Ensberg done with the Astros

[RocketManJosh]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5009337.html

Astros designate Ensberg for assignment
Club has 10 days to trade third baseman before release

By RICHARD JUSTICE
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle

Morgan Ensberg’s rollercoaster six-year career with the Astros ended this morning when he was designated for assignment. The Astros have 10 days to trade him. Given his low trade value, he’s likely to be released and paid the remainder of his $4.25-million salary at that time.

Ensberg became expendable when Ty Wigginton was acquired from the Devil Rays for Dan Wheeler. Wigginton now becomes the club’s everyday third baseman. It’s unclear what Mike Lamb’s future with the Astros is since he’ll be a free agent after the season.

Reliever Mark McLemore was recalled from Round Rock to take Wheeler’s place in the bullpen.

Ensberg, 31, had an interesting ride. There were times when he seemed on his way to becoming one of the National League’s best third basemen. At other times, he wasn’t productive enough to deserve a spot on the roster.

His best year was 2005 when he was a key component on the team that won the National League pennant. He was a member of the National League All-Star team and finished with 36 home runs and 101 RBIs that year.

His production dropped dramatically last season when he played with an injured right shoulder. The Astros believed he would bounce back this season if his shoulder was sound.

He didn’t. He was hitting .232 at the time he was removed from the roster.

[RocketManJosh]

not hard to see coming, but I thought they'd wait out the season to part ways

[Bevo]

Just saw this..it really was a roller coaster ride with Morgan. At one time he seemed like he could be our 3rd baseman for a while. I don't know what's up with these USC guys and them not living up to potential with the Astros (Ensberg and Lane)

[MaxwellsTemper]

I was expecting it, but I wasn't expecting him to get DFA'd. His trade value must have been 0.

[Kam]

how did he fall so far, so quickly?

[torque]

I'm not happy with this at all. He's batting over .300 in July..he's always had great potential..he's our best defensive third baseman. :mad:

[DOMINATOR]

he's had a good month too. .300+
thought they could at least get a low level prospect from the angels or giants for him.

[leroy420]

I guess he was the expendable one with the Wigginton trade. Kind of suprising, but not really. I'm glad, in a way, that they finally cut the cord. Now, let's do the same with Lane.

[Brando2101]

It's pretty good that on a "down year" in 06, he had an OBP of .396 and 23 homeruns.

He had his chance i guess.

[rocketfat]

I'm not happy with this at all. He's batting over .300 in July..he's always had great potential..he's our best defensive third baseman. :mad:


can somebody explain this move to me? i'm certainly not an ensberg fan or anything, but why and why now??

he has been swinging a hot bat this month, for starters, but what's the point in cutting him before the end of the season? you're paying him anyway. and to bring up mclemore??

now we can only trade one of loretta and lamb, or else we're left with only 1 3b on roster.

[RiceRocket1]

This is a ridiculous move. What do the Astros gain by doing this? Also, how is Lane still around? Morgan is roughly 10 X the player that Jason is, but Lane continues to get chances.

[rocketfat]

This is a ridiculous move. What do the Astros gain by doing this? Also, how is Lane still around? Morgan is roughly 10 X the player that Jason is, but Lane continues to get chances.


yeah, and you're forgetting the other glaring loser in this organization who is the worst player in the league and has never been at risk AT ALL of even losing playing time the past 5 years...brad ****ing ausmus. it's mindblowing. mclane needs to sell the team.

[Groogrux]

This sounds like they're not planning to move both Lamb and Loretta. I still wanted them both gone and resigned in the offseason. I'm not sure I understand this move either.

[Poloshirtbandit]

Wow, people are hard to please. One day I'm reading "OMG WHY IS ENSBERG STILL ON THIS TEAM?!?" Now I see people wondering why they released him :confused: Which one is it?

[DOMINATOR]

Wow, people are hard to please. One day I'm reading "OMG WHY IS ENSBERG STILL ON THIS TEAM?!?" Now I see people wondering why they released him :confused: Which one is it?
eh if they are going to pay him then why not just keep him for rest of season... shoulda released orlando palmeiro. dude bats once every 2 weeks.

[Nice Rollin]

he shouldve kept using thos steroids

[TMac640]

bit surprising. i really don't see the point of releasing ensberg with 60 games to go or so.

where is fatty p going with this?

[Vballcoach]

Wow, people are hard to please. One day I'm reading "OMG WHY IS ENSBERG STILL ON THIS TEAM?!?" Now I see people wondering why they released him Which one is it?

There's more than one way to get rid of a guy. You can always trade a guy instead of just dumping him.

[Mehdi]

Unfortunate that he never panned the way i thought he would...good luck Morgan thnx for your services

[The Cat]

Ensberg's average is artificially inflated this month because he's essentially seen only lefties.

As for Lane, Lane plays a position where the Astros need innings (CF) with Pence out. Ensberg plays a position where the Astros already have three capable starters (Wigginton, Lamb, Loretta). Not hard to understand.

[The Cat]

There's more than one way to get rid of a guy. You can always trade a guy instead of just dumping him.

And I'm sure the Astros just decided out of the blue to release him without making any effort to trade him. :rolleyes:

They've been trying to deal him for more than a year.

[RocketManJosh]

There's more than one way to get rid of a guy. You can always trade a guy instead of just dumping him.

they can still trade him

[rocketfat]

And I'm sure the Astros just decided out of the blue to release him without making any effort to trade him. :rolleyes:

They've been trying to deal him for more than a year.


lol....and you know this for a fact how????

quit posting.

[Groogrux]

lol....and you know this for a fact how????

quit posting.

Other than The Cat's proximity to the Astros, I'd say common sense. There's no way a team wouldn't try to trade someone like Ensberg before DFAing him. No. Way.

[Oski2005]

lol....and you know this for a fact how????

quit posting.

I'm not a fan of Cat's opinions, he was one of the biggest defenders of Ensberg, but he does write for Astros.com so he must know somethings.

[rocketfat]

Other than The Cat's proximity to the Astros, I'd say common sense. There's no way a team wouldn't try to trade someone like Ensberg before DFAing him. No. Way.

was referring to the actively trying to trade him for over a year part.

[Groogrux]

was referring to the actively trying to trade him for over a year part.

I'll mention again The Cat's proximity to the Astros.

[The Cat]

lol....and you know this for a fact how????

quit posting.

So do you only want me to tell you what I know when it goes along with your own biases?

Quit posting? Why?

[rocketfat]

I'll mention again The Cat's proximity to the Astros.

whatever. if you honestly believe that this team was doing all they could for over to year to unload ensberg for over a year, and didnt get a single offer, you're nutty.

wonder what we can get for jennings?

[rocketfat]

So do you only want me to tell you what I know when it goes along with your own biases?

Quit posting? Why?


you're giving out misleading information just because of your proximity to the organization. can't imagine they'd be in favor of that.

[Groogrux]

you're giving out misleading information just because of your proximity to the organization. can't imagine they'd be in favor of that.

You have no idea if he's giving out misleading information or not. The Cat's far more respected in these circles than you are anyway. He doesn't lie to lie, there's no reason to assume he is.

[The Cat]

you're giving out misleading information just because of your proximity to the organization. can't imagine they'd be in favor of that.

I don't work for the organization, for one. Second, I've heard this from multiple places, whereas you're basically talking out of your ass. How the hell are you in any kind of position to call information "misleading?"

[TMac640]

delete.

[TMac640]

you're giving out misleading information just because of your proximity to the organization. can't imagine they'd be in favor of that.

don't you have some respectable real GM boards to be trolling these days?

[RocketManJosh]

You have no idea if he's giving out misleading information or not. The Cat's far more respected in these circles than you are anyway. He doesn't lie to lie, there's no reason to assume he is.

is there anyone here that respect's rocketfat or his opinions? I'd like to know of one person reading this that does.

[rocketfat]

I don't work for the organization, for one. Second, I've heard this from multiple places, whereas you're basically talking out of your ass. How the hell are you in any kind of position to call information "misleading?"


ok then, i dont work for the organization, and i've "heard from multiple places" that they havent been trying to trade ensberg for over a year.

also, since he was our starting 3b to start the season, common ****ing sense tells me that they werent exactly scrambling to find a new home for him for over a year.

[The Cat]

ok then, i dont work for the organization, and i've "heard from multiple places" that they havent been trying to trade ensberg for over a year.

So are you accusing me of lying?

[rocketfat]

is there anyone here that respect's rocketfat or his opinions? I'd like to know of one person reading this that does.


dont really care if you respect "rocketfat", a bbs username in cyberspace.

you damn sure respect my opinions though, or you would have put me on your ignore list long ago, and wouldnt get your panties in a bunch and waste your time arguing with me.

sorry charlie!

[thephatp]

yeah, and you're forgetting the other glaring loser in this organization who is the worst player in the league and has never been at risk AT ALL of even losing playing time the past 5 years...brad ****ing ausmus. it's mindblowing. mclane needs to sell the team.

ummm...no offense, but this is a pretty ignorant post. I amazes me how little people understand about how much a catcher can influence a game, especially one like Ausmus. I agree that his offense is terrible, but he's one of the best in the game at understanding how to use pitchers, and how to handle hitters. His arm isn't quite what it used to be, but he's still one of the best at blocking behind the plate.

Let me guess, you think we should keep Everette on the bench when he's healthy, right? :rolleyes:

[rocketfat]

So are you accusing me of lying?

i'm accusing you of either lying, or being a naive fool with no capacity for common sense.

don't worry about what i think of you though. nobody here respects my opinion anyway.

[The Cat]

Also, for those that are somewhat rational here (not rocketfat) you have to keep in mind that Ensberg's value plummeted this year. While he greatly struggled over the last few months of 2006, he was coming off consecutive seasons of a .950 OPS and a .860 OPS. That, in itself, carried some value, and so the Astros weren't just offering to give him away.

But this year... his OPS has been in the .600s for most of the year, and for a third baseman, that's horrible. Obviously, the asking price was greatly reduced, but then the incentive to take him on with his current contract wasn't as high because his perceived chance for a rebound was diminished. That's why the DFA. Maybe they'll get lucky and get a couple of lower prospects for him in the 10-day period, but I'd be surprised... we'll see.

[The Cat]

i'm accusing you of either lying, or being a naive fool with no capacity for common sense.

don't worry about what i think of you though. nobody here respects my opinion anyway.

Then you probably shouldn't read or listen to any Astros content from any media on any level, because if you believe that, then everybody's a naive fool with no capacity for common sense.

[leroy420]

Nevermind...it's just not worth getting into it with some people.

[Poloshirtbandit]

whatever. if you honestly believe that this team was doing all they could for over to year to unload ensberg for over a year, and didnt get a single offer, you're nutty.

wonder what we can get for jennings?

So let's say that Ensberg has been playing for the Rangers for the past five years. What Astro(s) would you be willing to give up to get him?

[ryan17wagner]

Wow, people are hard to please. One day I'm reading "OMG WHY IS ENSBERG STILL ON THIS TEAM?!?" Now I see people wondering why they released him :confused: Which one is it?

You said it, buddy. Let go and move on. He deserves a fresh start.

[thephatp]

You said it, buddy. Let go and move on. He deserves a fresh start.

Although I hate to see him leave (and still think he can return to most of his 2005 form), but I'm with you. Sometimes guys just need a change of scenery. I just hope he doesn't pull a Richard Hidalgo. :eek:

[TMac640]

don't worry about what i think of you though. nobody here respects my opinion anyway.


Ever think there just MIGHT be something to that?

[BranJ17]

Who would you rather have?

Player A Career Average: .267 avg/.326 obp/.448 slug%/1K every 5 abs
Player B Career Average: .266 avg/.367 obp/.475 slug%/1K every 5.2 abs

Player A 2006 season: .275 avg/.330 obp/.498 slug%/1k every 4.5 abs
Player B 2006 season: .235 avg/.396 obp/.463 slug%/1k every 4 abs

In my opinion Player B is a more valuable player than Player A, but if he is not better is is almost a virtual wash. Player B is obvious Ensberg. So Purpura traded a quality reliever for a guy that is on par for another guy that we jjust released. Purpura is ruining this team right in front of our eyes.

[Cannonball]

The Astros have a wait and wait and don't trade approach. Lidge and Ensberg were both really good then they both really sucked. So the Astros wait and wait because they believe they can get back to where they were and don't want to sell short. Well, Lidge gets back and now he's a valuable asset that they don't want to trade. Ensberg doesn't get back and there's no market for him anymore.

I can see the Astros being in trade discussions for a while. The problem was that they still believed in MoBerg, overvalued him, and consequently rejected any reasonable offer that may have been made. As time passed, it became clear that the Morgan of old wasn't coming back and all trade possibilities dried up.

[The Cat]

I can see the Astros being in trade discussions for a while. The problem was that they still believed in MoBerg, overvalued him, and consequently rejected any reasonable offer that may have been made. As time passed, it became clear that the Morgan of old wasn't coming back and all trade possibilities dried up.

Bingo. (Although I'm not being critical of that approach, because everyone here knows I overvalued him as well in this offseason. I was definitely wrong.)

[rocketfat]

Bingo. (Although I'm not being critical of that approach, because everyone here knows I overvalued him as well in this offseason. I was definitely wrong.)


so....they were trying to dump him at all costs, but when they couldnt, and opening day came around, he was suddenly good enough to be their starting 3b????

[The Cat]

so....they were trying to dump him at all costs, but when they couldnt, and opening day came around, he was suddenly good enough to be their starting 3b????

When did I say at all costs? You're the one who added that drama to it, not me.

[Poloshirtbandit]

so....they were trying to dump him at all costs, but when they couldnt, and opening day came around, he was suddenly good enough to be their starting 3b????

No, they expected him to do good for this season. Last season he had the bad shoulder or whatever was the excuse.

[Vballcoach]

The Cat,

Incidentally, I agree with you and my defense of Moberg can clearly be seen at Astrosdaily. My point is the one you just made. This organization sits on these things too long in general. Branch Rickey once said it was far better to trade someone one year too early than one year too late. I missed the boat on Ensberg as well, but also think he was jacked around. I would have liked to have seen the team give him extended time to see if he could get it back.

Trading in baseball is a lot more art than science. You have to be creative and lucky in determining when someone doesn't have it. Hopefully, they guessed right with Wheeler. I don't know if this is an indictment on Pup, but they seem to guess wrong more than the average team.

[Akhorahil]

Designating a player for assignment is like putting a person on hold. That's all it means. It frees up a roster spot immediately. The Astros have 10 days to either trade him, release him, or send him down to the minors. If they send him down to the minors he has to pass thru waivers.

This does NOT mean that they are automatically going to release him. This could mean they are working on a trade that just hasn't been finalized yet. This is a SMART move by the Astros.

To keep Ensberg on the roster would keep a cloud over Lamb and Loretta's heads. Lamb doesn't want to leave the Astros and I believe all this trade talk has concerned him and effected his play. So making this move ends all that nonsense.

For those that did not know this, Purpura said last week in a radio interview that they have been working on getting Loretta a contract extension. So stop whining.

[DOMINATOR]

hey Akhorahil you signed up!

[Bobblehead]

http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/4223/adiosmorgankc7.jpg

[pgabriel]

This does NOT mean that they are automatically going to release him. This could mean they are working on a trade that just hasn't been finalized yet. This is a SMART move by the Astros.



trading for a player's replacement before the current is traded is never a smart move.

[Akhorahil]

sup Dom hehehe


Pgabriel, I meant designating Ensberg for assignment was a smart move.

But the way you put it, it goes both ways. You would rather create a hole and then trade to fill that hole? That's not smart either. The Ideal situation would be to do it all at once, but when does that ever happen?

[pgabriel]

But the way you put it, it goes both ways. You would rather create a hole and then trade to fill that hole? That's not smart either. The Ideal situation would be to do it all at once, but when does that ever happen?


touche

[Major]

trading for a player's replacement before the current is traded is never a smart move.

:confused: If you trade Ensberg first, the other team knows you're desperate and makes it more difficult to get the player you want. Or, what if another deal pops up and your 2nd deal falls apart?

If you have an opportunity to acquire a player you want, you do it. You never know when the deal will be pulled.

[pgabriel]

:confused: If you trade Ensberg first, the other team knows you're desperate and makes it more difficult to get the player you want. Or, what if another deal pops up and your 2nd deal falls apart?

If you have an opportunity to acquire a player you want, you do it. You never know when the deal will be pulled.


but in this case the astros do have third basemen.

edit: I guess if you think they wanted wiggington that badly.

[Major]

but in this case the astros do have third basemen.

edit: I guess if you think they wanted wiggington that badly.

Yeah - I'm coming at it from the perspective that we targetted Wigginton for whatever reason. If we were open to other options, that's certainly a diffferent story.

I was more thinking of it that we negotiate a deal for Wigginton and then try to trade Ensberg while the deal is still on the table. I'm not sure how workable that would be.

[Jet Blast]

Peter Gammons just said that the Giants are interested in Ensberg.

How about Ensberg for Bonds? LOL!!!!

[Vballcoach]

At this point, anything the Giants give us is good. An A ball prospect with a mediocre chance of making the show would work.

[Refman]

At this point, anything the Giants give us is good. An A ball prospect with a mediocre chance of making the show would work.
Why would they give us anything when they know that in 10 days they can sign him as an FA for nothing?

[Akhorahil]

Because then they would be bidding against alot of teams. I know it may not seem like it, given the lack of interest in the trade market. But there are certainly quite a few teams that would like to sign ensberg. Especially if it's just for the rest of the season on the cheap. Even better for teams is they can sign him to a minor league contract and call him up in september.

Also you can add the Red Sox to the list with the Giants. They have also expressed interest in Ensberg. Long before all this happened. I don't know why they are, but so goes the whirlwind.

[xishi]

FINALLY morgan is gone! thanks for your services over the years but its just time to find someone better and consistent.

[Poloshirtbandit]

Designating a player for assignment is like putting a person on hold. That's all it means. It frees up a roster spot immediately. The Astros have 10 days to either trade him, release him, or send him down to the minors. If they send him down to the minors he has to pass thru waivers.

This does NOT mean that they are automatically going to release him. This could mean they are working on a trade that just hasn't been finalized yet. This is a SMART move by the Astros.

To keep Ensberg on the roster would keep a cloud over Lamb and Loretta's heads. Lamb doesn't want to leave the Astros and I believe all this trade talk has concerned him and effected his play. So making this move ends all that nonsense.

For those that did not know this, Purpura said last week in a radio interview that they have been working on getting Loretta a contract extension. So stop whining.

They've said they have no intention of sending him to the minors, but I agree with this post.

[sm0d]

but now i wont be able to call anyone "iceberg" if we ever make the world series again :(

[rrj_gamz]

knew something was going to happen...Hopefully he can regain his touch and catch on somewhere else...AL, preferably...

[JaWindex]

Good luck, Ensberg. I hope you regain some semblance of your 05 self.

[DonkeyMagic]

why get rid of ensberg yet stick with lane?

[Ric]

why get rid of ensberg yet stick with lane?
as much as ensberg had worn out his welcome here, i can't fathom why they'd get consider wiggington an upgrade, other than contract. last year - a disappointment by any measure for ensberg, he went .856/23/58 in 387 ABs; wiggington, in '07 so far: .786/16/49 in 383 ABs. so if we're lucky, wiggington will be a "disappointing" ensberg. terrific.

i'm willing to give purpura the next 48 hours to try and sort this out (ie with additional moves), but as of this moment, they very much look like a team w/o a plan or direction.

[The Cat]

why get rid of ensberg yet stick with lane?

Why is this so difficult to understand? The Astros had four legitimate 3B after the Wigginton deal (Wigginton, Lamb, Loretta, Ensberg). After Pence's injury, the Astros have zero legitimate center fielders (though Burke and Bruntlett can play in a pinch).

They don't view Lane as the answer to anything long-term, but they need bodies in CF. Ensberg can't play there. There's your difference.

[TheFreak]

http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/4223/adiosmorgankc7.jpg

Why aren't they wearing these uniforms this year? That's probably why they suck so bad. Those red shirts are God awful.

[DonkeyMagic]

Why is this so difficult to understand? The Astros had four legitimate 3B after the Wigginton deal (Wigginton, Lamb, Loretta, Ensberg). After Pence's injury, the Astros have zero legitimate center fielders (though Burke and Bruntlett can play in a pinch).

They don't view Lane as the answer to anything long-term, but they need bodies in CF. Ensberg can't play there. There's your difference.


yeah. thats worth keeping a guy hitting .168...because he can marginally play CF. sweet

[candlegreen]

yeah. thats worth keeping a guy hitting .168...because he can marginally play CF. sweet

Or we can watch fly balls going over our CF's head for the next 4 weeks. Either that or sit Biggio out in CF at around 400 feet to prevent doubles.

Why's it so hard to comprehend that defense is part of this game?

[DonkeyMagic]

Or we can watch fly balls going over our CF's head for the next 4 weeks. Either that or sit Biggio out in CF at around 400 feet to prevent doubles.

Why's it so hard to comprehend that defense is part of this game?

playing crap because he can play CF marginally better than crap doesnt make sense, period. We KNOW lane is no good...why not at least try someone else that might at least leave some room for a chance someone else may do better.

i cant comprehend why anyone wants to comprehend why lane has a job. :D

[Nick]

Why aren't they wearing these uniforms this year? That's probably why they suck so bad. Those red shirts are God awful.

The red shirts aren't bad... but the reason they're wearing them all the time is because they're made of a new material this year (cool base) which all players agree is far more comfortable.

maybe they're "too" comfortable.

[WoodlandsBoy]

Funny thing that we get something for him from San Diego