You know, I was already pissed off about this loss. Then I come and read **** like this. Clemens is getting paid about $13 million dollars. He has a world series ring, and he's got the best gig in the big leagues. Let's stop feeling sorry for him, and start feeling sorry for the rest of the team that has been let down by coaching, management, and the bullpen. The hitting, while it has it's holes (Ensberg, Lane, etc), has done enough to make us a playoff contender. The starting pitching has been good enough, without question. The bullpen has been piss poor, as shown again tonight...and management and coaching has not done a damn thing about it. No trades at the deadline. Continue trotting Qualls, Lidge, and Wheeler out without even exploring the option of Nieve and/or Borkowski in the late innings. Garner has it stuck in his head that Qualls/Wheeler/Lidge is the closing combination, and Nieve and Borkowski are mopup relief. I love Phil's personality, but he's just too damn stubborn...I never rag on managers for isolated decisions, but he continues to make the same mistakes. Next year it's time to revamp the bullpen, the rotation, and say goodbye to Biggio and Ausmus as everyday starters.
Having all 3 of Ausmus, Everett and Biggio return only guaranteed our pathetic offense would get worse. What was our weakness last year? Hitting. Therefore it seems like improving the lineup would be our #1 priority. What's the only major move we make? Preston Wilson. Which of those 3 offensive liabilities did he replace? None. It's a joke that Chris Burke doesn't play 2nd base nearly full time. Biggio has gone in the 2nd half tank again, just like the last 2 seasons. On Ausmus: What's Clemens record this season? 5-4. He's not exactly carrying the team, though it's not his fault our normally sleepy offense goes into a complete coma when he pitches. If getting rid of Ausmus meant losing Clemens (and his salary) plus signing an above-average hitting 2B/OF it would have been a good idea. Maybe it can be blamed on Bagwell's $17MM millstone. Without that, maybe Drayton goes out and improves the lineup. While we can't exactly accuse him of being cheap on salary, it's clear we had 3 dead lightbulbs on the tree that are dead again this year. I'm not surprised the team will not make the playoffs. It's not over yet but it really is. The only reason the Stros are still in the running is because the NL itself is so weak. One more bat in the lineup at the start of the year and we would probably be leading the most mediocre Wild Card chase ever, even with Ensberg and Lidge failing big time.
The Astros meltdown is complete. Ensberg Ausmus Lane Everett Biggio (lately) They are all underperforming at the dish, and what can we say about our bullpen, they are simply horrible, and the primary reason the team is done. Qualls - SUCKS Lidge - SUCKS Wheeler - OK but still gives up hits at inopportune times (Like yesterday) And our starting pitching has been suspect with the exception of Roy and for half a year Roger. The team was built for last year, not this year. Time to build around the young uns......get House in there pronto. DD
It's obviously thin right now. I'm personally convinced they're done for 2006 as well (all the while hoping to be proven wrong). But I'm still here. I survived 1982-1985, I survived the hell seasons of 1987 and 2000, the mediocrity of 1988-1990 and the rebuilding of 1991-1996. And I'll stick with them through this. But yeah; they're done.
Ausmus and Everett aren't underperforming and Biggio is in his annual 2nd half swoon. Looks like Ensberg and Lane were flukes last year. Lidge is the #1 disappointment of the year; Pettitt isn't far behind. Still, one more bat and they would probably be leading the Wild Card. Should have spent a little more and got a good player instead of Preston Wilson.
Yep. They'll be back next season. CF-Taveras 2B-Biggio 1B-Berkman LF-Lee RF-Scott 3B-Huff C-House SS-Everett Our starting pitching will be suspect depending on who we pick up in free agency, but I think we'll have a great lineup. They got me to the Texans/Longhorns, so while I'm certainly disappointed, I'm also still happy for the memories they gave me the last two seasons and for the fact that we're not the Pirates.
please, people who really felt that way stopped watching and caring, neither of which you partook in.
fun while it lasted; unfortunately, this team just didn't have it. frankly, last year's team wasn't appreciably better - goes to show you how thin the line between good and bad can be. still, hell of a ride - my cap is doffed. as for next year, my top 6 priorities would be: 1. extend oswalt 2. sign carlos lee come hell or high water 3. send ensberg to some remote, war-torn country for a "rehab" assignment; cancel his visa 4. resign huff 5. resign pettitte 6. figure out what's wrong with lidge. my gut tells me a real offseason will do him wonders - send him to aruba, get him as far away from baseball as possible. see if a little R&R will do him any good - i think he's mentally and physically fried after two very long years. at the same time, hickey, et al, need to start grooming nieve and wheeler as possible replacements. 6a. as always, leave the door open for roger.
how is me saying that this team isn't going to make the playoffs "hopping off their team?" we just aren't that good of a team, no other way around it. does it suck? hell yes, but it doesn't change the fact. will i still be watching games? of course.... i want to see the young guys come in and get some quality time. but at some point in this season, this team has to prove to me that they're a playoff team and they haven't. here's to 2007.
good ideas. unfortunately, if ausmus, biggio, and everett are all still in the lineup, we are still going to suck. how come all of you dont understand this?
they were all in the line-up last year when we won a pennant. and the offense is actually better this year - it's on pace to score more runs and hit more home runs and it's OPS is higher. if they can surround those three with better hitters, they'll be OK.
