Sampson was great through 4 (no hits, 1 bb I believe), obviously got tired in the 5th. This is only his 3rd outing of the spring, and he missed the last week or so with a stiff neck. Wright is throwing well. Mets didn't really run out a big league lineup though.
Hey, I have some concerns based on comments in Richie J's Chron.com blog regarding Miggie. to quote his reply to some cat calling him out for Tejada-hating; [Got some bad news for you. I talked to two scouts that have seen Tejada recently, and they're not saying nice things. However, because I'm trying to please you, I'm not about to mention that they don't think he can hit or field or that he appears to be a guy in free-fall. Hey, I endorsed the trade. You don't think I'm the kind of guy to flip-flop, do you? I certainly am not.--Richard] Now granted this is RJ, but to those of you in the TV market who have access to ST games, is it your impression that Miggie was just another Winstrol wonder with no post-steroid era game?
I know an awful lot about baseball, and I've watched a lot of Orioles games as I am a Yankee fan. Tejada was spent last year. If he has a rejuvenation that would be great as I love the Astros to be good, but he seemed to have zero athleticism in the field last year. His defense has never been great and it was already declining a few years back. Last year he looked to have less range than Jeter. Still, he always makes me nervous in RBI situations.
Williams 4.0IP, 9H, 6R, 5ER, 2BB, 1SO, 1HR, 13.89ERA Enough is enough.....we've got to let go of Woody. Nice guy, but he's getting rocked on a regular basis.
Woody will be DFA before the the season starts. Astros just will eat the money. With Matsui on DL list to start the season, Tomas Perez will likely make the team. Only real battle is between Cruz Jr. and Abercrombie. I would take Abercrombie because in a 5th outfielder, you look for a player who could be a pinch runner and defensive replacement. Abercrombie is better than Cruz Jr. at those two things. Wade said they will carry 12 pitchers, I think the locks are Backe, Borkowski, Chacon, Geary, Oswalt, Rodriguez, Sampson, Valverde, Villarreal, Wright. I think Cassel will the last person on the staff.
I believe Cruz will make it over Abercrombie because he would be the only semblance of a power hitter off the bench. Erstad, Blum, Loretta, Ausmus,none of those guys are extra base threats. You have got to have someone with some punch for those late inning pinch hit situations when you're down by 2 or more runs. Mike Lamb won his share of games for us the last few years.
So... does that mean that if Astro Fan continues to hate on Tejada then he will be a bum? Guess it's a good thing EWade signed Tomas Perez...
When did Wade say that about carrying 12 pitchers? If they think Erstad can handle the load as a OF defensive replacement, that negates some of one of Abercrombie's advantages. Reggie has looked lost at the plate much of the spring. Cruz has been shaky in the field. Not sure about Perez being likely. Newhan has looked very good with the glove, playing exclusively at 2B/3B this spring, and he has big league experience at all 3 OF spots. Darkhorse candidate for the Bruntlett role? Could depend on how serious they are about trading Loretta, especially given Matsui's problems. Matsui being on the DL could give them time to figure out what to do with Q. I'd put Moehler ahead of Cassel, but that's just me.
No, but if the national media types desperate for their steroid angle push it hard enough, fans will maximize any and every miscue by Tejada into much bigger than it is. Certain media members are looking so hard for defensive lapses and declining bat speed that everything is blown completely out of proportion to fit with their pre-established bias.
Here are some Spring Training pitching stats: Code: Starters IP ERA R Oswalt 15.0 2.40 B Backe 9.0 4.00 W Rodriguez 8.1 5.40 W Williams 11.2 13.89 C Sampson 9.1 10.61 Short Relieve J Valverde 5.0 5.40 D Brocail 6.0 19.50 O Villarreal 6.0 0.00 G Geary 10.1 4.35 D Borkowski 7.0 2.57 R Houston 4.0 2.25 Lefty Specialist W Wright 6.2 1.35 M McLemore 7.2 12.91 Long Relieve / Spot Starter S Chacon 8.0 10.13 J Cassel 11.0 5.73 B Moehler 10.2 4.22 I have listed 16 pitchers, hopefully picking the most likely candidates for the 12 spots. Outside of the ptichers with 10+ ERAs, not looking too bad.
Astros make more roster cuts Club outrights McLemore, reassigns seven others to Minors By Alyson Footer / MLB.com KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- The Houston Astros cut eight players from their Major League Spring Training roster on Wednesday, outrighting left-hander Mark McLemore to Triple-A Round Rock and reassigning right-handers Mike DeJean, and Carlos Hines, left-hander Stephen Randolph, outfielders Victor Diaz and Nick Gorneault and catchers J.R. House and Alberto Castillo to Minor League camp. McLemore, one of three lefties competing for a spot in the bullpen, was taken off the 40-man roster. The lone lefty still in contention for a bullpen spot is Rule 5 draftee Wesley Wright, who entered Wednesday night's game with a 1.35 ERA over 6 2/3 innings. Wesley Wright appears to on the opening day roster.
That would be sweet. Kid's definitely made the most of his opportunity. If they carry 12 pitchers, there's a good chance he can stick for the season even if he struggles a bit. Also, RR should have a very strong team this year. Interesting that McLemore cleared waivers.
I'm also suprised Mclemore cleared waivers. He had a rough spring but he was money for us out of the bullpen last year.
I love all the new faces and the Astros management having a pair this season. I will expect the Astros for the next ten years will be a total different team, in a positive way. Matter of fact, this is a good blog entry. I'll post an article on this in the next 24 hours.
