I don't entirely disagree (I'm not entirely sure Under Pants should be up here to begin with)...but if that's what you're basing it on, the decision had to be made prior to tonight's game -- in which case, Pence was hitting .250/.282/.454 (OPS of .736)...compared to Burke's .238/.344/.388 (OPS of .732).
The point is that Burke has been doing a lot for the organization by moving around to accomodate a weaker player and his quest for 3,000 hits..... Pence is still very young and would have taken it better, IMO. DD
They should have sent a pitcher a down and kept 11 pitchers on the roster. I would vote for Woody Williams ( I know it wont/cant happen-salary, options, years of service, etc) Sending down Burke doesnt sit well with me, but what is even worse is that the plan is to have him play CF. At least have the guy play short for a couple of weeks or get playing time at second. BTW...anyone notice that Berkman came to bat for his boy again today. This is the second time in less than three weeks that Puma has publicly disagreed with upper management.
Yeah, I did notice this. It's now at least the fourth time just this season. He thought we should have done more to sign Pettite. Thought we needed pitching over hitting (in reference to Lee) and now has twice questioned the motives with Burke. I personally think he needs to shut up and play. The team missed the playoffs last year. Has had nothing for offense, and needed a change. Call out Pence all you want, but his defense in center has been head and shoulders above Burke. Plus, he's getting rbi's and developing into a player.
And Burke is probably the worst CF of all time. And no he will not get better. We have actually given Burke every chance to be an everyday player. Remember in 2005 when he took Lane's spot in the outfield. He did well but not well enough to merit a full time gig.
Except, of course, for giving him a chance at his natural position, 2B. You're comparing the offensive production from a natural middle infielder vs. production from an OF. As a 2B, Burke's defense and offense wil both be just fine.
In hindsight, the Stros should have traded him when he was 24... they likely could have gotten a nice everyday catcher/outfielder. Now, its too late... but for Burke's sake, he should be on a team that will give him a fair shot at 2B.
He has no role on the 2007 Astros. He can play 2 positions competently, 2B & LF, and they have better options at both.
Hopefully Biggio gets to 3000 quickly so they can sit him down, bring Burke up and make him the full time 2nd baseman. Or the Astros can let Burke go so he can get a fair shot with another team. He seems like a really good guy and I betcha he will be a major league manager one day.
Ah, as per usual. When your original point gets refuted (Burke hitting better than Pence), you switch points... Completely agree. My guess is, they're working the phone lines heavy right now, but we're going to get 75 cents on the dollar. I'd be thrilled with a 3B prospect.
Huh? No !!! There were multiple reasons to send Pence down instead of Burke.... Hitting, Age, what they have done for the organization. All of it....if Pence was lighting it up, by all means keep him up, but he wasn't....... I hope they keep him, we need a 2Bman for the future, Biggio will not be here next year.....as a starter. DD
So, that is the reason they are sending him down, because he struggles in CF? What exactly are his issues in center? Too many misjudged fly balls? I mean the team got by with Willy Taveras out there and that was an adventure, and Biggio was not that good in CF either. DD
They're sending him down because he has no role on this team. Right now, he's the 3rd best CF on the team and the 3rd best 2B. They may plan on bringing him back later & want him playing every day instead of sitting on the bench.
You think he is the 3rd best 2b? I think he is the best 2b we have......especially when you factor in range and arm strength. Loretta is a better hitter, and Biggio is adequate....but outside of Biggios quest for 3k, Burke would be starting at 2b.. Off topic, can Loretta play 3b every day? Does he have a good enough arm? DD
If he can't play CF, he doesn't have a position here. Taveras was mediocre as a CF, Burke is flat out bad out there. Noodle arm, poor reads, and he lacks Wily's pure speed to make up for it. And those guys not being any good doesn't excuse Burke, especially if there's a better option. To be honest, the guy who I feel should be the odd man out is Orlando Palmeiro. I like the guy, but he's a bench corner outfielder (maybe even leftfielder only) with no power potential. He's basically a relatively high OBP lefty pinch hitter. I feel like Burke adds more off the bench than OP (especially with Lamb as a lefty pinch hitter as it is). But that's the nature of being a veteran. All else equal, Loretta would be the guy I want starting at 2B.
Why would you downgrade the 2B position? Biggio right now is better than Burke. Let Burke get his PT in AAA until he figures it out.
No way is Biggio better than Burke at this stage in their careers.....especially on defense. And, you have to figure Burke would get the offense going if he was not worried so much about learning a new postion. DD
Taveras got to be really good in center last year. His classic, break in, turn around, sprint full speed out, still get there early and wait for it play nearly disappeared.
