OK...I'll bite. First off, his name is GERRY. As an informed fan, you should know this. As to your viewpoint, the Astros' biggest need this off season was starting pitching. If you paid attention last season, you already know this. The Astros signed 2 All-Star caliber starting pitchers. Following that, the Astros biggest off season need was a stud defensive CFer. Those are hard to come by. Winding down to the All-Star break this season, that was still a need. Anyone who has watched Biggio in CF, and the overall OF defense since Hidalgo was traded, already knows this. Another huge, and somewhat unexpected, need was another bat in the middle of a lineup that has struggled horribly to score runs this season. The Astros trade for a stud defensive CFer who also kicks serious ass in the middle of the lineup. The Astros want another bullpen arm, anyone who's been paying attention over the past couple of weeks already knows this. They'll get somebody. Watch.
First off, show me the respect that I've shown you. As a senior member, there is a proper way to address other senior members. (Jerry or Gerry?) Your implicit attacks are degrading! As FOR your statement, the two additions dropped in our laps. CF was not something Gerry was going to address! If YOU paid attention last season, YOU would have realized that our defense looked good on paper (fielding percentage) but was below average at best. (range, arm...) Biggio was below average in center. Berkman was below average in left. Kent was below average at second. Bagwell was below average at first. Blum was below average at third. If we would of addressed our position players, we would of addressed our lack of range, lack of arms, lack of speed, lack of clutch hitting, lack of left-handed sticks. Our staff ERA would of improved half a point IMO. But, we improved our staff not because of Drayton (or Gerry). You don't have to argue your point regarding this because I have read your BS opinion already. If YOU paid attention last season, YOU would of realized that we were a predominantly right-handed team. Guess what? GERRY did not address that. The Dodgers would of taken Hidalgo this off season (rumored Mota trade) but GERRY didn't pull the trigger. Now, I wonder why he couldn't pull the trigger? Gerry couldn't pull the trigger because he knew he needed an arm in the outfield. I bet he would of pulled the trigger if we had a better defensive player in center. We could of added a left-handed stick in right field. Instead as per his MO, he trades Blum and then he replaces Blum with another Blum. He thinks he addressed that issue! If YOU paid attention last season, YOU would of realized this team needed more speed. (At least on the bench) Does GERRY address it? Heck no. He believes the two pitchers that fell in his lap were going to cover our ineffeciencies. What's the excuse? We didn't have the cash? You always defend Drayton, if this is really this core of players' last chance then adding 3 more million wouldn't bankrupt Drayton. Instead, what does Gerry do? He trades the best closer we have ever had because he spoke the truth. He weakens the strongest part of this team. OK, lets not blame GERRY for having to trade Wagner. But, can we blame him for thinking this team had the relievers that are necessary for a JIMY lead team. Jimy has always overused/abused his relievers. Yet miraculously, JIMY was going to change. Or did GERRY make a mistake by not adding to the relievers. Now, I know we could use the 3 million we are spending on a certain below average outfielder on another reliever but we couldn't do that because our owner doesn't want to make a Ryan type mistake. Gerry finally gets something right by acquiring a switch hitting, great defensive CF, a month before the trading deadline. What does he get wrong? He trades our closer without replacing him. Gerry is crossing his fingers for a serviceable eighth inning guy right now. IMO, he is probably going to have to give up Whiteman, one of our top 3 players in the minors to do that! We have too many holes on this team. Who do we blame because someone needs to take the blame? Jimy? Drayton? Biggio? Bagwell? Gerry? Or all of them?
C. Biggio - 296 AVG 358 OBP 11 HRS 33 RBIS 2 SBS R. Lankford - .266 AVG .365 OBP 5 HRS 15 RBIS 2 SBS M. Alou - .280 AVG .326 OBP 18 HRS 47 RBIS 1 SBS A. Dunn - 260 AVG 405 OBP 22 HRS 48 RBIS 2 SBS G. Jenkins - 257 AVG 319 OBP 10 HRS 42 RBIS 0 SBS R. Mackowiak - 267 AVG 327 OBP 12 HRS 39 RBIS 8 SBS P. Burrell - 282 AVG 391 OBP 14 HRS 53 RBIS 0 SBS J. Conine - 274 AVG 341 OBP 5 HRS 29 RBIS 3 SBS C. Floyd - 284 AVG 349 OBP 10 HRS 32 RBIS 2 SBS C. Jones - 219 AVG 332 OBP 10 HRS 26 RBIS 0 SBS T. Sledge - 265 AVG 322 OBP 7 HRS 21 RBIS 2 SBS B. Bonds - 352 AVG 618 OBP 19 HRS 40 RBIS 3 SBS J. Encarnacion - 245 AVG 294 OBP 12 HRS 40 RBIS 2 SBS L. Gonzales - 272 AVG 384 OBP 14 HRS 40 RBIS 2 SBS J. Burnitz - 275 AVG 346 OBP 16 HRS 48 RBIS 3 SBS R. Klesko - 262 AVG 371 OBP 1 HRS 26 RBIS 1 SBS So lets see Biggios rank (out of 16 total OFers): AVG - 2nd OBP - 7th HRS - 9th RBIs - 10th SBs - 5th (tied) Id say hes average when compared to the rest. But you are right. Just get rid of him. Hes killing us out there (sorry MadMax)!!! You're welcome.
Speaking of which. We still need to make new plans, in place of the ones that fell through on June 19th
What about defense? What about situational hitting? How does he do against the top tier pitchers? How does he do in the playoffs? If we do not make it to the playoffs, do we pick up his contract for next year?
Agree whole heartily. Would you believe I have had only 2 days off this whole month of June? OT city! If it's just a game, we can go Sunday the 18th. 1:05 start against the Padres. I can't do Saturday the 17th, that's my daughter's birthday
If you would like, look them up. Your the one with the ridiculous theory to prove, not me. Ive done enough. I would assume they would be average in comparison with other left fielders just like the other stats were. I already did the main stats, which basically support most everyones theory that Bidge is a more than adequate left fielder, and still a good hitter.
when provided evidence that your contention is WRONG...change the basis of your contention. awesome strategy.
The Astros hold an option for Biggio's services next year. I believe it is for 3 million. The article suggested that the Astros should exercise the option now. I agree. You've got a guy willing to do whatever it takes for the TEAM to be successful that is also a good player making a relatively paltry sum. How many other proven players would have made the switch from 2nd to CF? How many would be willing to again make a change in the middle of the season with no preparation without ANY public complaining? Biggio is mediocre as a defensive outfielder, but, as a gamer, he is on par with any player in the league. He offered no excuses for his error the other night. It was perfectly reasonable for him to say, "gee, I never had to catch a ball like that at night at Wrigley field, with hardly any practice", but he didn't. Should the Cubs get rid of lou for playing Everett's double into a run?
Apparently I can't come, don't know the secret handshake or something. bigboy...sorry if I'm not always as tactful as I should be.
You don't know what you are talking about, biggio has been one of the most consistent offensive threats this season batting .300 11hr 33rbi's, plus tonight he went 2 for 4 with a double to lead off the astros half of the 1st then later scored that inning then lead off the astros big 6th inning with a single to get the bats going. i think biggio has been one of if not the best player the astros have this year next to clemens, beltran and berkman.
