[Chron]RJ - I'm not one to spread rumors except about Lee, Astros

signing lee is a nice start but no way the astros should be satisfied with just him. i dont know who else is a free agent but the bottom of our lineup sucks hardcore. maybe we can get molina to replace ausmus.

 

i wouldn't get your hopes up. if they sign lee, they're probably gonna have to address starting pitching, too. adding at least one other arm.

 

I agree ... Though I think with Lee on board, Luke here for a full season, and Burke getting more PT at 2nd, the offense will be drastically better than it was this season and pitching really should be the focus of the money we have left to spend.

Edit: Although I would like to bring in a better hitting catcher to platoon with Ausmus even if it is just a little bit of an improvement (no need to break the bank there).

 

there is nothing more important than shoring up starting pitching.

except of course, finding a way to get james coney island hot dogs at MMP. but short of that, yeah...starting pitching should be the focus.

 

With that kind of track record, who wouldn't believe a source like that?

I'll believe when I see it. I really hope that the Astros makes some kind of push and trade for Zito. He would be a great #2 starter.

 

Zito is a free agent. Zito's agent is Scott Boras. Zito has expressed interest in going to NY or SoCal. There is something approximating zero chance that Zito will be an Astro.

Now Jason Schmidt, if he can't get anything worked out with Seattle, his stated preference...he'd look damn good in an Astros uni.

 

I still find it hard to believe that Luke ******* Scott is STILL not considered a lock for next year. That he still needs to prove something? He proved. Man, he proved!

Not only this article either. I've read others.

Personally, I was originally wanting them to get Carlos Lee this past season before the deadline, knowing that it would never happen.

I've since jumped to Soriano's corner, because that guy is simply a machine.

But I'd definitely settle & not complain if Lee was had.

They MUST get one of those two, though. The pressure is officially on fatboy to get it done.

 

resign andy and get him to lobby jorge posada who I believe is a free agent

 

Morgan Ensberg was 4th in NL MVP voting in 2005.

 

How old is Jorge? Does he play like he used to? (not asked argumentatively; I really have no idea)

 

This would be a great start to the offseason, but I still think resigning Pettitte and Huff are key.

 

He is NOT a free agent. Here is a list of free agent catchers for next season

Javier Valentin
Gregg Zaun
Bengie Molina
Mike Piazza
Mike Lieberthal
Rod Barajas
Javy Lopez

not a lot to choose from

 

Dang, that was worse than most stuff written on these boards. I'm still trying to figure out what the hell his point was. So, he is reporting he got a tip from a contantly wrong source about Carlos Lee? Is he serious?

Oh, and I love his blurb at the very bottom. "If I'm counting correctly"? Isn't the job of a public reporter to get the FULL facts and present them as such, not wing it off the top of your head?

I've never been as down on Justice as a lot of people, but I still can't believe he gets paid for the crap he comes up with.

 

Carlos Lee or Soriano would definitely help bolster our lineup. Hell, Mickey Mouse or Goofy would help this hopeless bunch from this last season. J/K

Yes, Lee or Soriano good. Like Soriano's speed but both have a very good power stroke. Must get either one IMO.

For catcher, how about Bengie Molina? Had good, but not great numbers with the Jays this year. So, he shouldnt cost too much. 3 yrs for 15-20M maybe.

Either that or send Ensberg packing. Preferably for at least Linebrink to help bolster our relief core. Give Huff a 2yr contract with an option for FA after this season should things not pan out.

Taveras must improve his OBP? Great speed but man connot live on infield and bunt hits alone. Must do better with more consistent at bats. An example, Dave Roberts. The Cards in their brief series could not get that guy out.

Would like also to pick up Luis Gonzales to bolster pinch hitting as well as spot starting in the outfield but he's no longer a starter.

Burke should get 60% of the starts at second but can interchange some in the outfield.

AE has proved his value time and time again with his sterling D. If we make at least some of these changes, we will be good even if AE doesnt hit .250.

Woody Williams, Petitte would definitely be a good start. With Bags off the books it should help the bottom line. He is no longer on the payroll right?

 

Gregg Zaun?? Wasn't he with the Astros about 100 years ago? Oh, 2002-2003. Seems like it was a lot longer ago than that.

Yeah, considering most of those guys are probably going to resign with their teams, there's not a lot out there.

 

Dont worry about the voices in your head, just take a deep breath and let it flow and if you break wind just hold your breath for a minute until you turn blue and then breathe again. It'll be alright! Shiny happy people ... LOL.

 

Luke Scott isn't Morgan Ensberg.


20 different batting stances say so.

 

And yet the count is still:

Ensberg - 2 all-star calibur seasons (2003,2005), 2 average seasons plauged by injury (2004,2006).

Scott - half a season looking clueless with no HR's (2005), half a season looking great (2006).

I'm a big Scott fan, and not neccesarily an Ensberg fan... but after what Ensberg has gone through last year, and the fact that Scott still hasn't faced half the league's great pitchers, I will temper my excitement.

Berkman and Huff, guys who have proved it over multiple seasons, are the only sure things in this lineup (assuming the club re-signs Huff if Lee doesn't sign, or Ensberg gets traded).