View Full Version : [Fox 26] Pitcher Doug Brocail Reaches Contract Agreement with Astros
rikesh316
11-26-2007, 08:51 PM
http://www.myfoxhouston.com/myfox/pages/Sports/Detail?contentId=5044373&version=2&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=6.1.1
Major League Baseball sources tell FOX 26 Sports the Houston Astros have reached a contract agreement with free agent reliever Doug Brocail and the club is expected to make the announcement as early as Tuesday.
Brocail, 40, revived his career in a big way last season with the San Diego Padres working in 67 games as a set-up man compiling a five and one record with an earned run average of 3.05.
Brocail is the ultimate survivor in baseball. He did not pitch from 2001-2003 because of a variety of arm-related injuries. In 2006 he underwent a pair of angioplasties to remove coronary blockage and still managed to work in 25 games.
Brocail pitched for the Astros in 1995 and 1996 and still makes his home here.
Last week Brocail made it clear he wanted to return to the Astros if the two sides could work out a deal.
"I would like to be an Astro and pitch here in Houston," Brocail told FOX 26 on November 20. "It's still my home. They know that. We're trying to get there."
Astros General Manager Ed Wade was not available for comment Monday. Brocail was not available either, but it's clear the two sides have gotten there.
I thought he was older than that.
DieHard Rocket
11-26-2007, 10:11 PM
My first assumption when I read the headline was that it was to be some kind of coach. Wow.
wreck
11-26-2007, 10:17 PM
what? is JVG the new manager for the astros. hes stocking up on old vets, last year woody this year doug...kind of makes you wonder about the future of the team
SamFisher
11-26-2007, 11:00 PM
Ed Wade sez
SPLASH
Bobblehead
11-26-2007, 11:08 PM
I hear Nolan Ryan is making a comeback...or even better, Sandy Koufax!!!
rocketfat
11-26-2007, 11:25 PM
My first assumption when I read the headline was that it was to be some kind of coach. Wow.
haha.
Ottomaton
11-26-2007, 11:41 PM
Given the poor quality of the free agent crop, if it is a relatively cheap contract this doesn't strike me as a bad signing as a short term stop gap. He did throw 67 games / 76 innings last year.
Uprising
11-26-2007, 11:45 PM
HOly crap. They better not be expecting TOO much from this guy.
October Baseball, here we come.
BigSherv
11-27-2007, 12:02 AM
Why even waste the roster spot.
rocketfat
11-27-2007, 12:11 AM
Given the poor quality of the free agent crop, if it is a relatively cheap contract this doesn't strike me as a bad signing as a short term stop gap. He did throw 67 games / 76 innings last year.
i agree and am just happy to see an attempted revamping of the bullpen with some new (well, old) faces in there. that said, i fully expect to be sick to my stomach every time brocail trots out there starting at about the 40 game mark this season.
aside from the ausmus signing, i'd be very pleased with this offseason if I knew that they planned to spend every penny it takes to sign peavy next offseason.
LonghornFan
11-27-2007, 03:21 AM
Great. Another 4.95 ERA middle reliever. So psyched! :rolleyes:
nWo34Life
11-27-2007, 06:48 AM
Crap, my worst nightmare coming true. :mad:
RocketFan007
11-27-2007, 07:11 AM
Great. Another 4.95 ERA middle reliever. So psyched! :rolleyes:
Brocail was a career 3.99 ERA and last year it was 3.05.
Why are some of you pissed at this move? It's an excellent, cheap, short-term pick up for one of our biggest weaknesses.
studogg
11-27-2007, 07:31 AM
Brocail was a career 3.99 ERA and last year it was 3.05.
Why are some of you pissed at this move? It's an excellent, cheap, short-term pick up for one of our biggest weaknesses.
I've heard this argument a couple of times now.
1. 3.99 for a career middle reliever is crap.
2. posting your best season at 40, doesn't really spell success.
3. why give him two years? haven't you learned your lesson with golden oldies?
tim562
11-27-2007, 08:06 AM
splash
Joe Joe
11-27-2007, 08:35 AM
1. 3.99 for a career middle reliever is crap.
I thought 3.99 was good for a career middle reliever and it is clearly better than what the Stros had last year. If it was better, he would be a closer, setup man, or a starter for his career.
Due to his age, this move doesn't excite me, but it doesn't disappoint me.
tested911
11-27-2007, 08:46 AM
What is the with Astros' organization of aquiring former Astro and former Houstonian players? If you don't fall under those two criteria's you have like a less than 25% chance....
MadMax
11-27-2007, 08:48 AM
3.99 for a career middle reliever is crap.
where do you get this idea??? middle relievers are generally guys that aren't good enough to be starters or closers. if they were shut-down pitchers, they'd be paid more and would be in those roles.
studogg
11-27-2007, 08:59 AM
where do you get this idea??? middle relievers are generally guys that aren't good enough to be starters or closers. if they were shut-down pitchers, they'd be paid more and would be in those roles.
where our pen is shaky is in the setup and closer roles. If you are putting money into the pen, I think it should be in one of these two spots. Not long relief/middle relief. Overloading with back end pitchers didn't work out for our starters and it will be much the same with relievers. Not to mention that with Oswalt, Backe, Patton, Albers, Sampson, Rodriguez and possibly another starter, there will be options to move a "not good enough starter" to middle relief. Fo Free!
Of course, if they are thinking they can't get another starter and that Dougy Fresh is going to be working many games due to a starters inability to make it long into the day, it's still a crap move.
Major
11-27-2007, 09:07 AM
Why even waste the roster spot.
Our bullpen last year:
Qualls: 3.05 ERA
Lidge: 3.36 (gone)
McLemore: 3.86
Moehler: 4.07
Miller: 4.86
Wheeler: 5.07 (gone)
Borkowski: 5.15
White: 7.67
Randolph: 12.15
You really don't think there's potentially a place for a guy with a 3.99 career ERA in there? :confused:
Major
11-27-2007, 09:09 AM
His WHIP, both last year and the year before (when he had a 4.7 ERA) would have led everyone in our pen last year except for Wheeler, who is gone obviously.
bobrek
11-27-2007, 09:14 AM
HOly crap. They better not be expecting TOO much from this guy.
In baseball years, he is only 37 because he did not pitch 2001-2003. :)
Rashmon
11-27-2007, 09:14 AM
Does MLB mandate defibrillators in the dugout like high school sports?
I hope so.
Otherwise, I like this move.
VesceySux
11-27-2007, 09:34 AM
Why are some of you pissed at this move? It's an excellent, cheap, short-term pick up for one of our biggest weaknesses.
Quoted for truth. Some of you really need to adjust your reality distortion field, because Brocail is not a bad pickup. It's like you expect Papelbon or Johan Santana to accept a 1 year, $2 million deal or something with the Astros. Get real.
Although PETCO Park is considered to be a pitcher's stadium, Brocail was actually much better on the road last year, posting a 1.79 ERA in 45.1 innings (versus a 4.88 ERA in 31.1 innings at home). Interesting.
No Worries
11-27-2007, 10:59 AM
Does MLB mandate defibrillators in the dugout like high school sports?
That we have to ask this question is reason enough to not to sign an old fart with a bad heart.
The Astros need to let their young players get experience, versus squeezing that last little bit of MLB experience out of the likes of Brocail.
MONON
11-27-2007, 11:54 AM
That we have to ask this question is reason enough to not to sign an old fart with a bad heart.
The Astros need to let their young players get experience, versus squeezing that last little bit of MLB experience out of the likes of Brocail.
Young players don't get that much experience coming off the bench or out of the pen.
MadMax
11-27-2007, 12:01 PM
where our pen is shaky is in the setup and closer roles. If you are putting money into the pen, I think it should be in one of these two spots. Not long relief/middle relief. Overloading with back end pitchers didn't work out for our starters and it will be much the same with relievers. Not to mention that with Oswalt, Backe, Patton, Albers, Sampson, Rodriguez and possibly another starter, there will be options to move a "not good enough starter" to middle relief. Fo Free!
Of course, if they are thinking they can't get another starter and that Dougy Fresh is going to be working many games due to a starters inability to make it long into the day, it's still a crap move.
i don't think this is a move that's going to limit the 'stros financially.
leroy420
11-27-2007, 12:29 PM
That we have to ask this question is reason enough to not to sign an old fart with a bad heart.
The Astros need to let their young players get experience, versus squeezing that last little bit of MLB experience out of the likes of Brocail.
And when they do that, there will be bitching to no end about why they didn't do more to build the pen in the offseason. This is a good low risk move, period.
MadMax
11-27-2007, 12:33 PM
And when they do that, there will be bitching to no end about why they didn't do more to build the pen in the offseason. This is a good low risk move, period.
that's it. it's just low cost and low risk. i don't understand why it's a problem.
The Cat
11-27-2007, 12:34 PM
That we have to ask this question is reason enough to not to sign an old fart with a bad heart.
The Astros need to let their young players get experience, versus squeezing that last little bit of MLB experience out of the likes of Brocail.
Didn't we do this last season, with regards to letting young players "get experience" in the pitching staff? I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but most of the Astros' pitching prospects simply aren't very good. There's absolutely no reason why this team -- one with one of the worst bullpens in baseball -- shouldn't attempt to sign a reliever for cheap who just posted a 3.05 ERA in 76 innings.
There's absolutely no reason why this team -- one with one of the worst bullpens in baseball -- shouldn't attempt to sign a reliever for cheap who just posted a 3.05 ERA in 76 innings.
Word.
studogg
11-27-2007, 12:59 PM
i don't think this is a move that's going to limit the 'stros financially.
It's not the cost or Brocail as a member of the team that's bothering me. What's bothering me is the pre-disposed belief that they have already pulled their hats out of the ring for anything better and are going to bet on Brocail to be the 7th/8th inning guy.
If we pick up another starter and a setup/closer, then I will be fine with DB. If this is our "move" for the bullpen, it's piss poor.
MadMax
11-27-2007, 01:05 PM
It's not the cost or Brocail as a member of the team that's bothering me. What's bothering me is the pre-disposed belief that they have already pulled their hats out of the ring for anything better and are going to bet on Brocail to be the 7th/8th inning guy.
If we pick up another starter and a setup/closer, then I will be fine with DB. If this is our "move" for the bullpen, it's piss poor.
i don't understand why you think he couldn't be a 7th inning guy. looking around the league, doug brocail's career numbers certainly match nearly every bullpen in the league's 7th inning guy.
No Worries
11-27-2007, 01:13 PM
There's absolutely no reason why this team -- one with one of the worst bullpens in baseball -- shouldn't attempt to sign a reliever for cheap who just posted a 3.05 ERA in 76 innings.
and take away innings from Mark McLemore or Matt Albers or Paul Estrada or whoever?
It is not like Brocail is going to push the Astros over the hump next year. We will be lucky to be a 500 team next year with or without Brocail.
If we pitch our younger talent more, at least we will know for sure what their MLB skills are. Hey, maybe one of the young will develop into a 7th or 8th or even 9th inning closer? How will we know if we do not take the chance?
Also, what the Astros do not have right now is the young talent it would take to land Santana (or <insert available top of the order talent here>). How or we going to get that kind of talent without developing it?
MadMax
11-27-2007, 01:18 PM
It is not like Brocail is going to push the Astros over the hump next year. We will be lucky to be a 500 team next year with or without Brocail.
?
i don't understand this.
don't make moves in the offseason because you're not gonna be good anyway??? seems a bit circular to me. yeah, i promise...if they don't strengthen the bullpen and the starting pitching, they will not be a very good team next season. so i'm kinda hoping they'll add players along the way who might contribute towards them being a better team. that's kinda the point.
studogg
11-27-2007, 01:37 PM
i don't understand why you think he couldn't be a 7th inning guy. looking around the league, doug brocail's career numbers certainly match nearly every bullpen in the league's 7th inning guy.
Allrightythen...
Let's make a bet. If Doug "choppin" Brocaili has an era in the range of 3.10-4.0, I'll put anything you want in my sig.
If he is this years Woody, and goes over 4 then I win and we both lose.
Oski2005
11-27-2007, 01:38 PM
SPLA.........drip
No Worries
11-27-2007, 01:39 PM
i don't understand this.
What we have is a trade-off? Do we take a step closer to being 500 next year? Or do we take a step closer to being 550 (90 wins) two years out and on?
Brocail certainly is not part of the future for the team.
MadMax
11-27-2007, 01:42 PM
Allrightythen...
Let's make a bet. If Doug "choppin" Brocaili has an era in the range of 3.10-4.0, I'll put anything you want in my sig.
If he is this years Woody, and goes over 4 then I win and we both lose.
I don't want a sig bet. And I don't want you rooting against Brocail.
But his CAREER ERA is 3.99. So I'm not sure why you think he'd be worse with us.
What we have is a trade-off? Do we take a step closer to being 500 next year? Or do we take a step closer to being 550 (90 wins) two years out and on?
Brocail certainly is not part of the future for the team.
Meh. Bullpens change every year. Bursting blood vessels over a $3M bullpen pitcher is silly. That hurts the Astros neither in 2008, nor in 2009, nor beyond, nor does it take away opportunities for "the young guys".
NIKEstrad
11-27-2007, 01:45 PM
What we have is a trade-off? Do we take a step closer to being 500 next year? Or do we take a step closer to being 550 (90 wins) two years out and on?
Brocail certainly is not part of the future for the team.
Does the idea of having a solid veteran who has figured out what it takes to stay in this league a long time as a 6th-7th-8th type of guy not potentially help out the half dozen guys that realistically fit into that sort of talent projection?
MadMax
11-27-2007, 01:59 PM
Meh. Bullpens change every year. Bursting blood vessels over a $3M bullpen pitcher is silly. That hurts the Astros neither in 2008, nor in 2009, nor beyond, nor does it take away opportunities for "the young guys".
No. 2009 is officially over. They've limited their ability to be competitive two years from now by signing Doug Brocail. :D
I don't think this is a huge deal one way or the other. I don't think it puts us over the top by itself...and I don't think it hurts us.
tested911
11-27-2007, 02:11 PM
Allright they got a pitching coach that can help the bullpen..
WAIT!!! they are wanting Doug Brocail to actually pitch? :eek: :eek:
JayZ750
11-27-2007, 02:18 PM
3. why give him two years? haven't you learned your lesson with golden oldies?
did i miss something? where did it say two years?
CJ Nitkowski pitched for us in the '90s. Let's go sign him, too!
The Cat
11-27-2007, 04:03 PM
Allright they got a pitching coach that can help the bullpen..
WAIT!!! they are wanting Doug Brocail to actually pitch? :eek: :eek:
Yeah... who would want a guy out of the bullpen who posted a 3.05 ERA in 76 innings last year?!? That can't help at all! What a scrub. :eek:
Major
11-27-2007, 04:20 PM
It's not the cost or Brocail as a member of the team that's bothering me. What's bothering me is the pre-disposed belief that they have already pulled their hats out of the ring for anything better and are going to bet on Brocail to be the 7th/8th inning guy.
If we pick up another starter and a setup/closer, then I will be fine with DB. If this is our "move" for the bullpen, it's piss poor.
Why would you assume this is the end? It's not even December!
It is not like Brocail is going to push the Astros over the hump next year. We will be lucky to be a 500 team next year with or without Brocail.
So basically, we shouldn't sign any minor-impact players at all since they won't individually make that much of a difference? :confused:
Why would anyone expect that signing Brocail was *supposed* to push the Astros over the hump? Could it just be he's one of many pieces of a puzzle?
kona-
11-27-2007, 04:59 PM
Good pick up, He was very solid last year. He is cheap and a short term pick up
If you argue that this is stupid, you dont know much about baseball...
rikesh316
11-27-2007, 05:57 PM
A one-year, $2.5 million contract, plus incentives, and a club option for 2009 is a good deal for the Astros. He is 40 but he has missed like 5 full seasons of baseball combined because of injury so he isn't your ordinary 40 year old. He also brings leadership and is better than Moehler, Borkowsi, and Miller.
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