ClutchFans - No Astacio deal, BAcke may miss a start

The Cat

07-26-2005, 03:11 PM

From the Memphis Commercial Appeal today:

Fresh off his first Major League win for the Houston Astros last Tuesday, Round Rock starter Ezequiel Astacio pitched just two innings Monday in his shortest appearance of the season. Astacio, who'd lasted just three innings in his previous start for the Express on July 10 against Nashville, threw 39 pitches and allowed just one Redbird hit before being relieved by right-hander Scott Strickland to start the third.

"There's a possibility he's going back to the big leagues (today)," Express manager Jackie Moore said. "We don't know for sure yet, but trust me, I didn't want to take him out of there after that second inning."

http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/sports/article/0,1426,MCA_461_3953919,00.html

This is obviously just speculation, but unless the Astros have an unreported injury, I don't see where the room is for him on the Astros roster. On another team, however...

MadMax

07-26-2005, 03:13 PM

that's damn good research, Cat! you just earned one of Milo's blue stars.

NJRocket

07-26-2005, 03:14 PM

Interesting....only thing that scares me is that its the day after Pettitte pitched. Hopefully something is brewing.

CAN U SMELL WHAT THE PURP IS COOKIN?

The Cat

07-26-2005, 03:16 PM

Well, don't give me too much credit for it... I found that link in the Minor League Reports thread over at the OrangeWhoopass forums. :)

Again, all speculation, but Astacio's start last week against the Pirates where he proved he can contribute (somewhat) now might end up being huge for us at the deadline.

The Cat

07-26-2005, 03:19 PM

Interesting....only thing that scares me is that its the day after Pettitte pitched. Hopefully something is brewing.

CAN U SMELL WHAT THE PURP IS COOKIN?

That was my first fear as well, NJ. But, assuming the Express played at the same time as we did last night, how would they know during the second inning that Pettitte was hurt (because he was still pitching for the Astros at that point)? It's possible that it has to do with Andy but seems unlikely given the timeline. At least that's what I'm hoping...

Nick

07-26-2005, 03:19 PM

Interesting....only thing that scares me is that its the day after Pettitte pitched. Hopefully something is brewing.

CAN U SMELL WHAT THE PURP IS COOKIN?

Astacio was actually pitching at the same time as Pettite... so them holding him out had nothing to do with Andy's elbow what-so-ever (unless one of them knows Doc Brown, has a time-machine/delorean, and has already seen into the future).

Astacio is our most tradeable asset right now... and he's just coming off his first big league win. While his stock isn't as high as it was at the beginning of the year, I'm pretty sure there will be a few teams (like San Diego, Cincinnati) who are in dire need of pitching who will take a shot at him.

MadMax

07-26-2005, 03:20 PM

NJRocket

07-26-2005, 03:21 PM

good point....obviously if somethign was wrong with Andy when they yanked Astacio, he would have not lasted until the 7th. Now that I think about it, they would never yank him for that reason anyway ...they would let him finish his turn and then if need be, he would replace Andy next time around because they are on the same day.

NJRocket

07-26-2005, 03:22 PM

Astacio was actually pitching at the same time as Pettite... so them holding him out had nothing to do with Andy's elbow what-so-ever (unless one of them knows Doc Brown, has a time-machine/delorean, and has already seen into the future).

Astacio is our most tradeable asset right now... and he's just coming off his first big league win. While his stock isn't as high as it was at the beginning of the year, I'm pretty sure there will be a few teams (like San Diego, Cincinnati) who are in dire need of pitching who will take a shot at him.

Interesting that you mentiuon San Diego. Do you think we may see a return of Phil Nevin (now that he refused to waive his no trade)...he comes in to play 1B and Berkman goes into the OF?

Nick

07-26-2005, 03:24 PM

Interesting that you mentiuon San Diego. Do you think we may see a return of Phil Nevin (now that he refused to waive his no trade)...he comes in to play 1B and Berkman goes into the OF?

It makes sense, doesn't it?... and Gammons mentioned it last night that Houston would be a place that he'd agree to go to.

Then again, he makes a lot of money for not much production this year (and a whole lot of injuries)... but, it couldn't be any worse than what we're trotting out there now.

Austin70

07-26-2005, 03:25 PM

NJRocket

07-26-2005, 03:26 PM

It makes sense, doesn't it?... and Gammons mentioned it last night that Houston would be a place that he'd agree to go to.

Then again, he makes a lot of money for not much production this year (and a whole lot of injuries)... but, it couldn't be any worse than what we're trotting out there now.

makes total sense.......as for his production this year....I could see a rebirth if he came back here.....MUCH better hitters park than Petco....and if it only costs us Astacio, i think its a no brainer....wow...just makes WAY too much sense...scary

Nick

07-26-2005, 03:29 PM

makes total sense.......as for his production this year....I could see a rebirth if he came back here.....MUCH better hitters park than Petco....and if it only costs us Astacio, i think its a no brainer....wow...just makes WAY too much sense...scary

I don't think it will cost us much... San Diego is pretty desperate to get rid of his salary. They probably want somebody who can help them now, rather than later... and Astacio is a much cheaper option than Ponson was going to be (but far less proven).

I'm not blown away by Nevin... I'm pretty sure his production could be fine once he came here, and his clubhouse issues would get absorbed by the auras of Clemens/Biggio/Pettite... but his injuries are what bothers me the most.

He'd likely make us better... but I don't know if he's the guy who can get us over the Cardinals (assuming the Cardinals will be fully healthy... which they are FAR from right now).

MadMax

07-26-2005, 03:34 PM

man, i'd really like to see berkman stick at 1B. i don't like watching him limp around the bases. don't really want to see him doing that in a corner OF spot.

NJRocket

07-26-2005, 03:35 PM

man, i'd really like to see berkman stick at 1B. i don't like watching him limp around the bases. don't really want to see him doing that in a corner OF spot.

i tend to agree.....can Nevin play LF?

can he play catcher? ;)

Oski2005

07-26-2005, 03:42 PM

How many years are left on that contract?

NJRocket

07-26-2005, 04:01 PM

Someone call 610 and mention this...maybe they can do some research

torque

07-26-2005, 04:03 PM

Someone call 610 and mention this...maybe they can do some research
Justice is researching now thanks to Cat.

NJRocket

07-26-2005, 04:03 PM

Justice is researching now thanks to Cat.

u serious? wow

torque

07-26-2005, 04:04 PM

u serious? wow
Cat emailed him and really within 15 minutes he got a reply back. Which leads me to believe that maybe he was already on something involving Astacio?

Miguel

07-26-2005, 04:05 PM

Someone call 610 and mention this...maybe they can do some research

Not with Rich/Marc around. ;) Marc will turn it into a Texans discussion and Rich will still insist that the Astros won't make the playoffs

MadMax

07-26-2005, 04:09 PM

look at my boy, Cat, scooping freaking Justice! :)

Buck Turgidson

07-26-2005, 04:21 PM

look at my boy, Cat, scooping freaking Justice! :)
Pretty weak that no one in Houston or Austin bothered to report this.

The Freaking Memphis Commercial Appeal?

Possible situations that would explain the quote:

1. Pettitte felt something in his arm early in the game but was able to pitch through it.
2. Astacio will be part of a trade in the very near future.
3. The Astros are making an in-house adjustment to their bullpen.
4. Something else we haven't thought of.

1. Pulling Astacio early makes no sense here, as he & Pettitte are pitching on the same day.
2. What is the logic behind this? So he can start sooner for his new team? I've never heard of anyone doing this. I could see it if the trade was finalized *while he was pitching*, but in reality you're only going to get him on the mound again 2-3 days sooner. Again, why?
3. Gallo has been ineffective against LHB, they can send him down at will (unlike Harville), Qualls is murder against lefties so the need for a LHP in the pen is lessened. Garner and Purp are on record saying they think Astacio could be very good out of the pen.

This is all off the top of my head, but 3-4 seem most likely. Veeeeeeery interesting, but still, the trade angle makes little sense to me right now.

The Cat

07-26-2005, 04:25 PM

Cat emailed him and really within 15 minutes he got a reply back. Which leads me to believe that maybe he was already on something involving Astacio?

6 minutes, actually. ;)

Whatever it is, Justice now knows and will look into it. If there's any substance behind it I'm guessing we'll hear something tonight.

2. What is the logic behind this? So he can start sooner for his new team? I've never heard of anyone doing this. I could see it if the trade was finalized *while he was pitching*, but in reality you're only going to get him on the mound again 2-3 days sooner. Again, why?

Perhaps they wanted to minimize any risk of an injury by holding him to a strict pitch count? I know it's a little bit of a stretch, but I'm trying to hold out hope that we might be able to get something done in the near future...

leroy420

07-26-2005, 04:26 PM

I, too, was wondering why the Austin American-Statesman didn't mention this in their (typically pathetic) game report for the Express. I figured they would have said something if he had gotten injured (Astacio, that is).

If it is because a trade is in the works, I personally hope that it is not for Nevin. I think he is done and that a move to MMP wouldn't do enough to make up for it. I'd rather leave Berkman at 1st to lessen the wear and tear on his knee, at least for the remainder of this season. If they were to be able to get anyone in a straight up deal, I'd prefer Raul Ibanez from the Mariners.

NJRocket

07-26-2005, 04:28 PM

. I could see it if the trade was finalized *while he was pitching*, but in reality you're only going to get him on the mound again 2-3 days sooner. Again, why?
.

To this i would say that maybe they didnt want to see him get drilled by a line drive or get rocked while they were in serious trade talks. Also, it wouldnt be unheard of that the counterparty said, "look, we will take him, so get him out of the game and lets figure out the rest of this" This would only happen with a counterparty that could be trusted not to walk away from the table...and aren;t Drayton and the Padres guy friendly?

bobrek

07-26-2005, 04:28 PM

i tend to agree.....can Nevin play LF?

can he play catcher? ;)

Actually, he has caught 100 games in his career.

Shouldn't the speculation revolve around Backe? If Astacio was taken out after 2 innings, that would essentially preclude him from pitching today and perhaps tomorrow, but not Thursday.

Buck Turgidson

07-26-2005, 04:32 PM

Agreed on Ibanez, leroy. Sweet, sweet LH swing, would look great b/t Moberg & Lane.

Summer Song Giver

07-26-2005, 04:33 PM

Maybe it's Manny :D

The Real Shady

07-26-2005, 04:35 PM

NJRocket

07-26-2005, 04:36 PM

Larry Dierker this morning on 610 said that Jim Hickey thought that Astacio might be more suited for the bullpen. He said that since Astacio only has two above average pitches he might be better in the bigs in short stretchs.

but we arent having such major bullpen issues at the moment that they would yank him from quality start...are we?

Buck Turgidson

07-26-2005, 04:37 PM

Shouldn't the speculation revolve around Backe?
Good call. Maybe the elbow's acting up again? They're very reluctant to trade him during the stretch run, rob Peter to pay Paul kinda thing. Not saying it's out of the question, but it would be a bit of a shock.

Baqui99

07-26-2005, 04:37 PM

but we arent having such major bullpen issues at the moment that they would yank him from quality start...are we?

No, but Qualls has been mentioned in trade rumors over the past month or so. Astacio could take his spot if traded.

NJRocket

07-26-2005, 04:38 PM

No, but Qualls has been mentioned in trade rumors over the past month or so. Astacio could take his spot if traded.

true...Qualls was rumored in the Millar deal i believe

NJRocket

07-26-2005, 04:39 PM

This is very exciting.

lets celebrate

I'll go get some donuts.

Buck Turgidson

07-26-2005, 04:41 PM

No, but Qualls has been mentioned in trade rumors over the past month or so. Astacio could take his spot if traded.
He was mentioned in ONE trade rumor - it was initiated by the RedSox and was rejected out of hand.

LonghornFan

07-26-2005, 04:45 PM

Agreed on Ibanez, leroy. Sweet, sweet LH swing, would look great b/t Moberg & Lane.

I've been preaching this to my friends since April. Love his swing, he can steal a base and he can play the corner outfield spots. I have no doubt he would be a tremendous boost to our team as a whole.

:crosses fingers, toes, eyes, etc...:

leroy420

07-26-2005, 04:46 PM

No, but Qualls has been mentioned in trade rumors over the past month or so. Astacio could take his spot if traded.

Reports were that it was rejected specifically because Qualls was requested by the Red Sox.

I don't think the organization is going to give up on Astacio being a starter this early. He hasn't had injury problems in the minors (i.e. Lidge & Billy Wagner). He pitched a great game against Pittsburgh. I can't think of any reason why his start was cut short except either he is soon to be traded, someone on the Astros staff is injured, or they simply want to not wear the kid out and are limiting his innings before he does get injured.

NJRocket

07-26-2005, 04:47 PM

It could also be a 3 way....where Ponson and Bigbie go to SD, we get nevin and maybe hayden penn...zeke ,lane and some padre crap go to balt

LonghornFan

07-26-2005, 04:48 PM

It could also be a 3 way....where Ponson and Bigbie go to SD, we get nevin and maybe hayden penn...zeke ,lane and some padre crap go to balt

You just made me vurp in my mouth.

NJRocket

07-26-2005, 04:50 PM

You just made me vurp in my mouth.

im just sayin....it was originally a sd-balt deal that went bad...maybe they brought us in to help....and supposedly this guy Hayden Penn is an excellent prospect

Toast

07-26-2005, 04:51 PM

To this i would say that maybe they didnt want to see him get drilled by a line drive or get rocked while they were in serious trade talks. Also, it wouldnt be unheard of that the counterparty said, "look, we will take him, so get him out of the game and lets figure out the rest of this" This would only happen with a counterparty that could be trusted not to walk away from the table...and aren;t Drayton and the Padres guy friendly?

Or they don't want to risk him getting rocked and losing trade value ...

DaDakota

07-26-2005, 04:59 PM

I like Astacio a LOT, he has explosive stuff...someone call Jim Hickey and tell him to teach Astacio another pitch...

Dang slacker !

DD

Buck Turgidson

07-26-2005, 04:59 PM

Or they don't want to risk him getting rocked and losing trade value ...
C'mon. Baseball peeps aren't short-sighted like that. And when's the last time Zeke got rocked in AAA?

I'm confused about this whole thing, time for a beer to soothe my jangled nerves.

giddyup

07-26-2005, 05:02 PM

How many years are left on that contract?
One Around the Horn they said one more beyond this current one-- at $10 Million per.

Blatz

07-26-2005, 05:55 PM

790am said it was because Brandon Backe may not make his next start and Astacio will take his place.

Joshfast

07-26-2005, 06:18 PM

790am said it was because Brandon Backe may not make his next start and Astacio will take his place.

Doh!

I still hope something happens before the dealine.

rikesh316

07-26-2005, 06:24 PM

Yea, Brandon Backe has a pulled ribcage muscle and is questionable for his start Thursday. So no trade coming soon.

PhiSlammaJamma

07-26-2005, 06:29 PM

Has anyone actually seen Berkman dive and catch a screamer? Seriously. He picks himself up, a cloud of dust settling all around, and look on his face is always, darn, I just missed that one.

Castor27

07-26-2005, 10:04 PM

http://houston.astros.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20050726&content_id=1145607&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou

HOUSTON -- Astros right-hander Brandon Backe may be scratched from his scheduled start Thursday against Pedro Martinez and New York Mets after pulling a muscle in his left side.

Backe felt a pain during his bullpen session Monday and although the soreness was less Tuesday, his status is day-to-day.

"It's something that's really caught me by surprise and I can't believe this is happening," Backe said. "Today I felt a little bit better. I tried to throw with some force and it came back and got me today. I don't know if I'm going to be put on the DL. Hopefully if it gets a little better tomorrow, then I'll possibly start on Thursday. If not, I'll go on the DL."

Should Backe -- 8-6 with a 4.93 ERA -- go on the disabled list, the Astros would likely call right-hander Ezequiel Astacio from Triple-A Round Rock.

"It was basically a freak accident, it has nothing to do with me not warming up or anything," Backe said. "I was 20 pitches into it and all of a sudden it went out. It's kind of hard to tell what it is, kind of connected to the rib, I guess."

Astros general manager Tim Purpura said Backe will be re-evaluated on Wednesday before a decision is made about Thursday's starting assignment.

"We're going to take it day to day and see how it goes," Purpura said. "Obviously we have our own internal options. Astacio has been here on a regular basis, he would be an option for us."