http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/n...123&content_id=630320&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp Free agent reliever would be final piece in puzzle HOUSTON -- The Houston Astros are on the verge of adding perhaps the final piece of their 2004 roster puzzle on Friday with the expected addition of free agent reliever Dave Veres. General manager Gerry Hunsicker declined on Thursday to identify the pitcher with whom he was in negotiations, saying only, "I'd still like to add an experienced relief pitcher, a guy who can pitch in the latter part of the game, the seventh, eighth or ninth inning, and I'd have to say there's a pretty good chance we're going to be able to do that." That description fits Veres, 38, a former Astro who spent last season with the Chicago Cubs. The right-hander owns a career record of 36-35 with a 3.44 ERA and 95 saves. He is 6-2 with three saves lifetime in games at Houston and has pitched well at Minute Maid Park, where he had a string of 10 consecutive scoreless innings snapped two years ago while with the St. Louis Cardinals. Veres, who was 2-1 with a 4.68 ERA in 31 games for the Cubs last season, broke in with Houston in 1994 but was traded to Montreal following the 1997 season, along with catcher Raul Chavez, in exchange for third baseman Sean Berry.
Just Say No! I'd rather put my faith in Duckworth who's been known to mow people down his 1st time through their lineup. splash........I mean DRIP!
Bad move. Veres is done, period. Why not take more time to dangle Robertson out there? We have to be able to do better than Dave Veres.
Bad move? Unless they gave Veres a rediculous contract we just improved our bullpen depth. Good move!
Veres can still get an avg. batter or two out, as long as he still has control of that devestating splitter. I seem to recall a game last year against the Cubs, where he got both Berkman and Hidalgo swinging one inning... in a crucial home game. He also had more good games than bad, against us, while he was with the Cardinals. If anything, us signing him ensures that we don't have to face his average-to-mediocre stuff anymore. Plus, he's probably the LAST resort in the bullpen... a bullpen that I don't expect to be heavily used this year (with the exception of Lidge and Dotel). Here's the proposed pecking order: Closer - Dotel Setup - Lidge 7th inning - Miceli, Duckworth Lefty Specialist - Gallo Long relief/mop-up - Miceli, Duckworth Scrub - Veres Robertson starts the season at AAA, or he is traded. He's a starter... he doesn't have the control needed to be a reliever, and I'd much rather have Gallo as the lefty specialist.
Jose Jesus Ortiz reports that if Veres wants to pitch for the astros, he has to accept a minor league deal and make the team
It was announced today that Veres did in fact sign a minor league deal. At least he will have to make the team, which I hope he does not.
Moyer is left-handed and his pitches move. Veres is former power pitcher looking to survive another year. Big difference! M Williams set the market when he signed a minor league deal with Tampa.
Veres is really washed up but was only signed to a minor league contract. He wont be the final peice but there is little risk with the signing. Behad, Your right that pitchers can still be effective when they no longer have power. But Jamie Moyer has great control and pitching intellegence. Veres has lost his velocity and movement he once had with his split finger fastball. Most of his stuff hangs over the plate and is very hitable.
