Was reading an article in the Chron today and it got me thinkin about what realistically can be done to improve this team. So let's hear some LEGITIMATE solutions to help this ballclub. My take...the guys that need to be shipped out have no value and the farm system is too thin. I doubt this team can pull off anything significant without giving up a core piece...if they can then Purp will have definitely proved his worth. I think one of the only tradeable assets right now is Lidge...if he's not gonna ever reclaim the closer's role then it'd probably be best for the team to shop him. But I don't even necessarily advocate that seeing as the bullpen and starting rotations are our strengths right now and any added bat won't bolster the lineup enough to overcome a weakening in those areas. So, I think the team's only choice is to ride this season out and see what happens. Regardless of the outcome, let Biggio retire...release Lane and Palmeiro or trade 'em if some team wants them. Shop Ensberg as well. I think Ausmus still is valuable but either as the backup catcher or in a coaching role. He can't be the everday catcher anymore. So basically, cut the dead weight...they've been given too many chances...enough is enough. I'd still like to have the Qualls, Wheeler, Lidge tandem...that's a good strength to have. I think once Biggio hits 3,000 the team needs to call up Burke and give him a legitmate shot to prove himself at 2nd. If he doesn,t then I'd like to re-sign Loretta. I know he's old...but a veteran presence who can still hit serving as a transition piece until someone younger comes along could be beneficial. Everett stays...if other areas are addressed, he could slide into the number 8 spot. Scott as of now, should get all the playing time in RF...Lane has had his chances...I don't care about the lefty/right matchups. He needs to show he can contribute over a full season. How can he do that when keeps getting pulled. The team must look for a catcher and 3rd basemen in the offseason...with catcher being the most critical. If a 3rd basemen can't be found I'd probably be fine with Lamb starting there everyday, his glove be damned. Bruntlett should fill Palmeiro's role. Backe will be back...so maybe the team could look to shop one of the young guys who have shown some potential thus far...Sampson or Albers or Wandy (if he continues to have a decent season). I'd also evaluate the coaches at season's end. Right now I'm not too pleased with the job they're doing. And I'm not talking about the player's performance at the plate. I'm talking about the many mental mistakes this team has made in the field and on the basepaths this season. That's inexcusable and that falls on the coaches. Not to mention the overeliance and stubborness to move away from the righty/lefty matchups and the use of certain players. Really, I just think this team needs to finally let go of the past and look to the future...this is the first time in a long time that I'm losing excitement over the Astros, that I'm losing interest. And it's a combination of the pathetic run output and just what seems to me like totaly apathy on the field. In any case, the team needs to turn the page in it's history but the higher ups seem to be in denial about it.
we're 6.5 games out as of 5/25. we have jennings coming back. we hope to have berkman play like berkman soon. bench jeff kent...start chris burke!!!
Get rid of Palmerio, Lane, Miller, Ensberg and Moehler and replace them with some combination of Steven Randolph, Todd Walker, Craig Wilson, Mark Saccomanno, Brooks Conrad, and Cody Ransom.
Granted we're not that far back so anythings possible...but still like I said, regardless of what happens this season changes do need to be made. And the organization needs to finally come to that realization. And I'm tired of a team falling back on the assumption that they've made great comebacks before so they can do it again. It'd be a lot more fun watching them play with some energy and excitement, even if they still lose.
The problem with this team is that there are far too many deadweights and question marks on this roster and we just can't get rid of them. 3 of the starters (Biggio, Everett, Ausmus) must be starters because their positives outweigh their horrid offense. Add in the pitcher and you got 4 unreliable starters. That just leave 5 (er 4 because Ensberg sucks) starters to carry the load. In short, only Berkman (who's struggling) and Lee are the only players that we know are reliable on offense and that just sucks. The jury is still out on Scott and Pence (and we all know what happened Burke). Face it, unless we see a lot of Comeback Players of the Year as well as a ROTY, they're not going to make the post-season even in this division. Both the Cubs and Brewers are better teams and since the WC is most likely out of reach, it would either take another miracle (which I doubt this current team is capable of) as well as a complete collapse of the Brewers (who can go .500 all the way and can still win the division).
the braves just lost their best reliever gonzales we should try to trade them lidge for anyone that can hit saltalamacchia would be nice
Mansolino has absolutely sucked at 3rd this season. There's already been 5 or 6 major f*ups on his part and quite a few minor ones as well.
I'd like to trade off some guys and rebuild the farm system but we just gave a ton of money to Lee who I think has a no-trade for a few years and traded off Hirsh for Jennings who's a free agent after the season. We're screwed.
well I think Ensberg has finally arrived. Now if we can get Jennings back and Berkman hitting again...
As everyone's already pointed out, options are limited - there are no obvious or even particularly good choices. I think your daily lineup has to look like this: CF: Pence SS: Loretta RF: Berkman LF: Lee 1B: Lamb 3B: Ensberg 2B: Biggio C: Ausmus If you've got to make a choice between Ensberg, Lane, and Scott, Ensberg has the best track record.
This may have been mentioned, but I haven't seen it - Lamb has been hitting jack **** lately. Since May 10, which will include a couple of three-hit games for him, he's... let's see... hitting .224. Since May 15, .125. Plus his glove regularly in the lineup. Eesh.
solution? berkman hitting, not walking and not being Ichiro, hes the leader when he shows up other guys see that and follow.
Pretty much agree. I don't think we should trade Lidge unless its for a bonafied bat at either short or catcher. I really think we should just go with pretty much the status quo until the end of the year, unless we can get prospects for some our disappointments such as Ensberg, Lane, or Everette. Garner should quit juggling the lineup and just go with this against righties the rest of the year: Loretta 2b Ensberg 3b Berkman 1b Lee lf Pence cf Scott rf Everette ss Ausmus c Vs. Lefties until 3000 Loretta ss Ensberg 3b Berkman 1b Lee lf Pence cf Scott rf Biggio 2b Ausmus c Vs. Lefties after 3000 Loretta ss Ensberg 3b Berkman 1b Lee lf Pence cf Scott rf Burke 2b Ausmus c At any point that we can get even marginal prospects for Ensberg, Lane or Ausmus we should do it. We should definately shop Everette in the off-season, but I wouldn't give him up except for a decent prospect. I think Scott will eventually come around. Lamb is great coming off the bench and you will need to play him occasionally at 3b and 1b to keep him reasonably in-sync. If Scott or Burke don't come around then trade them in the off-season. Again, prospects will do. If we can't win the Central this year with the group we have it is time to re-build around Lee, Berkman, Pence and the pitching staff. I would not trade away any of my young arms for a temporary fix this year, unless again you found a sucker for a real bat at short or catcher.
I'm for anything that will really shake up the roster. I'm ready for a new look Astros. No more Biggio, no more Ausmus, no more Lane, etc. I'd let everyone know that everyone not named Oswalt, Berkman, or Lee is fair game.
