takes to win. They just have to learn to turn it on a little bit sooner. The team definately needs some tweaking, but not a wholesale revamping. One problem with this team is that Phil Garner being a manager who manages more by feel and emotion that works well when the pressure is on for a penant race but isn't good for consistent performance. I don't think we should get rid of Phil Garner but the fire he gets in the Stros late in the season he needs to figure out how to get that lit and going a lot sooner.
Uprising
10-01-2006, 05:54 PM
I'm just happy the stros showed some life late in the season. Too bad they waited till 2 weeks left to really play. blah.
POSITIVES
Willy T: Has a canon for an arm
Mike Lamb: his bat wasn't too shabby this year
Orlando: He was clutch as a PH
Lance: He was putting up MVP numbers.
Luke: This dude was insane for a while, started to come back toward earth...but was still damn good.
Roy: Awesome...just flat out Awesome
Wheeler: He had one of the best, if not the best era in the 2nd half IIRC.
NEGATIVES
Morgan Endsberg: What happened to the guy this year? (besides the injury) Was '05 the fluke? I hope not.
Lane: Seriously, enough with this guy already
Lidge: He was an automatic walking machine. Hopefully he'll be better in the bullpen...if I even want him there...i'm not sure.
Rookie Pitching....
BigSherv
10-01-2006, 05:55 PM
Berkman shined
Roger blessed us with one more year.
Roy signed a multi-year deal
weslinder
10-01-2006, 06:03 PM
To say this season was anything more than disappointing would be misleading. The team made it to the World Series last year, had the talent to win the division going away, had few injury concerns, and didn't put it together until the second half of September.
There were several true disappointments:
Morgan Ensberg followed up his MVP chase with a season that should have got him benched.
Brad Lidge was mostly horrible, although he did show signs of turning it around.
Chad Qualls seemed to give up big innings far more often than he has typically.
Andy Pettitte's beginning to the season was not to the level that we expect for him. His second half was much better, but he should have been much better for the entire year.
Jason Lane continues to show that he just isn't good enough to consistently hit at the big league level.
Brad Ausmus's arm showed diminished strength, and after teasing Astro fans for a couple of months, his bat went right back to where we're used to seeing it.
Taken as a whole, Chris Burke met expectations, but he slumped when he was needed most.
While Mike Lamb's bat was a wonderful boost, his inability to make any improvements in the field continue to prevent him from helping the team as an everyday player.
Aubrey Huff was decent and clutch, but still didn't live up to expectations. Maybe the expectations were a little too high.
Brandon Backe can't be blamed for his shoulder issues, but they are disappointing nevertheless.
Wandy Rodriguez went from a reliable workhorse to reliably awful in 1/2 a season. He has shown that he knows how to pitch, I just hope it's fatigue and he bounces back next year.
(I'm sure the Astro organization was disappointed with Preston Wilson's performance, but he performed really close to what he's been recently. I think that had Lane been cut instead, the Astros might not have been much better, but the Cardinals might have been just enough worse for the Astros to catch them.)
And some real positives:
Roy Oswalt again showed why he is the best pitcher in baseball.
Roger Clemens went out and put up the best half season for a pitcher his age since Satchel Paige.
Lance Berkman continues to become considered the best hitter the Astros have ever had.
Craig Biggio's glovework rebounded some from last year, and he didn't punish the Astros for having him in the starting lineup. His hitting at home was solid.
Willy Taveras had a decent year with the bat and showed that he has the tools to be a gold-glove center fielder.
Adam Everett had another year as the best defensive player in the league.
Luke Scott was the best rookie in the world for half the year. Plus, he hit for the cycle and hit the homerun part just a few feet from me. Can you say exciting? He brought a looseness to the club that didn't seem to exist before.
Dan Wheeler proved again that he can be a reliable major league closer.
Borkowski, Miller, Nieve, and Springer show the kind of reliability in the bullpen that few teams have.
The young starters all show promise, and the Astros should have one or two of them break out and be solid middle rotation starters behind a couple of great aces.
When your team isn't eliminated until the last game, you are in much better shape than fans of 3/4 of the teams. Even so, I had hoped for more.
I wouldn't say this is a bad season, but more disappointing after coming off a World Series appearance. It got exciting at the end of the season. I just wish we could have pulled it off.
It looks good for next year, but now we need to know we have to fend off the Reds, and the Brewers look promising.
For 2007 and beyond.
We need a better minor league system.
It's crazy how the Marlins just pump out prospects left and right, win the world series, trade them all, get more prospects back in return, suck for a bit, make a playoff run, win the world series, trade all those guys, and do it again, and again.
I'd like to see Burke get time at second base. Maybe we can sign Carlos Lee, and a good pitcher.
We need a better minor league system.
It's crazy how the Marlins just pump out prospects left and right, win the world series, trade them all, get more prospects back in return, suck for a bit, make a playoff run, win the world series, trade all those guys, and do it again, and again.
I'd like to see Burke get time at second base. Maybe we can sign Carlos Lee, and a good pitcher.
You do realize that the Marlins pluck the BEST prospects from each and every team they decide to trad their "studs" to. There are some hidden gems, but for the most part every single one of their trades of big-money players results in a minor league prospect that's as "sure-thing" as can be.
Also, I don't think we should be arguing with the following: Roy Oswalt, Lance Berkman, Brad Lidge, Morgan Ensberg, Jason Lane, Chad Qualls, Adam Everett, Luke Scott, Wily Taveras, Chris Burke... and don't give up on Jason Hirsh, Troy Patton, Hunter Pence, JR House, and Matt Albers.
(Say what you want about Ensberg and Lane this year... but both have contributed significantly at the MLB level.)
Out of all "contending" teams, the Astros' nucleus/upcoming young players is BY FAR the highest percentage of home-grown players/minor-league trades.
A lot of mid-market to big money teams would give anything for the sort of home-grown success we've had.
loadedAballer
10-01-2006, 07:47 PM
When your team isn't eliminated until the last game, you are in much better shape than fans of 3/4 of the teams. Even so, I had hoped for more.
This sums up my feelings on the Astros' year.
They are a better team than their records show and if they started their run two weeks earlier, there is no doubt the Cardinals were toast.
I love Clemens to come back and get win 350 and look forward to Biggio getting his 3000th hit.
Pitching has been solid but the batting is in the bottom quarter of the table.
The team need at least 2 x 100+ RBI guys to help Berkman. Ernsberg had a down year. Huff has only been with the team for half a season. Scott showed promise.
You do realize that the Marlins pluck the BEST prospects from each and every team they decide to trad their "studs" to. There are some hidden gems, but for the most part every single one of their trades of big-money players results in a minor league prospect that's as "sure-thing" as can be.
.
it's just funny how the Marlins get a prospect that turns into a gem. They seem not to get any that flame out.
it's just funny how the Marlins get a prospect that turns into a gem. They seem not to get any that flame out.
just a hunch, but they probably get plenty of prospies that flame out . . . we just don't hear about them . . . cause they flamed out.
BMoney
10-01-2006, 08:09 PM
I thought the year was pretty interesting. Once the bullpen sorted itself out the team became competitive and you have to like how Berkman, Clemens and Oswalt stepped up. The offense was horrible, though, and I think it comes down to Ensberg and Lane sucking. The case against keeping Ensberg is that he's not that young anymore and will no longer be a salary bargain with arbitration coming up. Even his career year last year had some frightful slumps (yes, the hand injury played a role). I just hate his approach at the plate. He changes his stance once a week and has the mentality of lead-off hitter instead of a run producer. There is a possibility that you can get something of value for him one year off of his huge year. It's clear that pitchers figured out the huge holes in Lane's swing and he was a non-factor. Moving forward, I think we need a full upgrade at third and the corner outfielders. If 2005 taught us anything it is that can't keep hoping the not-so-young kids like Lane and Ensberg will produce anymore. Obviously, they will also have to go after another dependable starter and hope one of the kids emerge. The Brewers and Reds should keep improving and the Cardinals have as many pieces as we do moving forward, so I hope Tim Purpura is proactive this off-season. Anyway, that run at the end made it an exciting season for me. Can't wait until Spring Training!
JunkyardDwg
10-01-2006, 08:24 PM
A little dissapointing to end on a sour note, and weird that the magical ride dating back to '04 is over. But such is life.
Good: 19-9 start, 9-2 finish, Berkman, Wheeler, Springer, Miller, Nieve, Luke Scott, Everett's defense, Clemens, Roy O, Sampson, Pettite in the second half, Burke's continued progress, Lamb, Palmeiro's clutch contact, Garner (I think he's a fine manager that doesn't always get the credit he deserves but rather the blame)
Up and Down: Lidge (nice start, bad middle, solid finish), Qualls (giving up the dagger-to-the-heart long balls), Borkowski (started good, came back to earth), Hirsch (some quality starts mixed with some horrid), Biggio (started well, ended bad but still provided production), Willy T, Huff (contributed but not as consistently as I'd hoped)
Bad: Wandy (started off well enough but then went nowehere fast), Buchholz (see Wandy), Gallo, Lane (what happened), Ensberg (see Lane), Ausmus (bad at the plate even for him, lost a lot of baserunners), situational hitting, May, June, July, August
Prognosis: I hope this team learns that you can't play great for a month and a half and expect to make the postseason. I'd love to see a team that can play more consistently throughout the season and turns it on not just when their backs are to the wall; I think they're capable of that if they make some needed upgrades. We got a good young core mixed with some solid to great veterans. A few key additions I think could lanuch this team to the front of the pack next year. If they take care of in-house signings first (Pettite, Biggio, Huff, others), get rid of some dead weight (Wandy, Lane), go after some guys in the market (Lee, maybe a solid-hitting catcher), then hope Clemens gives it one more go after seeing the upgrades this team makes (and not just band aids like Preston Wilson was), we're right back in the race next season. It's kind of a lot to take care of but it's doable.
- Oh and the offseason SUCKS.
Uprising
10-01-2006, 08:39 PM
The only thing that really gets me sick, is knowing that Smoltz is drinking champagne for his demolition of the Stros playoff hopes....and chances.
MadMax
10-02-2006, 08:32 AM
it's just funny how the Marlins get a prospect that turns into a gem. They seem not to get any that flame out.
how often do you hear about any prospects anywhere besides your hometown flaming out?
rrj_gamz
10-02-2006, 08:57 AM
It was a nice last couple of weeks to be in contention, but in the end, the Lidge experience and lack of consistent, clutch hitting caught up with us...
I'm dissappointed, but can't wait for next year...I truly believe Carlos Lee will be here and Andy will be back...
leroy420
10-02-2006, 10:09 AM
it's just funny how the Marlins get a prospect that turns into a gem. They seem not to get any that flame out.
Those prospects they got from the Astros for Moises Alou really seemed to work out well for them. They played a collective 0 major league games.
thegary
10-02-2006, 10:13 AM
the season was a failure overall. we got off to a quick start then stumbled our way through the season until our late run. the only reason we even had a chance is because the cardinals are the worst team in the playoffs. our division was weak, otherwise we'd have been done long ago. that being said, had we been able to sneak in, i think we could have done some damage. had lidge been lidge, we probably would have gotten it done. if our offense was half as good as the mets, we would have gotten it done. we have got to be able to hit better next year or else we're in for another long season where come up short.
No Worries
10-02-2006, 10:15 AM
I hear somewhere between 16-20 games were lost in the 8th & 9th innings when the Astros had the lead. Winning half of those games would put the Stros in the wild card race most year (obviously a divisional title this year and certainly the wild card if the Cards had not folded).
Above average:
top 3 starters
defense
Average:
bullpen
bottom 2 starters
Below average:
offense
The Stros in the offseason will have to address the replacing / resigning AP and RC, as well as the offense.
Whether or not the Stros resign Aubrey Huff will be interesting. Whether Ensberg or Lane can bounce back or even given the chance will be interesting. Whether Luke Scott can put together a full year of succeess is also in question.
leroy420
10-02-2006, 10:29 AM
Positives:
Berkman, not only probably the best hitter in Astros history, but one of the best in the game right now.
Roy-O is now probably in the top 5 pitchers in the game. Cy Young in his near future.
Willy T base stealing, hit streak, and defense. He is going to only get better.
Roger is still Roger.
Everett's defense seems to have actually gotten better. Is that possible?
Luke Scott, period.
Playing for something all the way until the end.
Negatives:
Brad Lidge's terrible season.
Pettitte's inconsistency.
Ensberg.
Lane.
Complete lack of clutch hitting.
Every opposing CF making ridiculous diving plays against us.
May through mid-Sept.
Offseason to do's:
Tell Brad Lidge to go to a non-baseball playing country and stay there until spring training. He needs to clear his head.
Re-sign Huff
Find a Right fielder. Carlos Lee is not the answer.
Release Palmiero and trade Ensberg for some prospects.
Sign a more offensive minded catcher.
Sign Roger somewhere around June 15th.
Sign Pettitte for cheap. If not less than $8 million, let him go.
Have Mike Lamb watch that Tom Emansky defensive drill video over and over so he can play every day.
I can't say this enough. Stay away from Carlos Lee. All he did with the Rangers was get fat and not produce anything but a larger waist size. He's asking for $11 million or more and he couldn't even produce in a contract year in a hitter's park? Just say no to CL.
All in all, it was an interesting year. Started off like a house on fire only to revert back to the offensive (in mean that in the negative way) ways of last season. There was just no way the baseball gods were going to allow another record setting season ending kick to get in the playoffs for the 3rd straight year. It's always great to have your team playing for something at all the way to the end. It's just sucks when it's coming off a WS appearance and you don't even make the playoffs for only the 3rd time in a decade.
Assuming the Cards stick to their stingy ways, I think the Astros will be back in the playoffs as the division champion.
MadMax
10-02-2006, 10:31 AM
The Carlos Lee thing scares me a little bit, too. Unfortunately I just don't know that much about him.
Buck Turgidson
10-02-2006, 10:42 AM
Stay away from Carlos Lee. All he did with the Rangers was get fat and not produce anything but a larger waist size. He's asking for $11 million or more and he couldn't even produce in a contract year in a hitter's park? Just say no to CL.
Don't listen to the b.s. out of Dallas.
Carlos Lee, 2006:
Mil: .286/.347/.549
Arl: .322/.369/.525
= a whopping -.002 difference in OPS.
There *are* questions about his size & his ability to competently play LF long-term, but you can't use his performance in Arlington to downgrade him.
There *are* questions about his size & his ability to competently play LF long-term, but you can't use his performance in Arlington to downgrade him.
Daryle Ward, only with a more consistent bat?
Buck Turgidson
10-02-2006, 11:04 AM
Daryle Ward, only with a more consistent bat?
Daryle Ward never stole 19 bases in 21 tries.
Lee's a very good athlete, and a really professional hitter. Reminds me a lot of Alou. Dude does not strike out - something like 60ish in 600 ABs this season.
I'd be more concerned with playing Scott or Huff in RF than Lee in left, especially with half the games in MMP.
MadMax
10-02-2006, 11:06 AM
Daryle Ward never stole 19 bases in 21 tries.
Lee's a very good athlete, and a really professional hitter. Reminds me a lot of Alou. Dude does not strike out - something like 60ish in 600 ABs this season.
I'd be more concerned with playing Scott or Huff in RF than Lee in left, especially with half the games in MMP.
how about:
1B - Berkman
2B - Biggio
SS - Everett
3B - Huff
LF - Lee
CF - Taveras
RF - Scott
C- ???? ausmus????
RyanED
10-02-2006, 11:15 AM
Buck Turdigson,
Good idea to have a thread like this. I think Carlos Lee will join uo with the Houston AStros. I also think CArlos Lee will hit 40 homeruns in MNP. :eek: I heard Charlie Pillow on sports radio saying we will get Carlos Lee.
We also need to get Carl Crawford. CArl Crawford is from Houston :cool: and would join the AStros for a discount, and I think CArl Crawford will hit 30 homeruns and steal 30 bases. :eek:
BUCK TURDIGSON I KNOW ME AND YOU DONT GET ALONG, BUT I DO ENJOY DISCUSING HOUSTON SPORTS ON CLUTCHFANS
A-Train
10-02-2006, 11:17 AM
I heard Charlie Pillow on sports radio saying we will get Carlos Lee.
Charlie Pillow? LOL
Don't forget about his former co-host, Rich Lard...
Daryle Ward never stole 19 bases in 21 tries.
Lee's a very good athlete, and a really professional hitter. Reminds me a lot of Alou. Dude does not strike out - something like 60ish in 600 ABs this season.
I'd be more concerned with playing Scott or Huff in RF than Lee in left, especially with half the games in MMP.
Nice. I haven't followed him very closely, so thanks for the #'s.
Help me understand the fascination with Huff--I know he had solid #s in Tampa--was the half-season in Houston a fluke? Because I was tremendously disappointed with him in Houston. I want more RBI's and about .20 more points BA from a guy in his part of the lineup. I guess my ? is twofold:
1) Were he to sign with Houston, would we see 2002-2004 Aubrey Huff or late 2005 pile-of-turd Aubrey Huff?
2) How is it a foregone conclusion that he would even sign in Houston? Will the Astros be able to make an attractive enough offer (and is he worth it)?
MadMax
10-02-2006, 11:27 AM
Nice. I haven't followed him very closely, so thanks for the #'s.
Help me understand the fascination with Huff--I know he had solid #s in Tampa--was the half-season in Houston a fluke? Because I was tremendously disappointed with him in Houston. I want more RBI's and about .20 more points BA from a guy in his part of the lineup. I guess my ? is twofold:
1) Were he to sign with Houston, would we see 2002-2004 Aubrey Huff or late 2005 pile-of-turd Aubrey Huff?
2) How is it a foregone conclusion that he would even sign in Houston? Will the Astros be able to make an attractive enough offer (and is he worth it)?
i don't think you ever know for sure what you'll get. but huff at least has a track record. it's not a foregone conclusion...but he's commented that he's happy here. he's a texan, to being with.
Buck Turgidson
10-02-2006, 11:27 AM
If there's a way (financially) to bring back MoBerg & Huff, that's my ideal. At worst, it's a platoon, and Huff's insurance against Scott failing as the Opening Day RF. Pence also fits in here. I'd dangle Lamb to an AL team for lefty relief help.
1 middle of the rotation starter & a middle of the order RH bat are priorities 1A & 1B. If Pettitte doesn't come back, make that 2 starters. Gil Meche, Jeff Suppan, Vic Padilla & Woody Williams, in that order, look to be the best out there.
Catcher & bullpen help is priority 3A & 3B. Bengie Molina sure would look nice in the Blood 'n Mud. Doubtful though.
C - Ausmus, (Giminez, Q, FA)
IF - Berk, Biggio, AE, MoBerg
IF/OF - Burke, Huff, Bruntlett
OF - (Lee, Soriano), Willy, Scott, OP
Rotation: Roy, AP, PitcherX, Hirsh, Sampson/Albers/Buchholz/please god not Wandy
Bully: Wheels, Lidge, Qualls, Miller (frikken *great* signing by Purp), Nieve, swingman (Albers/Sampson/Bork-ish pitcher), situational lefty.
Me likey.
JunkyardDwg
10-02-2006, 11:30 AM
Offseason to do's:
Tell Brad Lidge to go to a non-baseball playing country and stay there until spring training. He needs to clear his head.
Re-sign Huff
Find a Right fielder. Carlos Lee is not the answer.
Release Palmiero and trade Ensberg for some prospects.
Sign a more offensive minded catcher.
Sign Roger somewhere around June 15th.
Sign Pettitte for cheap. If not less than $8 million, let him go.
Have Mike Lamb watch that Tom Emansky defensive drill video over and over so he can play every day.
I think rest will do wonders for Lidge; we all saw how better he played toward the tail end of the season when he wasn't being used as much as he was in the previous years. He needs to take a long vacation and not even think baseball until Spring Training.
If Carlos Lee is not the answer in the outfield, then who do you suggest is?
Why on earth would the team choose to release Palmeiro when he has been the most clutch pinch hitter for this team. He may not have a lot of power but he makes contact. I think this team still needs Ensberg; what happens if Huff doesn't play to his level? If somehow we could package him, Lane and some others in a deal for a quality #3 pitcher, I wouln't be opposed though.
Signing Pettite is huge. If he wants to come back this team needs to get it done. He's not gonna ask for Clemen's type of money, so I think whatever he wants, the needs to give it to him.
Even if Mike Lamb could play as solid defense as any starting 3rd basemen, I still don't quite see him as an everyday starter. He's a journeyman player I think best suited for a super utility role.
Buck Turgidson
10-02-2006, 11:32 AM
Help me understand the fascination with Huff--I know he had solid #s in Tampa--was the half-season in Houston a fluke? Because I was tremendously disappointed with him in Houston. I want more RBI's and about .20 more points BA from a guy in his part of the lineup.
Liked his approach & how he looked at the plate (except against certain lefties, which is why I'd bring MoBerg back instead of Lamb). I saw, and Garner & the TV crew commented on it several times, Huff absolutely crush a couple dozen balls that were either right at guys, had great plays made on them, or were foul. Crap like that happens, and if a few of those break the other way (there's your .20+ in BA), we're not talking about Huff as a disappointment (and we're probably talking about the playoffs).
To borrow a Garnerism...he just looks hitterish.
I can't say this enough. Stay away from Carlos Lee. All he did with the Rangers was get fat and not produce anything but a larger waist size. He's asking for $11 million or more and he couldn't even produce in a contract year in a hitter's park?
ever been to arlington? the stadium was built for rafael palmiero, meaning it favors LH'ed hitters. carlos lee is RH. i wouldn't read too much into any perceived drop-off. besides, lee certainly wouldn't be the first ranger who's numbers suffered slightly under the intense august heat in north texas.
yesterday exposed one of the team's biggest weaknesses, and thus needs - too many LH sticks in the middle of the order. the team has to find a way to throw a RH bat into the mix of lamb, berkman, scott and huff. lee would be an ideal candidate.
buck, agree, btw, on lamb - he could possibly fetch you a decent arm of some kind. his value will never be higher and i think he'll struggle to duplicate his '06 numbers. he's simply not this good. so deal now while the iron is hot. palmiero remains a capable PH and i think lane remains a decent 4th OF.
Help me understand the fascination with Huff... I want more RBI's and about .20 more points BA from a guy in his part of the lineup.
huff hit .250 in 224 ABs as an astro. give him FIVE seeing-eye singles and/or infield bleeders - just 5 - and he would have hit .272; there ya go. so don't sweat the average. he had to adjust to a new park that favors RH'ed hitters. but overall, as an astro, his OPS was .819. career OPS? .819. he was as advertised. he hits the ball very, Very, VERY hard.
as for resigning him, consider this: he's averaged 604 ABs in the previous 3 years. on his astro-only pace, had he gotten 604 ABs this year, he would have finished: .250/35/102/.819. would you take that? as a point of comparison, ensberg finished .283/36/101/.945 last year.
if aubrey huff is your third best bat, your offense will be OK. but yes, i would agree, he better not be your second best bat. hence, the need to get a carlo lee. the only problem with that that line-up: one of the worst defensive teams in baseball. which means, yes, everett and taveras are MUSTS.
i'd love to see:
taveras
scott
lee
berkman
huff
biggio/burke
everett
ausmus
speaking of ensberg, he's under club control, so he WILL be back, barring a decent trade offer. i'd make 3B and RF available in ST and tell scott, huff and ensberg: may the best man (or men) win.
Ric and Buck--thanks for your Huff comments.
leroy420
10-02-2006, 03:00 PM
If Carlos Lee is not the answer in the outfield, then who do you suggest is?
One answer...Alfonso Soriano in LF. Move Scott to RF.
Why on earth would the team choose to release Palmeiro when he has been the most clutch pinch hitter for this team. He may not have a lot of power but he makes contact. I think this team still needs Ensberg; what happens if Huff doesn't play to his level? If somehow we could package him, Lane and some others in a deal for a quality #3 pitcher, I wouln't be opposed though.
Palmiero was definitely a large part of the run at the end of the season. Where was he from April to mid Sept? He was terrible for a large majority of the season. I think we can get by without him. If Huff is at 3rd, then Lamb is his insurance. I'd be very suprised if Ensberg is on the Astros next season...assuming they sign Huff.
Signing Pettite is huge. If he wants to come back this team needs to get it done. He's not gonna ask for Clemen's type of money, so I think whatever he wants, the needs to give it to him.
I certainly think they should keep Andy. I just don't think they need to overpay. The fact is that he's got issues with his elbow and he's now in his mid 30's. Not the greatest combination. His slow start this year was a big contribution to the team's prolonged slump. Pre-Roger, they really needed him to be another stopper and he didn't perform. He has always said that if he's striking out a lot of people, something might be wrong. He's a ground ball pitcher and this year he gave up a career high hr's.
Even if Mike Lamb could play as solid defense as any starting 3rd basemen, I still don't quite see him as an everyday starter. He's a journeyman player I think best suited for a super utility role.
You're probably right, but that doesn't mean he shouldn't be listening to Fred McGriff and learn to play better defense.
JunkyardDwg
10-02-2006, 05:38 PM
One answer...Alfonso Soriano in LF. Move Scott to RF.
Would Soriano want to A) come to Houston and B) continue to play the outfield ...plus how much money would he command.
Just seems that we'd have a better chance at Lee...though landing either one would be good.
Would Soriano want to... continue to play the outfield...
If he thinks anyone would still play him at 2B, he's as stupid as he is defensively challenged.
BMoney
10-02-2006, 11:30 PM
Daryle Ward never stole 19 bases in 21 tries.
Lee's a very good athlete, and a really professional hitter. Reminds me a lot of Alou. Dude does not strike out - something like 60ish in 600 ABs this season.
I'd be more concerned with playing Scott or Huff in RF than Lee in left, especially with half the games in MMP.
Having a power bat that puts the ball in play is just what the doctor ordered for the Astros. I hope Lee signs with us.
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