If so, that's a move I like a lot. He had a terrific 2005 as a starter in NY and Colorado, and was solid in 2007, although it was mostly in relief. Definitely has good stuff and is a gamble worth taking.
Think he's be long relief or they'd pencil him in as a starter?? I'm guessing they'd want to see him as a starter.
I don't think he'd be penciled in, but I know he'd be in the mix. I know Chacon complained a lot last season about not being given the opportunity to start (it's by far his preference), so I imagine this was a situation where he went with the team that gave him the best opportunity to win a rotation job. That said, Astros are going to need a guy like Chacon or Sampson to step up in the bullpen and give 2-3 solid innings on the nights Woody and Wandy struggle to make it beyond the fourth. Not that you ever don't need it, but this year in particular the Astros will need dependable long relievers.
He probably hasn't been penciled in as a starter but told that he has a shot at it if he beats out Sampson and/or Paulino. I guess it's a good move if it is minor league deal with an invitation to ST. I'm still of the opinion that the Astros should stick with what they've got.
Is anyone on the remaining FA market better than what we have right now? I would rather go with youth than get tied down to another Woody Williams-esque contract. I know that depth is an issue should any one go down. But signing the likes of Chacon (who couldn't crack the rotation in freaking Pittsburgh), or a used up Livan, or a damaged Colon to anything more than a minor league contract with an invite to ST doesn't make sense to me. I may be over optimistic, but I foresee improvement from Wandy (no way he does as bad on the road as last year), Sampson (more ready for the long MLB season), and I think Backe is going to be a solid #3. The only pitcher I think will not improve is Woody. In that case, I'd give Paulino a shot.
I don't think any of these contracts are gonna tie down the Astros significantly, and just give Cecil more options to work with.
But is it worth keeping Paulino in AAA or sending Sampson to the pen for another year (or 2) just to have some washed up vet take the innings with little to no improvement?
Interesting Choice. He's never been a real innings eater, but he could have one of his good years. My guess is he'll be a starter and be better than Woody.
if chacon can out pitch them this year i think it is. with the firepower they have on offense, i don't care where they'll get the pitching just so long as they get it.
that was probably the hottest stretch of his entire career. look at his stats in 2006...things kind of evened out. the guy is one of the few pitchers who has somehow stayed in the league in spite of his 1.50 WHIP. i hope it works if we sign him but i have zero expectations. the guy is an implosion waiting to happen with all those walks.
What the hell does this have to do with Streroids or Roger Clemens? This would be a nice pickup, this year's team is going to be interesting, you could see them contending, to going completly in the tank....and that should be fun to watch......hopefully as they contend. DD
