I'm not sold that the astros are as far away as people think. The marlins prove that year after year that if you have talent whether it is young or not you can win. To a lesser extent, the rays and even the giants last year. Get the right guys in place and the astros can compete. But it requires building a team defensively first.
Robbie Ray kind of reminds me of Randy Johnson. <object width="400" height="254"><param name="movie" value="http://mlb.mlb.com/shared/flash/video/share/ObjectEmbedFrame.swf?content_id=7334899&topic_id=&width=400&height=254&property=mlb" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="scale" value="noscale" /><param name="salign" value="tl" /><embed src="http://mlb.mlb.com/shared/flash/video/share/ObjectEmbedFrame.swf?content_id=7334899&topic_id=&width=400&height=254&property=mlb" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="254" scale="noscale" salign ="tl" /></object>
The Astros just traded their young talent for much younger talent that is not going to come up until 2014. They don't have any major league quality talent right now. NONE. And no one in AAA that's going to be game-changing like a Tim Lincecum. The Rays and Giants were loaded with young talent. You may think they are close to being good - but they certainly don't think so based on their most recent trade. Both Bourn and Pence would be key pieces to any good team in 2012. So at the very least, the team is not looking until 2013. What this team needs is good pitching and power hitting. Defense & relief pitching are luxuries you build after that to go from good to great. There isn't a team in baseball that is good because of their defense.
Call me nuts but I think Cosart might be on the opening day roster in 2013 and possibly with the club Sep 2012.
With all the uncertainty concerning not only when the Astros will be relevant again, but which players currently on the farm (and added to it in the meantime) will contribute to that team, it seems more important to get the best player(s) available, than to get too caught up in positions. I think the NBA adage "best available talent" has a place here. Stockpile the best players you can get, and if overages/shortages develop in terms of position, makes adjustments along the way. The only position id give more weight to is pitching (which is obvious).
Everything effects everything, and the best defensive teams usually compete for playoff spots in all sports. Baseball included. When you consider how many 1 run games there are, the ability to keep runners off the bags is vitally important. Even though defense gets a bad rap in baseball. Defense is pitching as much as it is fielding, but fielding is also important, and protecting leads is also important, relief pitching. Considering that even the best hitters only succeed 3 out of every 10 at bats, you'd better be able to field your position and win other ways than relying on hitting alone. This is especially true when the playoffs come around and you are facing ace pitchers and ace bullpens and when scoring is at a premium. Defense is what helps you win games.
jonmorosi Jon Morosi and Michael Bourn...stay tuned. Edit - Stratch that about Bourn, Indians about make a big mistake IMHO... TroyRenck Troy Renck, Rockies
its nuts to the rest of the league.. but honestly i think itd be nuts if it took that long for all of them to get called up... lets keep in mind that right now, the following are, or about to be consistent starters... -jordan lyles -brett wallace -j.d. martinez -jose altuve -jason castro half of which are under 23... lets get real guys.. theres not too much you have to do to work your way up to the show in houstons farm system..
If Jimenez goes to the Indians, Marquis going to PHX, Fister to Detroit, Kuroda staying in LA and with Bedard's god awful start last night the Wandy trade market should open up nicely...I mean what starter would be left to acquire with so many teams looking for pitching? Cincinnati, Boston, NYY, Twins, Rangers, and Pirates all looking for SP.
How in the world are the Indians giving up the 2,3 and 4 prospect for Jimenez. They clearly believe he is an ace pitcher, but my god.
Looks like the nationals and braves are moving on: Ken_Rosenthal Ken Rosenthal #Twins scout watching #Nationals tonight. Trade with Span and Storen as centerpieces continues to look close. #tradedeadline #MLB If #Braves ask about #Orioles CF Adam Jones, here's the answer: Not in play. #tradedeadline #MLB 55 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply
Looks like the astros have a scout at the senators game also? Lintyfresh85 David Lint Astros scout in attendance for Senators game. Just saying. #Bourn 24 Jul
Not nuts at all. He's going to finish the year in AA and likely start there again next season. If he does well I could see a mid-season call up like we did for Lyles.
Rockies about to get Deal will involve pomeranz white mcbride. Waiting official announcement - Buster Olney Which is less than what the astros got. This is about right.
