[Official] Astros Offseason Thread

Both Walker and Grudzielanek had a higher OBP and OPS and were more effective offensive players than Biggio last season. That said, Biggio was a better offensive player, until he appeared to wear down in the later months of the season and his production tailed off. That, to me, indicates a need to platoon him with another solid option at second base, so that he can stay fresh later in the season and play like the player he was in the first four months. That Biggio was better than Walker and Grudzielanek.

 

Jamarcus!

I'm afraid all his friends will show up in Reggie Bush or Vince Young jerseys. Seriously, he has more than a few friends who wear those jerseys around.

 

Exactly one of the reasons Mark Loretta was signed for one season. Burke will patrol center field, Biggio will get his 70 hits, and Loretta will spell him on night/day games and some road games inbetween getting the occasional 3B and 1B start. Assuming Biggio retires after this season, Burke becomes the fulltime 2B and Pence moves in to CF in 2008.

 

BRad Lidge was nevere the same after Alberts Poojuls hit a home-run in the 2005 World Searies. I thing Brad Lidge shuold go to a Cicologist.

 

I agree, RyanEcould not have said it better myself

 

You are ignoring the fact that the Astros would have had to sign him to a minor league deal or remove (and risk losing) someone from the 40 man roster. They can't just pursue free agents simply because they may be "cheap". They have to weigh the value versus the risk to their roster.

 

ESPN Insider:

 

http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/...ent_id=1792987&vkey=pr_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou

 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/30/AR2006053000710.html

Indians' Sauerbeck Arrested; Found in Bushes​

Associated Press
Tuesday, May 30, 2006; 2:14 PM

SHEFFIELD VILLAGE, Ohio -- Cleveland Indians pitcher Scott Sauerbeck was arrested early Tuesday after he and a woman fled from his vehicle and were found hiding behind bushes, police said.

Sauerbeck, 34, of nearby Avon, was the passenger in his car, which a patrolman saw weaving. The vehicle pulled into a driveway and the driver, Lily Miller, and Sauerbeck got out, walked into the backyard and jumped a fence, according to a police report.

The owner of the house reported hearing voices outside and police found Sauerbeck and Miller hiding between the home and some bushes.

Sauerbeck was charged with obstructing official business and permitting someone intoxicated to drive his vehicle.

"He was somewhat remorseful and indicated what he did was stupid," Police Chief Michael Gurich said. "I guess they were frightened because they both had been drinking."

Miller faces DUI and obstructing official business charges. Her blood-alcohol content was 0.253, more than three times the legal limit.

Sauerbeck and Miller were released on a bond of $120 each and will be arraigned on June 1 in Avon Lake Municipal Court.

If convicted, the maximum penalty for the misdemeanor offenses is six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Indians spokesman Bart Swain declined comment on the arrest.

Sauerbeck is 0-1 with a 4.22 ERA in his second season in Cleveland.

 

Eh, sounds like he was protecting a girl.. I can deal with that. Esp. if he doesn't have a history of it.

Also, I'm a fan of Rick White in the minors. Could pan out to be huge as a Springer replacement if he returns to form

 

...and Scott Sauerbeck will henceforth be referred to as a "crafty lefthander".

 

Astros birthday parties rock casbah

 

I don't subscribe to ESPN Insider. But the front page under Rumor Central has a story that says "The Cards, Nats and Astros appear to have emerged as front-runners to sign Steve Trachsel.

 

Funny...i was just wondering about Trachsel....i know he imploded at the end of last year...but he has been solid at times in the past


heres what it says...

Preferring the Senior Circuit
Feb 2 - The Cardinals, Nationals and Astros appear to have emerged as the front-runners to sign Steve Trachsel, ESPN.com's Jayson Stark has been told by clubs that have inquired about Trachsel.
Several AL teams also have expressed interest. But it's believed Trachsel prefers to stay in the National League.

 

Have we discussed yet, that the 'Stros signed reliever Ben Weber? He was really good for the Angels the year they won it. Not all that long ago.

http://www.panews.com/sports/local_story_034004915.html?keyword=topstory

I'm more into THAT, than signing that effing SCRUB, Rick White! God, he SUCKS!

 

Weber is a good guy, but he had ERAs of more than 8 in both 2004 and 2005, didn't play at all in 2006, and is 37 years old. I'm not expecting much.

I'd be surprised if any of these guys make the team, barring significant injuries. They're just additional arms for training camp. The only one I think has a realistic chance at the roster is Sauerbeck because he's a lefty.

 

Freaking out because a minor league camp invite "SUCKS" amuses me greatly.

It's the shotgun approach, maybe one of 'em sticks, maybe they're just roster fodder. Maybe they can catch on with a different club or maybe they're happy to pitch in RR (Wunsch lives in Austin, I think) and serve as insurance for the big club & a mentoring positive influence on the youngsters (ala Joe McEwing, who was very, very highly thought of by his teammates & the RR staff, but whose signing last year was greeted with the same "Why are they signing this guy? He SUCKS").

 

Pretty sure Cat wasn't freaking out.. just saying he didn't expect much and would be surprised if they made the team. Which I think is about the level all of our expectations are at for them... no one's going insane (for once)

 

I think he was talking about the guy above The Cat.

 

Even still ... though valid points, we're NOT supposed to have opinions now?


Rick White "SUCKS!"

So there.

-The guy above the cat