Astros sign Wendell, Burba

[arkoe]

Righthanders get minor-league deals, invitation to spring training
By BRIAN MCTAGGART
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle

Link (http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/2990441)

In an effort to upgrade their bullpen, the Astros signed veteran righthanders Turk Wendell and Dave Burba to minor-league contracts on Wednesday with an invitation to spring training.

Wendell, 37, is coming off a shoulder injury that limited him to just 12 games for the Colorado Rockies last year, when he posted a 7.02 ERA. Burba, 38, went 4-1 with a 4.21 ERA last year with the Milwaukee Brewers and San Francisco Giants, walking just 26 and striking out 50 batters in 77 innings.

Both will compete for a spot in the bullpen in spring training.

"When you look at the guys that are in (the bullpen), there are certainly some question marks," Astros general manager Tim Purpura said. "There are guys that maybe didn't perform very well or up to expectations. Certainly they're going to get a chance, but we can't go with that group year in and year out.

"We have to get some production out of our bullpen, and these are veteran guys I really think can help us. I think they can also help the younger pitchers, too — (Chad) Qualls, (Dan) Wheeler, and guys like that."

Purpura has also discussed adding veteran free-agent lefthander John Franco, who went 2-7 with a 5.28 ERA in 52 games for the Mets last year. Lefthanders hit just .173 against Franco in 2004.

"He's a lefty that gets lefties out, and that's a pretty rare commodity," Purpura said.

Purpura expects to resume talks with Howard Simon, the agent for free-agent outfielder Jeromy Burnitz, later this week. The Astros aren't the only team interested in Burnitz, and Simon hopes to find Burnitz a home soon.

"We're on a pretty tight time schedule," the agent said. "We want to get this thing done."

Burnitz, 35, hit .283 with 37 home runs and 110 RBIs last season for the Rockies. While with the Brewers, he played for current Astros manager Phil Garner from 1996-1999.

Meanwhile, the Astros also have welcomed back Matt Galante to the organization as a part-time consultant to the baseball operations department.

Galante, who was a member of the Astros organization from 1980-2001, served as the Mets' third-base coach in 2002 and 2003 before remaining on the bench as an infield coach last year. He wasn't brought back as a coach for 2005.

"He's a great teacher and a great resource," Purpura said.

brian.mctaggart@chron.com

Ok moves, I guess. I would have liked Wendell five years ago maybe. Can't really say anything about Burba.

[Luckyazn]

So Purpura wants to keep the young guys and let them play and then he signs all these OVER THE HILL guys? I mean Burnitz 35, Wendell 37? Burba 38?? and FRANCO???? shouldn't he be retired??

man, is going to be a loooooong 05'

[Joshfast]

Originally posted by Luckyazn
So Purpura wants to keep the young guys and let them play and then he signs all these OVER THE HILL guys? I mean Burnitz 35, Wendell 37? Burba 38?? and FRANCO???? shouldn't he be retired??

man, is going to be a loooooong 05'

We haven't signed Burnitz yet, Turk and Burba were given a minor league contracts and are competing for long relief spots in the bullpen and Franco is still a good left handed specialist.

Drayton also didn't cause the rain tonight, the sky isnt falling and the mayor just proposed free towing for cars not blocking traffic on the freeways.

[Nick]

Burba was pretty solid in long relief last year, especially against us (when we knocked around those Brewers starters, save Sheets and Davis). He should make the team... and fill the same role (long relief).

I don't know about Wendell... and if Franco can get lefties out better than Gallo (who was awful vs. lefties), why not?

Bullpen right now:
Lidge
Qualls
Harville
Wheeler
Redding (probable... the Astros will try him here full-time before they give up on him completely)
Burba

That really leaves just one spot... and that's only if the team plans on carrying 12 pitchers (they normally only carry 11).

[Raven Lunatic]

I ****ing hate Turk Wendel.

Maybe he won't ever get on the field for us.

please please please please please

[BSW]

His antics on the field are annoying.

He is a freak!

[NJRocket]

Oh boy....oh joy....now we are cooking with gasoline. Whoopie.

Was Kent Tekulve busy?

[nWo34Life]

Purpura watching JVG's moves and sign older players!? CRAP! :mad:

[LonghornFan]

You've gotta be kidding. He took on Burba without giving a call to Dave Smith or Charlier Kerfeld?

Get the rope.

[NJRocket]

Originally posted by LonghornFan
You've gotta be kidding. He took on Burba without giving a call to Dave Smith or Charlier Kerfeld?

Get the rope.
I loved that guy

what was the t shirt he alwyas wore under his uni?

[Austin70]

Originally posted by NJRocket
I loved that guy

what was the t shirt he alwyas wore under his uni?


Was it the Jetsons?

[Castor27]

Originally posted by LonghornFan
You've gotta be kidding. He took on Burba without giving a call to Dave Smith or Charlier Kerfeld?

Get the rope.

Actually they did make a call to each of those guys. Smith was too busy surfing, and Kerfeld asked for too much jello in his incentives package. Drayton didn't want to sacrifice Wal-Marts jello aisle just to sign one pitcher.

[NJRocket]

Originally posted by Austin70
Was it the Jetsons?

yes...good memory

[SamCassell]

Turk Wendell reminds me of Mitch Williams, without the arm. He's not a terrible reliever. The baggage is a bit much though. Wonder how his schtick will play in the tight Astros clubhouse.

[NJRocket]

Originally posted by SamCassell
Turk Wendell reminds me of Mitch Williams, without the arm. He's not a terrible reliever. The baggage is a bit much though. Wonder how his schtick will play in the tight Astros clubhouse.

As long as the Cubs dont pull Joe Carter out of the booth, we should be ok;)

then again...that shot would be a long single at mmp

[Trader_Jorge]

We are shopping in the value bin at the Dollar Store when our competition is buying things off the rack at Niemann Marcus.

[codell]

Originally posted by Raven Lunatic
I ****ing hate Turk Wendel.

Maybe he won't ever get on the field for us.

please please please please please

Me too.

Wendell is one of the biggest jack asses in all of baseball.

[NIKEstrad]

I thought I'd put this here. Astros.com is a little behind since we've signed Burba, but some interesting quotes.

Astros looking for some relief
Burba, Franco on team's radar for bullpen help
By Alyson Footer / MLB.com
tickets for any Major League Baseball game
HOUSTON -- Looking for a veteran presence in the bullpen, the Houston Astros are considering two of the most experienced relievers of today's era -- right-hander Dave Burba and left-hander John Franco.

Burba, a 15-year veteran, has a lifetime record of 115-87 with a 4.49 over 511 appearances, including 234 starts. He spent most of the 2004 season in Milwaukee, where he was 3-1 with a 4.08 ERA over 51 relief appearances, spanning 77 innings. In September, the 38-year-old was traded to San Francisco, where he pitched in six games in relief.

General manager Tim Purpura is intrigued by Burba because he has experience as both a starter and a reliever. The Astros traditionally like to employ one pitcher who can make spot starts as well as provide long relief, such as Ron Villone and Pete Munro.

Franco, 44, is the Major League's all-time left-handed saves leader with 424 and is behind only Lee Smith (478) for the most saves in Major League history. The 20-year veteran, who spent six years with the Reds and 14 with the Mets, held left-handed hitters to a .173 average (13-for-75) in 2004 and could give the Astros a solid option for the role of lefty specialist.

Purpura has contacted both players' agents to express interest.

The Astros are also talking to Jeromy Burnitz's agent about a possible contract, although Purpura said the 35-year-old outfielder is not the only player the Astros are considering. Many teams have contacted the Astros, who are in a position not many clubs find themselves in this time of year. Because of their inability to sign Carlos Beltran, the Astros have some money to work with in the final weeks before Spring Training commences.

"A lot of teams are offering players because of our payroll flexibility," Purpura said. "There are a lot of options out there. (Burnitz) is a power hitter and he drives in runs, but he also strikes out a lot. We have to see what his salary demands are."

Asked about Texas second baseman Alfonso Soriano, Purpura spoke in general terms, acknowledging the club would look at any number of players who can greatly affect the Major League club immediately.

"The only question is, what to you have to give up in return?" Purpura said. "We're very hesitant to give up young pitching. We have to find out if Roger Clemens is coming back; if he's not, we don't want to give up any young pitching."

In other news, Purpura revealed the club had rehired Matt Galante, who spent 23 years in the Astros' organization before accepting a coaching job with the New York Mets following the 2001 season. Galante, a native of Staten Island, N.Y., will return to the club as a special assistant to Purpura.

Link (http://houston.astros.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/hou/news/hou_news.jsp?ymd=20050113&content_id=930635&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp)

Some interesting quotes in there. I sense there are some options out there that no one here knows about...

[BSW]

Why are we not looking at say Nen, Witasick, Williamson.

We have plenty of money now.

[Rocket G]

Originally posted by Trader_Jorge
We are shopping in the value bin at the Dollar Store when our competition is buying things off the rack at Niemann Marcus.

Really? Granted these guys pretty much suck, but what else is left out there?

Who is signing good relievers?

Who are the good relievers left, or that WERE available that we missed out on?

Explain.

[NIKEstrad]

Originally posted by BSW
Why are we not looking at say Nen, Witasick, Williamson.

We have plenty of money now.

Nen hasn't pitched in two years.

Witasick was straight up released by the Padres, though I agree he's worth a look.

Williamson has serious injury problems (http://redsox.bostonherald.com/redSox/view.bg?articleid=48822&format=). He won't be pitching this year.

[Austin70]

Originally posted by NIKEstrad
Nen hasn't pitched in two years.

Witasick was straight up released by the Padres, though I agree he's worth a look.

Williamson has serious injury problems (http://redsox.bostonherald.com/redSox/view.bg?articleid=48822&format=). He won't be pitching this year.

Sounds like they could be 3 for a $1.

[NJRocket]

Interesting article...but I have to take what he says witha grain of salt until he does something semi productive. It would be nice to know who was being shopped (obviously we wont be privy to that)...I'd also like to know what they are asking for.

I hope he isn't turning down solid veterans (especially guys 32 or younger) for our prospects if they can help us for the next few years. He should make Lane, Burke and even Backe available in the right deal.

[SamCassell]

Jim Mecir
Ramiro Mendoza
Ricky Bottalico
Paul Shuey
Chad Fox

[NJRocket]

Originally posted by SamCassell
Jim Mecir
Ramiro Mendoza
Ricky Bottalico
Paul Shuey
Chad Fox

whats that? plans F thru J?

[Groogrux]

Originally posted by NJRocket
whats that? plans F thru J?

Most good bullpen pitchers are no-names that people sign under the radar all offseason. While it's very important the Astros improve their bullpen, you have to be prepared that these are the names you're going to hear most offseasons when it comes to signing free agent relief pitchers.

[NJRocket]

Originally posted by Rocketman95
Most good bullpen pitchers are no-names that people sign under the radar all offseason. While it's very important the Astros improve their bullpen, you have to be prepared that these are the names you're going to hear most offseasons when it comes to signing free agent relief pitchers.

im only kidding....cmon...it was a little funny

[RocketFan007]

I think Bottalico and Shuey would be great additions to the bullpen.

[NJRocket]

Shuey always seems to be hurt...Chad Fox seems like he could be worth a shot though....what about Farnsworth...is he a free agent?

[NJRocket]

I would say Shane Reynolds but since he sold his place to TMAC, he's have to slum it.;)

[Fegwu]

Originally posted by Raven Lunatic
I ****ing hate Turk Wendel.

Maybe he won't ever get on the field for us.

please please please please please

Watch Barry Bonds jack out 40 HR against us this season - thereby breaking MLB record most HR against one team in a season.

[VesceySux]

Wow. Fantastic signing...






... if it was 1996. :)

[xiki]

Originally posted by SamCassell
Wonder how his schtick will play in the tight Astros clubhouse.

I wonder about a clubhouse that housed an a-Whole like Kent. And had Limatime, Everett (Carl, that is). I suspect they keep things inside the Clubhouse better than most (look at the contingent of those who cover the lads of Houston summer).

[xiki]

Originally posted by NIKEstrad

General manager Tim Purpura is intrigued by Burba because he has experience as both a starter and a reliever. The Astros traditionally like to employ one pitcher who can make spot starts as well as provide long relief, such as Ron Villone and Pete Munro.

Franco, 44, is the Major League's all-time left-handed saves leader with 424 and is behind only Lee Smith (478) for the most saves in Major League history. The 20-year veteran, who spent six years with the Reds and 14 with the Mets, held left-handed hitters to a .173 average (13-for-75) in 2004 and could give the Astros a solid option for the role of lefty specialist.

The Astros are also talking to Jeromy Burnitz's agent about a possible contract, although Purpura said the 35-year-old outfielder is not the only player the Astros are considering. Many teams have contacted the Astros, who are in a position not many clubs find themselves in this time of year. Because of their inability to sign Carlos Beltran, the Astros have some money to work with in the final weeks before Spring Training commences.


"A lot of teams are offering players because of our payroll flexibility," Purpura said. "There are a lot of options out there. (Burnitz) is a power hitter and he drives in runs, but he also strikes out a lot. We have to see what his salary demands are."

"The only question is, what to you have to give up in return?" Purpura said. "We're very hesitant to give up young pitching. We have to find out if Roger Clemens is coming back; if he's not, we don't want to give up any young pitching."[/b]

In other news, Purpura revealed the club had rehired Matt Galante, who spent 23 years in the Astros' organization before accepting a coaching job with the New York Mets following the 2001 season. Galante, a native of Staten Island, N.Y., will return to the club as a special assistant to Purpura. [/i]

Some interesting quotes in there. I sense there are some options out there that no one here knows about... [/B]

Burba has to be better that PM (a nice guy with no arm

Hold on to young pitchers. Young arms, find one or two who can get a guy out (like latter season last).

My 'hope' is a one sided deal where 'sros are on receiving end of salary dumps (for a nice change).

Purpura is probably very OK, but needs to experience the 'being the man', the public face. JH did that role great, TP is inchoate (in that role).