http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=4729533&name=law_keith Keith Law: Matt Lindstrom throws hard, and when that doesn't work, he throws hard some more. He works in the mid-to-upper 90s, throwing mostly fastballs with the occasional slider, but doesn't miss many bats because his fastball is pretty straight and he often needs to try to work away from contact with it. The Astros' bullpen has been depleted by the presumed loss of Jose Valverde to free agency as well as the loss of LaTroy Hawkins, so Lindstrom helps. But if they're looking at him as a Valverde replacement they'll be disappointed, as he's a clear step down and doesn't have either the swing-and-miss pitch or the good control you'd like to see in a pitcher working highly leveraged innings. The Marlins just wanted anything for a player they might have non-tendered, and they didn't get much more than anything. Luis Bryan is a decent defensive shortstop who was hurt for all but 31 Gulf Coast League games this summer, and either infinite K/BB ratios are the new market inefficiency or he has the worst plate discipline known to man. Robert Bono is an organizational pitcher who might have a chance to be a long man because he has good control.
Assuming Lindstrom stays healthy, he appears to be a good pick up for a set up man. Lyon may be hitting his stride with his performance in the offensively friendly AL. If these two statements hold up, the Astros will have gotten real value for the money. There is hope that these will prove to be good moves that will allow us to pick up help elsewhere with the money saved.
Lindstrom's a tough player to figure out. He had a really good 2007 season at age 27, and has gotten progressively worse. You don't want a guy who's approaching 5 BB/9 to be on the mound in the 9th inning.
N/M you right, we don't give up nothing. The tigers get a sandwich pick. But anyways Ed wade really loves to get set up men and closers. Too bad they don't mean nothing if you don't have enough offense and a good starting rotation.
If you google "Brandon Lyon Type B" you'll get a bunch of results indicating that it is his status. The following from MLBTR is one: [rquoter] Lyon, a Type B free agent, was offered arbitration by the Tigers today. They'll get a supplemental draft pick if Lyon signs elsewhere. The righty's goal is to ink a multiyear deal coming off a season in which he posted a 2.86 ERA in 78.6 innings. [/rquoter] These could be wrong, but the general internet consensus seems to take it for granted that he is a Type B.
solid Type B guy...happy we didn't give up any picks. might have to pay a bit more than expected for the "good Type B" guys since they come with no draft pick obligations
So... any rumors on acquiring any starting pitching? Anything new on Brett Myers? I wish we could take a stab at Ben Sheets. We'll need all the bullpen help we can get if our starters outside of Oswalt/Wandy can't go deeper than 6.
Ben Sheets isn't happening...the dude wants 12 million a year and while that isn't happening either I am sure some team, Rangers, will probably overpay. Stros don't appear likely to aquire a starter unless its on the super cheap, there next move will be at 3rd I imagine. If they do aquire a starter I'd be pleasently suprised.
You're right, it is good! Lucky for the Astros that runs scored in the 8th inning are worth less than those scored in the 9th!
The Rangers signed Harden and have money problems. They aren't likely to sign Sheets. The next move is a backup OF(Erstad and Michaels are FAs).
Honestly, I think worrying too much about the product they're going to put on the field in 2010 is only going to lead to heartache or, perhaps, heartburn.
Fangraphs (awesome site) responds to the Astros... http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/the-worst-signing-of-the-winter/
Very true - I expect the team to be terrible, so really it's all kind of a theoretical analysis of what kind of moves Ed Wade makes. I'm not really concerned about results because I don't think they will be anywhere remotely close to the playoffs. So in that regard, these are two players that could be improvements over several years if they perform to their potential.
