So, who leaves the Astros rotation once Clemens (and then Backe) come back. Here are the candidates: (1) Wandy Rodriguez - Most experienced of the bunch, and seemingly wins the most often. However, since his fantastic April, he's been below-mediocre with ERAs of 5.3 and 6.6 in May and June. Probably has the least upside of the various candidates, but is generally fairly steady. Puts tons of people on base (1.5+ WHIP). (2) Fernando Nieve - Wasn't expected to even be up here, but has done a pretty decent job. Relatively consistent, and has had 3 good starts in a row. Doesn't seem to be able to go too many innings, often leaving in the 5th, so he can tax the bullpen. Might be the best of the three for a useful bullpen role (as opposed to mop up duty). (3) Taylor Buchholz - Has the most potential of being really good, at least for this year. When he's on, he's dominant. Has been terrible after a ridiculously good start to the season, but the last two starts have shown improvement. If dropped, probably should go to AAA to continue starting rather than try to fit into a bullpen role. I think Wandy will be the worst of the three in the long-run, but I don't think there's any way you can pull him. While Nieve has been better, I would leave Buchholz in the rotation, as I think Nieve could really help our struggling bullpen (send Sampson or Borkowski down). If Buchholz returns to his 3 innings / 8 runs games, then you bring Nieve back in and send him down.
Agreed. Nieve to the pen, Buchholz gets more time. I'd also like to see Hirsh get a shot at the #5 spot, eventually.
I think Nieve's "stuff" suits him as a reliever better than Bucholz's stuff does. If you really look at all their game logs, Nieve has been the most consistent of them all.
If the Astros drop Bucholtz from the rotation, he isn't going to pen. He has had too many arm troubles. I think Nieve is stuff is better for the pen also. He was throwing 95-96 earlier this year when in the pen. When Backe comes back its between Bucholtz and Wandy. Wandy has really struggle since his early start. I knew he wasn't the pitcher he pitched like earlier own because he faced horrible offenses like the Marlins and Nationals.
But ONLY for seasoning! Bucholtz is going to be super sweet in another year. Magic Wandy is definitely the worst of the three, IMO ... but he has that insane run support, & thus, the worst 8-3 (or whatever it is) season, I've ever seen in my life. Best fluke season since that Jerome Robertson guy somehow went 15-8 (or whatever it was.) Why just last week Wandy was serving up taters to the Braves like they were going out of style. Luckily for him, there was never anybody on base. For a sec, it was seriously like every pitch Wandy threw, was a homer for the Braves. But God bless him ... Magic Wandy, that is. As long has you have a record like that, I guess they HAVE to let you pitch. Give Backe 5 starts, & if he super-sucks, put HIM in the pen or AAA. Seriously. This is all IMO, BTW.
i tend to agree with this. but unfortunately, i think nieve is the bullpen is better for this season. and the astros are well in the hunt.
No he doesn't. He needs to be in a major league starting rotation. He's doing fine and he'll only get better. He's growing accustomed to being a major league pitcher and to put him back in the minors isn't going to help him.
i think nieve's more suited as a starter as well. either way, it's tough to go into any game with one of them starting and have too much confidence at this point in their careers.
If we could pull off a trade for Lee, Soriano, or Abreu I would be ecstatic. Edit: Crawford should be in the mix too. That said, I don't see the Purp pulling anything off.
Send Buchholz to AAA now, don't even mess with the pen. Then when Backe comes back, put Nieve in the pen.
Bucholz needs to be more consistent...he either goes pen or AAA. The thing is that Backe is starting rehab now too.... DD
Penciling in Backe to be a mainstay of the rotation at this point is premature... the guy has a LONG way to go before he gets back to his "playoff" form of pitching. Nieve has a + arm for the bullpen... Buchholz's history of arm trouble will prevent himfrom doing that. Trading a guy like Wandy should be kept in mind, if a team is listening... but I seriously doubt other teams wouldn't be able to see the same things we are (that Wandy is a mediocre pitcher, who gets good run support, and gets away with less stuff because he's a lefty). Jason Hirsch IS a blue-chip prospect... and could likely fetch a Carlos Lee/Soriano/Abreu type player... but a.) are you willing to give up that 24 year old pitcher knowing that Clemens/Pettite might not be back next year. and b.) there's a chance (like Beltran) that the club wouldn't be able to re-sign the player they're acquiring (even though they'll have plenty of money, with no Pettite/Clemens/Bagwell on the books).
If we traded Robertson, we can trade Wandy. He's a young lefty. I don't really want to trade Hirsh. If Pettitte leaves... We're looking at Oswalt, Backe, Buchholz, Wandy, Hirsh possibly in the rotation.
