I'm not sure that's something to criticize Berkman for. Not running out grounders I can see. If his numbers continue to drop, I can see that. But being who is (and FAR from the only 1B to do so) is only something to criticize if one is grasping for straws. Now Lee I'm not to big a fan of. Word around camp is he had dropped about 30 lb's. Hope so. Now, if he runs his ass off in left field and runs out grounders consistently this year he'll win me back quickly (he's an Astro, after all!). But I don't like lazy players. Never have; never will.
A great farm system takes years. YEARS. It took Tampa Bay and Hunsicker 3 years to built up their talent and mature. It will be 2012 before the Astros system is on solid track. By then it might be too late....................
Disagree, Lance hates to lose as much as anyone and seeing the team go in the toliet will take its toll on him. Lee is a different story, he seems content and that contract is such an albatross that it will be difficult. Even if these guys, or Uncle D, aren't willing to move on you still have Wandy and Myers who could be moved for serious to good prospects come the deadline that could help the farm system.
We can agree to disagree. I want my best player to be a leader with maybe a dash of killer instinct. Not a chatty-Cathy known more for his one-liners than his leadership. I have NO problem chatting it up with the other team, don't get me wrong. I realize these are a bunch of grown men playing a game for fat cash and they're all friendly for the most part. But when you're down 6 runs in the 7th, I want to see players bearing down and showing some freakin' grit. Berkman simply does not do that. You say he's "FAR from the only 1B to do so"...and I couldn't disagree more. NOBODY chats it up out there like Lance does that I'm aware of. You won't see Albert out there making jokes, he's the epitome of a focused leader.
We'll see. ...and this team has BEEN in the toilet for a few years now. Hasn't taken it's "toll" on him yet.
Um, as someone that's spent a lot of time around MLB clubhouses, I can tell you that everyone talks about talking to Pujols at first base. Pujols is a pretty social guy. And I really don't see the correlation between leadership and talking at first base.
I don't think people would consider 2008 in the toilet, considering they were a couple of games (and possibly one Hurricane Ike and idiotic commissioner) from making the postseason. Basically, since 2000, the Astros have only had two seasons - 2007 and 2009 - where they weren't in contention in late September. I'd hardly say the team is used to this.
They had a horrible 2007 season but were VERY competitive in 2008 and within a game of first place last year in July, so NO they haven't been in the toliet like they could be this season. On the baserunning thing Pujols, ARod and Griffey have always "jogged" to first never sprinted.
Thank you. Not to mention Sean Casey, who makes Lance look like a member of the Silent Generation. Also, for those arguing whether Lance would leave, he's already gone on record as wanting to stay but being open to exploring the FA market. Once he even said he wasn't sure whether or not he'd end his career in Houston.
You are correct but it is not 100% guaranteed. Both could do deals with their new team before becoming FAs. Given Drayton's love for keeping his stars around for their entire careers and Berkman and Oswalt comments about sticking around, I would not be surprised if both retired as Astros. Right or wrong.
For all of the talk about how crappy our farm system is the Astros have six rookies this year on their opening day rosters: Towles, Manzella, Norris, Paulino, Johnson* and Gervacio*. All of these players are also pre-Wade: Towles (20th round of the 2004 amateur draft) Manzella (3rd round of the 2005 amateur draft) Norris (6th round of the 2006 amateur draft) Paulino (2001 amateur free agent) Johnson (4th round of the 2006 amateur draft) Gervacio (2002 amateur free agent) These are not the best prospects in baseball, but I suspect 2 or 3 could be everyday players on a good team five years out. * Gervacio and Johnson only made it due to an injuries, while the others made the roster without the help from the DL.
Norris won't suck, he will be a sliver lining in a dark season. Gervacio, yesterday not withstanding, could end up being a dynamite late inning guy. The rest, sadly, I'd agree that they aren't great but atleast Manzella will play great defense.
