What should the Astros do to Eli? A) Keep him starting. B) Keep starting him and reevaluate in two weeks. C) Bullpen. D) Option him to minors (I believe this is his last option though). I say C or D, with putting Dotel as starter with very limited pitch count. He just needs confidence and a little better control. ------------------
he looks like Lima right now. He tries to keep the ball down, but for some reason all you see is those chest high 87 mph groove pitches that he seems to love and I can't, or wouldn't have the patience to risk him ruining the upstart season so I would send him to A ball till he can keep the ball down, it's not even a matter of velocity that I'm concerned with, the location greatly disturbs my faith in his ability. ------------------ Rarely is the question asked: Guns kill squirrels than REDRUM to fools across the nation?
Ellie can't pitch much worse. The thing that strikes me is how much zip he has lost off the fastball. He has been around 87-89 most of the season. Last year he threw 90-93 most of the time. I think he could be injured or something is not right with his arm and maybe he continues to pitch, like Wags did. Either way, maybe we call up McKnight to spot a start or two. I really like Dotel where he is. ------------------
Put him in the bullpen and use Villone in his place. Do not banish him as they did with Lima. Elarton used to be an excellent 2-3 inning pitcher. If they cannot find situations to put him in, send him to AAA to get his troubles worked out. ------------------
For sure throw him in the bullpen to set wags up like a few years ago...I agree with bobrek that we should put Villone in his place temporarily until he gets back on track... I blame him suck'n this year on Dierker not on Eli...Damn Dierk, he's a dumba$$ manager who thinks shorterm only...coming of major surgery last year, he would consitently leave him out there 7-8 innings (100+ pitches) blows my mind...that screwed his whole career up right there! ------------------
If you ask Elarton, he will say that being in the bullpen is what hurt his arm, not the high pitch counts he had. So he will most definitely not accept a move to the bullpen, he would be much happier to go to New Orleans, the bullpen is something he wouldn't accept. ------------------ Anyone need a C/C++/Win32/HTML/PHP/SQL/Java/Perl/x86 coder?
Either move him to the bullpen or send him to New Orleans. He is not a very good starting pitcher at the present time. ------------------ "Blues is a Healer" --John Lee Hooker
He has lost about 5 mph on his fastball, something ain't right. But he needs to get it together soon. ------------------ How long do I have to endure this ?
Bah is right...he's lost velocity. His problems aren't gonna get fixed in the bullpen. He needs to go down to the minors and work this out. Or...he needs to be part of a trade package. I'm guessing lots of teams would be interested in the potential of a young pitcher considered untouchable just about a year ago...who is coming off a 17 win season. Either way...he CAN'T stay in the rotation. The Astros can't afford that right now in the midst of a division title hunt. This team has the second best record in the majors right now...behind AZ and Cubs who are tied for first...the NL is wide open and the 'stros have a lot of potential. If they can make a trade that puts them over the top, this might be the year to do it. Not like 1998 where, after the Randy Johnson trade, we still had to hope we'd beat the Braves or Padres. ------------------
I wouldn't trade him yet, and I certainly wouldn't start him any more. Send him to AAA or better yet, AA Round Rock. They seem to be doing a great job with young pitchers out there, and it would be a good atmosphere for him to be in. Elly's still young. I wouldn't bet against him being able to turn it around in the minors and come back strong, if his problems don't involve some sort of injury. ------------------ I'm so amazingly cool you could keep a side of meat in me for a month. I am so hip that I have difficulty seeing over my pelvis.
There is no way the Stros should send Ellie down to the minors...he has struggled for one half of a season, there is still time to turn it around. Plus, he is normally a better 2nd half pitcher. It is way to early to send him down though, I mean they gave Lima 2 YEARS and finally got rid of him. We could trade him, but I'm not sure if we'd get much in return as his stock is not high right now. It would probably be best to wait him out. If he starts pitching similar to last season, the Astros are a lock for the playoffs. ------------------ Who needs teachers? I can learn my own self.
He has allowed 26 homers in 106 innings. He has a 7.14 ERA. He needs to go back to the farm to do some work. I suggest Round Rock- they're doing a great job with young pitchers. Right now his mechanics are flawed and his location is horrible. Anyone who saw him pitch last night saw those belt-high 86-88mph fastballs being jacked out of the park. I think it's too early to give up on him. He's still cheap, so keep in NO or RR for the rest of the year. Maybe he'll come back strong in spring training next year. ------------------ "Oh No..." -Bill Walton in 97 just before Stockton's buzzer beater
Keep in mind that Elarton's ERA last year was 4.81 and he only won 17 games because he had some of the best run support in the major leagues. His September record was 2-3 and his ERA climbed from 4.58 to 4.81 during the month. He had an outstanding August of 2000 but he was pitching against inferior teams (Marlins, Expos, Phillies, Pirates, Cubs and Expos again). I like Elarton, but I do not think he has fully recovered (physically or psychologically) from his 1999 surgery. The Astros also gave Lima significantly less than 2 years. They gave him all of 2000 and less than 2 months this year. ------------------
I'd move him to the bullpen if he accepts, if not, I'd send him down. Or consider starting him on the road and see if that helps his confidence. I think Bottenfield will start. But Villone is a good option and so would Astacio. The best solution is to get him turned around. The guy can pitch and has proven it. That makes his trade value very high...but I woldn't trade him. He's so young he could turn it around. Interesting note. I heard Ankiel is destroying single A batting, but they won't move him up to AA. ------------------ humble, but hungry.
