Pretty random, but have the Astros decided on the 2008 advertising campaign? Are they going to try and put Tejada on a 'good guys' ad?
The division may be a bit stronger...but I do believe the Astros can contend with the roster they have. Nothing about any other team's roster changes leads me to believe that any one team got significantly stronger.
Can't freaking wait My older boy's first practice of the season is Friday...but I think it will be rained out.
SO over the next 6 weeks how much of the sports reports on spring training will talk about Roids and how much time on baseball? Astros need some guys to step up and earn starting jobs that's the thing to watch for. Also anyone a tv schedule, always very few spring training games on
I'm sure most will still be talking about steroids. It's what's "now". Come Opening Day, I think that will change back to the actual game. ST really isn't going to be that exciting as far as position battles go for the Astros. For the most part, there is 1 SP spot (probably between Sampson, Paulino, Cassell, and maybe Chacon if he signs), and 1 bench spot available. The one intriguing thing, to me, is what the lineup will look like on March 31 when we open @ SD. Is Cooper going to stick to his plan of hitting Tejada 3rd and Pence 6th? According to the Astros site, there are a couple of games on FSN and some that will be online on MLB.tv. Otherwise, 740 & 950 typically stream all of them. Makes the afternoon go so much faster at work.
anyone see what Keith Law said today n his chat... Steve (Dallas): KLAW, what is the least talented organization from top to bottom in MLB? I'm guessing the Pirates. Keith Law: (1:25 PM ET ) Astros. i guess he is factoring in our weak farm....but worst???????
and this.... Erik, (TX): Your thoughts on the astros trying to pick up Chacon . . . good, bad or ugly? And will this deal happen? Thanks. Keith Law: (1:57 PM ET ) Ugly.
The Astros won their arbitration case with Valverde yesterday. He should be in camp today... Closer expected to arrive at camp on Saturday KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) -- The Houston Astros won their arbitration case with closer Jose Valverde on Friday. Valverde was asking for $6.2 million and the Astros were offering $4.7 million. The two sides met with an arbitration panel in St. Petersburg on Thursday, the day pitchers and catchers reported to the team's spring training facility. "We're happy with the decision and happy the issue is off the table," Astros general manager Ed Wade said. "Now, we'll focus on getting Jose to camp and serving as our closer." ADVERTISEMENT Houston acquired Valverde from Arizona in mid-December. The 28-year-old right-hander was expected to arrive at spring training on Saturday, manager Cecil Cooper said. Valverde made $2 million last season, when he led the major leagues with 47 saves with the Diamondbacks. The Astros have another arbitration hearing scheduled for Monday with infielder Mark Loretta. The team is offering $2.75 million and Loretta is asking for $4.9 million.
Keith Law is a tool. He can't even find a job in the bigs. Read this on him. http://bluejaysnews.wordpress.com/2...former-assistant-an-idiot-but-was-it-revenge/
Tag's Baseball Plays Tracking the Astros in majors & minors with Brian McTaggart February 17, 2008 The race for the bullpen There shouldn't be much drama at spring training this year, other than seeing how the all the new faces mix with all the old faces. The eight position players are set, the bench is pretty much set and there are a few question marks in the starting rotation. The biggest competition for jobs will come from the bullpen, and currently there are only two slots that are still open. Jose Valverde, Geoff Geary, Oscar Villarreal, Dave Borkowski and Doug Brocail are probably locks, leaving a bunch of guys competing for the final spot: • Mike DeJean. The 37-year-old righthander is a non-roster invitee and a long shot to make the club. He's pitched in only two games (1 2/3 innings) since the end of the 2005 season because of injuries. • Mark McLemore: The lefthander pitched in 29 games for the Astros lsat year out of the bullpen, and is competing with Stephen Randolph and Wesley Wright for the lefty spot in the bullpen. • Stephen Randolph: Lefthander was terrific last year at Class AAA Round Rock, but struggled at with the Astros, going 0-1 with a 12.15 ERA in 13 1/3 innings. The Astros brought him back as a non-roster invitee. • Wesley Wright: Picked up by the Astros in the Rule V draft, the lefthander has been turning heads early in camp. He was terrific in 2007 with the Dodgers when he went 6-2 with a 2.49 ERA in Class AA before struggling at 1-2, 9.18 ERA in 14 games at Class AAA. • Ryan Houston: The 6-foot-4 righthander spent his first nine years in pro ball in the Toronto organization, appearing in 279 games in the minors. • Brian Moehler: The 36-year-old veteran spent all last year with the Astros and had a 4.07 ERA in a career-high 42 games. He pitched pretty well in the second half of last year in long relief and could bring a veteran presence. • Chad Paronto: He's spent five years in the majors as a reliever and has a 6-11 record with a 3.57 ERA. At 6-foot-5, 250 pounds, he's easily the biggest player in camp. ---- Mark McLemore, on the strength of his performance last year, should be a lock. What McTaggart fails to mention is that the pitchers who fail to land the last spot in the starting line up, between Sampson, Paulino, Cassel, and maybe Chacon, are also in competition for the last spots in the bullpen (except Paulino).
